BRIGHTON DUAL LINK PROMOTION TO MOTORMAN

BY BOB DAINTY

When a driver got to the link prior to the “DUAL LINK” he had to opt to go into the Dual Link or wait where he was until a vacancy occurred in the link above, If he opted to go into the Dual Link he had to nominate the Motorman’s depot he wanted to go too. At Brighton, the Dual Link men would opt for West Worthing with a first preference move back to Brighton Motorman depot. By doing this they kept both West Worthing and Brighton Motorman’s depots a closed shop. When West Worthing depot got full of men that either lived closer or preferred the work, they would cancel their preference move back to Brighton, thus leaving Brighton Motorman’s depot open. Once a driver become a Motorman they would  remain a Motorman for the rest of their career. 

Similar arrangements may have existed at other locations, such as Bognor Dual Link drivers going to Littlehampton Motorman’s depot with a move back to Bognor. This is not confirmed

The Dual Link arrangements lasted up until 1961, when the Motorman’s grade was dissolved. Motorman who were already a Motorman prior to this date were protected and would only drive Electric Multiple Units. They also had the option to give up this status if when they decided to so.