Kings Cross

[giner]

Sorry to further divert this thread with another of my famous tangents, but the abomination of Watneys, Whitbread, et al during the 60s and 70s which led to the flooding of the country with 'eurofizz' was a beer drinker's worst nightmare. Enter the white knights in shining armour who saved the day, along with the national palate. I give you: http://www.camra.org.uk/

[Blink Bonny]

Ah, the champions of mild, bitter, stout.

*hic*

[Bryan]

http://www.rharchive.info/Issue279.pdf
Large feature on the current redevelopment work going on at KC.

[strang steel]

Yes, it seems that the concourse is being moved west. I dont think I will ever recognise the station any more.

[StevieG]

I noticed that the 'Gas holder' to the west of Kings Cross station is gone?.

I thought that was a 'listed structure'?.

I presume that was demolished when they re-built st Pancras station?

The others had been dismantled and stored a few years ago, but that one, "No.8" (for so it is apparently identified) had been left standing, but yes, it too slowly disappeared during July, reportedly to be re-erected with others nearby, to surround parts of the area redevelopment constituting new living accommodation and public open space.

Along with more about the station redevelopment as well, try these :
http://www.networkrail.co.uk/aspx/6288.aspx
http://londonist.com/2009/08/transform_ ... r_no_8.php
http://www.kingscrosscentral.com/gasholderno8
http://www.kingscrosscentral.com/gasholdertriplet

[manna]

G'Day Gents

Not being anti-conservation, but what do you DO !! with a whacking great gas holder frame ??? I can't imagine people coming from all over the world to gaze at a 'Gas Holder' I suppose you could stretch a large tarpaulin over it and use it as a homeless shelter, or allow sweet peas to run rampant over it, the mind boggles

manna

[sandwhich]

Hi there all,

Just found this site and it certainly brought memories flooding back, I started at Top Shed in 1962 and retired last year at the Cross. Many of the names i knew very well, one came up a number of times, Len Henderson, sad to say that he passed away earlier this year aged 82, a really nice guy.
When i started in that far off year the senior Driver was Arthur Davis who started just as World war one broke out, there were others that began their railway service during that conflict but in 1919/20 there was a big influx slowing down until 1929 when it stopped until 1936 when their was a steady intake from then on. There were many retirements during the 60s very few during the 70s and it started again during the 80s & 90s and has not stopped since. In 1962 there were nearly 700 Drivers and Fireman at Kings Cross, it ran down in numbers over the years, in 1968 Hornsey came into the Cross and in 1971 Hatfield Depot closed with some men coming to London with others going to Hitchin with an increase of around 200 Drivers and Drivers Assistants from both depots. Much has changed since then with freight being completely reorganised and transferred away and Parcels,Mail,Newspaper and sleeping car trains now all gone as well as the DA jobs, there are now less than 200 Drivers at the Cross. Nothing can stand still at the end of the day and the changes at the cross have like most of the railway been quite big to say the least.
Yes there were some real characters amongst them, better not say too much many are still around, dont want to get sued for slander or have one of them waiting in a dark doorway waiting for me to pass!

[Mickey]

Deleted

[sandwhich]

Hi micky

Yes its the same man some called him Les others Len.

[Mickey]

Deleted

[giner]

Hi Sandwhich. With the sheer number of drivers and firemen this may be difficult, but do you remember Jim Ellis? I believe he was firing on shunting duties and his loco was involved in a low-speed collision with another loco. Anyway, Jim (my uncle) jumped from the footplate and fell awkwardly on a nearby rail, breaking his leg. It ended up with him having to have the leg amputated. I believe he carried on with other duties after that, but obviously not on the footplate. This would have been sometime in the early to mid-60's.

I've tried this query before in the LNER People section of the forum, but no joy there.

Thanks, Giner

[sandwhich]

Hello giner

Yes i do remember a driver Jim Ellis, his accident happened well before my time, but i do recall that he was restricted to driving the shunting pilots in Kings Cross Goods Yard and retired in the late 1960s. Hope this information is of use to you.

[giner]

Thank you, Sandwhich. I sent you a pm.

[Hermit 109]

Hello Sandwhich, nice to know there's still some one around of my generation. I also started at Top Shed on a snowy 1st Jan 1962. I worked through the links from the "Bottom Bunk" to the top link as a secondman. Was lucky enough to have a few mainline turns on A4's A3's V2's etc: before steam finished. My last regular driver in No1 link was Jean Arlow, and I passed for driving in 1973. Left the "Cross" reluctantly in 74 for a regular driving job at Waterloo and finished up working everything from the W & C to class 50's on the W'loo - Salisbury route before joining the ranks of management in 1991. A wonderful & interesting railway career, but my heart still lies with my early years at the "Cross" and all the characters I remember from those days.

[sandwhich]

Hello hermit 109

Nice to read your contribution, you might or might not be aware that the last active service top shed man, one Dave Webber retired recently. You also mention "Jean" Arlow, I was at the old boys reunion at Hatfield on 26/8 and asked after him and he is now in his early 90s and still living at Peterborough. By the way the eldest at the do was Jack Simpson almost 90 and living in St Ives Cornwall, comes up every year. Good on them I say.

Sandwhich