1954




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 





 PHOTOGRAPHER UNKNOWN



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




PAINTING BY STAN HIDER

Southwater Station with a Brighton to Horsham Service




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



PHOTOGRAPHERS UNKNOWN




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




LOCOMOTIVE JOURNAL


APRIL 1954


W. J. CLEAVER


DISTRICT No.7


extracted from report

A passenger train derailment at Croydon on February 13 was the subject of a further inquiry by the Ministry. A Littlehampton to London Bridge electric train completely left the track at Windmill Junction. Fortunately, no injuries were sustained by passengers. Our motorman member asserts that the distant semaphore signal was at clear, but the home signal, which was at danger, could not be observed in time to avert the derailment. The guard of the train also affirms that he observed the distant in the off position. However, contrary evidence is forthcoming from the signal department and the difficult task of ascertaining the cause of the derailment is a responsibility of the Ministry's Inspecting Officer.





LIAM FEELEY COLLECTION

Changing staffs at Cranleigh 1954





LOCOMOTIVE JOURNAL


MAY 1954


SELHURST


As branch secretary for the past 22 years, Bill Boulton has put in sterling work on behalf of his colleagues and of the " Associated " in general.

The friends he has made in that time are legion. The meetings he has arranged and attended; the thousands of words written in correspondence; the sick visits made; the monies collected for all sorts of charities ; and, above all, the guidance he has given to those of us who contemplate following in his footsteps—all these things give the

complete answer to those who so readily claim that "every man has his price," or that no one takes trade union office unless there is some "sinister" motive.

Here is a MAN standing on the threshold of retirement with a record of devotion to duty second to none in this organisation. We at Selhurst are proud to send a delegate of this calibre to the 1954 T.U.C. Many thanks to those branches whose support has brought this resounding success to Selhurst.

Attendances at the branch are once again on the up-grade. No finer demonstration of appreciation for the life's-work of our secretary could be made than that the branch room be filled to overflowing at every meeting during the coming year.


D. K. PULLEN, Branch Reporter.





KAREN SHOPLAND COLLECTION

Rambler Excursion at Rowfrant 9th June 1954





LOCOMOTIVE JOURNAL


JUNE 1954


SELHURST


Once again it can be reported our Good Friday Reunion was a huge success, thanks to the effort put in by the committee, The Revelaires," who provided the entertainment and band for dancing. We had the pleasure of the company of Bro. Jim Baty, General Secretary, and his good lady, and it was pleasing to see him mixing freely with the "old boys," as he endearingly terms them, and exchanging views after tea.

We intended that Bro. Baty should have an evening out, with " differentials," etc., in the background, and sincerely trust that his general health will be improved to stand the test that is being waged regarding our claim now before the B.T.C. for recognition of the responsibility of our calling.

In conclusion, our best thanks to the donors of prizes for raffle, which added to the success of the evening.

To the branch rooms, chums, and back your officers in their effort to keep the "Flame" alight. The A.A.D. report will be available by the time this reaches your hands. Bro. Pullen will be at your service as delegate.

W. BOULTON






Brian Cook Collection 

Charlie Cook & Ron “Razor" Reeves

Pass to the Bridges, and yes it would have been Hornby turns, I think it was around the time 

we were working two drivers to a turn because of shortage of second men, it usually involved four Duties in the days of ( “dare I say it" ) twelve hours!!!! 


Memories Rodney Burstow


Ron Reeves seniority date 09.05.1919 (Horsham). Ron, known as ‘Razor’ was a fireman and driver at Horsham, and one of the ‘Hornby’ men. Ron had some remarkable luck when he was a fireman during the war years, he was the fireman on the train which went into the bomb crater, near the Worthing Road bridge, shortly after leaving Horsham, and was the fireman on the train that was strafed by a German aircraft at West Grinstead, where the driver, Les Ansbridge (20.11.1914) was sadly killed.


Information from Brian Cooke






LOCOMOTIVE JOURNAL


AUGUST 1954


LONDON BRIDGE



At our meetings in May, we welcomed  M. Renshaw and F. Saunders, Sectional Council members. Bro. Renshaw  gave a very compact and interesting report ranging from E.P. stock to cab fittings, and embracing a wide variety of matters electrical.

Bros. Renshaw and Saunders were thanked for very informative and able reports.

Branch attendances of late have shown an improvement-so keep up good work lads, make the meetings bright and interesting, let us hear your views in the right place.

The L.D.C. Secretary, Bro. H. Bagilhole, and Chairman A. Garratt gave a report on their work over the last few months, embracing our day of rest; they must be congratulated on their handling of this controversial subject, but more important items have to be dealt with, such as condition of lobbies, e.g., Charing Cross. It is ironical to consider how well the Factory Acts cover our fellow-workers in other industries.

The efforts of our E.C. on differentials are being closely and eagerly followed and supported by us of London Bridge.

The Society has taken the lead which must be supported and kept for the wellbeing of the front enders and footplate fraternity as a whole.

D. GREENWAY, 
Branch Secretary.





TREV SMITH COLLECTION

Brighton Enginemen Fred Cox





LOCOMOTIVE JOURNAL


SEPTEMBER 1954


LONDON BRIDGE



Our July meetings showed increased attendances, and visitors from neighbouring branches came along to hear Don Pullen of Selhurst report on the 1954 A.A.D.

The July 12 meeting opened on a sad note when the Chairman, Bro. H. Bagilhole, referred to the fatality involving Bro. A. Holden of Clapham Junction Tribute was paid to his numerous activities for the Movement, and members observed one minute's silence as a token of respect.

Bro. Pullen spoke for nearly two hours, dealing with all the stages of Conference. On the wages proposal, one look at members' faces when they heard it was enough to tell the B.T.C. what to do with it (now you know where you stand, Brothers!).

We at London Bridge are ready to back our E.C. in any action they take. We invite all our mess-room orators to along to our next meeting.

Branch Reporter





DI DOWSETT COLLECTION

Driver Fred Diplock & Fireman Dennis Ward taking water at Eridge 




LOCOMOTIVE JOURNAL


SEPTEMBER 1954


SELHURST


Yet another A.A.D. report has been received. This one for 1954 given by Bro. Don Pullen certainly revealed some lively times. As a matter of interest Don has given 14 reports, which shows how keenly interested motormen have been in the southern items that were discussed, particularly promotion, transfer, redundancy arrangements and negotiating machinery.

If we are to get anything out of Conference decisions. branches will have to bombard the E.C. with their ideas for improvement in time for the 1955 A.A.D.

We can compliment ourselves in having a real live delegate in 1954.

The recent case of one of our members being suspended and returned to loco as punishment for allowing an unauthorised person to handle the controls, must be a warning to us all not to take chances.

Bros. Cleaver and Newbegin both at the formal interview and appeal failed to get the decision altered despite their excellent advocacy.

On the lighter side, members of Selhurst branch can give any challengers a good game at golf, bowls or cricket. Are there any challengers?-

Bill Boulton.




RAILTOUR 4th OCTOBER 1954

WORKED BY THREE BRIDGES 

DRIVER G. TAYLOR (FORMERLY OF EBNE) 

& FIREMAN DAVE SHOPLAND

Photo from Karen Shopland Collection



There Bridges Fireman Dave Shopland at Lewes

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