LOCOMOTIVE JOURNAL
JANUARY 1954
LEATHERHEAD BRANCH
At our monthly October meeting we had a very enjoyable and interesting meeting, also good attendance. Our Sectional Council member, Bro. M.J. Renshaw, attended and gave us all an up-to-date report of Sectional Council’s activities. After his report several questions were asked and very suitably replied to. Being his first visit to our branch Bro. Renshaw’s attendance was very welcome and all look forward to similar visits in the future.
A vote of thanks was proposed to Monty for his able report. Our welcome was also extended to Wimbledon Branch who kindly attended this meeting. It also gives me great pleasure to state the progress o our branch in the course of the five years it has been opened and we are proud of the position we are in today. We all trust that our Society will obtain a pension scheme that is suitable and acceptable to all our members,
E.J. Beecher
Branch Secretary
LOCOMOTIVE JOURNAL
FEBRUARY 1954
BRIGHTON BRANCH No.2
We have had the pleasure of recent visits by Bros. P.G. Hockling and E. Cordell. It was
evident by the attention given and the able way which questions were answered, coupled with the helpful advice rendered by both these E.C. members, that those listening left the meeting fully satisfied that the past two hours had not been wasted.
Bro. Newbegin also attended at a meeting of L.D.C. representatives re duty bookings that are considered unsatisfactory, in consequence of which joint enquiry has been asked for.
The Retirement and Social Fund Committee once again arranged on November 21st a very
enjoyable evening at the Labour Club, when presentations were made to retiring Bros. J.
Pearce, C. Parker and T. Parsons. Gifts were handed to these Brothers by Bro. W. Boulton (Selhurst), and his words to each other were suitably replied to by the members concerned. Bro. Rickhard should also have received his retirement gift but illness of his wife prevent his being present. Excellent entertainment was provided by “The Revelaires" Concert Party, for which our grateful thanks are due.
May I remind members of this society that those in and around the Brighton are may join this fund on application to Branch Secretary, Bro. C. Stoner.
F. .W. MUSK
BRANCH CHAIRMAN
Railway accidents on British Railways
Southern Region
Central Division
Windmill Bridge Junction 13th February 1954
Involving Portsmouth Motorman L.F. Chandler
SEE SUB PAGE
FOREST ROW
5th MARCH 1954
Driver T.W.W. Charlie Russell and his Fireman Ron Harper
On Friday 3rd March, 1954, Driver Charlie Russell and his Fireman Ron Harper, was descending the bank at East Grinstead towards Forest Row, with a K Class ‘Mogul’ No.32346, and a 800 ton permanent way train, when the train became a run-away. After roaring and lurching at considerable speed (estimated variously from 45 to 60 m.p.h.) through Forest Row station it was derailed by catch-points at the Groombridge end of the platforms and came to a grinding halt on its left side at the foot of the embankment. Probably because of their weight and robust construction the effect on the wagons forming the train was less spectacular than might have been excepted for a high-speed derailment and the running line was reasonably quickly cleared, but the retrieval of the engine was a long and difficult task.
Charlie was exonerated but was never the same man after this incident and shortly afterwards he left the job which meant so much to him.
KAREN SHOPLAND COLLECTION
RAILTOUR 4th OCTOBER 1954
WORKED BY THREE BRIDGES
DRIVER G. TAYLOR (FORMERLY OF EBNE)
& FIREMAN DAVE SHOPLAND
Photofrom Karen Shopland Collection
