Saltley Tales

[Saltleyman]

I remember a guard called Bhogul,but a bus driver ? I thought it may have been Jack Isherwood? The only other bus drivers I can remember were Butt and John Mohammed ?

 

[Lower Quadrant]

I remember a guard called Bhogul,but a bus driver ? I thought it may have been Jack Isherwood? The only other bus drivers I can remember were Butt and John Mohammed ?

Bhogal was put on light duties,bus driving.I was trying to remember Jack Isherwood`s surname.He packed in or retired in the late sixties,didn`t he?.I straight away thought of Jack.It depends on how far back curly 42 goes...Mr Bhogal was a Sikh and wore his turban to work.

 

[Andrew A]

Had these photos on my desk when i found this forum ! .
The one taken from the "class room" where i was traction training at the time shows a couple of 25s a 56 and a 58 (58 002) which was then outbased at 2e for training purposes, prior to the types introduction on the Didcot MGR services. the just visible character on the left, walking toward the cammera, is the late Harry Willetts.

The class 25 in the next shot is 25 322, which had been re-painted by Tyseley depot staff for an open day there, it had also gained the unofficial name of "Tamworth Castle".

The third shot is 50 003 Temeraire,

All three taken around 1983/4 at Saltley

In case you have not guessed already, i am an Ex Seagull !

 

[Saltleyman]

Here is the late Harry Willets.

What a gentleman he was. RIP

 

[Old Timer]

With respect to that real gentleman.

ALL Saltley men are gentlemen.

 

[Andrew A]

Here is the late Harry Willets.

What a gentleman he was. RIP

Gentleman indeed, also a freind, and one of the most intuative and ingenious locomen i have ever known.

 

[Saltleyman]

Andew A. I have sent you a PM this morning ,please check your personal mail on this site.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
In the spring of 1991 it was decided by Provincial Railways(later Regional Railways) to learn Saltley Drivers the route between Peterborough and Cambridge for the new B'Ham to Stansted Airport services due to start in June 1991.For this Route Learning we used a "Bubblecar" a single coach DMU which was kept at Tyseley CS overnight.As several of the drivers involved in the training lived over the Tyseley side of town it was arranged for one of them each morning to bring the unit over to Saltley to pick up the rest of us.We all clubbed together to buy eggs,sausage,bacon and bread so that we could have a beakfast sandwich "en-route". At the same time B'Ham New Street based guards were also learning the route and they used to meet us at Leicester. On the first morning we arrived at Leicester to pick up the NS guards happily munching away at our breakfast sandwiches.Unfortunately some of the New St guards were Asians who apparently have an aversion to pork products,so it was, a couple of days later,we were told not to stop at leicester as there would be no one to pick up.

 

[curly42]

Bhogal was put on light duties,bus driving.I was trying to remember Jack Isherwood`s surname.He packed in or retired in the late sixties,didn`t he?.I straight away thought of Jack.It depends on how far back curly 42 goes...Mr Bhogal was a Sikh and wore his turban to work.

Yes,I'm pretty sure he was the one - I worked to Saltley on a regular basis from Gloucester from 1971 until we lost our freight work in 1994.

 

[Saltleyman]

Towards the end of our stint route learning between Peterborough and Cambridge ,in April 1991,we decided to explore Ely,so arrangements were made with Control and the relevant signal boxes for the unit to be berthed on the down side at Ely station.On arrival at Ely we secured the unit and off we went to see the sights(including the magnificent cathedral).On our way back we stopped at a riverside pub for our "pnb".Whilst sat outside admiring the ducks on the river,and other "wildlife", a gentleman in a suit approached us "Saltleymen ?" he inquired,it turned out that he was the Assistant Area Manager from Cambridge who's gaffer happened to be Brian H who was an ex Saltley driver !,"Brian has told me to keep an eye open for you",one of our group (DD) said jokingly "well gaffer you'd better get a round in " to our amazement he disappeared into the pub returning with eight pints,one a piece !" don't worry lads Brian will have to pay for this lot I'll see him this afternoon !"
That's how it used to be in the "Good Old Days" ,certainly wouldn't happen today !.

 

[Aictos]

I remember that story from the other site, went to that pub with a few colleagues to celebrate my 25th. Would recommend it to all, especially the views,

 

[Saltleyman]

On one of the days during our route learning to Cambridge one of the loco Inspectors at Saltley (JT) came along to see how we were progressing. It was a very long day (12 hrs most days) and to be honest we were all getting a bit fed up with it.On the return journey we put JT in the "seat", and as usual on our arrival at Peterborough, we were put onto the Down Goods Line to await passing trains. After a few minutes a train for Birmingham arrived into platform 5 and to a man, whilst JT was on the 'phone to the "bobby", we all crept to the back of the unit and exited via the back cab. As the train for Birmingham left the station we were all in the windows waving to JT ! who was now on his own.To his credit ,although not an original Saltley man, he worked the unit back to Tyseley CS.The next morning he was waiting for us to book on at Saltley and although he had a lot to say to us it never went any further,top man!.

 

[Aictos]

On one of the days during our route learning to Cambridge one of the loco Inspectors at Saltley (JT) came along to see how we were progressing. It was a very long day (12 hrs most days) and to be honest we were all getting a bit fed up with it.On the return journey we put JT in the "seat", and as usual on our arrival at Peterborough, we were put onto the Down Goods Line to await passing trains. After a few minutes a train for Birmingham arrived into platform 5 and to a man, whilst JT was on the 'phone to the "bobby", we all crept to the back of the unit and exited via the back cab. As the train for Birmingham left the station we were all in the windows waving to JT ! who was now on his own.To his credit ,although not an original Saltley man, he worked the unit back to Tyseley CS.The next morning he was waiting for us to book on at Saltley and although he had a lot to say to us it never went any further,top man!.

Carry on with the memories, it's great reading them.

 

[Andrew A]

Here are a couple of characters, the inimitable duo of Ray Reynolds (left) and Norman Webb (right) both keen golfers , seen here in the class room during a break from training a group of passed men / drivers on the class 56 locomotives,

Note the fault / fuse / cb layout on the blackboard

 

[Old Timer]

Last ran into Ray when he was CTI at New St.

Where is he now I wonder ?

 

[Saltleyman]

Ray Reynolds retired some time ago from Leamington where he was a train crew supervisor with Central Trains,I saw him recently in a super market near to where I live, he has rented his house out and bought a campervan and spends the winter in Spain or Portugal and then returns to England in the summer. I also bumped into Norman Webb and his wife a couple of weeks ago,he too has taken early retirement.

 

[Lower Quadrant]

Here are a couple of characters, the inimitable duo of Ray Reynolds (left) and Norman Webb (right) both keen golfers , seen here in the class room during a break from training a group of passed men / drivers on the class 56 locomotives,

Note the fault / fuse / cb layout on the blackboard

Andrew A,I have posted a request in the photography thread concerning clickable images like your above.My attempt when clicked on opened up my photobucket collection.How do you post your clickables?.
Lower Quadrant(ex Saltley)

 

[Old Timer]

Thanks, Brian.

It makes me feel older by the day

 

[Saltleyman]

Thanks, Brian.

It makes me feel older by the day

How long have you been a "Hoody" OT ?

 

[Old Timer]

It's meant to represent a hooded monk in reality, although I can see the semblence.

Prefer one of my ladies instead ?

 

[Saltleyman]

It's meant to represent a hooded monk in reality, although I can see the semblence.

Prefer one of my ladies instead ?

Certainly would prefer a young lady
Can't see you as a monk,what with all that celibacy and praying.

 

[Old Timer]

Oh I don't know Brian, they were not quite as white as we would imagine in the Middle Ages !

Anyway, by request.

 

[Lower Quadrant]

Andrew A,I have posted a request in the photography thread concerning clickable images like your above.My attempt when clicked on opened up my photobucket collection.How do you post your clickables?.
Lower Quadrant(ex Saltley)

Andrew A,Old Timer has sorted the problem out for me.

 

[Saltleyman]

Oh I don't know Brian, they were not quite as white as we would imagine in the Middle Ages !

Anyway, by request.

Must say its a big improvement to you masquerading as a monk !

 

[Andrew A]

Andrew A,I have posted a request in the photography thread concerning clickable images like your above.My attempt when clicked on opened up my photobucket collection.How do you post your clickables?.
Lower Quadrant(ex Saltley)

Hello,

I post my pictures by attaching them as a file, use the icon to the right of the smiley face on the reply / post pannel !

Good Luck.

 

[Lower Quadrant]

Hello,

I post my pictures by attaching them as a file, use the icon to the right of the smiley face on the reply / post panel !

Good Luck.

Thank you,Andrew A.One up my sleeve for future use.

 

[Hetman]

if anyone is remotely interested i have a "Saltley Seagulls" mug,bone china,"Edwardian" brand,made in England.
nice train drawings and the legend "saltley Seagulls 1854 - 1991"

 

[tonyderidem]

Old saltley seagull here.The origin of this name comes from a New Street Driver who on being wound up by a Saltley man retorted heatedly"You lot are like seagulls you are.Y`get everywhere,pinch anything and just dump on every bugger".The recipient of this tirade had and idea.This came to fruition when badges,T-shirts,ties,mugs etc became seen everywhere.At that time Saltley men had route knowledge east west south and north from Brum.Southastleigh,London via Rugby,Oxford.West: Bristol,Swindon via Oxford or Gloucester. Cardiff via Chepstow or the Tunnel. North:York via Donny or S&K (Pontefract)
.Crewe via Stoke or Basford Hall.East:Cambridge.
New Street men took fuseboxes to Euston and back,and cross city work.Trips to Machester & Liverpool too.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---


Variety is the thing.Plenty at Saltley,as is evident.

new st drivers were milk float drivers,didnt want to get their hands dirty.ex saltlley guard.gud mate of stan massey.trip driver

 

[37798]

This is a good thread, and it's good to hear stories from ex 21A men.

I have family who worked at 21A (first as a fireman, then diesel driver), and some of my best friends were SY men, now with team green.

Sad though, how a substantial shed has now ended up as a couple of portacabins and a single road for the banking job.

Also ironic is how posters have avatars of SY but no photos, and others have no knowledge of where this significant shed and then SP actaully is/was!!!

I visited SY from 1975 onwards and was continually amazed at the variety of traction present!

Keep the photos coming gents!

I'll have to dig some out and scan em!

 

[Saltleyman]

This is a good thread, and it's good to hear stories from ex 21A men.

I have family who worked at 21A (first as a fireman, then diesel driver), and some of my best friends were SY men, now with team green.

Sad though, how a substantial shed has now ended up as a couple of portacabins and a single road for the banking job.

Also ironic is how posters have avatars of SY but no photos, and others have no knowledge of where this significant shed and then SP actaully is/was!!!

I visited SY from 1975 onwards and was continually amazed at the variety of traction present!

Keep the photos coming gents!

I'll have to dig some out and scan em!

I was at Saltley from 1963 to 2006 so probably knew your family who were at Saltley,you're certainly right about the varied traction you could see at Saltley right up to the "privatisation" of the system in the 1990's.
I agree with you its very hard to believe how such a busy and vibrant place has sunk to what it is now ,very sad !
Still some people would say that it's progress ?
I would certainly like to see the photos that you mentioned.

 

[Rugd1022]

Hi all,

Only joined the forum the other day but it didn't take me long to find this excellent thread on Saltley and all who sailed in her. Not a SY man myself but do sign the road and we have three ex- Seagulls at Rugby (the green team), Johhny Davidson, Chris Clark and Eugene 'Huge Jeans' Donelly.

Love the stories posted here so far, I can relate to them in many ways as Istarted on the footplate in '83 and there were still plenty of characters about even then (I was at Stonebridge Park then moved to Old Oak).

I pass SY regularly and of course get relief at Landor Street on occasions, it's very sad looking over at the once mighty 21A. I ventured inside the BOP a while back whilst waiting for a taxi back to Rugby, took a few snaps for old times sake which I've posted here, amongst other pics taken at work.... http://www.flickr.com/photos/21403537@N00/sets/72157606853423254/

I'm on a Croft job tomorrow morning where I'll be getting relieved by a Bristol man at Landor St, if I get time I'll nip across the boards and get some more photos ;o0

Cheers, Nidge.