• Our new ticketing site is now live! Using either this or the original site (both powered by TrainSplit) helps support the running of the forum with every ticket purchase! Find out more and ask any questions/give us feedback in this thread!

Engine drivers from the 60s - anyone you know?

EKrabappel

Member
Joined
14 Oct 2024
Messages
15
Location
North Brisbane, Queensland
Hi everyone,
Thanks for all the contributions to this forum, it's great reading.
I recently came across a mystery old photo album that I'm trying to get some more information on. One page features 4 individuals that were all drivers in the 60s. Does anyone recognize them, particularly the chap labelled 'Dad' in the top left corner? Even some info on the type of engine would be helpful. When googling some of names, "Nobby Clark" came up in reference to a post by Ungreat. I tried to message Ungreat directly but his profile was unavailable so am resorting a post in the forum. Hoping you can help, even the smallest bit of info would be great.
Best regards20241014_180129.jpg
 
Sponsor Post - registered members do not see these adverts; click here to register, or click here to log in
R

RailUK Forums

Gloster

Established Member
Joined
4 Sep 2020
Messages
10,320
Location
Up the creek
I wouldn’t get too optimistic about the nickname Nobby being a help: it has long been a common nickname for people with the surname Clark or its variations. For many years almost everyone with that surname will have been called Nobby at sometime or other. Even ‘Dad’ might be a nickname, particularly for an older driver with a somewhat paternalistic style.

One point that might help would be if someone could identify the building behind: the windows are distinctive. If a railway building, it might identify a specific depot.
 
Last edited:

Ash Bridge

Established Member
Joined
17 Mar 2014
Messages
4,123
Location
Stockport
All the cab shot interiors look to be that of a Class 35 Hymek Diesel Hydraulic loco to me, not a clue regarding the buiding though.
 

MarkWi72

Member
Joined
13 Nov 2017
Messages
300
'Nobby Clark' should have been in a Beatnik band. Nobby Clark and the Hymeks.
 

Rescars

Established Member
Joined
25 May 2021
Messages
1,686
Location
Surrey
If these photos are taken in Hymeks, that should help a bit. The windows imply these photos were taken at the same location, so possibly a home depot. Did Hymeks ever stray far from the Western Region apart from banking the Lickey?
 

Ashley Hill

Established Member
Joined
8 Dec 2019
Messages
3,885
Location
The West Country
The repair books and wall stains suggest all taken on the same loco. Could they be traction training? Young Nobby looks too young to be a driver,perhaps a passed man.
Im told there’s a Facebook group for retired BR staff,try contacting them to post it. . I don’t do Facebook so I’ve not tried it.
 

Cowley

Forum Staff
Staff Member
Global Moderator
Joined
15 Apr 2016
Messages
16,901
Location
Devon
The repair books and wall stains suggest all taken on the same loco. Could they be traction training? Young Nobby looks too young to be a driver,perhaps a passed man.
Im told there’s a Facebook group for retired BR staff,try contacting them to post it. . I don’t do Facebook so I’ve not tried it.

Going on @Rescars post.
Could they be taken in one of the Lickey banking locomotives possibly? I’m just wondering if that might explain the multiple photos being taken in the same cab?
 

Ashley Hill

Established Member
Joined
8 Dec 2019
Messages
3,885
Location
The West Country
Perhaps “Dad” is retiring? The windows on the building behind look quite unusual,but I don’t know Bromsgrove that well (other than bellowing up Lickey).
 

gg1

Established Member
Joined
2 Jun 2011
Messages
2,208
Location
Birmingham
If the loco was one of the Lickey bankers, the location could just as easily be Worcester shed.
 

Gloster

Established Member
Joined
4 Sep 2020
Messages
10,320
Location
Up the creek
I don’t think that we should become obsessed with this being a Lickey banker: Hymeks were used throughout the Western Region so this could be anywhere. That said, a bit of Googling does reveal that windows to this design, or a very close one to it, were used by the Midland Railway, which would make the Birmingham-Bristol line a genuine possibility. But there is nothing to say that this design was not also used by the Great Western or one of its constituents.
 

norbitonflyer

Established Member
Joined
24 Mar 2020
Messages
3,576
Location
SW London
Are there any clues (as to location or people) from the rest of the album? Do any of the people appear in any other photos?
 

Big Jumby 74

Established Member
Joined
12 Feb 2022
Messages
1,389
Location
UK
Can I suggest Bath Green Park as the location. The building behind (top left - 'Dad' - view shows two window styles) being the bonded store building alongside the Northern (arrival) platform. This had five windows overlooking said platform, four of which had the fancy window frames, the one at the station buffer stop end being a plain cross frame (four plain glass panes). The roof size/shape (bottom left pic) seems to match as well. If so, I think the loco is sitting on the Southern most of the two centre roads in the station. Perhaps it was involved in working demolition/track lifting trains along the closed S & D?
 

Gloster

Established Member
Joined
4 Sep 2020
Messages
10,320
Location
Up the creek
Can I suggest Bath Green Park as the location. The building behind (top left - 'Dad' - view shows two window styles) being the bonded store building alongside the Northern (arrival) platform. This had five windows overlooking said platform, four of which had the fancy window frames, the one at the station buffer stop end being a plain cross frame (four plain glass panes). The roof size/shape (bottom left pic) seems to match as well. If so, I think the loco is sitting on the Southern most of the two centre roads in the station. Perhaps it was involved in working demolition/track lifting trains along the closed S & D?

Definitely agree that examination of photos shows no differences, although what can be seen is limited. Hymeks do seem to have worked to Green Park on occasions before the end of passenger services, which might explain what looks like coaching stock in the background.
 

Big Jumby 74

Established Member
Joined
12 Feb 2022
Messages
1,389
Location
UK
Ref my comment about S & D demolition trains, most of these accessed the S & D via a new spur at Radstock on to GW metals, not sure if any such trains reached Green Park via Midford, but post March 1966, there were still trains using the LM route in to Bath GP, and in a book I have there is a list of just over half a dozen Hymeks that were known to have worked in to Green Park circa 1966-1969 ish, including one on a RCTS railtour. Several were involved on the S & D proper south of Radstock (at least), on demolition trains, one such, D7008 having been photo'd quite a lot, including from the footplate.
 

Ashley Hill

Established Member
Joined
8 Dec 2019
Messages
3,885
Location
The West Country
Perhaps taken on the last train from Green Park to Bristol TM which was Hymek hauled? Ive tried linking a YouTube link without success showing the train even though you dont see the footplate crew.
 

Big Jumby 74

Established Member
Joined
12 Feb 2022
Messages
1,389
Location
UK
A PS:
Thinking aloud for a minute: Someone (one of the four) on the Hymek had a camera, the top right figure by his clothing looks like he may have been a Traction Inspector (top left as well perhaps - or a 'visitor' with a grin like that?) with the driver bottom left and young secondman bottom right. Why a camera? What's the occasion (if not a retirement)?

The RCTS railtour I mentioned was on the 6th March 1966, and started Waterloo and down to Poole and then over the S&D with MN 35028, thence a pair of tank locos from Templecombe to Highbridge. The leg from there to Bath GP via Mangotsfield was worked in part by WC 34013, the final run in to Bath taken over by D7014. Not sure about the carriages in view are those of the tour? (what appears to be a brake coach - lack of windows), there was not a brake coach mid formation, although I think the tour did have a MK1 buffet car 5th from front behind the Hymek (the image is not that clear), but the pics above may have been taken later after the tour train had departed down the S&D, OR (the image I am looking at) the Hymek has not yet reached the crossover on its run in to Bath, that would have allowed it to run in to the Southern (departure) platform, which would therefore mean the tour carriages are behind the camera? Food for thought :smile:

Perhaps taken on the last train from Green Park to Bristol TM which was Hymek hauled?
Yes, also very possible. Just wondering if the 'Nobby Clark' picture was taken later in the day. It's somewhat darker (outside) and the train in the other views is no longer there. Sunday 6th March was quite overcast apparently, but can't comment about the last run you mention.
 

Gloster

Established Member
Joined
4 Sep 2020
Messages
10,320
Location
Up the creek
Six Bells Junction gives the actual times at Green Park as 16.54-17.26. If taken on this occasion, would the Hymek not have gone straight back to Bath Road (or wherever) after the train left for Templecombe? The Arrival Road (the northern platform) did have a release road, but this only lead to the adjacent middle siding (the Straight Road) and not the further one (the Long Siding), which didn’t have a release road leading to it. Sunset at Bath is given as 17.59: it does look a touch bright if the day was overcast.
 

EKrabappel

Member
Joined
14 Oct 2024
Messages
15
Location
North Brisbane, Queensland
Hi Folks,
Thanks for all the replies. I wasn't aware that Nobby was a nickname often given to those with a Clark surname. Bugger! The cab that Dad is in has a different door latch to the other three so at least 2 engines. Have been googling Hymek locos but hard to get a shot of the interior. Agree, it looks like the same windows on the building behind so most likely the shots were all taken at the same location. The album is basically a family album with Dad appearing in many shots including Christmas at home. Unfortunately, the names are always annotated as Dad, Mum and Me. The only firm bit of info I can ascertain is that Dad worked for BR. There are only 5 photos related to BR, the 4 I posted plus another shot of Dad standing next to a tender with the annotation "Dad's favourite engine". If you want me to post it please let me know. The only other clue might be a shot from a party at a local. If I can suss out the location of the pub it may help with the location of the railway shots.
Thanks.
 

WesternLancer

Established Member
Joined
12 Apr 2019
Messages
9,390
Hi Folks,
Thanks for all the replies. I wasn't aware that Nobby was a nickname often given to those with a Clark surname. Bugger! The cab that Dad is in has a different door latch to the other three so at least 2 engines. Have been googling Hymek locos but hard to get a shot of the interior. Agree, it looks like the same windows on the building behind so most likely the shots were all taken at the same location. The album is basically a family album with Dad appearing in many shots including Christmas at home. Unfortunately, the names are always annotated as Dad, Mum and Me. The only firm bit of info I can ascertain is that Dad worked for BR. There are only 5 photos related to BR, the 4 I posted plus another shot of Dad standing next to a tender with the annotation "Dad's favourite engine". If you want me to post it please let me know. The only other clue might be a shot from a party at a local. If I can suss out the location of the pub it may help with the location of the railway shots.
Thanks.
I’d post the picture next to the tender and the picture in the pub. Might give other good clues to people.

That does suggest it is the album owners father rather than an older with the nickname’dad’.

Den Stone (Dennis I assume) is at least a full name. Anyway to check that on BR employee records? Potentially not records that are digital and on line.

Railnews the old BR staff newspaper (still exists?) used to publish pics like this as did/does the railway pension newsletter (pen friend?) - might reach ex staff that this forum doesn’t who may know those pictured.

Where did you get the album? Eg from house clearance / sale or from someone you knew or related to for example.
 
Last edited:

Ash Bridge

Established Member
Joined
17 Mar 2014
Messages
4,123
Location
Stockport
Hi Folks,
Thanks for all the replies. I wasn't aware that Nobby was a nickname often given to those with a Clark surname. Bugger!
The cab that Dad is in has a different door latch to the other three so at least 2 engines.
Have been googling Hymek locos but hard to get a shot of the interior. Agree, it looks like the same windows on the building behind so most likely the shots were all taken at the same location. The album is basically a family album with Dad appearing in many shots including Christmas at home. Unfortunately, the names are always annotated as Dad, Mum and Me. The only firm bit of info I can ascertain is that Dad worked for BR. There are only 5 photos related to BR, the 4 I posted plus another shot of Dad standing next to a tender with the annotation "Dad's favourite engine". If you want me to post it please let me know. The only other clue might be a shot from a party at a local. If I can suss out the location of the pub it may help with the location of the railway shots.
Thanks.
Actually I think its the same cab on all the shots but with a higher camera angle on the first picture.
 
Last edited:

WesternLancer

Established Member
Joined
12 Apr 2019
Messages
9,390
Actually I think its the same cab on all the shots but with a higher camera angle on your dad’s picture.
Mid window height door latch or lock not on the other pics I think is the issue? The relevant door window is in all pics I think.

I’ve assumed it’s not the op’s father. But an album the op has acquired marked ‘dad’. Perhaps @EKrabappel can clarify.

I assume you would know what your own father looked like / what their name was not least from other family info you could hopefully cross reference.
 
Last edited:

EKrabappel

Member
Joined
14 Oct 2024
Messages
15
Location
North Brisbane, Queensland
Sorry, you are correct. I didn't notice the lock/latch obscured by the seat in 3 of the photos, so yes, definitely the same cab.
I purchased the album from the UK via EBay as I love delving into history and researching the albums to identify the people, times and places. Old albums in Oz are usually very overpriced so it's cheaper to get them from the UK. So as pointed out, the Dad is no relation and I believe the daughter (Me) was the original album owner.
Will look into any info on Railnews and will post the 2 other photos this evening.
Cheers
 
Last edited by a moderator:

Gloster

Established Member
Joined
4 Sep 2020
Messages
10,320
Location
Up the creek
I would think that they are all traincrew from either Bath Green Park, the probable location of the picture, or Bristol (Bath Road), or just possibly Bristol (Barrow Road); they could be from somewhere further afield, such as Gloucester, but it it is unlikely. As traincrews tended to live close to their depots in those days, it is possible that many of the ‘domestic’ photos, including the pub, were taken in Bristol or Bath.
 
Last edited:

EKrabappel

Member
Joined
14 Oct 2024
Messages
15
Location
North Brisbane, Queensland
Hi again and thanks for all the input.
I couldn't work out how to add images to the original post so have added them here as a reply. The annotation for the pub photos was "Drunken Orgy at The Ship, Oldbury on Severn". The only pub I could find was the Ship Inn that closed in 2012 however a photo from 1936 shows the sign as "The Ship". Another old interior photo shows brickwork around a fireplace that is similar to the brickwork in the 1960s album image. And, Oldbury-on-Severn is close to Bristol! Some great detective work and knowledge from you folks! :D Unfortunately the shot of the Dad next to his favourite engine doesn't show a lot but I wouldn't be surprised if there's more info to be gleaned.
Ta
oldburyonsevern_ship.jpg
oldburyonsevern_ship3.jpg
The Ship.jpg
Pass.jpg
 

Gloster

Established Member
Joined
4 Sep 2020
Messages
10,320
Location
Up the creek
Oldbury-on-Severn keeps all the various locations for the home depot in play, but does increase the chances that Dad was based at one of the Bristol ones. Somebody will probably be along who can identify the loco, an ex-LMS type (I think), and possibly even have a guess at the specific loco’s identity.

The following is pure speculation: a bit of searching suggests that the only loco ending in 35 that was at any of the depots mentioned in the 1960s was 4F 0-6-0 44135 at Barrow Road. As it is likely that that a favourite loco was long time locally based and 44135 was at Barrow Road for most of the fifteen years of BR allocations up to withdrawal, it is probable that Dad was a Barrow Road engineman if this is the loco. I wonder if the photo was a ‘farewell‘ one taken after the loco was withdrawn on 21 April 1965? Confirmation of the type is needed: that is not my area.

Sources: Walmsley (Part Six) and brdatabase.
 
Last edited:

Big Jumby 74

Established Member
Joined
12 Feb 2022
Messages
1,389
Location
UK
On first sight of the above image the first thing that entered my head was 4F 0-6-0 without any hesitation. My first thought as to location was Bath GP shed, the loco road alongside the shed (running line side), but in this view there appears to be an overbridge above the (second?) carriage (top right). There was no such bridge in the vicinity of Green Park shed.

As for the pub interior: the two fire places are clearly different, height, brickwork, but most pubs had two bars (rooms) back then, so quite possibly the same place?

EDITED/ADDED:

As for the crew/depot, I would concur with Gloster's thoughts. I had/have a strong interest in matters S & D, and have many/most books published on that subject over the years, many 'names' being mentioned. However the names mentioned do not ring any bells, albeit they are nick-names bar one, and it should be remembered that while some names are well known, ie: Donald Beale/Pete Smith, both of whom I was privileged to meet in person, many/most railwaymen were likely, as I was/am, very private people, and wouldn't want to be photographed, outside of private family related situations. I think this photo album acquired by the OP comes within the latter, an event/date that was worthy of recording, but just privately for those involved, so will likely be a tall order to identify this far down the line....?
 
Last edited:

Gloster

Established Member
Joined
4 Sep 2020
Messages
10,320
Location
Up the creek
Loking at the nls maps, there is Barrow Road Bridge across the throat of the yard there. The photo could be of the loco collecting or leaving carriages in the sidings alongside the shed if they were stabling sidings: that is speculation.
 

Top