Rambling Railwayman's Recollections - Driving Days - Woking MT (Part1) 

Thanks for sharing these memories. I used to love riding the inter-regional trains from Portsmouth, but one day sticks out amongst them all. Let me take you back to Sunday 4th May 1986. Scottish Allocated class 47 no.47604 was allocated to the 11.59 Portsmouth - Manchester and a few of us were taking the opportunity to sample it's delights. The leading coach was a MK2 BFK, declassified for the use of second class passengers, which was appreciated and all was as normal right up to and including the entry in to Guildford tunnel south of the station. We entered the tunnel at what I presume was line speed, which was pretty fast, I'm sure you could remember what that was. However it was normal for there to be a significant brake application whilst inside said tunnel as there was a 25mph speed restriction to enter the Reading bound double sided platform. On this occasion there was no sign of any brake application and the train continued at speed towards it's impending doom at the tunnel exit. One of our party was a Fratton freight guard and he soon noticed the lack of an application and jumped to his feet to pull the emergency cord. However just before he got there a full emergency application of the brakes was made, either by the driver or the guard of the train. Even with this application the train lurched considerably to the left as it exited the tunnel and over the 25 mph speed limited junction. My friend, the freight guard, being thrown across the carriage and the coach going to an angle I wouldn't want to repeat again! The train came to a stop with only the locomotive and I think about the front three carriages in the platform. After a reset of the brakes and no doubt a re-gathering of the drivers composure the train was restarted and moved along the platform to take up its correct stopping position. The locomotive still survives and operates on the network today as West Coast Railways 47854 and everytime I see it I think about how its life would have been so much different had action not been taken at that last moment, not to mention what might have happened to us in the first carriage. Keep up the good work.

If everyone could recollect their past working life as detailed as yourself the world would be a more interesting place - keep them coming!

Wonderfully informative video and beautifully narrated with amusing recollections of a period that I loved . I must watch the part 2 soon. Thank you Geoff

Magnificent! Thank-you! The various turns must play havoc with sleep patters and awakeness.

Good to hear your thoughts on the Brush Type 4/Class 47's. Proof of the pudding is the fact that some are still about today in some form or another.

Thoroughly enjoying your videos Geoff, thank you for making and uploading them 👍

Fascinating insight into a train drivers world during the 70’s and 80’s. Will be checking out your other videos soon.

No doubt some of your overnight class 33 workings excitedly woke me up! I loved hearing an overnight train going past my house (near Deepdene)

Keep em coming Mate, Fantastic Memories, Great Railwaymen 😉

Superbly narrated, and extremely interesting. Thank you for sharing your experiences.

Really enjoyed this.. thank you..

Loving these insights into your life as a train driver..................I worked for W.H.Smith in the eighties and most nights I packed the daily newspapers on the return journey from Paddington to High Wycombe. There were four of us. We had many adventures as I was the youngest aged 18 and the rest of the crew were in their thirties and forties and fifties, trying to stand up while hurtling down the line at some speed counting copies of the papers and when the driver slammed on the brakes you had to hold on to the table or be thrown into the wall at the end of the carriage. Happy days lol.

Interesting video. My first bike was a Commando. Subscribed

I love hearing these stories looking forward to the next one

Both Bikes worth good money now. Same as my Dads Bsa Goldflash 650. He was a driver at Salop. Loving your vids. Thank you for sharing. 👍😀

OH Geoff, how come I never found this before! Delightful memories. I'm nearing the end of the career you set me on now :)

thanks for this series of videos I very much enjoyed them keep them coming my late Dad had a similar career on the railways over 45 years based at 72A Exmouth junction starting off as a cleaner and ending it based at St Davids driving class 43s

The incident at Hampton Crt Junction was near our house In Oakdene Avenue , I use to get dropped off by the old Ham Crt Jun Box when on a ballast

Worked on the 47's many times, we used masking tape on the panels to stop draughts in the cab

nice video m8 with a great deal of knowledge

Another great video

👍

Hi Geoff, what does the 'SSF' stencil in most cabs mean please? Was it a retro-fitted interlock that stopped you taking power for some reason??

Maybe it's not good form to mention this, but I hope you never had to face any fatalities at front of train in your time. Obviously, a positive response on this question is probably not one you'd want to give. Thanks for all the good videos btw !