LOCOMOTIVE JOURNAL 

JANUARY 1911

Extracted and adapted from 

A.S.L.E.F. Organising Secretary W. Warwick's report

page 17

Events that took place from mid November 1910

I also visited our Battersea Branch and saw the secretary on an important matter affecting the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway men, and the following day attended a delegate" meeting in the afternoon, at New Cross, and in the evening a meeting belonging to our 

Westminster Branch. The delegate meeting at New Cross should have consisted of the old delegation mentioned in my last report, but the A.S.R.S. members of that body were conspicuous by their absence on this occasion, although they had been summoned by the corresponding secretary. The tactics throughout this business, by those who have endeavoured to make it a society question rather than the uplifting of the men, have practically nullified the efforts put forth to improve the position, and ought to be a lesson to all locomotive-men on the folly of being in a society which has to resort to such methods to keep the few locomotive-men they have.

I was also able to attend this and on arriving home again found a wire from our Brighton 

Secretary, informing me of a fatal accident had occurred at locomotive shed there, which 

required my attention. Needles to say I lost no time getting on the road again the last 

mentioned places.

I returned home on the Monday 28th, November 1910 and found instructions awaiting 

me from the General Office to attend a Board of Trade, inquiry, at Battersea Park 

Station, on the following morning (Tuesday 29th). I attended to this and had scarcely 

reached home in the evening were I received a post card from our Battersea secretary 

asking me to attend a further Board of Trade inquiry at the locomotive shed on the 

following day (Wednesday 30th). I was also able to attend this and on arriving home 

again found a wire from our Brighton secretary, informing me a fatal accident had 

occurred at the locomotive shed there, which required my attention. Needless to say I 

lost no time in getting on the road again for the last mentioned place.

The inquiry at Battersea Park Station was with regard to a fatal accident to one of the 

men employed on the fixing of pillars, &c, for the electrification of the railway. The 

evidence went to prove that no blame was attached to anyone but the poor fellow 

himself, who, after being warned of the approach of the train, walked away from the 

others with his back to the train, the engine of which struck him in the side, causing 

injuries which proved fatal. 

The inquiry Wednesday 30th, (November) 1910 in the locomotive shed was to ascertain 

the cause of the fatal accident to a man who was working with the joiners employed repairing the shed; it seemed he had gone for a piece of timber and on returning, attempted to pass between wagons which stood a few feet apart, and while doing so they were closed up, pinning him between the buffers. Here, again, this act of indiscretion cost the poor fellow his life, but in neither case were our men to blame. The sad case at Brighton differed somewhat, inasmuch as an aged driver was the victim. It appears C. Ford, driver, on arriving at the shed, went at once to see the duty sheet to ascertain his working for the next day, this being necessary in order that he may turn his engine, or otherwise, before booking off; on returning he by some means was knocked down and run over by an engine being shunted for proper stabling. It was dark at the time and no one actually saw the occurrence, and the only intimation the driver of the engine had was the hearing of a groan; he stopped at once, only to find poor Ford had been rolled up under the engine and his legs run over, injuries to which he succumbed on the way to the hospital.

I attended the inquest next day (Thursday), December 1st, when the verdict was 

"accidental death," no one in any way being to blame. One sad feature about the case 

was he had done some 40 years in the service and had only a few months longer to work 

before being entitled to superannuation.

LOCOMOTIVE JOURNAL

FEBRUARY 1911

Extracted and adapted from 

A.S.L.E.F. Organising Secretary W. Warwick's report

page 75

On December 17th 1910, I arranged for, and attended, an open meeting at Brighton. We had 

a nice little company present, and perhaps the secretary will tell us, in the whether it has 

borne fruit or not. Whatever the result may be, I want to tell the London, Brighton and South 

Coast Railway locomotive-men, there is plenty of room for improvement. Our meeting was 

affected in numbers by the fact that members of a deputation were giving a report elsewhere 

of an interview with the “powers that be re electrification." This very fact spells weakness, 

and until the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway locomotive-men can rise to the 

occasion by joining their own Society, and move as one body for improved conditions of 

service, the much-desired and deserved improvement is not likely to come their way; a hint is as good as a nod, so I hope the Brighton men understand, and will act accordingly.

PHOTOGRAPHER UNKNOWN 

The construction of the elevated electrification at Balham

LOCOMOTIVE JOURNAL

MARCH 1911

Page 112

MONTHLY COMMENTS

ON LOCOMOTIVE AND GENERAL RAILWAY MATTERS.

By F. W. BREWER.

A small batch of new "Atlantics " is also to be put into service on the London, Brighton and 

South Coast Railway. Mr. D. E.Marsh is having these engines fitted with Schmidt super-

heaters, and with 21 in. by 26 in. cylinders. There was some talk that a four-cylinder simple 

"Atlantic " was to.be built. The company propose to run each of the Brighton express trains 

on the hour.

 

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 mainline 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.

STORIES FROM THE SHOVEL

extracted from RTCS book on locomotives of the LBSCR

On the evening of 11th March, 1911, when Driver McKay (New Cross) was in charge of a “I3 Class", No. 80, was in charge of the 10.25 p.m. London Bridge - Brighton express ran out of water just South of Burgess Hill. After coming to a stop, Driver McKay was so furious with his Fireman for failing to fill the tanks before leaving New Cross that he threatened him with a coal hammer  and was instrumental in the latter  stepping so rapidly off the footplate that he slipped and was severely concussed. Whatever the rights or the wrongs of the matter, both men were later fined and relegated to goods duties.

THE RAILWAY REVIEW

16TH SEPTEMBER 1911

Theo usual monthly meeting was held on Sunday last. Several new members. One injured member applied for disablement allowance. A good deal of time was taken With the strike business, and the following resolution was carried: 

"That this branch endorse the action of the secretary and consider he took the proper steps in calling the members out on strike; but strongly condemn the action of those locomotive members who joined hands with the secretary and officials of the Associated Society in calling a meeting of locomotive men and passing a resolution to remain loyal to the company, also in allowing themselves to be chosen part of a deputation to wait on the locomotive superintendent during such a crisis without consulting or obtaining the consent of the strike committee."

LOCOMOTIVE JOURNAL

SEPTEMBER 1911

Extracted and adapted from 

A.S.L.E.F. Organising Secretary W. Warwick's report

page 432

I had to leave for home the same evening, in order to be able to attend an open meeting 

at Battersea on Monday (17th June) morning, This meeting was called  to deal with the 

new eyesight test lately introduced both by the London, Brighton, and South Coast and 

the South-East and Chatham Railways, the men belonging to the latter being most in 

evidence, for the simple reason, I take it, that the test had been brought into operation 

mostly on that line and several of the men had been taken from the footplate. It is ever so 

with the locomotive-man; he persuades himself that everything is as right as right can 

be, until he sees his comrades tailing around him ; then, and only then, does he wake up 

to a sense of his position and begin to move.

Several cases were brought to my notice where men had been taken off, who, for all 

practical purposes, were as good as they were ten years ago, but because they failed at 

the faddist test they had been reduced and degraded. Some had obtained doctors’ 

certificates to the effect that their sight was good, and these were being considered by 

the powers that be. At present it is difficult to see what the result will be, but from what I 

could see and hear, it will depend to a great extent upon how many the companies find 

they can dispose of without running themselves short of men to carry on the work. It was 

whispered that the men were going down in batches, and for the reason above mentioned 

the companies were beginning to stay their hand. 

But what a reflection on the intelligence of our footplate men not to be prepared to deal 

with matters of this description. If organized in their own Society (as it ought to be 

considered a duty and privilege to be) they would have to be consulted before such 

obnoxious things were introduced or made a condition of service, instead of which they 

are simply made battledore and shuttlecocks of between the companies and Board of 

Trade. When the slaughter commences, there is usually a little stir; the officials are 

waited on and they at once assume a serious countenance and say how sorry they are, 

but it's the Board of Trade; an interview is then arranged with that body, which tells us 

its members must be satisfied that the men in charge of our locomotives have proper 

eyesight, but, at the same time, it has not suggested any particular test to the companies; 

and so, men who have spent a lifetime to attain to their position and are rendering 

untold service both to employers and public, are practically being fooled ; nay, worse, 

for their only means of livelihood is being taken away with impunity; and the irony of it 

all is, the very men who are being thus dealt with are standing idly by and trusting to 

blind chance, instead of getting inside their organization which could and would help 

them. And so we are driven to the conclusion the fault is not all with the companies, or 

the Board of Trade, but with ourselves, who refuse to make use of the only means 

whereby we can save ourselves.

I also attended a second meeting on the Tuesday (18^th June) evening, at which Mr. Stevenson, E.C. member, was present. At both these meetings the working idea was trotted out by our A.S.R.S. friends, and on the Monday, owing to the indifference of 

our own members, they were able to carry their resolution, which got rescinded on the Tuesday evening owing to the reverse in the attendance, another lesson, if such was needed, of the folly of the present divided condition.

On Wednesday (19th June) I got a wire from our Battersea Branch Secretary informing me an inquest was be held in which one of our members. Was concerned, but was unable to give time or place. I at once "visited St. George’s Hospital to ascertain same, and found it was to be held on the following day, Friday (21st), at the Westminster Coroner's Court. I attended on our member's behalf, who unfortunately had knocked down a man, causing fatal injuries. It was proved conclusively that the fault rested with the poor fellow himself, and although the coroner made very close inquiries as to rules, Sec, he could only recommend the jury to return a verdict of " accidental death.” 

On the Monday (24th) I visited West Croydon, re branch affairs and general internal working, in order to report to Mr. Fox.

THE RAILWAY REVIEW

11TH OCTOBER 1911

The usual meeting on 15th inst. Several applications for suspension pay were considered, some granted others referred to the committee. Correspondence re-compensation cases: the company now agrees to pay an additional £8 as value of uniform and will pay money into court. Circular re National Insurance Bill from joint committee of Labour, B.T. and L. Council, and S.D.P. was read. A case of reduction in wages and violation of Conciliation Board settlement was referred to committee for consideration and report. A letter from Brighton No.1 Branch read with the previous correspondence, when it was resolved; 

"That after hearing the whole of the correspondence read, and again reviewing the position, we endorse the action of our secretary and assistant secretary, and consider they carried out the wishes of the branch in every way." 

The question of continued violation of the strike settlement by the S.E. & C. was carefully considered, and two resolutions carried unanimously instructing the secretary to press this matter with head office and the Board of Trade. The question of a vigilance committee was again before the meeting. The secretary  was instructed to thank the superintendent of the L.B.S.&C.R. for the attention paid to our suggestion for protection of lives and limbs of men working on the line in this district.

THE RAILWAY REVIEW

13TH OCTOBER 1911

A meeting was held in the Drill Hall, Brighton, on 8th inst, to hear the exchange views on the fiasco at Brighton in August last, and decided on a better and more determined attitude in future. The cognomen given them by the company and public does not agree with a good number of them. There was a large attendance, but this whole in the past had been looked upon as leaders were conspicuous by their absence although they had been specially invited to attend.

A large, keen animated discussion took place between both sides, company's "loyalist" and men's "loyalist," which undoubtedly will be productive of much good.

The following resolution was carried unanimously:

"That this meeting expresses it's appreciation at the united determined stand made by our colleagues in the northern district at the call of the Joint E.C.'s in August last against the many and varied grievances under which we have long been suffering, and further, desire to assure them that we pledge our support in any action the Joint E.C.'s may decide in future to achieve our object."

NEW CROSS

Meeting held on the 7th inst., with another crowded attendance, including visitors West Central Electric. We again increased membership by eight; more for next next week. Correspondence from Deptford, Spa Road and Maze Hill. five cases of suspension were dealt with and one donation. collection sheets on behalf of our comrades in Ireland will be before meetings. 

Delegate appointed to work with the A.S.L.E.&F.  Report of last meeting of Brighton District Council, and representative appointed to attend Brighton meeting on the 8th. Report of conference of local branches of the four railway societies for future working was given. This conference means business, and to commence with a joint mass meeting has been arranged for November 5th. Look out for bills later. Next meeting 14th inst., at 7 p.m. prompted.

THE RAILWAY REVIEW

7TH NOVEMBER 1911

Weekly meeting held on the 11th inst. Standing room only for the late comers. Our first joint mass meeting on the 5th inst., is now bearing fruit. We commenced with 33 new members and some for next meeting. One suspension case had attention matters in connection with L.B. & S.C. Central Conciliation Board meeting, when it was received ; 

"That this branch emphatically protest against the electric motormen being included in the proposed new board, and we instruct our Central Board representatives on the necessity of these motormen being included in the loco. board." 

Reports given stops being taken to arrange for another joint mass meeting. Unfortunately we cannot find a hall large enough, and we do not like to turn any away again. Further nominations received for 1912 concert committee. Attention was drawn to the continued illness of one of our brothers, and the B.F. decided to clear his card up to the end of year. Visitors present from West Central Electric. Next meeting on the 18th inst. at 7p.m. prompt.

NEWHAVEN

The ordinary meeting was held on Sunday. A report of recent meeting of the Central Conciliation Board was given, and a sub-committee appointed to draw up loco men's grievances. 

Bro. J. Dobson was present and gave an excellent address on the history of the railway dispute. 

THE RAILWAY REVIEW

10TH NOVEMBER 1911

Meeting held on the 3rd int. Secretary reported the fatal accident to Bro. Wilkinson, carriage cleaner,  S.E.&C.D., and was instructed to convey the sympathy and condolences of the members to the widow and family. Councillor J. Dobson, organising secretary, sent a reports upon the inquest re-fatal accident, sent and also a further report upon the Board of Trade Inquiry into the accident at Bromley, S.E.&C.D. Letter was read from the Board of Trade re-our resolution which dealt with the refusal of the L.B.&S.C. to hold Sectional Board meetings in accordance with the strike settlement, the company stating that a Central Board meeting would be held on the 3rd inst., when the question would come up for discussion. The correspondence from H.O. re- S.E.&C.D. Colman acting as engine driver and penalising the firemen was discussed, and secretary instructed. Correspondence re - L.B.&S.C. loco men's grievances, and the report of the vigilance committee, who have a long list of grievances which require rectifying. Efforts will be made by amicable negotiations, which should remove the grievances. Every member should see that the secretary is given their change of address at once. 

THE RAILWAY REVIEW

17TH NOVEMBER 1911

The usual meeting on 10th inst. Benevolent Fund and Santa Claus fund committees face reports, which were adopt. Report given re L.B.&S.C. loco men's grievances. Several compensation cases dealt with. That humble petition which a few are trying to push on the L.B.&S.C. plate layers gave some amusement to the members when read. This child like faith and humbleness should be supplanted by manhood. The branch committee will be considering the distribution of ballot papers and every member should get on; so buck up and call for it art the Masons' Arms on Friday night.