It all started with my mums weather forecast.

[Bobdogs]

We lived in a then lower middle class suburb of Birmingham which was actually geographically known as Small Heath but the residents preferred to call it Little Bromwich, sounds so much classier. On certain nights you could hear one of two lines, either the LNWR main line from Birmingham New Street through Stechford to Coventry to the east or the GWR from Snow Hill to the west. My mum having grown up in Sunderland (as she would have described it a kick of an a**e from Monkwearmouth station) would to my miserable fathers disgust regale us with tales of encounters with young gentleman on journeys to and from Birmingham where she worked at Fisher and Ludlow doping Spitfire parts. Back to railways. If she could hear the Tyseley line, it was going to rain,but the sound of a whistle from the Stechford line would have her predicting settled weather. I will leave it to the more meteorological cognisant of the forum to ascertain why this was so.Anyway, back to the railway. I joined the forum hoping that I would find your contributors harking back to the sixties or early seventies and reminiscing about the early days of diesel and electric motive power. 37s,87,s et al mean nothing to me and in no way connect me with my railway memories. My most memorable physics lesson occurred when I was staring out of the window in a state of boredom when a Brit rolled past heading for Stechford. I remember my mate Andy and myself"shedding" Saltley and Tyseley. I remember Saltley being virtually derelict. One loco I remember being always there was 48133. I grew up in a time when diesels began with a D and electrics began with an E and steam engines began with a number which would let you know their class. Locos' such as 48133. due to their constant copping were known as dirty relics. DMUs(I spit on their grave) were known as bug carts. I would really appreciate it if we could have contributions from more senior members who could reminisce about Peaks, Brushes, Co Cos BRCWS et al.

Thankyou in anticipation of your interest and indulgence.

 

[Busaholic]

We lived in a then lower middle class suburb of Birmingham which was actually geographically known as Small Heath but the residents preferred to call it Little Bromwich, sounds so much classier. On certain nights you could hear one of two lines, either the LNWR main line from Birmingham New Street through Stechford to Coventry to the east or the GWR from Snow Hill to the west. My mum having grown up in Sunderland (as she would have described it a kick of an a**e from Monkwearmouth station) would to my miserable fathers disgust regale us with tales of encounters with young gentleman on journeys to and from Birmingham where she worked at Fisher and Ludlow doping Spitfire parts. Back to railways. If she could hear the Tyseley line, it was going to rain,but the sound of a whistle from the Stechford line would have her predicting settled weather. I will leave it to the more meteorological cognisant of the forum to ascertain why this was so.Anyway, back to the railway. I joined the forum hoping that I would find your contributors harking back to the sixties or early seventies and reminiscing about the early days of diesel and electric motive power. 37s,87,s et al mean nothing to me and in no way connect me with my railway memories. My most memorable physics lesson occurred when I was staring out of the window in a state of boredom when a Brit rolled past heading for Stechford. I remember my mate Andy and myself"shedding" Saltley and Tyseley. I remember Saltley being virtually derelict. One loco I remember being always there was 48133. I grew up in a time when diesels began with a D and electrics began with an E and steam engines began with a number which would let you know their class. Locos' such as 48133. due to their constant copping were known as dirty relics. DMUs(I spit on their grave) were known as bug carts. I would really appreciate it if we could have contributions from more senior members who could reminisce about Peaks, Brushes, Co Cos BRCWS et al.

Thankyou in anticipation of your interest and indulgence.

I'm of the age, but never had the inclination, unfortunately for your purposes. My only two depot/engine shed visits, back around 1960-1, were to a Southern Electric one in the Gravesend area, plus Old Oak Common. I was quite struck by the latter, especially the turntable which I'm almost sure I saw in action. Didn't convert me though! Hope you get a good response, and welcome to the forum.

 

[30907]

Welcome on board.

Look at tonight's weather maps! Westerly winds generally bring rain (or snow!), so your mum was spot on.

 

[Taunton]

"Through the Links at Tyseley" by Colin Jacks is a book by an engineman right in your period, and who probably lived walking distance from your house. Other books by the same author.

I recall doing Oxley, Tyseley and Saltley on the same day in what was likely 1966. Saltley was certainly the worst run-down. Ex-GW depots seemed to last better to the end.