Just joined

[41225]

Hello all enthusiasts.My interest in railways started in 1954 when my family moved to the midlands from the north east.Nearly all my class were keen "spotters"so I joined in and before long went on expeditions to Crewe and other exotic locations on the rail network!Left school at 15 and went to work at W.G.Bagnalls loco works in Stafford which was interesting but the factory was very old and there were accidents so I left and joined the RAF as an electrician on aircraft.my last close encounter with the rail network was the GWR line next to RAF Cosford !I have a few "atmospheric photos which I will post later!!41225 used to transport me to Rugeley trent valley every working day when I would switch to the train for Stafford!

[pre65]

Welcome to the forum.

Does this bring back memories ?

https://www.flickr.com/photos/64518788@N05/8042582700/

[G6 UXU]

Hello and welcome to the forum, looking forward to your photo's, have a good look round and all the best.

[DSY011]

Hello 41225 and welcome to the Railway Forum.

[keith morgan]

I believe 41225 was a Bushbury (3B W/ton) engine when i was there, it was fitted with push/pull equipment for working locals to Lichfield/Burton,but was superceded by diesel units. The fireman on these working's consisted of a senior or passed fireman, apparently they had a good turn of speed.
I never worked this engine,(being too junior) but did work the Burton local on occasions with a Stanier class 3 tank engine when the DMU. had failed.

[41225]

I saw 1225 most days I was working in Stafford ,it stopped at Rugeley town and trent valley where I would get another to Stafford.Spoke to the crew quite a few times!!

[27vet]

Welcome 41225.

[Silver Fox Phil]

Hi 41225 and welcome to the forum. Hope you enjoy this great forum
Cheers
Phil

[41225]

Thanks to you all!I probably will be an infrequent poster but will do my best!When I left school at 15 I went straight to W.G.Bagnalls at "castle engine works"(still there on google).
The factory was built in 1840 and parts of it where showing its age!I was put on centre lathes and within three/four weeks left to get on with whatever was thrown at me!Lots of small parts were cast in the factory foundry and ended up with me having the faces skimmed ,sandbox tops and brake flanges that sort of stuff , also some bearing boxws and bits for cabs!The lathe next to my three was a big one and was used for turning axles and then I had to assist setting them up as it was a big job.At the end of the works was a new erecting shed in which Brush/Bagnall diesel loco chassis were erected(D5500 onwards)I made the sandbox lids for these and I saw them in the nat museum York where D5500(with a diff number!)resides.It was an interesting job but factory safety was not very good then and there was a fatal accident to an apprentice so I decided to leave and joined the RAF !!!

[Sentinel]

A very warm welcome to the forum.