How I got on the railway.
In the late of 1981, I wrote a letter to the area manager at Healey Mills to see if he had any vacancies for jobs on the railways .At this time, I had just been made redundant in the job that I had .After a week of sending my first letter to British Rail I got a letter that there was no positions at Healey Mills, but they would put me on the waiting list . As BR had said they had no positions, it did not come as any surprise, as there were many people un employed all over the Country so I had to wait to see what would happen to me.
Many weeks went by and I had forgotten my letter from BR, When one day a letter dropped into my house from BR at Leeds. When opened this letter, it told me that 3 guards were required at Huddersfield as soon as possible. If I was interested I should reply to the Area Manager at Healey Mills soon as possible. The ink on the BR letter was not dry before I phoned up to see what will happen next. I was told that an interview would be required as soon as possible , for me to attend an interview In 3 days time at Huddersfield. Railway Station at 15:00hrs.The time dragged on for me to go for the interview . I went down to the Managers Office at the appointed time. When I went in I to the office there were 2 men from Leeds who were from the area managers office who gave me the interview, which lasted about 45 minutes. I was asked all sorts of questions about myself and family and where lived. The manager shook my hand and they would tell me if I was suitable for the job. They said that they would tell me as soon as possible of their outcome. 3 days later another letter dropped on my mat saying that I was accepted subject where I had a medical examination. When it was over the doctor, told me l was ok to start on the railway as soon as possible. All the family were happy for me to be a guard on the railway. After all this I started a guards course at Leeds This lasted about 4 weeks. This course was taken by a Guard from York who knew the Rule Book from one end to the other. There was about 8 on the course from Leeds , 3 from Huddersfield, and the oldest man was from Knotigley who was about 57 years old. After the course we had to take our rules exam from the guards manager at Leeds. Only one lad to his speaking English, so he landed on the main Platform service at Leeds, and he ended up finishing up retiring with 35 years service. The manger took him off guarding as he could not pass a safety critical message due to problem with his English. As a result over my years as a guard, I would make it in my way to speak to this man . I would find him out and shake his hand and have a natter with him , and then go about my job.
In the late of 1981, I wrote a letter to the area manager at Healey Mills to see if he had any vacancies for jobs on the railways .At this time, I had just been made redundant in the job that I had .After a week of sending my first letter to British Rail I got a letter that there was no positions at Healey Mills, but they would put me on the waiting list . As BR had said they had no positions, it did not come as any surprise, as there were many people un employed all over the Country so I had to wait to see what would happen to me.
Many weeks went by and I had forgotten my letter from BR, When one day a letter dropped into my house from BR at Leeds. When opened this letter, it told me that 3 guards were required at Huddersfield as soon as possible. If I was interested I should reply to the Area Manager at Healey Mills soon as possible. The ink on the BR letter was not dry before I phoned up to see what will happen next. I was told that an interview would be required as soon as possible , for me to attend an interview In 3 days time at Huddersfield. Railway Station at 15:00hrs.The time dragged on for me to go for the interview . I went down to the Managers Office at the appointed time. When I went in I to the office there were 2 men from Leeds who were from the area managers office who gave me the interview, which lasted about 45 minutes. I was asked all sorts of questions about myself and family and where lived. The manager shook my hand and they would tell me if I was suitable for the job. They said that they would tell me as soon as possible of their outcome. 3 days later another letter dropped on my mat saying that I was accepted subject where I had a medical examination. When it was over the doctor, told me l was ok to start on the railway as soon as possible. All the family were happy for me to be a guard on the railway. After all this I started a guards course at Leeds This lasted about 4 weeks. This course was taken by a Guard from York who knew the Rule Book from one end to the other. There was about 8 on the course from Leeds , 3 from Huddersfield, and the oldest man was from Knotigley who was about 57 years old. After the course we had to take our rules exam from the guards manager at Leeds. Only one lad to his speaking English, so he landed on the main Platform service at Leeds, and he ended up finishing up retiring with 35 years service. The manger took him off guarding as he could not pass a safety critical message due to problem with his English. As a result over my years as a guard, I would make it in my way to speak to this man . I would find him out and shake his hand and have a natter with him , and then go about my job.