I was on the fault desk when that WGC failure came in! I remember that one well - someone had severed a couple of key elecrtrical connections and on a couple of the points the heaters had been pulled away for remedial work and not put back. The equipment was first generation and unreliable but, as always with 70s/80s kit, worked on the handover test!
We had to alter the responsibilities for inspection between the Civils and the ODM after that one because most of the ODM were not used to fault finding "on or about".
B.R. stores and other railway tales
Moderators: 52D, Tom F, Rlangham, Atlantic 3279, Blink Bonny, Saint Johnstoun, richard
-
Mickey
Re: B.R. stories and railway tales
Deleted
Last edited by Mickey on Tue Apr 29, 2014 5:27 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Re: B.R. stories and railway tales
Another one from the old days. There used to be an old driver at KX called George and he was from Norfolk so he tended to call people "booty". We were working an up train from Hitchin via Hertford North and we came to a stop at a red signal outside Ponsbourne Tunnel. "Do us a favour and get on the phone me old booty" he said. I did so and the bobby at KX said "we have a track circuit failure , please wait for the signal to clear". I told George this and we chatted about various things and waited...and waited....and waited.
After about 30 minutes George said "you know me old booty, if they have a track circuit failure how will they clear the signal?".
As green as grass I said "I have no idea".
So I got on the phone to the bobby and relayed what George had said.
There was a hushed conversation at the other end including various words beginning with "F" and the bobby said "Clear to pass the signal at danger".
After about 30 minutes George said "you know me old booty, if they have a track circuit failure how will they clear the signal?".
As green as grass I said "I have no idea".
So I got on the phone to the bobby and relayed what George had said.
There was a hushed conversation at the other end including various words beginning with "F" and the bobby said "Clear to pass the signal at danger".
-
Mickey
Re: B.R. stories and railway tales
Deleted
Last edited by Mickey on Tue Apr 29, 2014 5:28 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Re: B.R. stories and other railway tales
Hi all
I remember as a fireman we took a train into Heaton sidings,we ran round the train up to the loud hailer where you reported your destination. I shouted light engine to Gateshead several times ,no response, after a few minutes I shouted to the driver, I think he's fallen asleep, seconds later at full volume, O NO HE BLOODY HASNT!. exit laughing.
52H
I remember as a fireman we took a train into Heaton sidings,we ran round the train up to the loud hailer where you reported your destination. I shouted light engine to Gateshead several times ,no response, after a few minutes I shouted to the driver, I think he's fallen asleep, seconds later at full volume, O NO HE BLOODY HASNT!. exit laughing.
52H
-
Mickey
Re: B.R. stories and other railway tales
Deleted
Last edited by Mickey on Tue Apr 29, 2014 5:28 pm, edited 3 times in total.
Re: B.R. stories and other railway tales
In BR days I stopped at Offord on the down slow in the very early hours on a 317 unit. I rang the signalman on the cab radio, his reply was "better give him a nudge" (the then crossing keeper), much laughter from both of us, he's gone to the toilet then said I, yes okay said he. No problem I told the signalman we were both still laughing.