www.thesussexmotivepowerdepots

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.

I am trying to find out the names of the A.S.L.E.F. Branch Secretaries for the Seaford Branch and the dates they served between. if you have any info please can you let me know.

SEAFORD E.M.U.T. 1935 ~1994

Seaford Motormans (E.M.U.T.) depot was opened in 1935, with the new electric service offically opened by the Lord Mayor of London on 4th July, with a public service starting on July 7th.

The Seaford Branch of A.S.L.E.F. opened in 1935 and in c1980 the Seaford Branch had closed with the membership transfered to the near by Eastbourne Branch.

In c1988 the Seaford Branch was re-opened, but this was short lived as the depot closed in February 1994. The work along with many drivers was transferred to the neighbouring Eastbourne and Brighton depots.

The above badge is the Seaford A.S.L.E.F. "Depot issue" 1982 strike 100% loyal badge. Only 12 of these badges where made and second batch was made (see below) for general.

The badge features a 1963 E.M.U.T. train, which is carrying a 52 Head Code (London Victoria - Newaven Harbour (Boat Train)/Seaford).

The badge also features the Sealink car ferry Senlac, which the depot fully supported when the Senlac crew staged an occupation of the ship which started on the 4th January 1982.

This action was a result of the inability of the Anglo-French partners to negotiate the joint service agreement, Sealink UK Ltd announced that they would withdrawing from the service and would leave it solely to the French. SENLAC would be sold. Her crew promptly responded by occupying the ship and blocking the ramp at Newhaven. The dispute quickly spread and the officers refused to move the vessel.

The town of Newhaven supported their ferry with food and other essentials necessary for the ‘occupation’. Large banners stating “Save our Senlac” and “Thanks Newhaven” were draped across the ship’s funnel and side.

Below is the same badge which was a general release issue.

Seaford Branch of ASLEF closure meeting held at the Seven Sister's Pub on Sunday 13.02.94

Left ~ Right: Tony Allen Branch Chairman, Len Warboys A.S.L.E.F. District Secretary No. 1 & Stu Fuller Branch Secretary

Len warboys visited the Seaford Branch with sad task of officially closing the Branch. The depot was closed on the previous day 12.02.94.

Left ~ Right: Paul Horan presenting Len Warboys with a Seaford Branch closure badge

LONDON BRIDGE 23rd JANUARY 1948

The 8.5 a.m. electric passenger train Seaford to London Bridge worked by motorman E. J. Watson, which had approached the station on the Up Through line, overran the Inner Home signal at Danger and collided at a speed of about 15 m.p.h. with an empty train standing at No. 14 platform, awaiting signals to leave for New Cross Gate.

I regret to report that the motorman of the incoming train was killed, together with a passed fireman who was in the cab with him, learning the route; an intending passenger received fatal injuries, when the rear of the stationary train was driven on to the concourse. Seventy-four passengers, two railway servants, one member of the Pullman car staff, and two employees at a railway bookstall, were injured or suffered from shock; of these, three were detained in hospital.

CLICK ON ICON TO READ THE FULL REPORT

Fred Wheeler & Unknown

30th April 1972

Above

Fred Wheeler is seen relieving the Brighton Belle en-route, whilst the Belle was running on its farewell tour of the Central Division of the Southern Region.

Left

Fred Wheeler is seen working the Belle with unknown Motive Power Inspector

Left ~ Right: Jack (Sam) Rowe with (his brother) Jim Rowe Snr.

They are receiving the Sothern Region Staff Association trophy for crib pairs. On the back it's marked "British Railways (Southern Region) 18 MAY 68 FB Public Relations and Publicity Department. Waterloo Station S.E.1".

Jack transferred to Seaford on the closure of Ascot, in c1972. Jack retired from Seaford in c1984, when he moved back to Crowthorne and died on 28th June 1986, aged 67.

Bill Lipscombe

DE-RAILMENT AT SOUTHERHAM JUNCTION 15th JUNE 1976

At approximately 19.09 on Tuesday, 15th June 1976, as the 18.44 electric multiple-unit passenger train from Brighton to Ore, formed of a four coach unit and driven by Bill "Wink" Mullett, was passing over Southerham Junction, about a mile to the east of Lewes, the facing points were moved under the second coach and the train became derailed. The train, which had been travelling at between 35 and 40 mile/h, was brought to a stand a short distance beyond the junction with all its coaches upright and coupled together hut with its rear three coaches derailed and spread across the opposite line.

CLICK ON ICON TO READ THE FULL REPORT

The points were free to be moved because the signalman on duty at Southerham Junction had rendered the interlocking inoperative by the irregular use of a release key.

The lines were protected and the emergency services were called and arrived quickly on the scene. The train was well filled but luckily none of the passengers was injured although five were taken to hospital suffering from shock, being allowed home after treatment. In addition, the guard received slight injuries to his ribs and back, hut did not attend hospital, and the signalman at the nearby signal box collapsed when being interviewed shortly after the accident and was taken to hospital where he was detained overnight."

George Caulfield c1991

Dave "Handcart" Wheeler c1991

George Caulfield

Above

Richard Kemp at Seaford

changing the stencil for a Seaford to Brighton service in the Summer of 1991

Seaford depot worked a "4 SUB" and a "2 BIL" formation during the Summer of 1991 (?).

Both these units where built in 1936 or just after.

The 4 SUB units commonly known as MARYS by the drivers that worked them and spend most of their working days in the London suburban area of the Southern Railway/Region.

The 2BIL untits spent their working lives along the coastal rouites as well as within the London area.

Both units are preserved by N.R.M.

The service only run during the daytime between Brighton & Seaford as part of the Celebration of 150 years of the Brighton Line in 1991.

Left Richard Kemp having just arrived at Brighton taking down the stencil.

Southern Region Section Council Staff Side c1993

L~R Tony Allen (S'ford) Arthur (G'ford), Bill Eames (L. Bridge) Tommy Taylor (Slade Green), Jim Rowe (Basing)

& Ron Lifford (Vic 'E')

With the disbanding of the old Southern Region Sectional Council "B" into Company based Drivers Functional Council in c1993. Above is the newly elected South Central DFC

Left~Right: D.F.C. Tony Allen (Seaford), Billy Eames (Norwood (L. Bdg.), Graham Morris (London Bridge), Lew Adams (GS), Len Worboys (DS No.1) & Bill MacKenzie (EC No.1).

Above left are the opening minutes of the Southern Region Sectional Council "B" Sub-Committee meeting & the opening minutes of the full Southern Region Sectional Council "B" meeting.

Both sets of minutes highlight Tony Allen first appearances onto Sectional Council in these two different forums.

Paul Horan attending

ASLEF LEARNING SCHOOL C1991

LEFT ~ RIGHT:Back Row

T.Baty, B.Dey, David Bacon, I.Morgan, D.Hinson, G.Owen, P.Woodhouse, Dave Oconnell, D.Little, A.Marriott, General Secreary Derrick Fullick, G.Johnston, J.Earwicker, C.Nelson, Alan Beeching, Fred Orton Jones, M.Eden, A.Pope, B.Collings, Paul Horan(front row second from right ), Dominic Morrow, M.Hemmings, S.Hughes, Robert Mundy, T.Godden, D.Lawson

Stu Fuller entered the footlpate grades on the 19.10.1964 at Hither Green.

Stu transfered to Addiscombe to gain his promotion to driver and later transfered to Seaford in the late 1980s.

Whilst at Seaford Stu helped to re-open the Seaford A.S.L.E.F Branch and become the Branch Secratary. Stu also served on the Seaford L.D.C. up until Seaford's closure in February 1994.

Stu transfered to Brighton and in the late 1990s transfering to Skipton where he remained until his retirement in 2008

Paul Horan is presenting Stu with an informal retirement gift (in 2008) of a painting of Seaford station post 1935.

BRIGHTON & SUSSEX BRANCHES OF A.S.L.E.F. REUNION

8th May 2012

(THE A.S.L.E.F. MEMBERS GET TOGETHER)