Hi Geoff, Fantastic series. I joined the Railway in 1988 aged 16 on a YTS Track Maintenance scheme. I wanted to become a Train Driver and had the offer of a trainee position in Paddington ,when I was 18. But they wanted me to lodge up in London as I lived in Banbury. But the money was poor for a trainee and could not afford to move to London. I’m still on the Railway 34 yrs later as a signalling Installer. It’s great to get an insight in life as a driver. Kind regards Mark Clifton
Cyril Sweet infamous comment '' Got the Idea''. John Rutter, Fred Johnson, and then Ted Lynch from Salisbury nicknamed 'The Colonel' who was at Basingstoke. Worked with Tim Morgan and ex Eastleigh man. Interestly no Tony Blaxhill who lived at New Milton.
Absolutely enthralling! I'm amazed that anyone (let alone hordes of drivers and instructors) could learn all that details. Annd survive the sleep depravation that being a railwayman's life entails!
I never did my 40 front end turns ( official) as a trainman going driving. John Brookeshaw said you’re starting up the school. I said I haven’t done all my front end turns yet! I’ve busted my arse to get you up there he said Don’t you want to be a driver? ( busted my arse, my arse! He’d spend all his time looking in the mirror and combing his hair). Truth was I was grabbing the second man s seat on the Brighton Manchester and the Brighton Glasgow 47. And doing most of the driving. And I could have already signed the route to Reading ! I was loving it and getting paid! I knew I had to come down in the world and learn the trams but I was always a MT bloke at heart. Now firing at the bluebell and Nigel Buck is some times our guard.
Good old Tony Harper. I was supposed to have him for rules at the end of my course but he was off ill that day. I had Dave Rousseau instead (oh no). He was actually alright in the end and passed me. Being a Salisbury driver in 1999 I was so glad that I didn't have to do the MP12. I could have opted for driving back in 1989 but the Clapham Crash in 88 with Johhny Rolls and losing Clive Brooker at Holton Heath the following April put me off so I went for Senior Conductor instead. It took me a while before I would go up front again and sit on the Second Man's side as we often did. Chris Foot said a 159 is basically 3 weeks learning about 1 coach with minor equipment variations. Jiffy Lemon took me for my final and after leaving Salisbury I hit a pigeon, a pheasant and a deer all before the first stop Grateley. We had a bit of an air leak due to the deer but we were maintaining main res. Chris came out with the old driver's phrase, 'air and amps, keep going', (though not a juicer of course). Quite a start to my driving career. Sadly I had to give up the job that I deeply loved due to bad IBS and retired early in 2019.
Hello Geoff. I’m not sure if you’ll remember me, but I was a guard at Woking from May 1986 to August 1991. We worked together quite a lot on various turns before you left to become a trainer (and maybe at weekends in between). I also have the horrid and sad “claim to fame” as being Alex McClymont’s guard during the Clapham Junction disaster. As you correctly stated in this video, the shock and horrors Alex and I went through, and saw that day is extremely hard to describe. Almost 34 years later and that day is still regularly at the forefront of my mind. I always think of Alex. He is a good man and we got on very well. The job lost its edge a little for me after that day, but I soldiered on. Alex too I think. I haven’t seen Alex in a very long time and I hope he is still with us. I’m a signalman now, up here in Yorkshire and I’ve been in the signalling grade since January 1992. Thank you for the videos you have produced, I have enjoyed them all immensely! Seeing pics of Bill Brain has made me emotional several times. He took me under his wing and I used to call Bill my dad away from home, I thought the world of him. He will always have a very special place in my heart. I was devastated when I couldn’t obtain leave to attend his funeral. Anyway, thanks again Geoff. I hope you are well. If you see or speak to Alex please remember me to him. Warm regards Simon Fritsche, ex Woking guard. The best depot on the Southern!
Hello Simon, Thanks for your poignant letter and sorry if my experiences invoked awful memories of that day. I spoke to Alex last night and sent him your regards and although he's in good spirits, he is suffering from dementia and his short-time memory isn't good. Your other story regarding Bill also made me quite emotional as I too always enjoyed Bill's company and we had some great times together. Glad to hear that you are enjoying your job in Yorkshire and if you're ever down this way, give me a shout. With best wishes Geoff
I was an Acting and Full time Instructor at Basingstoke and Southside. from 1979 to 1986. George Bowman was my mentor. but most of the names on the 1974 roster I have worked with. Happy memories. Thanks.
@@nutmeg5032 I was chatting to Geoff about 'Mick B' and I had a thought that you might have the same surname as an Austrian composer. Am I on the right track, Mick, or am I completely wrong. Cheers David
@@nutmeg5032 Hi again Mick; I went to South Side initially as a Routes Instructor in January 1985 - that post disappeared following a reorganisation and I was appointed as a Traction Instructor at Basingstoke in 1986 alongside Fred Johnson who was the Senior Instructor there. I remember you well, although Geoff Burch won't know you as he didn't come to the OTC until 1987. Hope you are keeping well - I have watched some of your videos - very impressive! Regards David
Nice to hear from you Mr T! Yes, of course I remember you whilst you were at Wimbledon. Didn't you move down to Weymouth? Your Dad came to one of my talks at Guildford a couple of months ago, it was nice to see him again.
@@geoffburch7959 hi Geoff no I stayed at Wimbledon Park then had to take ill health retirement after a few near misses Suicides not good but still living with it now after all these years yes dad did mention he went to one of your talks I have fond memories of trevor spragg he took me for my faults and failures and rules I had derick gains for brake handling regards glen
I was on that traction trainees coarse. I'm the one smiling at the front (at 5:49 mins) and the one mentioned about having a motorbike accident. Although I had to come off that coarse, I remember it very well and Geoff, you did a good job. Unfortunately I can only remember about 4 of my fellow classmates
Hi Kev They were from Woking: Neil Butcher, Mike Trodd, John Harrison and Stewart Barker from Eastleigh: Tony Burden and Bill Pickett From Norwood: Robert Hunt and Peter Cox From Waterloo: Mick Farrow from Redhill: Your good-self! Hope your collar bone mended OK! Cheers Geoff
My collar bone mended ok, was off for 4 weeks, went straight back on the next available course, thar was with John Brookshaw along with the lad that failed. Ended up getting my drivers job at Streatham Hill. I was on the very first ever Traincrew Concept coarse in September 1988 with John Linge as my instructor, they were happy days. I ended up at Fratton, transferring in December 1992 and ending up on First Great Western after the depot split prior to privatisation until ill health retirement in November 2013. Thank you for reminding me of my fellow classmates
@@geoffburch7959 i don't know if you're interested, but on the 28th October at the Railway Club at Fratton from lunchtime onwards there is a reunion of all rail staff from traincrew, signalmen, platform and other members of staff and not just within the Portsmouth area. You would be more than welcome to come along. In past years drivers such as Ted Wells have graced their presence. Hope you can come and have a jar or two
We all pitched in and Helped Alex, The Good Old Guildford/Woking/ Eff Jct Family, Ive never know Mates as nice. On the day of the Clapham Crash,I was on lates with a Staines Minder Driver. I was technically still a Trainman at Eastleigh untill I passed for driving so I did a Turn on the Saturday as a Guard prior to the Crash, I spoke with the Bournemouth Driver on that day who sadly lost his life.
It would probably be worth a lot of money even today Rob. David Timothy and I often returned to the Computer dealers in Tottenham Court Road once MS Windows was introduced; buying larger hard drives, memory, graphic and sound cards etc. So small now to today's standards. However, It allowed us to create training material for drivers with real graphics instead of pencil drawings. We also went to all the computer shows held at the time either in London or Birmingham. Great times!
@@geoffburch7959 To true, I have all your books and it is wonderful to see the the videos. I spent many years in Guildford, sadly after the depot had gone, but its amazing to see the amount of industry and activity that has been lost. Many thanks for your efforts, really interesting and entertaining. Also great to learn you embraced the at the time new technology. I ended up in computing so I can't grumble! I used to live in Merrow, and commuted from Clandon to London for a number of years, always found the 'new line' more relaxing than going from Guilford, despite the extra time travelling
I had Mick Oakley for Drivers Rules and a very funny instructor who loved Millwall FC, for Traction Examination, Cant remember his name. Graham Arnold passed me out to Drive, Southampton to Wloo on a stopper, Basingstoke to Woking on the auto brake! Port Attach Wloo, 455 to Eff Jct for Faults and Failures, He put 10 faults on an 8 car and I found 12😆 455 back to Wloo and he gave me my key, 15.45 back to Eastleigh into Railway Club for Celebration Pint, He had a double scotch 😂
I now know Alan Brindley as he's a Driver on the IOWSR, where I've just become a trainee fireman. Really enjoy your videos, a lot of historical events covered.
Been following your talks and thoroughly enjoyed them, thanks for uploading. The schematic at 27:22 is odd, there are "squiggles" at 1AA to 4AA where the wire or conductor goes back on itself forming a square, weird. I'm into electronics and can follow most of the schematic even if some of the symbols are unfamiliar, interesting stuff.
It was in fact the field windings Geoff, were the weak field was included there was a connection three quarters of the way down the fieldvwinding with a NOL relay. Love all the memories Geoff sorry to hear about the passing of Fred Johnson, but not a sign of my name anywhere on the docs, have I been air brushed out of history lol!. Kind regards Ian Thorp.
Hi Geoff,
Fantastic series. I joined the Railway in 1988 aged 16 on a YTS Track Maintenance scheme. I wanted to become a Train Driver and had the offer of a trainee position in Paddington ,when I was 18. But they wanted me to lodge up in London as I lived in Banbury. But the money was poor for a trainee and could not afford to move to London. I’m still on the Railway 34 yrs later as a signalling Installer.
It’s great to get an insight in life as a driver.
Kind regards
Mark Clifton
Hi Geoff thank you so much for making your working life available in this format, loving every chapter looking forward to more down here in Australia
Cyril Sweet infamous comment '' Got the Idea''. John Rutter, Fred Johnson, and then Ted Lynch from Salisbury nicknamed 'The Colonel' who was at Basingstoke. Worked with Tim Morgan and ex Eastleigh man. Interestly no Tony Blaxhill who lived at New Milton.
Absolutely enthralling!
I'm amazed that anyone (let alone hordes of drivers and instructors) could learn all that details.
Annd survive the sleep depravation that being a railwayman's life entails!
I remember that Woking 150 event. I was 6 at the time! I wish they did more things like that these days.
Hi Geoff, great to see this blast from the past, Happy days! Ian Foot
Hi Ian,
Are you still working at the NYMR?
@@geoffburch7959 Yes still driving steam and diesel on the NYMR. I also volunteer at Didcot! Great to hear from you.
Wonderful stuff Geoff, good to see another picture of my course
I never did my 40 front end turns ( official) as a trainman going driving. John Brookeshaw said you’re starting up the school. I said I haven’t done all my front end turns yet! I’ve busted my arse to get you up there he said Don’t you want to be a driver? ( busted my arse, my arse! He’d spend all his time looking in the mirror and combing his hair). Truth was I was grabbing the second man s seat on the Brighton Manchester and the Brighton Glasgow 47. And doing most of the driving. And I could have already signed the route to Reading ! I was loving it and getting paid! I knew I had to come down in the world and learn the trams but I was always a MT bloke at heart.
Now firing at the bluebell and Nigel Buck is some times our guard.
Hi Martin,
Yes, I agree with you there..........
Give Nigel my regards when you see him - I'll hopefully be at the Nine Elms Reunion on 10th August.
@@geoffburch7959 will do sir! I hope to be there too.
Good old Tony Harper. I was supposed to have him for rules at the end of my course but he was off ill that day. I had Dave Rousseau instead (oh no). He was actually alright in the end and passed me. Being a Salisbury driver in 1999 I was so glad that I didn't have to do the MP12.
I could have opted for driving back in 1989 but the Clapham Crash in 88 with Johhny Rolls and losing Clive Brooker at Holton Heath the following April put me off so I went for Senior Conductor instead. It took me a while before I would go up front again and sit on the Second Man's side as we often did.
Chris Foot said a 159 is basically 3 weeks learning about 1 coach with minor equipment variations. Jiffy Lemon took me for my final and after leaving Salisbury I hit a pigeon, a pheasant and a deer all before the first stop Grateley. We had a bit of an air leak due to the deer but we were maintaining main res. Chris came out with the old driver's phrase, 'air and amps, keep going', (though not a juicer of course). Quite a start to my driving career. Sadly I had to give up the job that I deeply loved due to bad IBS and retired early in 2019.
Hello Geoff.
I’m not sure if you’ll remember me, but I was a guard at Woking from May 1986 to August 1991. We worked together quite a lot on various turns before you left to become a trainer (and maybe at weekends in between). I also have the horrid and sad “claim to fame” as being Alex McClymont’s guard during the Clapham Junction disaster. As you correctly stated in this video, the shock and horrors Alex and I went through, and saw that day is extremely hard to describe. Almost 34 years later and that day is still regularly at the forefront of my mind. I always think of Alex. He is a good man and we got on very well. The job lost its edge a little for me after that day, but I soldiered on. Alex too I think. I haven’t seen Alex in a very long time and I hope he is still with us.
I’m a signalman now, up here in Yorkshire and I’ve been in the signalling grade since January 1992.
Thank you for the videos you have produced, I have enjoyed them all immensely! Seeing pics of Bill Brain has made me emotional several times. He took me under his wing and I used to call Bill my dad away from home, I thought the world of him. He will always have a very special place in my heart. I was devastated when I couldn’t obtain leave to attend his funeral.
Anyway, thanks again Geoff. I hope you are well. If you see or speak to Alex please remember me to him.
Warm regards
Simon Fritsche, ex Woking guard. The best depot on the Southern!
Hello Simon,
Thanks for your poignant letter and sorry if my experiences invoked awful memories of that day. I spoke to Alex last night and sent him your regards and although he's in good spirits, he is suffering from dementia and his short-time memory isn't good.
Your other story regarding Bill also made me quite emotional as I too always enjoyed Bill's company and we had some great times together.
Glad to hear that you are enjoying your job in Yorkshire and if you're ever down this way, give me a shout.
With best wishes
Geoff
This is fascinating Geoff thanks for posting.
Glad you enjoyed it Hugh.
I was an Acting and Full time Instructor at Basingstoke and Southside. from 1979 to 1986. George Bowman was my mentor. but most of the names on the 1974 roster I have worked with. Happy memories. Thanks.
What are your initials as I'm sure I would have known you?
@@geoffburch7959 Mick B.
@@nutmeg5032 I was chatting to Geoff about 'Mick B' and I had a thought that you might have the same surname as an Austrian composer. Am I on the right track, Mick, or am I completely wrong. Cheers David
@@davidtimothy5971 Spot on David
@@nutmeg5032 Hi again Mick; I went to South Side initially as a Routes Instructor in January 1985 - that post disappeared following a reorganisation and I was appointed as a Traction Instructor at Basingstoke in 1986 alongside Fred Johnson who was the Senior Instructor there.
I remember you well, although Geoff Burch won't know you as he didn't come to the OTC until 1987.
Hope you are keeping well - I have watched some of your videos - very impressive! Regards David
Brilliant footage Geoff I can remember you up at the training school Waterloo along with others 👍
Many thanks - glad you enjoyed it.
@@geoffburch7959 I am Bernie’s boy I am ex kings cross and Wimbledon Park driver 👍
Nice to hear from you Mr T! Yes, of course I remember you whilst you were at Wimbledon. Didn't you move down to Weymouth? Your Dad came to one of my talks at Guildford a couple of months ago, it was nice to see him again.
@@geoffburch7959 hi Geoff no I stayed at Wimbledon Park then had to take ill health retirement after a few near misses Suicides not good but still living with it now after all these years yes dad did mention he went to one of your talks I have fond memories of trevor spragg he took me for my faults and failures and rules I had derick gains for brake handling regards glen
Great video 👍👍👍
As you mention Weymouth several times I wondered if you ever drove the Weymouth harbour branch through the town? Great videos!
Unfortunately not Colin. We would run round the train in Weymouth Up Yard.
I was on that traction trainees coarse. I'm the one smiling at the front (at 5:49 mins) and the one mentioned about having a motorbike accident. Although I had to come off that coarse, I remember it very well and Geoff, you did a good job. Unfortunately I can only remember about 4 of my fellow classmates
Hi Kev
They were from Woking:
Neil Butcher, Mike Trodd, John Harrison and Stewart Barker
from Eastleigh:
Tony Burden and Bill Pickett
From Norwood:
Robert Hunt and Peter Cox
From Waterloo:
Mick Farrow
from Redhill:
Your good-self!
Hope your collar bone mended OK!
Cheers
Geoff
My collar bone mended ok, was off for 4 weeks, went straight back on the next available course, thar was with John Brookshaw along with the lad that failed. Ended up getting my drivers job at Streatham Hill. I was on the very first ever Traincrew Concept coarse in September 1988 with John Linge as my instructor, they were happy days. I ended up at Fratton, transferring in December 1992 and ending up on First Great Western after the depot split prior to privatisation until ill health retirement in November 2013. Thank you for reminding me of my fellow classmates
@@geoffburch7959 i don't know if you're interested, but on the 28th October at the Railway Club at Fratton from lunchtime onwards there is a reunion of all rail staff from traincrew, signalmen, platform and other members of staff and not just within the Portsmouth area. You would be more than welcome to come along. In past years drivers such as Ted Wells have graced their presence. Hope you can come and have a jar or two
We all pitched in and Helped Alex, The Good Old Guildford/Woking/ Eff Jct Family, Ive never know Mates as nice. On the day of the Clapham Crash,I was on lates with a Staines Minder Driver. I was technically still a Trainman at Eastleigh untill I passed for driving so I did a Turn on the Saturday as a Guard prior to the Crash, I spoke with the Bournemouth Driver on that day who sadly lost his life.
wow going up Tottenham crt road to buy electronics those were they days! Not a bad first setup either
It would probably be worth a lot of money even today Rob. David Timothy and I often returned to the Computer dealers in Tottenham Court Road once MS Windows was introduced; buying larger hard drives, memory, graphic and sound cards etc. So small now to today's standards. However, It allowed us to create training material for drivers with real graphics instead of pencil drawings.
We also went to all the computer shows held at the time either in London or Birmingham. Great times!
@@geoffburch7959 To true, I have all your books and it is wonderful to see the the videos. I spent many years in Guildford, sadly after the depot had gone, but its amazing to see the amount of industry and activity that has been lost. Many thanks for your efforts, really interesting and entertaining. Also great to learn you embraced the at the time new technology. I ended up in computing so I can't grumble! I used to live in Merrow, and commuted from Clandon to London for a number of years, always found the 'new line' more relaxing than going from Guilford, despite the extra time travelling
I had Mick Oakley for Drivers Rules and a very funny instructor who loved Millwall FC, for Traction Examination, Cant remember his name. Graham Arnold passed me out to Drive, Southampton to Wloo on a stopper, Basingstoke to Woking on the auto brake! Port Attach Wloo, 455 to Eff Jct for Faults and Failures, He put 10 faults on an 8 car and I found 12😆 455 back to Wloo and he gave me my key, 15.45 back to Eastleigh into Railway Club for Celebration Pint, He had a double scotch 😂
Hi Robert,
I think you mean Graham Allen - he was a Londoner bur lived at Eastleigh.
The Millwall supporter could have been Mark Medley.
Brought it all back mate
I now know Alan Brindley as he's a Driver on the IOWSR, where I've just become a trainee fireman. Really enjoy your videos, a lot of historical events covered.
Please give Alan my regards Adam. Cheers Geoff
@@geoffburch7959 Will do
He also works at the Portsmouth Model Engineering Society in Bransbury Park where there's a 5" gauge model railway.
Been following your talks and thoroughly enjoyed them, thanks for uploading.
The schematic at 27:22 is odd, there are "squiggles" at 1AA to 4AA where the wire or conductor goes back on itself forming a square, weird. I'm into electronics and can follow most of the schematic even if some of the symbols are unfamiliar, interesting stuff.
Hi, It might be drawn that way to represent the field windings of the traction motors - I'll check with one of my colleagues.
It was in fact the field windings Geoff, were the weak field was included there was a connection three quarters of the way down the fieldvwinding with a NOL relay. Love all the memories Geoff sorry to hear about the passing of Fred Johnson, but not a sign of my name anywhere on the docs, have I been air brushed out of history lol!. Kind regards Ian Thorp.
@@213twinkle8 Thanks Ian - nice to hear from you. Your good-self will feature in part 2 of this chapter.
Best wishes
Geoff