Kings Cross
Moderators: 52D, Tom F, Rlangham, Atlantic 3279, Blink Bonny, Saint Johnstoun, richard
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Mickey
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1H was 2E
- GCR D11 4-4-0 'Improved Director'
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- Location: The Shires
Re: Kings Cross
Mention of pubs frequented by BR staff in the King's Cross area in the 70's has reminded me of the different culture then. I worked at Eversholt House and Euston House 197-on and Friday 'lunchtime' ('til about half four) was when the older staff disappeared to those 'interesting' pubs between Eversholt St and Chalton St. Can remember the name of the 'Russell' but not where it was.
The best example of the old railway culture was the subsidised staff bar (run by BR) under Euston station. It was called the Griffin Bar (by an odd ?coincidence? Griffin was the name of the S.M.). Outside there was a stern notice which read "Only staff ON DUTY may enter these premises".
The Eltham Well Hall derailment changed all that.
The best example of the old railway culture was the subsidised staff bar (run by BR) under Euston station. It was called the Griffin Bar (by an odd ?coincidence? Griffin was the name of the S.M.). Outside there was a stern notice which read "Only staff ON DUTY may enter these premises".
The Eltham Well Hall derailment changed all that.
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Mickey
Re: Kings Cross
Yes there were several serious incidents which led to a clampdown of sorts but it was the Cannon Street buffer collision that finally brought it all to a head and led to the 1992 Transport & Works Act which to start with was not always taken seriously but after some well published sackings, it most certainly was. I think its safe to say that many railway clubs closed because of this act or as said during the 90s "peoples social habits have changed". We now know that if any rail personal is caught drinking on duty or is drunk at their workplace they are out no prisoners taken. We can talk about what happened in the past. but that is where it must stay.
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1H was 2E
- GCR D11 4-4-0 'Improved Director'
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Re: Kings Cross
That's odd because the judgment of the driver concerned was impaired by drugs.sandwhich wrote:Yes there were several serious incidents which led to a clampdown of sorts but it was the Cannon Street buffer collision that finally brought it all to a head and led to the 1992 Transport & Works Act
Interesting how the B.R. drink regs changed so drastically. The new limit meant effectively no alcohol at all in the bloodstream. For those on call, or managers with undefined hours of duty it meant total abstinence.
BR management staff travelling for leisure on travel facilities were expected to 'assist the traincrew in the event of problems' and I know of one manager on a day out (on a day off) who was reported by a conductor guard for having a beer on a train, on the basis could be required to be on duty.
Around 2000 I went on a Virgin Sun package holiday, and another couple were Virgin staff on a discount holiday. Rather surprisingly, from their anecdotes about Gatwick, it seems that the draconian D&A regs of the railways were far from (at least then) replicated in the airline industry......
Re: Kings Cross
And if you go to a foreign railway depot, alcohol is still allowed at lunch in certain countries. In one country you can get free company provided beer out of the mess room fridge. On such visits the British railwaymen make their excuses and do not partake!
I well remember having to drum in the implications of the 1992 act on very reluctant staff who really didn't at first see why their drinking habits should have been curtailed by a drugged up driver. But we got the message home at our London (WR) maintenance depots without having to sack anybody.
Back to the Cross and the mention of Chalton street reminds me of Nicks fish and chip shop, the best around that area. My regular Friday job when i first joined was to take the KX train crew supervisors (and others in the Depot managers office) orders, go down there and get them in. So many cod and chips, sausage and chips and a wally or two. Always a decent queue and you got all of 1970s north London life in there having a meal while you waited for your order. Lovely days.
I well remember having to drum in the implications of the 1992 act on very reluctant staff who really didn't at first see why their drinking habits should have been curtailed by a drugged up driver. But we got the message home at our London (WR) maintenance depots without having to sack anybody.
Back to the Cross and the mention of Chalton street reminds me of Nicks fish and chip shop, the best around that area. My regular Friday job when i first joined was to take the KX train crew supervisors (and others in the Depot managers office) orders, go down there and get them in. So many cod and chips, sausage and chips and a wally or two. Always a decent queue and you got all of 1970s north London life in there having a meal while you waited for your order. Lovely days.
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Mickey
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manna
- LNER A4 4-6-2 'Streak'
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Re: Kings Cross
G'Day Gents
As related, in my memories thread, I once had a Driver, climb on the engine (late) almost fall into the fireman's seat, and say to me 'You drive' and promptly went to sleep for eight hours, while I went to Bounds Green and Hornsey...Twice, he woke up as I was bringing the second set of coaches in to the 'Cross', only to say 'Oh, good, time for a drink!!!!
I shook my head and went home.
manna
As related, in my memories thread, I once had a Driver, climb on the engine (late) almost fall into the fireman's seat, and say to me 'You drive' and promptly went to sleep for eight hours, while I went to Bounds Green and Hornsey...Twice, he woke up as I was bringing the second set of coaches in to the 'Cross', only to say 'Oh, good, time for a drink!!!!
I shook my head and went home.manna
EDGWARE GN, Steam in the Suburbs.
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Mickey
Re: Kings Cross
Yes I think we all could relate some similar tales from yesteryear, whilst I will not hold my hands up in disgust I like most had no problem when the party was declared over in 1992.
Going back to the Cross, the Earl Russell which stood next to the BRSA closed down during the 70s and the railway club was relocated to Caledonian Road, but it did not last long in that location. All history now.
Going back to the Cross, the Earl Russell which stood next to the BRSA closed down during the 70s and the railway club was relocated to Caledonian Road, but it did not last long in that location. All history now.
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Mickey
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Mickey
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James Brodie
- GER D14 4-4-0 'Claud Hamilton'
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Re: Kings Cross
Kind Sirs,
Our ball of string didn't stretch as far as KX but drink is drink and in the early fifties I was a fireman on the push and pull service (17 years old) and my friend the same. His driver had bottles of Newcastle felted all over the system and knew which pub door to go to to be replenished. One Saturday we did a changeover when we actually met the other shift. I went to the station for a ride to our sub depot and my mates driver said I'm just going in the coach you (to me) take her. He had never gone half a shift with his fireman yet we worked the train swapping from driving to firing after every station stop!!...happy daze. Even on a colliery turn at two or three in the morning he knew where to locate bottles of Newcastle, on arrival at a colliery he would disappear whilst you did the shunting and getting the outovers ready and then turn up bottles clinking in his raincoat and breath smelling like a brewery to work the train back! Usually a Q6 running tank first.
Fish and chips etc. at Hunslet Goods once when riding with the crew the driver was one of these who went home with his clothes cleaner than when he came to work. The fireman on arrival said "are we going to have pie and chips ? so he went off with the order for pie and chips four times ,driver, guard, fireman and myself. On his return he said the lady asked did he want it with or not, it didn't cost any more so he said yes please. The driver before asking what 'with' was took a big bite out of the pie and to his horror and our delight-I had to look out the cab side to hide my laughter- The ''with'' was the lady poked her finger in the top of the pie and filled them up with hot gravy.
I was naughty as sometimes if I saw the driver at his depot I used to ask had he had any more pies lately. His reply wasn't very ladylike I can tell you.
Jim Brodie, ,, potential platform edge white line painter.
Our ball of string didn't stretch as far as KX but drink is drink and in the early fifties I was a fireman on the push and pull service (17 years old) and my friend the same. His driver had bottles of Newcastle felted all over the system and knew which pub door to go to to be replenished. One Saturday we did a changeover when we actually met the other shift. I went to the station for a ride to our sub depot and my mates driver said I'm just going in the coach you (to me) take her. He had never gone half a shift with his fireman yet we worked the train swapping from driving to firing after every station stop!!...happy daze. Even on a colliery turn at two or three in the morning he knew where to locate bottles of Newcastle, on arrival at a colliery he would disappear whilst you did the shunting and getting the outovers ready and then turn up bottles clinking in his raincoat and breath smelling like a brewery to work the train back! Usually a Q6 running tank first.
Fish and chips etc. at Hunslet Goods once when riding with the crew the driver was one of these who went home with his clothes cleaner than when he came to work. The fireman on arrival said "are we going to have pie and chips ? so he went off with the order for pie and chips four times ,driver, guard, fireman and myself. On his return he said the lady asked did he want it with or not, it didn't cost any more so he said yes please. The driver before asking what 'with' was took a big bite out of the pie and to his horror and our delight-I had to look out the cab side to hide my laughter- The ''with'' was the lady poked her finger in the top of the pie and filled them up with hot gravy.
I was naughty as sometimes if I saw the driver at his depot I used to ask had he had any more pies lately. His reply wasn't very ladylike I can tell you.
Jim Brodie, ,, potential platform edge white line painter.
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John C
- LNER J94 0-6-0ST Austerity
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Re: Kings Cross
What an excellent anecdote from Jim Brodie. These are the kind of tales I love reading on this forum!
