NATIONALISATION OF THE RAILWAYS
The British Transport Commission came into operation on the
1st January 1948
This incorporated the big four railway companies
(L.M.S., L.N.E.R., G.W.R. & S.R.)
and took over 55 other railway companies to form British Railways
Hand made by Vic Clarke (B’ton driver),
when he was a Fireman at Dorchester Loco
After the end of the Second World War the Railways of Great Britain were nationalised by the new Labour Government and in 1948 the Brighton Division of the Southern Railway became part of the Central Division of the Southern Region of the new British Railways.
THREE BRIDGES LOCO
Dave Shopland & Ray Young
At the grouping of the railways in 1948, Three Bridges shed had 16 locomotives for 10 turns. Half the allocations were Class “E4s” and Class “E5 Radials”, and there were therefore many mixed traffic diagrams. Six were basically passenger turns including three to London, and the others, there was now work to Eastbourne. The four freight turns were to Old Oak Common, Willesden, a Steyning line “Roundabout”, and a turn to Tunbridge Wells and back including a trip from East Grinstead to Kingscote. The two shunting turns were at Three Bridges and Redhill Goods Yards.
The workings remained largely the same until the eventual decline in wagon load freight, and the closure of branch lines, plus the introduction of dieselisation which brought the closure of the shed, but was still used as signing on point in 1964, and the steam depot become a Mixed Traction depot. Three Bridges Mixed Traction depot closed on the same day as Eastbourne M.T. and Feltham depots in April 1969.
Among the smaller sheds Three Bridges was unique in that it’s central position on the system meant that its life it’s engines worked regularly to most parts of the L.B.S.C.R. The only lines which there is no record of Three Bridges engines working are Polegate to Hastings, Chichester to Midhurst and West Croydon to Epsom and Wimbledon.
Railway accident on British Railways
Southern Region
Central Division
The Tragic Loss Of Seaford Motorman E.J. Watson
and Newhaven Passed Man Bro Ben Piddlesden
On the 23rd January 1948 Passed Fireman Ben Piddlesden was learning the road to London
Bridge. He boarded the 8.5 a.m. passenger train from Seaford to London Bridge at
Newhaven, and travelled to London Bridge, the train worked by with Seaford Motorman E.J. Watson*.
On approached London Bridge station on the Up Through line, the train overran the Inner
Home signal at Danger and collided at a speed of about 15 m.p.h. with an empty train
standing at No. 14 platform, awaiting signals to leave for New Cross Gate. The Seaford
Motorman E. J. Watson of the incoming train was killed, together with Newhaven Passed
Fireman Ben Piddlesden, who was still in the cab with him, learning the route.
Railway accident on British Railways
Southern Region
Central Division
LOCOMOTIVE JOURNAL
AUGUST 1948
BRIGHTON BRANCH No.2
Since we have changed our time of meeting from Sunday to Thursday we get a nice crowd,
including the old stalwarts of the branch, and our last meeting we had a visitor from the
Locomotive Department, who is a dual man; we would like to see a few more to add their
complaints on the L.D.C. agenda, as it is for their benefit as well as ours. May I ask all
members who have voting papers in their lockersto fill them in and put them back in my
locker, so that Head Office in respect to
(1) The implementation of rest days in the electrical section of the Southern Region;
(2) Defects of colour lights and indicators;
(3) The E.C. to push forward our claim for a boat pass to co-inside with the all-line pass.
Trusting that all members will do their best to attend the next meeting of this branch to hear
correspondence from Head Office and not do the "Lobby moaning act."
C. A. BATCHELOR
BRANCH SECRETARY
LOGO FOUND IN THE FRONT OF
THE T.W.W. 1948 A.S.L.E.F. BRANCH MINUTE BOOK
Railway accidents on British Railways
Southern Region
Central Division