MY RAILWAY HISTORY
_ But lets go right back to the beginning.
I joined British Rail as a Train Drivers Assistant in July 1979 along with 11 others, 10 of us were all 16 years old, David Bishop was 18 years old and Pete Harrison who was aged 22.
I remained friends with all these men, especially one, Steve Wakelam who currently drives for East Coast Trains? For a 16 year old this was an extremely exciting job, we accompanied drivers on various types of engines including Deltics, although my favourite engine was a 47. We worked on every class of train from main line passengers to loose coupled freight trains. Within weeks of my employment starting I was recruited into the Union, ASLEF, at that time Ray Buckton was the General Secretary.
British Rail was undertaking many changes at this time, there was many men who finished their railway careers that never made it to the grade of driver, they were simply known as “passed men”, towards the end of 1984, it quickly became apparent that due to the retirement of so many drivers there was vacancies galore especially down South, I was just turned 21 at the time and along with 2 other friends, Steve Jesson and Martin Prest we applied for Drivers vacancies in London.
Steve Jesson ended up at Redhill and myself and Martin ended up at Selhurst known as the Turkey Farm because they gobbled up all the overtime. We took our MP12, 6 month course to become Train Drivers at the school just outside Waterloo Station, out tutor was a man called Ted who I believe came from the Herne Bay area, this man knew everything. We eventually passed out as drivers in the summer of 1985 just before my 22nd birthday, we were the youngest Train Drivers British Rail ever had.
We drove 3rd rail electrics, 51, 57, 63 stock and the new 455 stock along with Motor Luggage Vans.
I made many friends at Selhurst and lived in nearby East Croydon, my local was the Alma Tavern which makes me wonder whatever happened to Fred Doran and then Ray Harbert from the legendary East Croydon Railway Club football team. I would also like to give a mention to a Selhurst Driver called Dave Rebello, many a good nights drinking with Dave.
London however took its toll and in the early 90`s I decided to leave. Unfortunately at the time I was told that it would be 20 years or more to be able to return up North as a driver. So with deep regret I left the railway. I met my wife and we had a son called Adam who was born in 1992.
In 1997 I was working for a mobile communications company when a chance meeting with a Manager from Regional Railways North East who said they were desperately short of drivers and would I like the opportunity to drive trains again. I didn`t need asking twice, so by the end of 1997 I was a fully qualified train driver once again.
I joined British Rail as a Train Drivers Assistant in July 1979 along with 11 others, 10 of us were all 16 years old, David Bishop was 18 years old and Pete Harrison who was aged 22.
I remained friends with all these men, especially one, Steve Wakelam who currently drives for East Coast Trains? For a 16 year old this was an extremely exciting job, we accompanied drivers on various types of engines including Deltics, although my favourite engine was a 47. We worked on every class of train from main line passengers to loose coupled freight trains. Within weeks of my employment starting I was recruited into the Union, ASLEF, at that time Ray Buckton was the General Secretary.
British Rail was undertaking many changes at this time, there was many men who finished their railway careers that never made it to the grade of driver, they were simply known as “passed men”, towards the end of 1984, it quickly became apparent that due to the retirement of so many drivers there was vacancies galore especially down South, I was just turned 21 at the time and along with 2 other friends, Steve Jesson and Martin Prest we applied for Drivers vacancies in London.
Steve Jesson ended up at Redhill and myself and Martin ended up at Selhurst known as the Turkey Farm because they gobbled up all the overtime. We took our MP12, 6 month course to become Train Drivers at the school just outside Waterloo Station, out tutor was a man called Ted who I believe came from the Herne Bay area, this man knew everything. We eventually passed out as drivers in the summer of 1985 just before my 22nd birthday, we were the youngest Train Drivers British Rail ever had.
We drove 3rd rail electrics, 51, 57, 63 stock and the new 455 stock along with Motor Luggage Vans.
I made many friends at Selhurst and lived in nearby East Croydon, my local was the Alma Tavern which makes me wonder whatever happened to Fred Doran and then Ray Harbert from the legendary East Croydon Railway Club football team. I would also like to give a mention to a Selhurst Driver called Dave Rebello, many a good nights drinking with Dave.
London however took its toll and in the early 90`s I decided to leave. Unfortunately at the time I was told that it would be 20 years or more to be able to return up North as a driver. So with deep regret I left the railway. I met my wife and we had a son called Adam who was born in 1992.
In 1997 I was working for a mobile communications company when a chance meeting with a Manager from Regional Railways North East who said they were desperately short of drivers and would I like the opportunity to drive trains again. I didn`t need asking twice, so by the end of 1997 I was a fully qualified train driver once again.
I rejoined Aslef, very quickly becoming involved in the politics of trade unionism, I became an Health & Safety Rep and whenever possible would represent men and women in hearings, I hated anyone and this is in any walk of life who tried to bully others.
My problem was that I could never stand back and accept any situation where I felt an individual was being picked on or receiving punishment for trivial issues. I would fight every challenge to the end and still continue after this.
I think that in trying to stand up for what I thought were basic human rights, I actually became too militant for my own union, I would challenge them for what I believed was very poor representation of individuals, even taking the fight on after they thought it was finished.
In hindsight, I should have been one of the 99%, a lemming.
I will still continue this battle to the end, who knows when the end will be or what will happen, one thing is certain, my will to get justice and revenge on those 9 despicable individuals.
My problem was that I could never stand back and accept any situation where I felt an individual was being picked on or receiving punishment for trivial issues. I would fight every challenge to the end and still continue after this.
I think that in trying to stand up for what I thought were basic human rights, I actually became too militant for my own union, I would challenge them for what I believed was very poor representation of individuals, even taking the fight on after they thought it was finished.
In hindsight, I should have been one of the 99%, a lemming.
I will still continue this battle to the end, who knows when the end will be or what will happen, one thing is certain, my will to get justice and revenge on those 9 despicable individuals.