EVERY PICTURE TELLS A STORY
 | One of the main reasons for doing these web sites is to try and explain to everybody the history of the footplate grades, the conditions they had to work in and the creation of the A.S.L.E.F. branches within the Brighton & Sussex area. I am therefore very grateful for people sending me personal photos from their personal collection and for allowing me to display them on the web sites. But unfortunately what is missing, are the stories that accompany them. What I want to do is to try and remedy this by starting to record the remaining stories that are still out there, before they too are lost in the midst of time. I have added some information about some of the drivers that I know and the comments that have already have been sent to me. If you too have any stories about your own working life on the footplate, the people that you worked with and the conditions you had to work in please send me and I will post, on the web site. If you are interested in helping me in capturing these stories by any means possible please let me know. |
MIDHURST
Midhurst had two railway companies each having their own station and locomotive Shed in the town.
The first shed was opened on the 1st September 1864 by the London & South Western Railway (http://www.steamsheds.co.uk/pmwiki/index.php?n=Sheds.MIDHURSTLSWR).
The Second locomotive shed was opened on 15th October 1866 by the Mid-Sussex and Midhurst Junction Railway which later almagamated with the L.B.S.C.R. (Shed Code Mid)
This shed was to replace the Petworth shed, which was built by the Mid-Sussex Railway and opened on 10th October 1859. The Petworth locomotive shed was closed on the 15th October 1866.
The L.B.S.C.R. shed was demolished and replaced in 1907
With formation of the Southern railway in 1923 the L.S.W.R. shed was closed in c12.7.1925 and the L.B.S.C.R. shed remained opened until c1955.
There is no known Branch of A.S.L.E.F. at Midhurst steam shed(s).
It is known that the shed had A.S.L.E.F. members prior to 1919, as the article below indicates.
It is thought that the Horsham Branch would of incorporate Midhurst membership due to the shed being to small to warrant a Branch of its own.
Locomotive Journal 1919
HORSHAM BRANCH
An open meeting for drivers, firemen and cleaners was held at the Mission Hall Barrington Road, on Sunday, September 17th, at which Brother J. Payne, ex-chairman of our branch was elected to preside. After a few well chosen remarks, he referred to the Conciliation Scheme and recent delegations. He then called on Mr. Warwick our organizing secretary, who addressed the meeting for over an hour, to the greatest satisfaction to every one present. His subject was "The Conciliation Boards and the recent crisis." I was sorry we had not a larger attendance, but was pleased to see our representatives from Brighton, Portsmouth, Littlehampton and Midhurst. After the usual vote of thanks to the chairman and Mr. Warwick, we brought a very pleasant meeting to a close.
BRANCH SECRETARY
Midhurst L.B.S.C.R. Loco Shed c1897
This shed was built in 1866
Above is a list of all the engine men that where employed at Midhurst Locomotive Department in 1877. It is not know if this is list was compiled in seniority order or not. However, the list does clearly indicates the difference in the ages of both drivers & fireman at that period of time.
Terrier tank engine No. 77 "Wonerish" was allocated to Midhurst shed and is pictured at Midhurst shed
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Railway information regarding Midhurst |
Above Loco-men of Midhurst
Above scenes around the Midhurst area
Above the final scenes around the Midhurst area
This photo is looking west from Midhurst L.B.S.C.R. station in c1923. The scene shows a up Chichester train approaching Midhurst and is signalled into the L.S.W.R. station.
In the background the photo shows the L.B.S.C.R. Midhurst goods shed, yard and the re-built (1907) Loco shed.
MIDHURST 5th FEBRUARY 1955
The last passenger train to work on the Pulborough to Petersfield line was worked by Driver F. Goldsmith & Fireman G. Howse (depot unknown), who worked the 8.20 p.m. Midhurst to Pulborough and the return trip was worked back to Petersfield by Guildford loco crew Driver R. Fears and Fireman J. Myers
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