THE SUSSEX MOTIVE POWER DEPOTS

Tom Rooke began his railway career at Three Bridges M.P.D. in 1949 and remained there for most of his life, retiring in the 1990s due to ill health. A likeable character, it was not unusual to hear him relating his latest experience in the mess room, his tales resulting in peals of laughter. He never had any formal training as an engineer but had a remarkable gift for building model steam locos from scratch. He loved motorcycles, bringing numerous old crocks back to working order, and he once rebuilt an Austin 7 sports car. His later life passion was clocks, again built from scratch in his tiny workshop. Tom came from a large family and had a son and five daughters of his own, an immense source of pride to him and his wife June. He will be missed, but the love he gave will remain for all time. 

It is my sad duty to report the passing of my father, retired Three Bridges and Redhill driver Ernest White at the grand age of 97. Known to all as Ernie, he started cleaning at his home shed of Dorchester in 1937, and after being stood off the first winter was called back. After a spell cleaning at Bournemouth dad transferred to Three Bridges as a fireman in 1941 where he progressed rapidly, for the time, to driver. Staying there until 1958 he moved to Redhill where we lived. Ernie retired in 1985.

LOCOMOTIVE JOURNAL

MAY 2017

Forza America

In response to the letter from Adam Thompson (Journal, April) I am also a new A.S.L.E.F. member. I’m not sure whether his letter was satirical or genuine but am making the assumption it was the latter. If he is, as is suggested, a supporter of the President of the United States I am unsurprised that he wishes to quash any dissenting voices. His presumption of Eric Stuart’s ignorance is typical of the right-wing ‘I know best and everyone else should think what I think’ attitude that seems to prevail in society at the present time.

How dare he suggest that other members should refrain from offering political opinions

because counter to his own views. His own ignorance shows through with his statement ‘President Trump loves the UK.’Trump does not love anything other than increasing his own personal wealth, irrespective of those affected by his actions. He is anti-free speech (his staff bar reporters employed by organisations that disagree with him from press conferences) and makes knee-jerk allegations without supporting evidence (about G.C.H.Q.).

A.S.L.E.F. is a proud, historic trade union run on a democratic basis, and the Journal is a democratic mouthpiece. I would not wish to silence Brother Thompson’s views but attempt to persuade him that Donald Trump is in no way a friend of an enlightened, civilised society (although he may be a friend of the U.K. in the current political climate in this country!) but an arrogant, self-serving, misogynist bully. 

Simon Cummings, 

Three Bridges 

LOCOMOTIVE JOURNAL

APRIL 2017

DAVID SHOPLAND 

THE BIG MAN

It is with sadness that I report the death of retired driver David Shopland at the age of 87. His railway career began and ended at Three Bridges and he served as L.D.C. Secretary, Branch Secretary, and Branch Chair during his 50 years of loyal service to our Society. His only absence was for military service; he served in Northern Ireland and Libya as a member of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, a period he enjoyed as it allowed him to increase his knowledge of the internal combustion engine.

As a lad he won a scholarship to Collier’s Grammar School in Horsham, necessitating a 14 mile bicycle ride. When not at school he worked with his father on the farm, and that is how his passion for steam power and mechanical things began. Traction engines, steam thrashers, and Fordson tractors all became his play things, leading him to his railway career. He also purchased a motorcycle and rode daily up to his retirement.

David had a comprehensive knowledge of the countryside, Sussex in particular, and a day out in his company was always an entertaining adventure. He was a big man in stature and in character. His whole outlook reflected this, his integrity was massive, his permanent smile was known by the numerous friends and acquaintances he had, not only among the railway fraternity but from all walks of life. A great chasm has been left by his passing that will never, in a lifetime, be filled. Our thoughts and sympathy are with his devoted family.

Paul Eden, 

Three Bridges 

  LOCOMOTIVE JOURNAL

SEPTEMBER 2016

OFF TO OZ

Three Bridges wishes all the best in retirement to Steve White and Dave Kington. Steve has been a loyal member for over 40 years, starting on the railway in 1974 at redhill (where his dad was a steam driver) as a traction trainee. Steve, a great character, moved to Three Bridges in 1998. Dave, who started here, has been a member for over 15 years and is moving to pastures new by emigrating to australia. Presentations were made at our meeting, attended by many friends from the railway, and we would like to wish them both all the best in the future.

Paul Eden, branch secretary 

Ian Hunt’s pre-wedding celebrations were full of fancy dress and tomfoolery. Ian turned up as southern trains’ loco Toledo and, with 14 chums, including nine other southern staff, jetted off to Madrid for a weekend stag party which included a trip to the Bernabéu stadium to watch Real Madrid. Thankfully, Ian returned in one piece, and is now happily married to Laura. Congratulations to the happy couple from all his friends and colleagues at Southern trains.

Staff travel anger

As a new TOC entrant (I have 15 years’ service) I am extremely disappointed that the staff travel campaign appears to have been put on the back burner. I am now finding it increasingly difficult to justify my continuing membership of the union.

LOCOMOTIVE JOURNAL

AUGUST 2008

Ken Chapman – his own man

YOU may have read recently the short Journal article about compensation for retired member K.L. Chapman. Sadly Ken has now succumbed to his illness.

Ken began his service at Redhill M.P.D. transferring to Three Bridges as a Fireman, before becoming a Driver at Caterham E.M.U.T. He spent the whole of his driving career at Caterham, and retired there in 1999.

Ken was not an active branch member but always gave his support to ASLEF on the many issues that required action from the rank and file membership. He was his own man, but was always willing to assist anyone who asked for help.

MORE EMPLOYMENT, LESS WORKING REST DAYS

I WRITE in reply to Brother Steve Hill from Newton Heath branch. It is saddening to see such requests being made in the Locomotive Journal as the country enters recession.

I have been on the footplate for 34 years and, although I’ve lived and worked through many recessions, I’ve not worked a rest day for 11 years. Not once have I been threatened with redundancy, a shorter working week or a wage cut - but I know of many outside our industry who have.

So surely we should be grateful for the security the railway gives us. Perhaps instead of asking, ‘When are we going to get our overtime back?’, we should be saying to the companies, ‘You don’t have enough drivers - so you’d better start employing more.’ That way some of those poor people (which could include our own colleagues in the freight sector who are losing their jobs and houses) will be given the same opportunity as we have had.

Like Brother Davies, I despair at Thatcher’s legacy of, ‘I’m alright - so pull the ladder up.’