1909
PIONEERING MOTORMEN OF
THE L.B.S.C.R.
THE PIONEERING MOTORMEN
OF THE
LONDON & BRIGHTON RAILWAY
Peckham Motorman’s Depot opened on Sunday 17th January 1909, and become the first Motormen only Branch of A.S.L.E. & F. on the L.B.S.C.R. opening on Tuesday 30th January 1911
* Peckham depot would have been established in 1908 to enable training of the Peckham Motormen
PHOTOGRAPHER UNKNOWN
This page features the struggle of the Enginemen of the L.B.S.C.R who from 1909 were
made surplus by the introduction of the original "Elevated Electric" service between London Bridge and Victoria, in gaining positions in the newly created grade of
Motormen against severe competition from men in other Traffic Grades and the refusal
by Management in accepting that the new grade had to be part of the Locomotive
Department and the Motormen being represented by A.S.L.E.&F. at all.
Also the opening of the Original Motorman’s Depot at Peckham Rye and subsequent
extension of electrification in to the suburbs from 1911 and the main lines on Sunday
17th July1932, with the opening of many more Motormen’s Depots across the L.B.S.C.R.,
and the L.S.W.R., and then the Southern Railway up until the separate Motorman’s grade was abolished in 1961 being replaced by E.M.U.T. /M.T. Drivers Depots.
Many of today’s E.M.U.T. working practises on the Southern Region can be traced back
to the early struggles of these pioneering Motormen.
PHOTOGRAPHER UNKNOWN
Peckham Rye Electric Depot
c1910
The first experimental electric train ran between Battersea Park and East Brixton on Sunday 17th, January 1909. After several postponements of opening dates, the full service between London Bridge and Victoria (via Denmark Hill) was inaugurated on Wednesday lst, December 1909. The basic service at 15 minute intervals was essentially the same as had been provided in steam days, but journey time was cut from 36 to 24 minutes. For marketing purposes the title of 'Elevated Electric' was adopted.
At first eight 3-car units were provided, being stabled at a depot in the V at Peckham Rye
Junction. The end motor cars had bow collectors and had guard's accommodation and eight
third class compartments. The trailer coach had nine first class compartments, the sets
seating 132 third and 56 first class passengers.
All vehicles had side gangways between compartments to improve passenger flow, and were considerably better appointed than most stock running on the Brighton main line at the time! The opportunity was taken to abolish second class, which disappeared from all suburban services in 1911 to be unsatisfactory. Already first class accommodation was excessive and overall there was excess capacity off-peak and overcrowding at peaks. The sets were re-formed into 2-car units (running in pairs at peaks).
The original motor coaches were retained coupled with driving trailers converted from bogie suburban steam stock and provided with six third and two first class compartments.The first class trailers were withdrawn and equipped for use on steam trains on the main line to Brighton, but in due course were converted again for the West Croydon and Wimbledon electrification.
PHOTOGRAPHER UNKNOWN
Peckham Rye Electric Depot
The London Bridge end of the carriage depot built at Peckham Rye to house and maintain
the South London Lines electric trains. In the foreground is a petrol driven vehicle purpose-
built for the maintenance of the overhead wires.
All L.B.& S.C. carriage stock was formed in numbered sets, the electric units being identified by ‘E' suffixes
THE PIONEERING L.B.S.C.R. MOTORMEN
The Rates of pay for the original grade of Motorman was 25 shillings per week
compared to 39 shillings per week for Enginemen for this reason although Enginemen
where given the option of becoming Motormen few took up the offer. Instead most
Motormen were retrained Firemen or Guards who were already on a comparable rate of
pay.
Dates of initial Passenger Service AC operation
Battersea - East Brixton 17th January 1909
London Bridge - Victoria 1st December 1909
(via Denmark Hill )
Balham - East Croydon - Coulsdon North and West Croydon - Sutton 1st April 1925.
The Southern Railway decided that the AC system was not standard and was
discontinued.
The South London line were replaces with DC trains on the 17th June 1928.
The Crystal Palace line on the 3rd March 1929.
Victoria to Coulsdon North & Wallington on the 22nd September 1929.
The reports from the Locomotive Journals are about 10 weeks old when published.
I am hoping to marry these events to the exact dates they happened.
LOCOMOTIVE JOURNAL
MARCH 1911
page 113
The electrification of the main-line between London, Brighton and Eastbourne, is, we
understand also under consideration.
The statement, however, that electrically propelled trains would be running on the main-line
in about three years' time would appear to be premature. At the recent meeting of
shareholders, the Earl of Bessborough stated that the board had naturally thought of
electrification, and were seeking advice upon the possibility of carrying it out, but the
conditions of working a main-line traffic would differ very considerably from those obtaining in a suburban service, so that much consideration would be necessary before any definite decision could be arrived at. We might add here that the rumoured electrification of the London, Tilbury and Southend Railway seems to be improbable, in view of the proposed
purchase of the line by the Midland Company.
METRO CARRIAGE & WAGON Co. Ltd
MOTOR COACH OF THE L.B.S.C.R. FOR THEIR
OVERHEAD ELECTRIFICATION TO CRYSTAL PALACE 1911
MAY 1911
THE SECOND SECTION OF ELECTRIFICATION
TO CRYSTAL PALACE
The electrified line between Victoria and Crystal Palace was brought into use 12th May 1911, and coincided with the visit of King George V to the Palace to open the Festival of Empire to celebrate his Coronation year.
The full electric service was not inaugurate until the 1st June 1911. At the same time the extension through to Norwood Junction and on towards Selhurst was electrified to give access to the new Selhurst Carriage Sheds and depot. Only a few electric trains working into or out of traffic served Norwood Junction. From Balham to Victoria, the main line was also electrified between Balham and Clapham Junction in 1911 and the remainder on the 1st June, 1912, this permitting two electric trains to arrive and depart at Victoria simultaneously.
Victoria - Crystal Palace 12th May 1911
(Via Streatham Hill/Tulse Hill including Tulse Hill - Streatham Hill and Crystal Palace -
Norwood Junction/Selhurst).
LOCOMOTIVE JOURNAL
MARCH 1912
A.S.L.E.F. Organising Secretary
W. Warwick's report
page 118
I commenced the year by visiting our Battersea Branch secretary (who, I am sorry to
say, has had a very severe illness), for the purpose of making inquiries re a serious accident which happened to one of our members of that branch. On December (Friday) 15th, 1911, he received a severe electric shock whilst travelling on a steam engine under a portion of the electrified London, Brighton and South Coast Railway, although I am pleased to say our member is now convalescent. I understand no Board of Trade inquiry is being held.
On Thursday 25th January, I visited Peckham, with a view to opening a branch of our society among the motor-men on the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway, and finding matters favourable, I made the necessary arrangements.
On Tuesday 30th January, again visited Peckham, for the purpose of declaring the branch
open (Peckham Rye branch become the first Motormen only branch on the L.B.S.C.R.) as
mentioned above. I have no doubt this branch will soon embrace the majority of the motor-
men, as they have a lot of leeway to make up in their conditions of service, and the only way
they can do it is by organizing in our Society and thus joining hands with other electric
motormen.
Already, as electric motormen, they are doing singly what it took two men to do under steam, and for less than half the amount that was paid the engineman and fireman whom they have superseded. This kind of thing is growing, for the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway is contemplating further extensions, while at the last half-yearly meeting, the chairman of the London and South-Western Railway directors told the shareholders he hoped in the near future to be able to announce that their suburban lines were electrified. This means displacing a large number of enginemen and firemen, as the motormen take away the position which rightly belongs to the locomotive-men.
LOCOMOTIVE JOURNAL
APRIL 1912
A.S.L.E.F. Organising Secretary
W. Warwick's report
page 171
I closed my last report with some remarks re the opening of Peckham Branch for motormen,
and I now wish to say that this branch is already justifying its existence, and if the motormen will only band themselves together in this, their own union, there is every hope that they may in the near future level themselves up to what is paid to their fellow motormen in the London Tubes. I am pleased to learn that many of the latter realize, that if something is not done in the near future they will have to come down to the Brighton motormen's conditions, which are, to say the least, far below what they ought to be. I find there is a ready response by the London Tube motormen to assist their fellows on the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway, and not only so, but we have it on the best authority that the London and South-Eastern Railway Company is about to electrify its local service, and the footplatemen on that railway will be well advised to be up and doing in regard to this matter, not forgetting that to be forewarned is to be forearmed. The London, Brighton and South Coast locomotive-men were to some extent caught napping when the company opened its electric portion, and that, with the two societies question, so weakened the men's standing, that after a short skirmish with the general manager for the right of thelocomotive-men to fill these positions, and the question of reasonable wages for the responsibility the work entailed, they had to retire without gaining anything, consequently there has been dissatisfaction ever since.
JUNE 1912
THE THIRD SECTION OF ELECTRIFICATION
PECKHAM RYE TO TULSE HILL
The third and last section of the Elevated Electric opened under auspices of the L.B.S.C.R., was from Peckham Rye to Tulse Hill which included links from Tulse Hill to Streatham Hill and to West Norwood. This enabled two electric services to be run, namely, London Bridge to Victoria, via Tulse Hill, and London Bridge to Crystal Palace.
In view of the coal strike that started on Friday 1st March 1912. Electric train began working on this section on Sunday 3rd March 1912, so as to conserve locomotive coal. The full electric service begun on Monday 3rd June 1912.
The Line between Streatham-Tulse Hill was A.C. electrified in 1913 but was never used in passenger service.
*London Bridge - Streatham Hill - Victoria and Victoria - Norwood Junction
PHOTOGRAPHER UNKNOWN
LOCOMOTIVE JOURNAL
JULY 1912
A.S.L.E.F. Organising Secretary
W. Warwick's report
page 317
I also visited our Battersea Branch secretary in connection with matters affecting the
London, Brighton and South Coast Railway locomotive-men, more especially as applicable
to their re-election of a new conciliation board.
The following day I visited our Peckham Branch on practically the same business, with just
this difference, that our Peckham Branch consists of motor-men, whom the company is
endeavouring to muddle up in a board consisting of all grades concerned in the working of
the electrified portion of the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway. These motor-men
contend that their place is with the footplate-men and are seeking to be grouped with them
for purposes of conciliation board business, and I think footplate-men throughout the country will say they are right and be prepared to uphold them as far as possible in the matter.
However, the general manager seems to think otherwise, and to us, as practical men, the
reason is not far to seek. If I judge the motor-men aright, they are determined to leave no
stone unturned in their efforts to be allowed to join hands with their natural allies—the
footplate-men ; it will, possibly, be a question for the Board of Trade to decide, and in
the meantime it should be impressed upon that department, as clearly and forcibly as
possible, that motor-men, for the purpose of dealing with conditions of service, are to all
intents and purposes in the same position as the men on our locomotives, and to attempt to
muddle them up with other grades will prove about as easy a task as mixing oil with water.
Most of us know that if you place these ingredients together and stir briskly, they appear to
mix, but the moment you leave off stirring you are convinced the labour has been all in vain.
General managers and other officials may think that when they have issued certain
instructions and notices they have succeeded in jumbling up motor-men, or footplate-men,
with other grades, but a greater mistake was never made, because directly hours and wages
and conditions of service come to be dealt with our men rise to the top and demand to be
dealt with separate and distinct. It cannot be too clearly pointed out to the Board of Trade
and all concerned, that if they wish the unrest in the railway world to cease, this is one of the
things they must accede to, viz., that motor-men and footplate-men are one and that they
must be allowed to deal with all matters affecting them from a sectional standpoint.
And now let me say—in case some of our friends may read something into this which is not
there, or in the mind of the writer—that the above does not make the slightest difference as
far as any agreement which may hereafter be come to in regard to federation ; in fact that is
why we refused to go further than federation, simply because we intend to keep the
management of our own affairs in our own hands.
On Tuesday 7th, May, I visited our Peckham Branch again, in connection with matters
mentioned above, but am sorry I cannot report much progress, because the "powers that be”
seem to have made up their minds that motor-men shall be kept separate and distinct from
the footplatemen.
On Friday 24th I attended two meetings of our West Brompton Branch, at which the men
were discussing their position re the conciliation board, the manager having suggested two
boards for the whole of the employees, which means the motor-men being tacked on to four
other grades, and thus placing them in the position of the old central board—which the
Royal Commission decided must go. These are District Railway men, and what I have said re the Brighton motormen above, applies in this case, but we must "wait and see" what the
result of the men's application for a sectional board will be.
POSTCARD
LOCOMOTIVE JOURNAL
AUGUST 1912
A.S.L.E.F. Organising Secretary
W. Warwick's report
page 358
I concluded my last report with some reference to the position of the motor men on the
District and London, Brighton and South Coast Railways, re their position under the new
conciliation scheme. In both instances the motormen mentioned above were to be jumbled up with some of the other grades. I am pleased to be able to report now that the District men
have been able to extricate themselves, and after an appeal to the manager and a vote of the
men it has been decided the motormen shall have a sectional board by and through which
they can deal with their hours and wages and conditions of service. With the London,
Brighton and South Coast motor men I am sorry to say it is otherwise, the general manager
having so far refused to listen to their appeal to be grouped with the footplate-men, with the
result that the motormen have appeared before the officials in an application for improved
conditions of service, muddled up with passenger guards, signalmen, goods guards, goods
shunters, parcels checkers, ticket collectors, &c. I understand each grade laid their case
before the officials, when the usual stereotyped reply was given, viz., how much the company had already given in improving the conditions of certain sections, and what the conditions then asked for by the various grades would cost, also the extra cost of coal, cost of Insurance Bill extra cost of material on account of high price of coal, &c, &c.; and then the deputation was told they would receive the decision in due course.
Now the position is as follows: If the decision of the "powers that be" is not satisfactory, and
the matter goes to conciliation, the motormen are in the position of not having a
representative on that board, and consequently will have to leave their interests to be looked
after by some of the grades mentioned above; and while we are prepared to give the
passenger guard, signalman, ticket collector, &c, credit for being wishful to assist the
motormen, yet we must realize that, being unable to enter into the worries and
responsibilities peculiar to that grade, it is practically impossible for them to represent the
same: hence, as mentioned in last Journal, if the officials of the Board of Trade are anxious
that the unrest should cease, one of their first duties is to allow the motormen to be grouped
with their own class, the footplate-men.
PHOTOGRAPHER UNKNOWN
London Brighton & South Coast Railway Elevated Electric
1st Outing to Arundel on Sunday 18th August 1912.
LOCOMOTIVE JOURNAL
SEPTEMBER 1912
A.S.L.E.F. Organising Secretary
W. Warwick's report
page 409
I returned home on the Monday (1st July), and, during the week, visited our Peckham and
Westminster Branches on important business. Peckham Branch is making a heroic attempt to improve the lot of the motor-men on the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway, which is far below that of any other motor-men in or around London ; but they have an uphill battle, owing largely to the fact that the company can recruit and train men from the lower-paid grades—these men being willing to devote the time necessary to learn a motor-man's duties free of charge. The irony of the whole thing is that our men have to instruct these men, who seem to think that when they have stepped into the position of a motor-man, with all its worries and responsibilities, at the magnificent salary of 33/- per week, they will have found an " El Dorado." However, it is not finished yet, and it remains to be seen where all the cheeseparing will ultimately land those concerned. One thing is certain, it is not doing
anything to calm the unrest so much developed, not only by the capitalist, but by the
Government itself. These people must know that it is worse than useless to simply go on
deploring the unrest, whilst they know they are doing their utmost to compel men to work
year in and year out for less than a living wage; even where a few sops have been doled out
by the various companies, such as threepence per day to firemen, and a shilling or so per
week to cleaners when they reach man’s estate. If anyone is so ignorant, or innocent, as to
think such meagre things are going to calm the unrest they will undoubtedly, in the near
future, receive a rude awakening.
On returning home I was called to Peckham, one of our members having had the misfortune
to slightly collide with the stops at London Bridge whilst in charge of an electric train. I took
the matter in hand and gave the necessary advice, reporting to General Office, so that we
may be prepared for any developments in the case. There has been a few already but as the
case is somewhat subjudice I will refrain from dealing further with it in this report, but may
have something to say in my next.
PHOTOGRAPHER UNKNOWN
Inside Peckham Rye Shed
Dates of initial Passenger Service DC operation (4th rail system)
EAST LONDON LINE
East London Line Monday 31st March 1913 (New Cross (Gate) - Shoreditch) worked by the Metropolitan Railway. The Great Eastern Railway continued to operated a freight inter-change service to New Cross (Gate).
This was cause more displacement amongst New Cross Enginemen, with their passenger work being done by the Motormen grade of drivers.
LOCOMOTIVE JOURNAL
APRIL 1913
CORROSPONDENCE
page 186
ELECTRIFICATION
SIR,—Probably a great many locomotivemen, and especially on the Brighton Railway, have
heard of or read the announcement by the chairman of directors of the further extension of
electrical train working. The result of the experiment that has been anxiously watched by
other railway companies proves, according to the speech of the chairman, an unqualified
success, and that the suburban traffic once lost by the competition of the trams on the roads
has been regained. On the South London line alone 14,000,000 passengers have been
brought back to the trains. On the Crystal Palace section 4,000,000 additional passengers
have been captured in one year, and on the London and Sydenham route the increase in
traffic is 319,000. Well, these figures, or rather results, naturally justify the action the
company is taking to extend it. Throughout the Metropolitan area, and in fact over the whole
of the system, no depopulation is taking place. The geographical position of this railway is
without a doubt the best, occupying the silver streak of the sunny south coast, and I
anticipate the prospects are still likely to improve. The traffic receipts showed an increase of
21,000, despite the unfavourable year and the social unrest existing at the time in the
country.
But there are two important sentences I wish to dwell a little on : " that the relations between
the employer and employed are amicable" and "asset of industrial peace on the line." In
1906 the writer mentioned to a large body of locomotive-men what this innovation was likely to lead to—I mean, of course, electrical train working. It was regarded at that time as merely a drop in the ocean by many—but was informed that we cannot stop the law of progress any more than we can stop the law of gravity; it is bound to go on. Now my prophecy at that time was perfectly correct, and a feeling of disquietude prevails in the locomotive ranks at the present time, and it is obvious and bound to manifest itself. Its effect on steam working and promotion will be sadly felt, the financial conditions will not bear comparison, and the one-man principle of manipulation naturally means a reduction in the number of hands required. The chairman omitted, when speaking of the 26,000 increase in wages and the 4,567 contribution of the Insurance Act, to mention the economy that had taken place, which in quarters was a little unwise; and this railway, with all the manifestation of conditions,is in some cases financially inferior to other lines. I appreciate, or rather offer congratulations, that conciliation boards were not necessary this year; in fact my previous articles have rather condemned them, and it is a " great asset" if mutual co-operation will only continue on lines satisfactory to both. This does not depend, of course, entirely on the men—wise diplomacy is required on both sides to bring this about.
Naturally the directors, officials and shareholders are jubilant at the glowing results of
electrification, and the optimistic view they take of the future, but it is narrowing down the
scope of promotion for the rising generation, which has always been bad on this line , and
the allusion to the ensurement of punctuality in the congested Metropolitan area needs
efficiency in everything to be brought about But will the desire be attained ? The
sandwiching of trains and close margins in many cases point at times to its non-fulfillment.
If efficiency is expected in one quarter it must exist in another There is not a grade or a
section of railwaymen who have to do their duty to the best of their ability more than the
locomotive-men and it is only right and justifiable they should receive fair consideration We
frequently notice when half-yearly meetings take place the chairman of directors, the
general manager and the superintendent of the line receiving eulogiums in the press, but no
mention of the locomotive superintendent and the officials downwards for the part they have
played in connection with the successful working, many people forgetting such a thing as an
engine builder or an engine-driver, and it is only when a slight mishap occurs in the shape of
delay that they discover mechanism and brains are essential to land them at their destination
This is one of the evils society groans over—delay, and society really has little or no
conception it is the premier part of the success in railway working I write from experience of railway working, and the men exercise every endeavour to work the trams to give punctuality to a desirous public if the conditions are capable of its fulfilment. Some time ago a passenger in a tram was commenting on the social unrest prevailing in the country, and remarked to Mr. Will Crooks, M P for Woolwich, that he would not trust anybody Mr Crooks instantly remarked, “ What about the engine-driver "" The passenger was instantly foiled The engine-driver was at the time his guardian, and probably it had never occurred to him before that the safety of his person rested with the engine driver. The engine-driver and fireman have to bear the brunt of the heat, the cold, and the wet, and to live at times under conditions of semi-starvation for the want of time to have a meal, and all this endured in many cases in a quiet, unassuming, unostentatious manner , but only let it become publicly known that one single individual had kicked over the traces and public indignation arises Really I suppose it is a phase of human nature, reminding me of a captain of a coal vessel when the propeller broke and drifted in the open sea for three days and nights amid the direst want for food, and after landing safely “got the sack" for the delay in reaching the shore I will not say it is an exact replica that locomotive-men endure, but it's next door to it Business men of all sorts, we are aware, want punctuality Drivers also have to realize its importance equally so, and strain every muscle to accomplish it, but it cannot be accomplished unless his requirements are efficiently acceded to by those in authority Engine drivers now in many cases are more intelligent than their predecessors.
Many not only drive an engine, but also read, think, talk and write, and possess a more
distinct feeling of self discipline, and know subordination is necessary and accept it, but not
so if undeserved; and naturally their increased intelligence would, and does at times, resent
it. We want inquiry and discussion. The locomotive-men need to be heard and understood as
much as any other grade or section ; I might, in fact, add a little more so. Their opinions and
views should be consulted, which would be a great factor in preventing discontent. Things
will not adjust themselves if left alone, and it is not satisfactory to muddle through our work.
If punctuality is expected to be observed the instrument we perform on must be properly tuned, or the notes are bound to be faulty, and to keep time under such conditions cannot be achieved. We are born to labour, labour should be part of everyone's life, but all like pleasant labour it is really the whole solution of the industrial difficulty to feel and know success follows a man's labour. And locomotive-men are gradually and surely rising to a higher pitch of intelligence. Fully knowing the responsible positions they occupy justifies more prominence being given to them, and if wise counsels are carried out between the masters and the men I anticipate they will result favourable to both.
PECKSNIFF
PHOTOGRAPHER UNKNOWN
Inside Peckham Rye Shed
LOCOMOTIVE JOURNAL
SEPTEMBER 1913
Extracted from the New Cross Branch report.
page 271
An open meeting of the above branch was held on Sunday, April 27th, when electric train driving, that all important question to locomotive-men, was dealt with. The correspondence up to date was read, while a report of the interviews which have taken place was given by our delegate, Brother G. Pullen. There was a large amount of correspondence, which took one hour and a quarter to read. One or two members of the N.U.R. “Never United Railwaymen" is, I know, the wrong interpretation of those letters, but personally I don't think it is were present, and by the questions they asked the delegate, it was plainly seen that they were there to stir up party feeling, which I am pleased to say has never been entertained in this branch on this subject, that is: " Electrification as it affects Locomotive-men." One question from a N.U.R. man was to ask whom the deputation consisted of, and the reply he got was: " That it consisted of men capable of looking after his interests," which' he could not deny, and after a receiving such truthful and honest replies as that, these few who are in the wrong society soon appeared to get a bit more Tight-minded in the way of thinking.
There were a few young firemen in the room, some of whom asked for proposal forms. I am pleased to say that we have been asked for a good number of these forms already this year, which goes to show that we are once again looking upwards. At present I don't think there is any other system where this electrification affects the locomotive-men the same as it does at New Cross. I say at present, because I am convinced that a few years hence it will become more generally adopted. I trust that the men on other lines will take the advice Brother J. Membery gave when he paid us a visit from West Brompton a short time ago. It was to the effect that the front of those “trains should be the place of a locomotiveman, and that we were fools if we stood by, with our guns loaded and afraid to fire, and see those men, whom they want us to call brothers, take the job away from us, thus depriving us of our living”.
But after hearing from our delegate the strenuous efforts the deputation is making on our behalf, the locomotive-men here have unanimously decided to support any action-its members choose to take. I hope the locomotive-men of the country will soon realize that they must mind their own business and trust their affairs in the hands of men capable of looking after their interests.
ASSISTANT SECRETARY.
PHOTOGRAPHER UNKNOWN
Peckham Rye Depot
LOCOMOTIVE JOURNAL
JULY 1913
Extracted from the Nine Elms Branch report.
page 330
Brother Harrison, a visitor from the Battersea Branch, then asked permission to briefly
address the meeting, and his address was very enlightening, and I may say almost of vital
interest to our members in view of the impending electrification of our own system. He told
us that traffic men upon the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway were applying for
and obtaining the post of motormen, and, furthermore, some were members of the N.U.R.
and where actually learning the duties in their own time at no cost to the company. This
certainly, to say the least does not sound like trade unionism, and in view of the fact that through this electrification a considerable number of their enginemen have been reduced 2 /- per day, and that the firemen are doing such a long period before they have any chance of promotion; surely the front end of the train is their birthright. It certainly should be a lesson to us to prepare for the future, and this can only be done by ourselves in our own Society.
BRANCH SECRETARY
PHOTOGRAPHER UNKNOWN
First AC train of Coulsdon & Wallington stock
at Carshalton Beeches April 1925
A.S.L.E. & F.'s BOOK
ENGINE AND MEN
page 218
On Friday, July 14th of 1913, Mr. Moore and Mr. W. Hudson, M.P., interviewed Lord Bessborough, Chairman of Directors, and the General Manager of the L.B. & S.C. Railway, to demand the front end of the trains on the newly electrified system for locomotivemen exclusively. The men made a firm stand in support of the deputation named, and Lord Bessborough signed the agreement which gave to locomotivemen the exclusive option on the electric motorman's position. The company sought to get six men from the traffic department, who had been trained, accepted for the positions, but the delegates refused to do that. The position carried the steam drivers' rate of wages, and the agreement thus secured formed a precedent, followed later by the L. & N.W. and other electrified lines.
PHOTOGRAPHER UNKNOWN
PECKHAM RYE
LOCOMOTIVE JOURNAL
SEPTEMBER 1913
Extracted from the Battersea Branch report.
page 425
An open meeting was held at the Battersea Town Hall on July 27th, and was largely
attended. Mr. Arborne was in the chair, and speeches were delivered by Messrs. A. E.
Harrison and J. Cordrey (Battersea), J. Enves (Brighton), G. R. Pullen (New Cross), A. Marshall (Eastbourne), R. Atkinson (Neasden), and R. Spice (Peckham).
This meeting was called to protest against the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway
officials promoting other than locomotive drivers or firemen to motormen. Mr. A. E.
Harrison explained that two from the traffic department were now acting as motormen who
were not twenty-one years old, and were standing senior to men who had been in the
company's employ over fifteen years, and that out of fifty-two vacancies only eighteen had
been filled by locomotive-men, and this had a serious effect on locomotive-men. Some drivers were being reduced to firemen, and in consequence they suffered a reduction of 2s. per day.
This required consideration and a determination to prevent any further reductions when the
extension now being proceeded with was completed. He also explained that most of these
men were members of a trade union, and had so far departed from the principle of
trade unionism as to learn motor-driving in their own time. Letters were read that had
passed between our Head Office and Mr. Williams, general secretary of the N.U.R., and
surprise was expressed that the actions of trade unionists in learning motoring in their own
time, free of expense to the company, were not repudiated. Brother J. Cordrey, in his
remarks, asked all present, if they did not know any particular part of the road, was it likely
that they would be prepared to ride on the engine in their own time ? He maintained it
was the same thing. He likewise stated these men were stealing from us the front end of the
train, which was ours by right. The other speakers enlightened those present of the grave
position which might be caused by these traffic men continuing to be employed as motormen.
Mr. J. Cordrey then moved the following resolution, which was seconded by Mr. R. Atkinson, and carried unanimously:—
“ Seeing by the half-yearly report of the honourable board of directors to the shareholders that the electric traction is to be extended very considerably in the near future, and taking into consideration the serious results likely to accrue to the enginemen, owing to the electric traction taking the place of steam power and subsequent displacement of locomotivemen, the men are of the opinion that in every vacancy occurring on the electric system it should be filled by a footplateman; and to allow this being put into practical operation, we suggest that any vacancy as motormen occurring on the electric system an approved driver be allowed to fill the position; and should the electrification be the means of displacing any senior men, they should be given work on the electric system at the maximum electric rate. This suggestion we consider would not in any way deplete the locomotive staff, as it would only be filling up vacancies from the men displaced. This would also make sure of the company always having a competent staff to deal with the electrification, who could at any time or for any reason be transferred to the electric system or vice versa.”
Questions were asked and
answered satisfactorily. Among those present were some of the traffic motormen and leading members of the N.U.R. Battersea Branch. I was pleased to see that they thought the resolution of just one, as they did not oppose it or ask questions against it. A similar thing might occur when other companies' lines are electrified, and my advice to the locomotive-men is : Beware lest you have your job stolen from you with your eyes wide open by your so-called brothers in unity. The motto is :
Join your own Society, otherwise your outlook for having charge of the front end of the train is endangered. Remember the electric fever is on all railways, and ere long good bye to our locomotives. So wake up is the advice of
ONE OF THE BOYS
PHOTOGRAPHER UNKNOWN
CRYSTAL PALACE LOW LEVEL
LOCOMOTIVE JOURNAL
OCTOBER 1913
A.S.L.E.F. Organising Secretary
W. Warwick's report
page 467
The Battersea matter was an open meeting re the electrification, which it was necessary
to hold so that every locomotive-man might have an opportunity of knowing exactly how
matters stood, what was being done, and how far the matter had been carried by the
delegates That word electrification is getting burnt into me I have used it so often m the last
few months that it’s getting quite commonplace in my reports and letters, and if I am not
able to drop it to some extent soon I am afraid our readers will begin to think I've got it
on the brain " so to speak The difficulty is that probably thousands of our readers find it
somewhat difficult to fully realize the absolute necessity there is for sticking to this
matter just now, and the far reaching effects it is likely to have in the near future, not
only on the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway locomotive men, but on large
numbers of the locomotivemen of practically every company in the kingdom more
especially on the large numbers of men stationed in and around London To begin with,
there are rumours of extensions on practically all the present electric railways, then
several of the trunk lines having termini in London are discussing the electrification
seriously at their half-yearly meetings I find the chairman of the London and South
Western Railway told the shareholders some time ago that the question of the
development of the suburban traffic would be taken seriously in hand and he hoped at no
distant date the board would be able to tell them what their policy would be in the
direction of electrification. It was only a question of careful consideration so as to get
the best system.
Then the London and North-Western Railway has built a new line—Broad Street to Watford—which I understand is to be worked by electricity, and will no doubt displace numbers of
locomotive-men at both the London and Watford ends. Also, the Midland Railway is bound
by its agreement in taking over the London, Tilbury and Southend Railway to electrify within seven years. That does not necessarily mean that it will be several years before it comes about. It may come about in the next twelve months ; it's only a question of will it pay ? Once convinced of that and there is no hesitation in scrapping men or machinery.
As some one said a little while ago, "We do not hesitate to scrap machinery five years old”; but the worker in his wisdom is content to live under laws three hundred years old. Bearing in mind the above it looks as though the word electrification is likely to be with us more in the near future than it has been in the past. When I said its use had begun to weary me of late I referred to the worry and unpleasantness which has been going on for some time in the efforts put forth by the London, Brighton and South Coast railwaymen to secure these
positions.
However, the matter has now reached a climax, and is in the hands of our Executive
Committee, and I hope in my next report to be able to inform our readers that for
locomotivemen this important question has been settled once for all, because if the London,
Brighton and South Coast railwaymen are successful it will mean that the matter is
practically settled for other companies' men, when and wherever electrification comes about.
The delegates fully realized this at the Conference in May last, hence the resolution.
On Sunday I was at Brighton attending what proved to be a momentous delegate meeting of
London, Brighton and South Coast railwaymen, in as much as it was there decided to hand
the question of the locomotive-men’s claim to the front end of the train over to our Executive Committee, which met in London on the following Sunday, to deal with the matter. However this body was unable to deal fully with it, as those in authority on that particular railway were scattered over the known world, and could not be got together under a certain time this time was fixed, and before this appears in print a momentous question for locomotive-men will be peaceably settled in their favour.
PHOTOGRAPHER UNKNOWN
London Victoria station
LOCOMOTIVE JOURNAL
SEPTEMBER 1913
CORRESPONDENCE
page 435
SIR,—Ten years ago locomotive-men could, and did, in their minds rely on the profession as a security of tenure barring physical deficiencies or accidental consequences. But what is the position to-day ? Electrification has, and will in the future, upset very considerably the
locomotive-men's profession financially, and also for promotion. The question, which is an
all-important one, is: Do the locomotive-men as a whole realize its probable effect in its true
light ? For every single electric train one man is displaced, which practically means fifty per
cent, reduction of the labour in our profession. The solemnity of what confronts us to-day is
of mighty import to us all. The congested traffic in the metropolis and in many of the large
towns no doubt requires means of quick transit, and if wealth can be obtained by any
conceivable shape of improvement it is only natural it will be resorted to to swell dividends.
It is no good trying to disguise the fact: electrification has come to stay.
Several railways have notified their intention of adopting it in congested districts, and we
have not the slightest doubt it will be pushed on at all speed. The Brighton Railway is
pushing on rapidly to accomplish the extension notified some time ago, and disquieting
rumours area float as to its ultimate effect on the locomotive-men on that system.
Efforts have been made for locomotive-men, and rightly so, to fill the positions on
these electric trains, but it appears there is a "rift in the lute," and at the time of writing
things look far from rosy. An important resolution was passed at the conference at Leeds,
which embodies and embraces the support of all locomotive-men on all railways on this
point, " that the locomotive-men be employed to fill these positions." It is sincerely hoped
that the companies will adopt this system without friction, for if they look at the financial side by the fifty per cent, saving in labour, and the decreased standardization in pay, there is
nothing to warrant the obstinacy in standing out.
The Brighton Railway is a very prosperous one. From Hastings to Portsmouth it possesses a
number of good watering places well patronized, and this summer a record number of
visitors have been at all places, and there is no possible sign of diminution. The places are
populating more and more, and as regards health, this coast is one of the healthiest in the world. Well, if predictions are to be fulfilled, harmony must exist between the two. For
some considerable time, I am given to understand, many have left the service. What was once the model railway for uniformity and cleanliness is gradually becoming the dirtiest.
Complaints are loud in dissatisfaction of being incessantly on the go, and the apathy and
indifference on the part of some of the rising generation make one think why this undisciplined state Of things that so sorely needs remedying.What are the reasons ? What are the causes ? I can give a few. There are many occupations now where the pay and conditions are better than the footplate, minus the dirt, grease and irregularity ; and if the men are not studied in some form or respect, we cannot expect good breeding or that the juveniles can be tempted to enter a profession bordering on a downward trend. The companies have a strong disposition nowadays to draw on the uncultured, the illiterate, the yokel, for cheap labour, regardless of its future consequences. The vile abuse of some drawn from the slums of the Metropolis who have never meant to stay is occasionally the thing the elders have to contend with. This is a fact of intense interest, and we can scarcely wonder that we should deduce from it an impression that it implies something defective in a system which ought to be one of the best by virtue of its importance and responsibility to those who have risen by experience and who know so well what the elements are for the good of the common wheal.
To revert back to the original subject, the companies would be wise to draw all locomotive-
men for electrical train working. If they do not, an absolute disorganized profession will
ultimately ensue; young men of superior breeding will not join our department without
something to aspire to, or some ultimate reward for their labours, and enginemen must, not
only for themselves but for the community as well, be energetic in upholding a profession
which has been held too cheap for the want of harmony, and aid to lead it on to progress. When the electrical working was first installed locomotive-men generally were indifferent as to its probable effect on their future position, but of late this is being dispelled; men are strongly pulling themselves together, and beginning to realize its gravity.
They know promotion will degenerate, and what does degeneracy mean ? That the junior
hands get slack, lose confidence, and have an utter disregard for the keen interest once
displayed by clean footplate fronts, and a zealous feeling pervading to get on.
This now is conspicuously absent, and brought about by excessive "go” at all points
during the day. In any instances men have no conception only day by day what the duties are, with no systematic way of entirely claiming your own engine to work with. It aggravates and accentuates the men to know they have to muddle through the work the best way they can, and often under difficult circumstances. Locomotivemen at the present time need more study and devotion meted out to them. The time has arrived when all engine requirements should be efficiently performed in the running shed ; the men's time now is entirely taken up on the road, without having to do work after arriving home or before starting. Years ago the men had time during the day for proper engine requirements and food; it is not so now, and this is one of the causes of the discontent so largely prevalent today. This long absence of meals and irregularity is keenly felt by the men, for human nature is bound to be undermined and give way under this pressure sooner or later.
Locomotive-men have come to a phase in their affairs when it is absolutely necessary to rub shoulders together. It is useless to discuss and complain loudly in groups of twos and threes. They must deliberate in an organized form if any real good is to be done. The time has come when men must come forward as men if they are desirous of ameliorating the unsatisfactory position we are at present in. All locomotive-men with truth must admit the speeding-up in locomotives these last few years; that things were not as now, that evolution is bound to cause changes, and electrification is one manifestation of it. We have also experienced that on economical grounds locomotive-men have been "done down." Every gap whereby our services could be utilized has been filled up, and without thought of any increased strain the men have to endure. Already signs are ahead, discussion is taking place in trying to diagnose the multiplicity of ills flesh is heir to, and the constitution will have to look seriously to the
position of responsibility if the lives and health of the nation are such a great asset. But it
would be more to our credit, more to our honour, if locomotive-men could achieve success by their own efforts, and to be able to say at the end, we have elevated our position, by a
harmonious combination, better than we found it.
PECKSNIFF.
LOCOMOTIVE JOURNAL
NOVEMBER 1913
A.S.L.E.F. Organising Secretary
W. Warwick's report
page 511
I closed my last report with a prophecy that has not been literally fulfilled, which shows how
risky it is to assume the role of the prophet. However, I believe it is all a matter of time. In
writing of the electric question on the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway, and the
locomotivemen’s claim to the front end, I assumed the directors, who, as then stated, were on their holidays, would have been back and dealing with the question in the six weeks which had to elapse before the issue of last Journal, but it has not turned out just that way. At the time of writing they are arranging to meet the men’s deputation to again consider the
question. As I have before pointed out, it is an important question not only for the London,
Brighton and South Coast Railway locomotive-men, but for all locomotive-men. I believe
other companies’ men realize" this and are looking to this settlement as a deciding factor for
all.
PHOTOGRAPHER UNKNOWN
AC service of South London unit at original South Bermondsey,
on a London Bridge to Victoria Elevated Electric working March 1928
LOCOMOTIVE JOURNAL
DECEMBER 1913
A.S.L.E.F. Organising Secretary
W. Warwick's report
page 557
From Portsmouth I travelled home, via London Bridge, with the hope of meeting Mr Moore,
assistant secretary, who had an appointment that day with the directors and general manager of the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway re the still vexed question of electrification and the claim of locomotive-men to the same Mr Moore, however, had got
upstairs before I arrived, and so I had to visit him in the evening to know the result The
following day I visited Peckham for a few particulars re a slight collision that had occurred
at London Bridge, and the next day I spent with the London, Brighton and South Coast
delegation, which was meeting the directors for their decision in the above-mentioned matter I am sorry they again refused to grant the reasonable claim of the locomotive-men to the front end of the train exclusively and so the matter still remains unsettled, awaiting the
further decision of the men.
PHOTOGRAPHER UNKNOWN
Coulsdon North Carriage Sidings c1929
The Southern Railway transferring from AC multiple units to DC multiple units
in September 1929
MONOPOLY ON THE ‘MOTORMEN'
extracted and adapted from the book
Lawson Billinton: A Career Cut Short
By Klaus Marx
With further electrification, the Locomotive Department was overwhelmed by loco-men
applying to become motormen, small wonder because of the relative comfort, cleaniness and
reduction of the physical workload driving the new electric services. A deputation of
A.S.L.E.F. representatives from the Company led by drivers Jack Enves (Brighton), G.R.
Pullen (New Cross), fireman Albert Harrison (Battersea) and Motorman Spice (Peckham Rye), met with Locomotive Superintendent Lawson Billinton and the deputation was told that their demand for exclusive right to appointment as motormen could not be granted.
In July 1914 there was further pressure from the National Union of Railwaymen (N.U.R.
(formerly the A.S.R.S.) demanding their men having a monopoly of appointment to the
position of electric train motormen, and on the 16th October 1914 a deputation accompanied
by by the Assistant Secretary of the N.U.R. and the Acting Secretary of A.S.L.E.F. met with
Billinton regarding this issue.
PHOTOGRAPHER UNKNOWN
With the expansion of Electric Multiple Units serving the suburbs of London, a new
Maintenance shed was constructed between Selhurst and Norwood Junction, above is a view
of the A.C. Maintenance Shed constructed.
MEAL BREAKS FOR MOTORMEN
On February 1st 1919 the 8 hour day was finally implemented for Enginemen throughout the Country although the Board of Trade reinterpreted the agreement to exclude meal times for Motormen. The Motormen employed on the London Brighton and South Coast Railway and the London and South Western Railway and on London Underground were expected to work the full 8 hours without a meal break.
On Sunday February 2nd, A.S.L.E.& F. Motormen on the London Brighton and South Coast
Railway went on Strike along with Motormen on London Underground, with the threat of the rest 42,000 members to join the strike to force this principle.
The A.S.L.E.& F. Executive met on Monday 3rd February and sanctioned the action and
called out all the Engine men on the London Brighton and South Coast Railway as well as allMotormen on the District Railway and the London and South Western Railway.
On Friday 7th February the Railway companies capitulated and an agreement with
A.S.L.E. & F. was reached where meal breaks would be provided for Motormen.
In spite of the settlement the drivers and firemen belonging to the Associated Society had not returned to work, this was owning to the decision had only been reached at such a late hour on Thursday night, and there had not been time for it to be officially communicated to the members. By the Saturday a near normal steam was being operated, but owing to the
absence of motormen, only a curtailed service of electric trains was in operation.
The Drivers and firemen who belonged to the National Union Railway-men continued to
work normally during this dispute.
UNIFORMS FOR ENGINEMEN & MOTORMEN
Extracted & adapted from the book
A.S.L.E.& F’s
the Lighted Flame
Uniforms or overalls were not issued to Enginemen up to at least 1904, if not later, then only an overcoat every 2 years. A.S.L.E.& F. managed to get an agreement with the L.S.W.R. in 1912 that when the grade of Motorman on that company was introduced with electrification, which happened in 1915. These positions would be filled exclusively by Enginemen it states that
"This was granted and upon pressure being exerted by our Society, other lines followed
suit at a later date"
The first national agreement between A.S.L.E. & F and the Board of Trade on the issue of
uniform clothing to Enginemen and Motormen of 3 suits of combination overalls 1 top coat,
1 reefer jacket, and 2 caps to be supplied was in 1919.
APRIL 1925
TWO NEW ELEVATED SYSTEM MOTORMAN’S
DEPOTS AT
COULSDON NORTH & WALLINGTON
With "Elevated System” of electrification from Balham Junction and arriving at Sutton (via Wallington) Coulsdon North on the 1st April 1925. This was to become the last "Elevated System" to be constructed on the Brighton Railway.
Wallington became the location for a new Motorman’s depot.This was owing to no available railway land to encompass a carriage shed and sidings to birth the stock that served the terminal point of the Balham to Sutton (via Selhurst) electrification extension.
Coulsdon North's two terminal platforms were electrified whilst the Brighton (Quarry line) main line through platforms were not electrified. Birthing sidings were situated south of the station.
MARCH 1929
ELECTIRIFICATION EXTENSION
On Sunday 3rd March 1929, the following lines were electrified to third rail.
Victoria to Beckenham Junction (via Balham and Crystal Palace Low Level), was converted to the D.C. third rail electrification and extended to Beckenham Junction.
A small Motorman’s depot was established at Beckenham Junction (Central) which also opened on Sunday 3rd March 1929.
Victoria to Elephant and Castle.
Sutton - Epsom - Leatherhead - Effingham Junction.
Epsom to Dorking.
Epsom
The old L.S.W.R. station was demolished and rebuilt and the arrival of electrification of the South Western line on the 12th July 1925. The old L.B.S.C.R station was closed to passengers on the 3rd March 1929 but was retain as a goods depot.
With the arrival of electrification from the Brighton side, a motorman’s depot was opened on the 3rd March 1929 to serve the Brighton suburban lines only.
Leatherhead
At Leatherhead there was two stations prior to 1925, one was the former L.S.W.R. terminus and one was the former L.B.S.C.R.
Therefore after Grouping, the Southern Railway clearly had no requirement to maintain two stations at Leatherhead. A short spur was built and opened on the 10th July 1927. This spur then allowed trains from Epsom to continue on to Effingham Junction. With the closure of the former South Western terminal station closing, the L.B.S.C.R station was retained for passengers and the old South Western station was used as carriage sidings and a South Western Motorman’s depot was established there on the 12th July 1925.
Effingham Junction
Effingham Junction was the terminal point for the South Western electrification in 1925, when the South Western line was electrified on the 12th July 1925. A South Western Motorman’s depot was also opened on the 12th July 1925.
On the 3rd March 1929 with the Brighton Section electrification being extended from Leatherhead to Effingham Junction a small Central Motorman’s depot was opened to serve the Brighton suburban lines. This depot was also opened on the 3rd March 1929.
Dorking
Dorking was the terminal point for the South Western electrification in 1925, when the South Western line was electrified on the 12th July 1925. A South Western Motorman’s depot was also opened on the 12th July 1925.
With the arrival of electrification from the Brighton side on the 3rd March 1929 a motorman’s depot was also opened on the 3rd March 1929 to serve the Brighton suburban lines only. The line from Dorking to Horsham line was not to be electrified until 1938 Epsom had two stations prior to 1925, the former L.S.W.R. station and the former L.B.S.C.R. station. Modifications at Epsom was required with the arrival of electrification from London to Epsom.
THE END OF ELEVATED TRAINS
22nd SEPTEMBER 1929
PHOTOGRAPHER UNKNOWN
Coulsdon North Carriage Sidings 1929 The Southern Railway transferring from AC multiple units to DC multiple units in September 1929
The last “Elevated” lines to be converted to the new third rail system of electrification was between Victoria to Sutton and Coulsdon North, these lines were last lines to be electrified using the old L.B.S.C.R. system. Victoria was opened for D.C. traction on Sunday 3rd June 1929, but some A.C. trains continued to run until sufficient new rolling stock was available .
This involved the “Elevated Trains” to run on the old L.B.S.C.R. overhead system which involved them to run over some third rail sections within the suburban area, whilst laying and connecting up whilst the third rail equipment was being installed. The new third rail was not switched on until it was ready to come into full use, thus providing a seamless changeover from one system to the other.
The distinctive A.C. rolling stock was removed for conversion and replaced by standard Southern Railway three car electric units. These worked the line until May 1929, when the original motor coaches returned
The last Elevated train left Victoria for Coulsdon North officially on Saturday 21st September 1929, but actually, at 12.30 a.m. on the Sunday morning, with the third rail electric service commencing on Sunday 22nd September 1929.
Between Battersea Park and Peckham Rye, the overhead wires were retained for some months after regular services ceased, so that rolling stock could be worked to Peckham Rye workshops for conversion.
PHOTOGRAPHER UNKNOWN
The last overhead AC service from
Victoria to Coulsdon North (via Streatham Common),
22nd September 1929
* note the DC third rail
During 1925-1929 the Southern Railway carried out an extensive programme of signalling
conversion in the inner London zone and installed during that period a complete power
signal system, entirely of Westinghouse manufacture, at Charing Cross, Cannon Street,
Borough Market Junction, London Bridge and New Cross, and on the tracks linking up these stations.
This power system covers about 47 1/2 track miles, carrying an extremely intense suburban
traffic in addition to heavy coastal services of both passenger and goods trains.
With the extension of the Electric Service to Brighton and the result and greatly increased
train service, complete reorganisation of the signalling arrangements became a necessity.
The valuable experience gained on the London power signalling showed that a similar
system, modified to comply with the characteristics of the Brighton Line, would give the
required facilities, and in making the decision to introduce power signalling between
Coulsdon and Brighton the Railway Company have added a further 119 track miles of line
which are provided throughout with colour light signals and continuous track circuits. As the electrification of the London to Brighton line constitutes the longest section of electrified
railway in Great Britain, so the signalling comprises the greatest length of continuous track
circuiting and complete power signalling on a British main line. Westinghouse apparatus
was again selected as possessing that essential reliability necessary to withstand the severe
operating conditions on the 36 miles of route, and advantage was taken of several new
developments and improvements to apparatus, although, in general, the design of apparatus
called for follows closely upon that which has proved equal to all the demands made on it
during the previous four years.
The map and key plan below shows the line between London and Brighton, and it will be
seen that East Croydon is the Junction for all trains to and from the various London termini.
The power signalling commences at Coulsdon North about 14 miles south from Victoria and
continues through Earlswood Junction to Three Bridges. Three Bridges is the junction for the Horsham and Portsmouth line to the south-west, and for the East Grinstead and Tunbridge Wells line to the east ; in addition, it is of importance owing to the presence of extensive goods sidings, locomotive running sheds, and the main control station for the remote control of all traction sub-stations on the Brighton line. There are four running roads between Earlswood and Balcombe Tunnel, which is about 2.5 miles south of Three Bridges, the signal cabin situated at the north end of the tunnel having the control of the junction from the four to two roads. The line diverges into four roads again between Copyhold Junction and Haywards Heath Station, then reverts to double-road track, continuing thus to Preston Park.
A branch line junction at Copyhold is controlled from Haywards Heath Cabin, about miles
distant, crossovers being provided for the routing of trains for running into the required
platforms at Haywards Heath. Plans of the track and signal layout at Three Bridges,
Copyhold Junction and Haywards Heath, will be found at the end of this publication.
A short distance south of Haywards Heath is Keymer Junction, where the line to Lewes and
Eastbourne diverges. Preston Park is on the outskirts of Brighton, the cabin having control
of all traffic to and from London, and it is here that trains running direct between London
and Worthing are diverted. Brighton Station lies about 1/2 mile south of Preston Park Station and besides being the terminal station of 10 platforms for London to Brighton traffic, it is also a terminal and junction for the Hastings line to the East and the Worthing and
Portsmouth line to the West (the line joining that from Preston Park at Hove).
There are extensive goods marshalling sidings at Brighton as well as locomotive running
sheds, locomotive and carriage repair shops, large carriage sheds and washing plant for
electric stock.
PHOTOGRAPHER UNKNOWN
The general signalling scheme employed three-aspect colour light signals throughout for running signals and two-aspect colour light signals for shunt movements. Exceptions to the general rule are to be found in cases where it has not been possible to obtain full braking distance, and here four-aspects were used to maintain the necessary flow of traffic. With a single exception all other types of signals, such as call-on and warning signals were eliminated, thus adding greatly to the uniformity and simplicity of the system without interfering in any way with expeditious handling of traffic.
The system of control adopted between Coulsdon and Preston Park, a distance of approximately 31 miles, is electro-mechanical with continuous track circuiting of all running roads, and track circuit fouling protection of junctions and sidings. At Brighton the system is all-electric, controlled from a new cabin containing a 225-lever power frame. In the electro-mechanical section certain cabins were selected for retention in service and all others have been abolished. The selected cabins are those from which the routing of trains is always being carried out, or where there is at times some shunting of goods trains, or where special regulation of traffic may occasionally be necessary. The above diagram makes it clear the number of cabins totally abolished, those which are normally switched out, and those, such as Earlswood, Three Bridges, Haywards Heath, Keymer Crossing and Preston Park, which are always in service.
JULY 1932
ELECTRIFICATION BETWEEN
COULSDON NORTH TO THREE BRIDGES
PHOTOGRAPHER UNKNOWN
Above the first electric train arriving at Redhill on Sunday 17th July 1932
The decision to electrify the entire main line was taken in 1929, and the section from Coulsdon North (the furthest point of the suburban system) to Three Bridges.
The new electric service started on Sunday 17th July 1932. This is also included a electric service of to Reigate. With the introduction of these new electric services Reigate and Three
Bridges required two new motorman's depots at Reigate and Three Bridges. These depots
where created earlier in 1932 to affiliate the training of enginemen to learn the new electric
trains.
Later on in 1932 another two motorman's depots were opened at Brighton and West
Worthing, in readiness for the completion of the electrification down to Brighton and West
Worthing and the electric service to start on Sunday 1st January 1933.
On Sunday 7th July 1935 saw electrification of the main East coast line being opened between Brighton to Ore direct and with the spur lines via Eastbourne. Also completed was the route between Seaford to Horsted Keynes via Plumpton linking up to the main line from Brighton at Keymer Junction.
Electrification from Dorking to Horsham, and onto Littlehampton (mid-Sussex line) was opened on Thursday 30th June 1938, and the West Coast extension from West Worthing to Havant and Bognor Sunday 3rd July 1938
DUAL LINK DRIVERS TO MOTORMAN DEPOTS
Steam drivers had the option to become Dual Link drivers. These drivers would then would
fill the vacancies at their neighbouring Motorman’s depot. The motormen’s work would be
coved by Dual Link drivers when turns were uncovered as there was no spare coverage built
to their rosters to cover leave, sickness or additional work.
Brighton Loco Dual Link Drivers would transfer to either Brighton or West Worthing
Motorman’s depots.
Newhaven Loco Dual Link Drivers would transfer to Seaford Motorman’s depot.
Eastbourne Loco Dual Link Drivers would transfer to Eastbourne Motorman’s depot.
St. Leonards Loco Dual Link Drivers would transfer to Ore Motorman’s depot.
Bognor Loco Dual Link Drivers would transfer to Bognor or Littlehampton Motorman’s
depots.
Horsham Loco Dual Link Drivers would transfer to Horsham or Dorking (Central ?)
Motorman’s depots.
Three Bridges Loco Dual Link Drivers would transfer to Three Bridges Motorman’s depot.
Redhill Loco Dual Link Drivers would transfer to Reigate, Redhill & Coulsdon North?
Motorman’s depots.
Norwood Loco Dual Link Drivers would transfer to Selhurst, West Croydon, Wallington,
Wimbledon (C), Crystal Palace, Epsom?
Epsom Downs? Beckenham Junction Motorman’s depots.
Battersea Loco Dual Link Drivers would transfer to Victoria, Streatham Hill & Peckham
Rye? Motorman’s depots.
London Bridge (E), Caterham, Tattenham Corner & Norwood Motorman’s depots were classed as South Eastern depots and were not grouped with a Central Division Loco depot
New Cross (Gate) ?
This list needs clarifying in relation to the London Area groupings.
Railway Vigilant Magazine
March 1933
page 10
ELECTRIFICATION
Progress at Workers’ Expense
Electrification is nothing new to the ‘Southern Railway, but the opening of the Brighton-
Worthing electrified line on the first day of this year marks the ending of a definite stage in
the conversion process from steam to electricity.
In ]909 the old London Brighton and South Coast Railway received powers from Parliament
to electrify their suburban area, and the loop line (nearly nine miles in length) was completed by 1912 connecting, via'Denmark Hill, London Bridge and Victoria. The
period 1914 to 1918 interfered with the progress, and it was 1925 before the Coulsden and
Sutton lines were operated under ‘the newer. form of power.’
Since 1925 electrification has proceed apace, and new the new 54-mile stretch, which
obtains its current from the National Grid, possesses eighteen sub-stations, the chief of which is situated at Three Bridges.
CIGARETTE CARD
Three Bridges Electrical Control Room monitored the unattended sub stations on the
Brighton, Eastbourne and Hastings electrified lines were controlled from Three Bridges,
operating conditions all over the power supply system are continuously supervised. The
panels around the wall carry complete diagram of the electrified lines concerned, and keys
maybe operated at appropriate points in the diagram to work the switches and circuit breaker
stations. faults are instantly registered on the panels, and desk in the centre of the room is
equipped with a private telephone exchange connecting with all sub stations.
By the end of the 1930's, new Electrical Control Rooms opened at Havant, & Ore. The South London lines had previously which had been electrified during the 1920's with manned Substations up until the Change of Frequency scheme introduced during the mid 1950's, which saw the induction of new Electrical Control Rooms in the London Area at Lewisham, Selhurst & Raynes Park.
During the 1980's saw the closure of the 1930's Electrical Control Rooms with their control
areas being taken over by the existing Electrical Control Rooms at Paddock Wood, Eastleigh, and a new Electrical Control Room at Brighton.
The introduction of new technology, will see the closure of Eastleigh, Canterbury, Raynes
Park, Selhurst, leaving Paddock Wood, Lewisham, Brighton & the introduction of Basingstoke for the Wessex area.
Three Bridges, in fact, controls the whole line from a Central Control Room, an entirely new
development, and dispensing with control attendants in the seventeen other sub-stations. At
Three Bridges it is possible under the scheme, to plug in for the whole of the fifty four miles of line, and with the latest form of equipment, control has become simple and effective.
Effective from a transport and dividend-earning point of view, as well as effective from
displacement of labour point of view.
Three Bridges Electrical Control Room. This was the first of the Southern Region ECR's.
Commissioned in the mid 30's with the Electrification of the Brighton main line. Quickly
followed by the end of the 30's, with Havant, Woking, Swanley, & Ore E.C.R.’s.
South London had previously been electrified in the 1920's but the Substations were maned, up until the Change of Frequency scheme of the mid 1950's, which saw the induction of Lewisham, Selhurst & Raynes Park E.C.R.’s.
The 1960's saw the Kent Coast Electrification and the introduction of Paddock Wood &
Canterbury E.C.R.’s.Followed by further South Coast Electrification and the introduction of Eastleigh ECR. The 1980's saw the closure of the 1930's E.C.R.’s with their control areas being taken over by Paddock Wood, Eastleigh, and the new E.C.R. at Brighton.
The introduction of new technology, will see the closure of Eastleigh, Canterbury, Raynes
Park, Selhurst, leaving Paddock Wood, Lewisham, Brighton & the introduction of
Basingstoke for the Wessex area.
Railway Vigilant Magazine
The rolling stock on the express services is new and consists of forty-six motor coaches with
saloon compartments, nine first class trailer corridor coaches, forty first and third trailer
corridor coaches and twenty third class only trailer corridor coaches. All this stock was made at the Southern Railway Shops in Lancing and Eastliegh.The developing of the housing estates, with the consequent density of traffic, plus the economies obtained in the operation of the newer form of transport, have been the deterring factors in the southern’s decision to electrify on this huge scale, and when we realise that the London and North Eastern are now contemplating electrification in the Northern suburbs of London, as worker in the industry we are definitely faced with the problem of “the ownership of the transport machine.”
Electrification is progress, but it is certainly progress at the expense of our earning when
operated by private enterprise, or when operated under State capitalism.
As intelligent transport thinkers we do not therefore oppose the principle of electrification,
but with cool, calm logic face up to the fact that it is possible - and will be made possible - to provide faster, cheaper, and more comfortable travel for the public under a railway transport system owned and controlled by workers of the country.
Viewed in this light, the railway worker will easily see how far short of safeguarding working class interests, the official Trade Union leaders are, when they simply advocate, and work for, rationalisation under the capitalist system.
RAILWORKER
PHOTOGRAPHER UNKNOWN
Peckham Rye E.M.U. maintenance sheds closed in c1965 with the work on the
PUL/PAN/COR/BUF and RES units being transferred to new maintenance sheds at Selhurst
Depot. Berthing of units lasted until April 1967 so it is thought that is when the Motorman’s
Depot would have closed (this is to be confirmed) and the site was demolished in 1969.
LOCOMOTIVE JOURNAL
OCTOBER 1957
Page 334
On the Surface
A PAGE FOR MOTORMEN
By D.K. PULLEN
With the Modernisation Plan the talking - point of the day, it might be as well to pause for a moment and take a look back down through the years to the very beginnings of electrification on the railways of Britain.
The following summary comes from the pen of a Motorman who grew up with electrification - Bert Cooper of Selhurst branch, over 40 years a Motorman at Streatham Hill depot. Bro. Cooper retired in August and thus severed the last link between present - day conditions and the good - bad days of the Southern Railway’s “Overhead” system.
(We have indeed much pleasure in publishing Bro. Cooper’s summary and in expressing our deep appreciation of the service to the branch and society.-Editor)
The history of the electrification of the Southern Railway and its constituent companies dates from the year 1903 when, having obtaining Parliament powers, the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway instructed its consulting engineer to prepare a report on the question of conversion of the suburban lines.
This L.B.S.C.R. conversion was on the 6,600-volt, single phase system, partly because of the development of that principle in the first years of the century and partly because, even at that early date, main line extensions to Brighton and the south coast were envisaged.
Extensions to Crystal Palace from both Victoria and London Bridge were completed before the first war.
Others, to Coulsdon, Sutton, Eastbourne and Brighton, were authorised but due to the war only the Coulsdon and Sutton lines were converted to single - phase traction - and there not until 1925.
In 1915, the London & South Western Railway began operating over the Kingston roundabout and the Waterloo line via Putney. The early progress made in the design of low voltage current traction decided the directors to adopt this system.
Extensions were made in 1916 to Shepperton, Hampton Court and Claygate, and after the amalgamation of 1923 direct current was adopted as the standard for future conversations.The year 1925 saw the conversion of the lines to Guildford and Dorking, and 1930 that of the Windsor line. 1926 was memorable for the opening of the first section of the South Eastern & Chatham electrification under the auspices of the Southern Railway Railway Company. originally this electrification had been planned just after the 1914-18 war to use 1,500 volts D.C. system on suburban lines has been progressive and culminated in opening to electric traction of the two routes to Sevenoaks. The Sanderstead line and the Nunhead - Lewisham loop were due to be opened to electric traction. The old L.B.S.C.R. single phase lines were converted to low voltage D.C. in 1929 but some of the overhead masts still exist as signal gantries.
A notable decision was made in 1930 when electrification to Brighton and West Worthing was begun and turned the Southern definitely into a believer in the electrification of densely trafficked main and suburban lines. The first stage to Redhill, Reigate and Three Bridges was opened on July 17th, 1932, and the southern half of the line on January 1st, 1933. Work on the 60 mile extension to Lewes, Eastbourne and Hastings was begun at the end of 1933 and public electric service was inaugurated on 7th July, 1935, when a total of 444 route and 1,156 track miles was operated electrically by the Southern Railway.
PHOTOGRAPHER UNKNOWN
Above the first electric train arriving at Redhill in July 1932