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Member Posts: 36 |
I lived in Hayes Street near Carters Green from when I was born (1959) up 'til the age of 8 and such I was lucky enough to see some of the last days of steam for myself. We used to cross the Cordley Street railway bridge on the way to and from school and Dad would sometimes take us there to see trains in the evening (I'm sure one was the diesel hauled Blue Pullman). I can recall a steam engine clanking up and down the 'third line' that ran between Swan Village and Cordley Street along the back of the Hayes Social club where Dad used to drink and one of those hand-powered carts zipping along that track. The biggest thrill was seeing engines emerge from the curve/bridge at Railway Street and the double crossing on Swan Lane. I remember catching a train to Snow Hill at that time but can't recall West Bromwich station when it was in use - when it was disused me and my brother ahem, 'visited' the place including the signal box. In '67 we moved to Charlemont Farm and soon found our way to the level crossing and signal box down Ray Hall Lane. We spent hours trainspotting, making dens and generally trespassing on the railway! We had love/hate relationships with some of the signalmen; one of them, Ted Dale used to let us in the box on occasion and sometimes we even spent entire nights there (imagine that in this day and age!!). My brother being a few years older became much more involved in railways and has spent almost all his life working for the railway as well as making it his hobby - you can see more of the signal box at one of his blogs http://newtonroad.blogspot.com/ (including me in a sky blue jacket(!) and my little brother, leaning on the gates - about halfway down the front page in the right column). As well as trainspotting from dawn to late into the night at Charlemont we used to travel extensively, to the engine sheds at Bescot and Saltley and often much further afield - to Bristol or Toton for example - totally unaccompanied by an adult! If anyone has any stories or photos relating to the railway, especially the Grand Junction line around Newton Road to Bescot I'd love to hear or see them. Some of the photos of Swan Village that have appeared here recently have been excellent. Cheers Paul | |
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Member Posts: 126 |
I remember the blue Pullman well. It would pass through West Bromwich heading North, just after 7pm. | |
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-- Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevewilliams7/
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Member Posts: 14 |
Wonderful memories of the railway here - I too had seen the blue pullman on a number of occassions on what is now the metro line of the Hill Top side of the tunnel. Ted Dale was one of my Sunday School teachers and i spent many a happy hour in the Newton Road box opening the gate and operating the morse key to tell the power box what was happening. We also used to go to Golds Hill Crossing which was a very different signal box to Newton Road as it still had old style signals and levers to pull to operate them. | |
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Member Posts: 36 |
Hi Ian One of Ted's 'conditions of entry' was that we learned the names of the books of the Old Testament! We also used to frequent the p-way huts to the east and west of the 'box. I never visited Golds Hill crossing but it sounds great. Paul | |
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Member Posts: 14 |
Hi Paul, I didn't have to do that task as I was one of his Sunday School Scholars but I can imagine him setting the task. I will be seeing his wife and daughter tomorrow at a meeting I am speaking at - could I share this story with them as I am sure they would be thrilled to hear it. Regards Ian | |
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Member Posts: 36 |
Ian Not sure if you'll read this in time but by all means share the story. Paul | |
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