I've mean't to post on this thread for ages, at least until now!
I made my first spotting trip to the 'Smoke' (where I have now lived for many years) when I was the grand old age of 12 in 1978. I traveled down from Derbyshire with three mates, the plan being to visit the 'Cross, Euston, and Paddington. On the way down the MML our mate Ash dropped a bombshell when he suggested that we should try and talk our way into Willesden! Given that our Dad's were career railwaymen (and with "don't do anything stupid" ringing in our ears) I didn't like the sound of this.
Nothing more was said on the subject as we noted loco's at Leicester, Wellingborough and Cricklewood on our way down to St Pancras. On our arrival we remembered the directions given to us and made our way along the Euston Road to Euston. Having noted down several electrics (sorry all my notebooks were binned years a go) we traveled by class 501 out to Willesden Junction. On the way out the guard told us that they were known as the Dartmoor units due to the bars on the windows; at the time this was completely lost on us. Even then I was really hoping that Ash would 'bottle it'. However he had no intention of doing anything of the sort and before we knew it we were heading out of the station and looking for a phone box. Once located Ash was straight in there looking for a phone book.
A few minutes later Ash was out of the phone box with a smile as wide as the Thames! Heading down the ramp towards the TMD we were met by the duty foreman. We were pretty much left to make our way round the running shed with it's various loco's and EMU's including another class 501 and a class 310 parked outside, not forgetting 87101. Not to mention a couple of class 25's. Our only restriction was "for gawd's sake don't go anywhere near the bloody running lines!".
Twenty minutes later and we were as pleased as punch! Having thanked the foreman for his kindness he asked us what our plans were for the rest of the day. Having told him that we were off to Paddington he asked us if we would be interested in a visit to Old Oak Common! Having shaken off my inhibitions I agreed with the others that this was a great idea, especially given that Old Oak Common was just down the road. A quick phone call by the foreman to his mate at Old Oak and we were on our way
Having arrived at Old Oak Common, we were treated like royalty by an off duty driver. We were taken every where, starting off with the lines of parked up loco's, then a visit into the 'Factory' and then a walk up to the turntable. Class 50's, 47's and 31's were everywhere. And then to top it off we were taken into the HST servicing sheds. Having been invited into the cab of a HST we were then led through the engine compartment and into the guards compartment. Out of the HST we were then introduced to another driver who had started life as a cleaner for the GWR and was now close to retirement. With our eye's as wide as saucers he told as us how these HST's were running at 140 mph with him at the controls!
Back in the foreman's office we thanked him and the driver for their kindness he then asked us where we were off to next. Paddington we chorused. "Right boys, in that case we'll give you a lift!". Before we knew it we were hurtling along Westway in the back of a BR Sherpa van, although at least it had seats! Then it was off to the 'Cross for a couple of hours before heading home, very tired and very happy.
It would be the first of many trips to the 'Smoke before heading off to Uni and then at the age of 22 moving to London to make a life down here.
Thanks for your posts, they are a great read!
Ask rg177 if you don't believe me Quinn.
