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North East coal traffic 1960/70s query

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Pelawmain

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10 Feb 2015
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Hi
This is a tester for any you with knowledge/memories of the intense class 37 coal train workings in the Sunderland area about thirty odd years back.

I'm trying to recall a two word expression that was used by train crews and operating staff to describe these 37 hauled class 9 workings. I think it sounded something like 'rolling doors' but my thirty five year old memory really is failing me. I don't know whether it described the status of the working or referred to some obscure location but it was a very common term and seemed particularly associated with South Dock crews. I'm doing some research on freight in the NE in that era and of course coal was a big part of it.

I'd like to be reminded of it if only to understand it better and try and put it into some historical context.
Any help greatly appreciated, as it's really bugging me!
Kind Regards
Steve
 
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ChiefPlanner

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"Trip Workings" - there was an excellent article in one of the Rail Mags many years ago about the bonus system and the local control office at Newcastle ..
 

Pelawmain

Member
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10 Feb 2015
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No my friend, not trip workings but I imagine it was linked to the bonus working you describe. It was something very unique and ubiquitous to that traffic.
I was reminded of the expression in the text of a photo on Flickr and thought at the time, 'I haven't heard that used for many years'.
Then of course, I promptly forgot it!
I'll see if I can locate the article on Google and it might give me some leads.
Many thanks
 

Pelawmain

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10 Feb 2015
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Thanks but no - it was a very odd expression that was something like 'gambling roads' or 'grumbling doors'.
It was such an unusual ( and I think localised) phrase, that I think only an ex South Dock driver or freight Guard would be able to recall it - and hopefully tell me what it meant!
I ended up up as a class F Signaller so it's pretty bad show that I didnt build it into my route knowledge reportoire!
 
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