Fred 'Robbo' Robinson

[Mickey]

Fred 'Robbo' Robinson was a relief signalman around the Hatfield area during the 1960s and early 1970s who apparently was some sort of amateur magician who may have performed his magic tricks in schools and hospitals around the Hertfordshire area anyway Fred would occasionally work Hatfield No.2 around 1972-73 I recall anyway during one weekday evening 'peak' at WGC box when Harry Fitzgerald was the signalman and 'Robbo' was at Hatfield No.2 everytime Harry gave 'train out of section' along the Down slow line back to Hatfield No.2 'Robbo' would offer on another 3-1 (local passenger train) to WGC which prompted Harry to say "I wish Robbo would make some of these trains disappear!." I have a feeling Fred had been around along time on the railways so I presume that he retired around the time the remaing few boxes were to close around 1974-76.

[Dave Cockle]

Micky,

I remember Fred "Robbo" coming to refresh Wood Green No 4 when I was resident signalman there in 1972. Robbo was a member of the Magic Circle and
a well respected relief signalman with much experience. He had a laid back manner and never let the job get onto of him. I recall he had quite log hair for a man of his age (60's) although he was balding. The long hair added to his persona as a magician.

[Mickey]

I recall he had quite log hair for a man of his age (60's) although he was balding. The long hair added to his persona as a magician.

Your description of Fred triggered a long forgotton memory of him Dave I do vaguely remember seeing him one day possibly from a passing train going through Hatfield maybe around 1972 or 1973 and Fred was probably standing at the window or in the doorway of Hatfield No.2 and I do recall the long'ish white coloured hair, I think his hair length was on the top of his shoulders(?) and he may have been wearing glasses as well for a bloke in his 60s?. I spoke to him on the box phone a number of times basically passing on whatever the WGC signalman wanted me to pass on to him but I never met him at all and to me he was pretty much just a name from that time that occasionally worked Hatfield No.2 box although the 'magician' part about him was interesting to me.

[Dave Cockle]

Micky there has been a book written about Fred Robinson - Magician.
If you Google Fred Robinson - Magic Circle you will see it.

[Mickey]

Micky there has been a book written about Fred Robinson - Magician.
If you Google Fred Robinson - Magic Circle you will see it.

I had a look Dave and it is mentioned that Fred was born in December 1910 and died in February 1986.

[laurie1951]

Further to the articles on Fred Robinson.
A very clever man who was self taught in his magic tricks. Unknown to many people Fred was also a world authority on playing cards and as such became a part time inspector and instructor for the British gaming board , the regulatory authority for casinos and gaming of any sort . Fred's expertise , learnt when he was a signalman on the Buntingford branch , was sort after throughout the world by many gaming authorities . He would advise and teach croupiers and inspectors in the Card tricks used by criminals . He was quite a eccentric man but when i was telegraph lad at Barnet north , when he did cover the box he would love to tell tales of some of the skills he passed on . Also any casino that opened he would go in before and check the systems , fascinating stories he would tell . His magic circle work was well known in amongst the magic fraternity and was a leading light the magic circle. To this day magician would know about Fred Robinson . His book is for the real card player and is a world famous book on the subject to this day . a wonderful eccentric guy who i loved to listen to his stories and also a very clever man . he learnt his magic and card tricks whilst working on the Buntingford branch. For a good many years he lived with his wife and daughter at the Station house at side of New barnet station . Great character with his long flowing hair , very much the persona of a eccentric professor

[Mickey]

I wasn't aware at that ime 1972-73 that when Fred sometimes worked Hatfield no.2 box that he was such a well known character in the 'magic world' I just thought that he did a few slight of hand card tricks or make a coin disappear in the closed palm of his hand for anyone that was interested?.