Loading...About The Speaker...
Born in Mansfield in 1948 adopted six months later to be brought up in Nottingham. At the age of 3 I wanted to be an Engine Driver never wavering from that course despite many efforts by influential well meaning family and friends. You will never get anywhere staring out of the Classroom Window one of my teachers told me, so I did, as a Driver.
Now I am a retired Train Driver who started on the Railway during British Railway in September 1964 at Toton Depot in the East Midlands. Then the first step to become a Driver was as an Engine Cleaner. I moved to Nottingham Depot where I quickly became a Fireman on what remained of the steam era before the Title of Secondman was bestowed upon us. To increase my chance of promotion I moved to Kings Cross in 1970 passing out as a Driver in 1973 followed by a move to Charing Cross as a regular Driver working over the South Eastern Network. By then married to Margaret living in Bedford and commuting I finally got a transfer to Bedford remaining there until retirement in 2007. I served as a Magistrate for 25 Years and as a Union Rep most of my railway career in ASLEF. .
About Their Talks...
My talk is a Light Hearted review of my life working on the Footplate for 42 years which also covers some of my early life at home also my very happy 17 years of retirement. Yes an ‘Anorak’ but without the hood up. It can be adapted into as many parts as people want. I have been presenting my talks for over 30 years to all kinds of groups during this time including many Ladies and Mens Groups and Railway Societies. I have also featured in U3A programmes with large Audiences.
I use basic digital slide shows and have all my own equipment except audio equipment.
Fee:
I charge a flat fee £50 with travel expenses of 50p per mile outside of 20 miles radius. I am reluctant now at my age to do overnights stays.
I am prepared to travel outside my specified areas if the venue is reachable by rail from Bedford. I prefer this as I try to avoid the wretched M1/M25 as much as possible.
