What equipment did Train Guards use in the BR era?

Hi People,
Just signed up. Wondered if anyone knew what equipment train Guards used in British Railways era?

Guards in the British Railways era were issued with a strong leather bag into which should be held
The current Rule Book
A sectional Appendix for the area(s) they were rostered for duty on.
The Working Timetable for the train they were rostered for duty on.
Loading Book, showing what load each class of loco was allowed to take without assistance over this route.
Any special notices for such area and trains.
A red flag, and a green flag
12 detonators in the correct container, with a valid date.
A pad of 'journals' on which to record details of each train they worked. This would have the Train number and full details such as starting point and time : destination: Date: Loco number: drivers name: own name: details of load including changes en route: actual timings at specific points, and any other important/unusual information/reason for delays. These journals were handed in when they signed off duty.
Pencil .
Several Wrong Line Order forms. "Guard to Signalman"

They would also carry
A railway hand lamp, formerly paraffin, but superceded by electric lamps in the sixties. This lamp should be capable of showing red, green and white aspects.
A whistle

Passenger train guards would also carry a carriage key for door handles .
Goods train guards would need a 'shunting pole' to couple, uncouple wagons, and apply and release goods wagon brakes.

And a br1 key to lock some internal doors and on southern emus to operate the starting signal bell

Passenger train guards would also carry a carriage key for door handles .
Goods train guards would need a 'shunting pole' to couple, uncouple wagons, and apply and release goods wagon brakes.

Passenger guards also carried a special screwdriver (or should have) , to enable removal of the door plate on toilet doors on gang wayed stock , plus a "T" or ETH key.

Freight guards tended to expect their brake vans to be supplied with brake sticks , coal , kindling , tail and side lights etc etc ....there were "brake van" preparers to do this , no guard would be expected to carry a shunting around ......

I passed out as a guard on Southern Region in 1978 and completed 20 years service in that grade.

I would like to add to this list something I was issued with back then, and that was a box of matches, in order to light the paraffin lamps on the back of 4-SUB units or locos.

Attached pic of a guard's official issue bag from that era.

OOps - Of course I was wrong about shunting poles - that was part of a brake van equipment, though I didn't miss out ETH Key - it was strictly steam heating in my era in non electrified areas

Thanks, that's really useful!

RAILWAYWOMEN said:

I passed out as a guard on Southern Region in 1978 and completed 20 years service in that grade.

I would like to add to this list something I was issued with back then, and that was a box of matches, in order to light the paraffin lamps on the back of 4-SUB units or locos.

Attached pic of a guard's official issue bag from that era.

Click to expand...

I got a brand new guard's satchel from the stores - gratis - much cherished. never used of course)

Your average freight guard in South Wales could probably survive for a week on the contents - coal shovel (mini one) , tin opener , tinned food , old newspaper for stove lighting and other needs (!) , tea bags , instant coffee , milk bottle , etc etc ......

Railwaywomen - I passed out late 1977, so only a bit in front of you. I didn't do the long in the post as I was soon promoted beyond my level of incompetence. I then really hit rock bottom and got involved in IT - where were you based?

I think I can also add: fares' manuals - even after the arrival of (S)PORTIS anything apart from local fares had to be looked up/calculated using a weighty tome; more than one if the route being worked crossed regional boundaries. Plus of course the ticket machine and/or fares excess pad had to be carried, although it wouldn't have fitted inside the leather guard's bag.

There was also a General Appendix & a Ticket Examiners Handbook, although I can't remember if they had to be carried all the time, or could rest quietly in your locker.

There was also a supply of gummed "out of order" labels for affixing to the outside of toilet doors when they were, ahem, out of order; "not to go" labels for defective rolling stock; and ticket clippers (later stampers) for checking tickets - no biro squiggles on tickets then.

What was known on the Western Region as "K2" & "K2F" notices - weekly booklets showing temporary speed restrictions and engineering work occupations for the Western (K2) and other Regions (K2F).

Surely: Whistle, flags, ticket clipper. Benson & Hedges. Tea can. Bait.