Guest 649- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 14,118
24 September 2010
18:0472337I am just off to the above event, I worked at the Ashford Railways work for ten years from 1971 to 1982 it was a gret place to work and at that time I was hoping to be there till I was 65years old but it not to be,if you have worked at the above works then please come along it is at the BRSA CLUB,Beaver Road Ashord tonight at 1945,I will be going over at about 1915hrs if you would like to come with me just ring on my m 07758710889
Guest 690- Registered: 10 Oct 2009
- Posts: 4,150
24 September 2010
18:2372341Vic, sorry mate didn`t know of this event. I do know some of the carriage and wagon staff at Chart Leacon who were mobile examiner`s before we took over their jobs. If any of them are there they might remember me. They were a good lot of bloke`s and always made them tea when they turned up. This was back in the late 80s early 90s. Just mention Sevington, which was my first base.
Tell them that I came, and no one answered.
24 September 2010
20:5072351Vic/Colin
In the 1960's and early 1970's Chart Leacon was more often than not the winner or runner up in the BR Southern Region First Aid Competitions. They had a large and dedicated workforce.
Last year I had the oportunity to visit the new Hiatachi Service Depot at Ashford and it was so sad to see that Chart Leacon (Now Bombadier) seems to have lost its way in 21st Century rail maintenance. The technology that is used for maintenance of our "Javelin" trains that we enjoy travelling on from Dover to London is incredible.
No doubt the "railway buffs" on this forum will enlighten me as to why we (the British) have lost our traditional heritage industry to overseas.
Guest 690- Registered: 10 Oct 2009
- Posts: 4,150
24 September 2010
21:0772353In a nutshell I think Pat, nationalisation, and successive government`s who believed that the railway`s were finished, and were more road orientated, culminating in the Beeching report in 1963. I`ve been in the Hiatachi depot, as we delivered those new high speed trains to them, after offloading in Southampton docks. A few of our fitter`s now work in there.
Tell them that I came, and no one answered.
24 September 2010
21:1872362Colin I think you are correct. The Beeching "Axe" severed so many communities and resulted in starvation of funding to rail with concentration on nearly all Dept of Transport Dept funds being allocated to road.
Keith Sansum1
- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,922
24 September 2010
21:2872368COLIN;
Nationalisation wasn't the complete problem, although I'm the first to admit it wasnt perfect.
Railways have to recognise as a business they are pricey to the every day person.
And If you are serious in wanting to get more people to use public transport then you have to compete price wise and comfort wise with the car.
At present this is not the case
ALL POSTS ARE MY OWN PERSONAL VIEWS
Guest 705- Registered: 23 Sep 2010
- Posts: 661
24 September 2010
21:3672371Indeed Colin, I really believe that during the early '60's there was a deliberate move to eradicate railways altogether. Luckily the unions,the railwaymen,the travelling public and the preservationists put a stop to this crazed attitude-and laid the pathway to the ultimate of privatisation. Less than perfect but at least all railways are valued and are even being reopened.
The railwayman is a special breed-it is a privilege to count myself in those ranks. The majority of railwaymen are anoraks-they do the job because they love it-it's why the industry has survived.
A couple of my mates from the CTRL construction are with now with Hitachi...their wheel turning lathe is amazing!
Never give up...
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
24 September 2010
21:4672374i do not have great memories of the old nationalised days and the take it or leave it attitude of staff towards their customers.
i am not overly happy with the privatised system but it seems to work better, i am happy to see the smaller steam lines operating with the help of volunteers.
the romney, hythe and dymchurch line is stunning.
Guest 705- Registered: 23 Sep 2010
- Posts: 661
24 September 2010
21:4672375Kieth,you have a valid point. Perhaps railways ought to be subsidised to provide a service and not a profit. The thing is that people like their own tin box-if it came to it folks would probably pay more to sit in their car-so what do you do?...lose votes by trebling the road fund tax? Trains are as comfy as they're going to get-they just need to be more frequent-but then the system is already to capacity at peak hours-and very often that goes for freight as well.
Never give up...
Guest 705- Registered: 23 Sep 2010
- Posts: 661
24 September 2010
21:5172377Yes the RHDR staff are amazing-they really put themselves out. I took my grandson on a Santa Special there a couple of years ago-it was magical. The Santa departure thing they do with 'The Bug' was transfixing for the kids-it had me going to!
Never give up...
Guest 690- Registered: 10 Oct 2009
- Posts: 4,150
24 September 2010
22:0672379Keith, you`re right with the railways being a pricey business, but it`s never been a level playing field. An excellent documentary series appeared on Channel Four in the early 80s entitled `Losing Track`. One episode covered the newly built M1 motorway in 1959 by Marple Construction. Mr Marple of course was the minister of transport, and who did he appoint as chairman of British Railways in 1962? Yes, Dr Beeching, from ICI, a businessman, not a railwayman. The railways needed pruning, too many small branchlines not paying their way, but also, major trunk routes which should have been invested in and promoted, were systematically shut. It went completely over the top, and much of it based on false figure`s, and the expectation that most families will have two cars in the future. Some of these long closed routes are now suggested for reopening, and costly they are too, but much needed. So much info I could put on here.
Tell them that I came, and no one answered.
24 September 2010
22:4072384I suppose it is the question of "get in a tin box" on your doorstep and get out wherever you want.
Even now when I talk to people who live less than 20 minutes walk from Dover Priory if they use the train they still drive to the station or get a lift. Oh God have we lost our legs!!!
But back to why have overseas (like Hiatachi) taken on a world dominance in railway design and construction that we had the expertise. Was it Japanese Govt investment or private enterprise.
Several years ago I remember going to Wuppertal in Germany where they have a Linear Induction Railway built before WWII. I seem to remember BR also had a leading involvement in this technology in the 60's/70's.
Whilst Linear is ok for A to B Direct it had (or may still have) problems if it deviates from A to B (ie points). Does Japan (or any other Country) have Linear Induction trains???
Guest 649- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 14,118
24 September 2010
23:0672386I have just got back in,nice to read what you all are saying ,I will add my bit to it over the weekend.
And Pat I was the leader of the BR Ashford First Aid team and we won the Southern first aid competion one year ,then I had to give it up because the Railway send me away to work for about 6months and they got a new leader to take my place.But also I use to run for Southern BR Team to.
Guest 643- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 1,321
26 September 2010
09:5772570Sorry Vic but you got that wrong. I have spoken to three guys who have been in the railways first aid teams for longer than that and they haven't even heard of you.
My husband was in the Dover team for many years and got as far as the Grand Prior one year. There is no "leader" - there are teams who work together. My husband is actually judging at the RIFAA first aid finals in Wales next month. He can no longer compete because he can't walk without crutches now but he was competeing right up until 2 years ago. As far as he can remember Ashford have never won!
There's always a little truth behind every "Just kidding", a little emotion behind every "I don't care" and a little pain behind every "I'm ok".
Guest 649- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 14,118
26 September 2010
11:0672581Jacqui,Whats wrong you ,I was leader of the BR railways team at Ashford Railway works in about 1972or 1973 We won that year and the next round was in York but I was sent away to Wales to work and was replaced why would I lie? just give it a rest
Sorry got the dates wrong it was 1975.
Guest 643- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 1,321
26 September 2010
21:2972653Point1 - Chart Leacon did have a successful team in First Aid. You said Ashford works team which was a different lot - not Chart and not successful.
Point2 - There are not and never were "leaders", they are numbered 1, 2 or 3 etc.
Point3 - I repeat, I have spoken to 4 different people involved in First Aid comps in the 70s and none of them recognized your name. One of them was the secretary in those years too.
Point 4 - You ask "Why would I lie" - no idea Vic - only you know that.
I do know what I'm talking about, my husband has been involved in Railway first Aid for many years and at the time he retired he was the RIFAA top trainer. He actually trains trainers too.
Lastly there is nothing wrong with me Vic, I just don't like ...erm....shall I say wrong information. I will not " let it rest " just to please your ego.
So who were your "winning team mates then?"
There's always a little truth behind every "Just kidding", a little emotion behind every "I don't care" and a little pain behind every "I'm ok".
Keith Sansum1- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,922
26 September 2010
21:4972659Not wishing to take sides in any way, but having worked on British rail for 25 years can I give a little imput?
When i requested through red star to get first aid trained because of 2 incidents I walked into not knowing what to do, I was sent to do my first aid training with St Johns at Ashford.
Whenever an questions came up to be answered, or a scenario I had to do, before I even started the Instructor said " oh your ok you come from Dover the top first aid team in the South
The instructor went on to tell me all the compititions she was aware of as a St Johns ambulance instructor, that Dover BR had won.
So Vic, not trying to take sides,
ALL POSTS ARE MY OWN PERSONAL VIEWS
Guest 649- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 14,118
27 September 2010
17:2372736What I said was true,but all I done was put up about the reunion we were having at Ashford and it has turn out to be called a lier, well sorry it is the end for me on the Dover Forum,some of you will be please at that,but I do not care anyway.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
27 September 2010
17:4772740see you soon vic, you have made more comebacks than frank sinatra.
Keith Sansum1- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,922
27 September 2010
19:4072756VIC;
IF YOU go your silly.
iv expressed what i was told by st johns on my course
ALL POSTS ARE MY OWN PERSONAL VIEWS