Recent content by R Martin

When an electrified track terminates there is a last section of contact wire which is earthed. When the pan glides over the junction between the live a final earthed section the pan makes a connection between both sections resulting in a very big bang as there is a direct connection between the...

Yes, it was. When the AC locos started running into Euston, the comparisons between a EE4 and a AL5 were staggering. Standard timing for a Type 4 to Willesden was 11 minutes for a standard and 13 minutes for a heavy train. AL5 with 12 or 14 behind did it in about 6 or 7 minutes, reaching 100...

Yes I was an electrician and I worked on the 24's, 20's Twins, Southerns, and occasionally on the 40's. BR sent me on a course to train me as an electrical fitter at Stratford in (I think about 1964). The duchesses I mentioned in my last post were probably awaiting scrapping as the 25kV 0verhead...

I'm not very good at the internet as I'm a bit old! However I did spend a bit of time on the twins as my foreman aways sent me to do repairs. What I do remember was the notched controller and banging my head on the turbo charger. If you go want me to post any further memories I will always...

1760565719 They used to store Duchesses on a road outside our electricians messroom. I recall their immense size. I think I remember The City of Coventry in green. But City of London always seemed to be parked elsewhere, probably in the main shed. She seemed to be the service quite a lot, as if...

Is there anyone who remembers Willesden MPD in the early 1960's just before closure in 1965? The depot serviced 10000/1,10201/1/3 type 24s,20s, Duchesses, black 5s and 'Crabs'. Many good friends all gone now I suppose. I experienced flashovers due to using full power on the crossovers out of...

When I was working at Willesden MPD in the early 1960's a lot of my fellow electricians were ex Stonebridge park electrical fitters and I'm sure that they could answerer most of your questions. Unfortunately most of them will be in their late 80's or even 90's. I they do reply I'd love to...

When I was on the WCML electrification in 1964/5 when I took "possession" the signalman at the old Semaphore Boxes always referred to the "peg" and the "Dummy"

Sorry, not verry good at blogging! I may have been wrong about the maker of the older units, being a young electrician I was more interested in the electrical equipment witch was MetroVick with the electrical control equipment behind the drivers cab with just a single rail or bar between the...

I remember that line in the early 1960's The 501's were called "57 stock" and worked the Watford Junction Euston service, while the order Oricon(Yes I don't know the spelling!) did the Harrow to Broad Street service. The older stock didn't last long and were eventually stored at Crocksly Green.

I also think it was used for cyclists as well. Is the rose garden for the blind near the church still there? Sorry editor, just memories!

When I lived in Bletchley in the late 1960's there was a footpath that I used every day, which went from Church Green Road, near the Church, to the station entrance. Is it still there?

Shoreham by Sea to Horsham via Bramber. Push pull with a Terrier on the front. I will never forget the "Bark Bark" noise of the Terrier vibrating around the Ader Valley. Later in the early 1960's with the horrid DEMU's. Memories of my youth! I drove my car on the route a few years ago 1672498051...

I recall as an electrician at Willesden MPD being called out with a fitter to Brent north end near to Wembley Central to a failed type 1(Type 20). The fitter found out that the fuel Line had "Waxed out" ( Low temperature of Gas Oil fuel. I Never been so cold in my life!

I worked at LV during the 70's and you can easily locate the original part of the train shed as the original columns are fluted and the new are plain. The original station was dirty and ugly the new concourse and area adjacent to platforms 1 to 9 where the old general offices are a great...