L- R Ian Osborne, Paul Edwards, Matt Cole & Dave Lace.
Brighton Driver Sarah Stinton
Trainer Dave Potter & Brighton Driver Pete Giboin
LOCOMOTIVE JOURNAL
FEBRUARY 2016
Roy Luxford was thanked for his long service and all his hard work and presented with a
decanter and bottle of Scotch at the Brighton A.G.M. (2015)
Steve Allison
Assistant Secretary
LOCOMOTIVE JOURNAL
BARNHAM
FEBRUARY 2016
Best investment I’ve made
I want to thank all the A.S.L.E.F. members at Barnham for all the support that they’ve shown me. I was unfortunately involved in my first incident after eight months of driving. Because of the nature of the incident, I was facing 12 weeks’ notice. But for the support of my driver colleagues, staff reps, particularly Jeff Turner and my company council reps, Kevin Eade, and a special mention to Paul Donnelly, I would no longer be in the driving grade. When I joined A.S.L.E.F., I didn’t know how important being a member of a trade union would be. I do now. Clearly the best investment I’ve ever made. Thanks again.
Mo Basma, Barnham
LOCOMOTIVE JOURNAL
FEBRUARY 2016
BRIGHTON BRANCH
PHIL PLAINE
‘A FORMIDABLE UNION SPOKESMAN
WHO COULD WALK ON WATER’
It is with great sadness that I report the departure of Brighton A.S.L.E.F. member Bro. Phil
Plaine. He passed away on the 18th December 2015 at age of 88.
Phil’s footplate career started on the 11th October 1943. He followed in the footsteps of other family members. Phil spent his entire career at Brighton. He progressed through the various footplate grades from engine cleaner, fireman, engineman and in 1962 transferring to the motorman’s depot at Brighton.
Phil became a dominant figure within the Brighton No. 2 Branch. He held various positions,
these included Branch Secretary, Branch Chairman, L.D.C. Secretary, H&S Rep, Trades
Council Delegate, A.A.D. Delegate, District Council Representative (of which he served as
Chairman.)
Phil was a strong defender of all footplate staff and their conditions and a formidable
advocate and spokesman for his depot and the A.S.L.E.F. membership. His fellow members
claimed that he ‘could walk on water.’
Phil will also be remembered for the very active part he played during the ‘Flexible
Rostering’ dispute of 1982 and the support that he mustered for the Miners during their long
and bitter strike. He was a truly dedicated trade unionist through and through.
In 1989 Phil decided to take early retirement. This ended a family connection to the railway
industry within the Brighton area that dated back to the 1860s.
Paul Edwards
Brighton Branch
DAVID HUNT COLLECTION
Simon Weller presenting David Hunt with his 25 year badge
at the Brighton Branch meeting on 21st April 2016
LOCOMOTIVE JOURNAL
APRIL 2016
JOHN ‘MICK’ GILLAM
NEVER LEFT THE RAILWAY
I am sad to report the death on Christmas Eve of my oldest and dearest friend, John Gillam, known as Mick. He was 71. He started cleaning, then firing, at Brighton, got his driving job at Coulsdon, and then moved to Littlehampton.
His wife Sue became very ill and he took a traction inspector’s job so he could look after her, and retired early when she needed full-time care. But, like many of us, he never left the railway. He was at every reunion and get together because he loved the friendship and the banter between locomen. We shared a pushchair as two-year-olds, we started school, left school, and started work together. He had a sharp wit and a great sense of humour. We played golf together and often said, whilst walking the course, that we wouldn’t change anything in our lives. But I would love the chance to play another game with him. John leaves two sons, John and Glenn, and his partner Pam.
Spike Jones,
Brighton
Retired Member Section
LOCOMOTIVE JOURNAL
APRIL 2016
BRIAN YOUNG
THE HANGLETON GAZETTE
It is with great sadness that we have to report the passing of retired Brighton Driver Brian
Young, aged 84.
Brian started his railway career at the young age of 14 on the 29th April, 1946,On the 21st
July, 1947, he become an engine cleaner at Bournemouth Loco Shed, where he progressed
through the various footplate grades.
During the late 1950s Bournemouth Loco saw the loss of work due to the closure of many
local lines which meant that many Enginemen of Brian’s seniority had to look to relocating to other loco depots within the old Southern Region of British Railways, to enable them to
remain employed within the footplate grade. This brought Brian eastwards to Brighton Loco
Depot.
With the lost of steam at Brighton in 1964 this saw Brian learning the various forms of new
diesel traction that replaced them. Brian worked over the various routes operated from
Brighton loco / Mixed Traction Depot. During the 1970s Brian served on the L.D.C. of
Brighton Mixed Traction, No 1 Branch
Shortly after the amalgamation of the Brighton Mixed Traction and the Electric Depots
Brian decided to opt out of the diesel work and spent the last few years working on the
electric multiple units.
Brian always seemed to know everything that was going on at Brighton Depot hence his fond knick name "The Hangleton Gazette" after the suburb of Brighton where he lived.
Brian was a life long and a loyal member of our Society at Brighton and will be deeply
missed by those of us who worked with him.
Dave Devonport,
Brighton Branch Chairman
DAVID HUNT COLLECTION
Simon Weller presenting Anthony Williams with his 15 year badge
at the Brighton Branch meeting on 21st April 2016
LOCOMOTIVE JOURNAL
APRIL 2016
DRIVER ONLY OPERATION
IS NOT MODERN OR SAFE
We stand on the brink as GTR seems hell bent on imposing DOO and I want to address my fellow drivers on this. It can’t have escaped your notice that TOCs up and down the land are drawing up plans to impose DOO(P). The excuse usually offered is ‘it’s part of the contract agreement’ or ‘the McNulty report’. That report will, in time, be regarded as bad as Beeching; but it does not demand DOO, only recommends it.
DOO is not modern or safe (and there can be no cost put on safety). The reason for DOO is to boost company profits. But drivers need to be left alone to concentrate on driving, in an ever more demanding role, safe in the knowledge that they have with them a fully trained PTS- capable professional conductor/guard who will assist them in an emergency, or who can take charge if the driver is incapacitated.
I’d remind you of our general secretary’s statement that there is to be no extension to DOO(P). And we should be looking to revisit what there already is. Those of you who work DOO(P) were probably never given a choice, but must feel it would be safer to have a guard with you. I urge you to consider this well. Because people in years to come will ask if we did all we could for the good of the railway and the safety of the travelling public?
You will have read that no matter what company policies are in place, the Offences Against the Person Act 1861 can be used by the CPS to prosecute you if someone is killed or injured as a result of your moving train! We need to view with utter disdain the threat to the livelihoods of our conductor/guards. We need PTS qualified conductor/guards on all passenger trains, where they can follow the dispatch regulations, can clearly see the platform and are ready to stop the train in an emergency.
Mike Trodd,
Barnham LSR
LOCOMOTIVE JOURNAL
APRIL 2016
Ron “RAB” Rabbetts
LIFE LONG MEMBER WHO TOOK ON THE UNION
HIERARCHY
It is with great sadness that we have to report the passing of retired Brighton Driver Ron
Rabbetts, aged 86.
Ron entered the footplate line of promotion on August 22nd 1944 as an engine cleaner on the old Southern Railway, at Eastleigh Loco Shed. During the mid 1950s many Loco Sheds in the South West of England, saw a high loss of work due to the closure of many local lines which meant many Eastleigh Enginemen looking to migrate eastwards to find Footplate positions/promotion within the old Southern Region of British Railways. Ron arrived at Brighton Loco Depot towards the end of the 1950s, and remained at the Loco/Mixed Traction Depot. Ron retired in 1994.
Brighton Branch would like it recorded that during the 1960s, Ron became an active member of the Brighton No.1 Branch and later being elected as Chairman, a position that he held for most of the 1960s. It was during his Chairmanship, that the No.1 Branch witnessed a very sad event in its history, which involved the loss of two Brighton members at the tragic train crash at Itchingfield Junction in Sussex, which occurred on the 5th March 1964. It was the aftermath of this accident that saw Ron, along with other Branch Officers actively involved in trying to clear the names of their lost comrades, Bros. Driver Mick Guppy and Secondman John Myles. This saw the No.1 Branch taking on the hierarchy of our Society, in its fight to get some legal representation for their late members and to enable some kind of
compensation for the deceased family's. This was to come to ahead during the 1967 A.A.D.,
whereby the No.1. Branch lost its appeal by a mere eight votes. This did not stop them trying to seek financial compensation, and they set up a nationwide appeal, which ran for about 18 months and they raised approximately £1,000 for the Guppy family, a lot of money in those days and was a great financial aid those affected.
The legacy of this event was recognized by the Brighton Branch in October 2014, when the
Branch unveiled a plaque at Horsham station to remember their lost comrades and to pay
tribute to everyone that played part in this sad tragic event.
Unfortunately Ron was unable to attend this momentous event owing to him being house
bound for a number of years due to health problems.
Ron was a life long and loyal member of our Society, and he will be sadly missed by his
fellow colleagues us who worked with
him….……Rest In Peace RAB
Dave Devonport,
Brighton Branch Chairman
MIKE TRODD COLLECTION
BARNHAM BRANCH
left - right Jeff Turner (Branch Secretary), Marz Colombini E.C. Member,
Mick Whelan General Secretary & Simon Birtwistle
LOCOMOTIVE JOURNAL
MAY 2016
No go on D.O.O.
Barnham branch was delighted to welcome GS Mick Whelan and EC1 Marz Colombini to its meeting on Sunday 3 April. Mick delivered a passionate speech regarding current ASLEF concerns including DOO, the challenges facing our freight sector drivers, the threat to the steel industry, the politics behind protecting our membership, DfT Wilkinson’s attack on our members, and the reasoning behind ASLEF’s position on our pensions. Mick took questions from the floor, largely on GTR’s plans to increase DOO, and we were left in no doubt that ASLEF would not allow any extension. Where there is currently no DOO, there will be no DOO. Thanks to Mick and Marz for attending, to branch secretary Jeff Turner for making the arrangements, and his wife for providing the high standard buffet.
Tony Martin got his 45 year badge – a very great achievement – he’s a lovely chap, and loyal member, who spent some time at King’s Cross and often delights us with stories of working on the Deltics!
Mike Trodd,
Barnham
Presentations made at the Brighton A.S.L.E.F. Reunion
3rd May 2016
Paul Edwards Collection
Floyd Landridge (25), Simon Weller (N.O), Trevor Parsons (30), Paul Knapp (25)
& Marz Colombini (E.C. Member)
PETER ALVEY COLLECTION
BRIGHTON THAMESLINK DRIVER DANNY LODGE
COMMISSIONING DRIVER ON THE FIRST OFFICIAL RUN OF THE CLASS 700 ON
MAY 22nd 2016
LOCOMOTIVE JOURNAL
JULY 2016
LINING UP WIT LOONIES
Re Mick Whelan’s article (Journal, May) about the E.C.’s decision to back Brexit. Yes, there are many things wrong with the EU, but the advantages outweigh and disadvantages. We are now in agreement with the likes of Iain Duncan Smith, Michael Gove, Boris Johnson, Marine Le Pem of the Front National and other far-right lunatics. If we leave, it will be futile complaining if we end up with a very right-wing government led by Boris Johnson.
Bill Mackenzie
Foremer E.C. President
(Brighton Branch)
LOCOMOTIVE JOURNAL
JULY 2016
E.C. saw through rhetoric
It’s reassuring that A.S.L.E.F.’s executive committee saw through the E.U. rhetoric and backed the Leave campaign. However, true to our democratic roots, a full page in the Journal was given to Alan Johnson to put the opposite view, but Alan only told half the story. Kelvin Hopkins, who offers A View from the Left, says ‘The E.U. is not at its core about employment rights, nor is it about human rights. Employment rights have been established to give the illusion it is on the side of workers and trade unions, at least slightly, and to keep trade unions passive and quiescent.’
Ken Hall,
Horsham
LOCOMOTIVE JOURNAL
AUGUST 2016
SO WE BEAT ON, BOATS AGAINST THE CURRENT
In these difficult times working for Southern or G.T.R. or whatever they want to call themselves it is good to report that, despite all the company throws at us, the spirit at Horsham depot remains as strong as ever. Our colleagues in the R.M.T. have manned the picket line and suffered financial and physical hardship, given the weather, and had their travel and parking privileges withdrawn, all to defend running a safe railway. Due to legal shenanigans by G.T.R., drivers have bee unable to show similar support. Our fantastic L.D.C. rep Stuart Boaks asked for donations to help our R.M.T. colleagues at this difficult time. I am proud to say that our depot, with about 60 drivers, raised £2,500 which was shared equally among R.M.T. members. I think this is a fantastic effort and shows our spirit and commitment to do everything we can to stop any expansion of D.O.O. services.
Pete Scott,
Branch Secretary
LOCOMOTIVE JOURNAL
SELHURST
AUGUST 2016
NOTHING TOO MUCH TROUBLE
I want to thank the General Secretary, staff and officers for organising a great A.A.D. this year. Nothing was too much trouble for anyone I asked for help in the run up to, and during, conference. Please convey my since thanks to all involved and also to those stayed behind to run Head Office and answer the phones to members across the railway whilst we debated the hot topics of the day. Please also pass on my thanks to the visitors for their time, courage and enthusiasm when addressing conference - not an easy task! I would also like to thank Katy Procotor and Marz Colombini for their pre-conference support and advice to District 1 delegates and for Marz’s social media updates during the week.
Andrew Cook
Selhurst
THE BRIGHTON BRANCH
125th ANNIVERSARY BRANCH
MEETING
THURSDAY 25th AUGUST 2016
BRIGHTON BRANCH COLLECTION
Left - Right, Spike Jones, Spencer Nightingale, Paul Horan, Paul Overington, Norman Moye, Theo Cohen, Kirsten O’Kane, Chris Horlock, Marz Colombini (E.C. member), Paul Donnelly (Eastbourne), Martin Watts, Tony Brace, Bob Kettle, Trevor Parsons, Geoff Hawkins, John Osborne, Dave Lace, Matt Cole, Steve Allison, Steve Chatfield, Mark Johnson, & Roy Luxford (Three Bridges)
LOCOMOTIVE JOURNAL
SEPTEMBER 2016
THREE BRIDGES
NEIL ANDERSON JOVIAL MAN
Neil Anderson sadly passed away recently after a short illness. He was 86. Neil and Florence came to live at Three Bridges from Edinburgh after the Beeching cuts. Neil first went to Epsom Downs then Coulsdon North, Selhurst and, finally, Three Bridges. Neil retired in 1995. He was always a pleasant and jovial person to be with, and a keen branch member.
Dave Shopland, RMS
LOCOMOTIVE JOURNAL
SEPTEMBER 2016
THREE BRIDGES
OFF TO OZ
Three Bridges wishes all the best in retirement to Steve White and Dave Kington. Steve has been a loyal member for over 40 years, starting on the railway in 1974 at redhill (where his dad was a steam driver) as a traction trainee. Steve, a great character, moved to Three Bridges in 1998. Dave, who started here, has been a member for over 15 years and is moving to pastures new by emigrating to australia. Presentations were made at our meeting, attended by many friends from the railway, and we would like to wish them both all the best in the future.
Paul Eden, branch secretary
LOCOMOTIVE JOURNAL
NOVEMBER 2016
PAUL BARBER
(Brighton Branch Member)
I knew Paul for 20 years, and got to know him a lot better after we both ended up working for Cross Country; we had some great laughs together, and he was there for me when I needed a friend. After my move to Bristol we kept in touch and would regularly hook up for drinks in Brighton. Paul and his wife Maria were due to visit in June but a week before I got a phone call saying he had been diagnosed with lung cancer. I arranged to meet Paul in the Basket Makers a couple of weeks later, where we sat in the sunshine talking about the troubled times that lay ahead, and all sorts of other shite; we had a great few hours, exchanged gifts and said our goodbyes. Little did I know it would be for the last time. The next seven weeks passed with texts and phone calls, then all of a sudden it ended with a phone call while I was in Plymouth. Paul was a very private person; he didn’t want a funeral but wanted his body used for medical science. The speed his death happened stopped him from having his wish so he had the next best thing, as Maria, said ‘Bowie-esque’. All the best Paul, you will never be forgotten, top geezer.
Andy Gregg,
Bristol & Ex Brighton
LOCOMOTIVE JOURNAL
SELHURST
SEPTEMBER 2016
R.M.S. TO SELHURST
Our sincere thanks for the kind innovation to Selhurst branch on 20th July where excellent reports were given by Angela O’Sullivan about the Women’s Representative Committee, Dave Maclennan (who was presented with his 15 year service award) on District Council and Dan King on local level. Les Muir gave an to date report on thee work of the R.M.S., and our future plans, while Alan Taylor spoke about the National Pensioners’ Convention and the R.M.S. 500 club.
Tony West
R.M.S. Committee
LOCOMOTIVE JOURNAL
OCTOBER 2016
GUS WRIGHT
Brighton branch is sad to announce the loss of retired member Bro Gus Wright, who died on
27 July at 90. Gus started his footplate career as an engine cleaner at Dorchester loco shed,
on the old Southern Railway, in 1944. He progressed through the various footplate grades
and, in the late 1950s, was one of a number of locomen who transferred to Brighton because
of the closure of lines around Dorchester. In 1962 he moved to Brighton Motormen’s depot
where he remained until retirement in 1991. Gus was a loyal member of our society and will
be sadly missed by his colleagues.
Paul Edwards,
Brighton
Saturday 5th November 2016
Brighton Branch members attending a rally in Brighton in support of
the Southern Railway’s Guards dispute.
LOCOMOTIVE JOURNAL
DECEMBER 2016
BATTERSEA BRANCH
Battersea branch was proud to welcome our gs mick Whelan and Ec member marz colombini to our annual beer & badges evening which recognises and rewards the loyalty and dedication shown by members. Long service badges were presented to Nelio Reis (5 years), Ian Brett and Felix Ezekwuka (10), Bill Gandy, Ola West and Wally Odesanya (15), Paul Masters (20), Pas Luongo and John Colville (25), Keith Pier (35) and Pierre Kullar (40). A 40 year badge was also presented to Graham Hoy, recognising not only his long and loyal commitment to AS.L.E.& F. but his dedicated service to our members here. Graham’s stewardship has been key to Battersea branch and Victoria depot for as long as most of us can remember; he’s been Branch Secretary, H&S rep and a long standing L.D.C. rep. A.S.L.E.& F.’s success, whether at national or local level, has always been based on the loyalty of our members. As we approach particularly difficult times on Southern, that loyalty remains as important ever.
Pas Luongo, Branch Secretary
LOCOMOTIVE JOURNAL
DECEMBER 2016
HORSHAM BRANCH
I note that A.S.L.E.F. has offered an official poppy badge which appears to be in support of the Royal British Legion poppy appeal. However, there is no indication on the A.S.L.E.F. shop website or in the Journal that a donation to the poppy appeal will be made from the sale of each badge. Please clarify the situation because at the moment it looks like you are selling poppy merchandise for the benefit of A.S.L.E.F., not the benefit of the poppy appeal.
All profits go to the RBL
Ken Hall
Horsham
THREE BRIDGES GENERAL SALE BADGE