THE SUSSEX MOTIVE POWER DEPOTS

 EVERY PICTURE TELLS A STORY

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

TUNBRIDGE WELLS WEST

 Tunbridge Well West locomotive Shed was opened on the 1st October 1866 by the East Grinstead, Groombridge & Tunbridge Wells Railway which was later to be amalgamated with the L.B.S.C.R. (Shed Code T-W).

The steam shed was closed on 9th September 1963. With the introduction of diesels electrical multiple units (D.E.M.U.’s) Tunbridge Wells West depot become a D.E.M.U. only depot. The depot and railway line was finally closed on 9th August 1985

The Tunbridge Wells West Branch of ASLEF was opened on 25.02.1906 and closed on  9.08.1985

On the evening of the 21st June, 1868 loco 167 was working a special cattle train from Tunbridge wells to East Grinstead. Just past Hartfield the driver was warned of an escaped bull on the line, and was proceeding with caution when an axle broke on one of the wagons causing a minor derailment. Attempts were made at once to uncouple and remove the damage vehicle, but before much progress had been made the bull reached the scene, attracted by the bellowing of the frightened cows. It was then that the only casualty took place, for in his haste to reach the safety of his footplate; the driver slipped on the steps and broke his collar bone. The bull was eventually recaptured with the aid of one of the cows and the train sent on its way some four hours late.

A derailment at Groombridge on the 2nd July, 1868, was caused by three boys who wedged the points to a short siding open with stones at Groombridge, and when the Tunbridge Wells based loco No. 7 arrived at slow speed it was partially derailed, although the train of empty stock was undamaged. On being chased by the guard, one of the boys took a short cut across a field containing a bull and was badly gored.

 Above is a list of all the engine men that where employed at Tunbridge Wells West 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.

INTRODUCTION OF MOTOR-TRAINS

With the introduction of motor-trains complaints of silent running of these trains, especially when operating trailer car first, gave many permanent way men unpleasant shocks before drivers appreciated the dangers before drivers appreciated the danger and made more frequent use of the whistle. A well-known and most successful poacher was heard to complain over his cups to the station master of Eridge that he was no longer able to take a short cut home along the tracks because of the ghost trains.

Driver Thompson and his Fireman Barreyman of Tunbridge Wells, on the 18th March, 1912 worked loco No. 667 ‘Brixton’, worked up to Oxted with the early morning motor-train. Whilst waiting for a connection from London before returning the driver Thompson decided to take water. Unfortunately none could be obtained from the platform cranes for both were frozen, and resort had to be made to a builder’s hose in the goods yard, which necessitated the uncoupling of the trailer car. When the tanks were full Driver Thompson ran back to the car and told Fireman Barreyman to couple up, but did not inspect the job. On getting the right of way, Thompson set off driving from the end of the trailer car and leaving his fireman in charge of the footplate. All went well until approaching Edenbridge Town, when a brake application was made in vain, for Barreyman had connected the four pipes between the engine and the coach incorrectly. By lucky chance the latter was looking out of the cab and realising from Thompson’s  frantic signals that all was not well shut of steam and applied the hand brake to stop at the platform. It then came to light that Barreyman was a poor reader and mistook the name tabs attached to the motor-train connections.

In due course this came to the ears of authority, who ordered the painting of the various fittings on both engines and trailer cars in distinctive colours to ensure their correct connection pipes by all concerned. Details are: - Violet = the regulator pipe, yellow = the storage pipe, blue = pressure pipe and red = the Westinghouse brake pipe.

  LOCOMOTIVE JOURNAL 1916

TUNBRIDGE WELLS BRANCH

 LOCOMOTIVE JOURNAL 1917

TUNBRIDGE WELLS BRANCH

On Sunday, September 9th, an Open Meeting with a record attendance was held in our Branch room to hear Mr. Warwick. Brother W. Hoath made an excellent chairman. After passing a a vote of thanks to our Tonbridge members for coming over, and also to Mr. Warwick for his able address, a very enjoyable evening closed.

ONE WHO WAS THERE.

LOCOMOTIVE JOURNAL 1921

TUNBRIDGE WELLS BRANCH

It is often  that matters affecting this Branch are reported in the Journal, but we feel that we ought to make a special note of two Open Meetings held on Sunday, April 24th, when Mr. Barton Wild, our Organising Secretary, paid us a welcome visit. We also expected Bro. J. Cordrey, E. C. member, but unfortunately he was not able to be with us. Bro. Wild very ably addressed the morning meeting for over an hour "The Past, Present, and Future of the A.S.L.E. & F." At the evening meeting Bro. Wild dealt with the methods Organisation, and took us back several hundred years, when workers at that time were enjoying the eight hours day, and had about a month holiday per year. Those who attended the meeting were very interested in Bro. Wild's address. We take this opportunity of thanking all our visitors who took the trouble to come to our meetings

BRANCH SECRETARY

LOCOMOTIVE JOURNAL OCTOBER 1923

TUNBRIDGE WELLS BRANCH

Sunday, August 5^th, is a day to be remembered by all who attended an Open Meeting for Locomotivemen held here and addressed by our General Secretary Mr. J. Bromley. There was a large number of representatives from other Branches, including Eastbourne, who, with their usual enthusiasm, organised a party of between thirty and forty, including some of their wives. There was also a good number of men from Tonbridge, Ashford, Orpington, Three Bridges, and Newhaven Branches. Bro A. Leonard, as chairman, addressed a few words of welcome to the visitors on behalf of the Tunbridge Wells Branch, and then called upon Mr. Bromley to address the meeting. Mr. Bromley, on rising, was given a very cordial reception, and said that he was very pleased to see a number of ladies present, which showed they were interested in the welfare of their men folk. Our General spoke on matters of vital importance to all Locomen, and dealt with the Railway Companies’ latest proposals on Conditions of Service for Locomotivemen, and asked the men to sink their petty differences, pointing out how essential it was to be united as one body of Locomen to withstand the demands now being made by the Companies under the influence of the Federation of British Industries. He then gave the financial position of various Railway Companies, which proved an eye opener for many present. Mr. Bromley, who spoke for about one hour and twenty minutes, was heartily applauded, and after answering a few questions to the satisfaction of those present, Councillor A. Marshall, of Eastbourne, moved a vote of thanks to Mr. Bromley for his splendid address, which had been treat to sit and listen to, and he asked those present to show their appreciation in the usual way, to which there was a hearty response.

After tea, under the auspices of Tunbridge Wells Trades Council and Labour Party, Mr. Bromley addressed an Open air Public meeting on Tunbridge Wells Common. As is usual at these meeting (which are held every Sunday during the summer months), there was a very attentive audience which showed appreciation of the speaker. Questions were asked, and satisfactorily answered, and time went all too quickly. That good results will accrue from these two meetings is the wish of the

BRANCH SECRETARY

LOCOMOTIVE JOURNAL FEBRUARY 1924

TUNBRIDGE WELLS BRANCH

The Annual Meeting was held on December 16^th, when Bro. H. Colebrooke presided over a fair attendance. We had the pleasure of having R. E. Bumstead, J.P., of Ashford, and Bro. H. Taylor of Folkestone, nominees for the Eastern Division of the Sectional Council, with us. Bro. h. Taylor gave an interesting address for about half-an-hour, and then left to attend the Tonbridge Branch Annual Meeting, which was being held on the same evening. Bro Bumstead then addressed the meeting and kept the members interested for another half hour, after which questions were asked and answered, and a vote of confidence was passed in the speakers. Bro. Bumstead replied on behalf of Bro. Taylor and himself and then left to attend the meeting at Tonbridge. We should like to take this opportunity to appeal to all members, in the interest of their organisation, to sink any petty differences which they may have, and come to the Branch Meetings. We realise that we all have our faults, and no one is infallible. We may have differences of opinion on different subjects, but we ought not to allow them to interfere with the members attending the Branch Meetings and rendering assistance to their officials when necessary. That our members will try and do this is the wish of the

      BRANCH SECRETARY

 LOCOMOTIVE JOURNAL JUNE 1925

TUNBRIDGE WELLS BRANCH

A special meeting was held on Thursday 26^th March, when we had the pleasure of having Bro. Barton Wild with us. Bro. g. Gorham presided over the meeting, which was attended by s good number of members from Tonbridge Branch. After preliminary business, the chairman called for Mar. Barton Wild to address the meeting, which he did for over an hour, touching on a large number of subjects, including the Political Fund, Army Supplementary Reserve, the industrial position and unemployment; he also dealt with railway returns and reserves, comparing 1913 and 1922, and the Companies’ proposed reductions of wages. Bro. Barton also touched upon Society finances, proving the sound position of the Associated. A number of questions were asked and answered, the members present receiving plenty of food for thought, and it is hoped they will benefit by such an interesting address. Mr. Wild also presented a framed emblem, on behalf of the E.C. to Bro. H. Colebrooke for his service as chairman to the Tunbridge Wells Branch during 1923-24. Bro. Colebrooke, in reply, said that during his period office he had tried to carry out his duties in an impartial manner, and thanked them for the emblem, which he should be proud of. A vote of thanks to Bro. Wild brought the meeting to a close at about 9.45 p.m.

We also have to mention a Smoking Concert held on April 21^st, at which a presentation was made to of our old members, Bro Dick Bryant, who has reached pension age, Bro. Colebrooke presided and a good company, several ladies, were ably entertained by the Gypsy Concert Party and two other friends. Here again, some of our Tonbridge comrades were with us, and a very enjoyable evening was brought to a close with the singing of “Auld land syne”

LOCOMOTIVE JOURNAL JUNE 1930

TUNBRIDGE WELLS BRANCH

Under the auspices of the above branch an open meeting was held on March 30^th, when Bro. J. Cordrey, chairman of the S.R. sectional Council no.2, gave a very interesting address on “The Machinery” which was brought about by the 1921 Railways act; the work of Sectional Council, and incidentally the difficulties with which they were confronted at times. The question of seniority he also dealt with very ably, and the manner in which these items affect the younger men of this depot. It was surprising to find there was not more of them present at the meeting. We were very pleased to have a few brothers from Tonbridge Branch and we thank them for their interest; also the N.U.R. members who availed themselves of the opportunity to ask questions, which were satisfactorily answered. With the address, questions and answers, Bro. Cordrey gave us a very interesting 2 half hours. Bro. J. French moved, and Bro. A. Wheatley seconded, that a hearty vote of thanks be accorded to Bro. Jim and expressed a hope for a future visit. Bro. Cordrey suitably replied.

I take this opportunity of expressing a very deep regret in the loss we sustained a short time before Christmas, owing to the death of our late Bro. W. Hillman at the early age of 47 years. A true brother in every sense of the word, and always cheery. We have lost a good member and a good friend, and his late employers a good workman.

BRANCH SECRETARY

LOCOMOTIVE JOURNAL JANUARY 1931

On November 27th an interesting presentation took place to one of our oldest members, Bro. James Edwards, who retired on November 19^th, after completing 45 years in the Loco. Dept., L.B. & S.C.R. and Southern Railway. Bro. J. F. Brett presided over a large and representative company, including wives and other pensioners. Bro. Stephen Rogers, in a neat speech, eulogised the integrity of “Jimmy” as a trade unionist and locoman, and presented to Bro Edwards a handsome oak Westminster chime timepiece, pie and tobacco, and to Mrs J. Edwards an umbrella. Bro. J. Edwards suitably acknowledged. Many musical and humorous items were contributed during the evening, and to all we extend our best thanks. Votes of thanks to host and hostess and the presentation committee brought an excellent evening to a close.

CHAIRMAN

LOCOMOTIVE JOURNAL MARCH 1932

On Sunday, January 31^st, this branch had the honour of a visit from Bro. W.P. Allen, chairman of the E.C. Bro. F. Robinson was in the chair, and we had a fair attendance. Those who were absent through duty or otherwise missed an educational treat. Bro. Allen gave one of the most inspiring addresses delivered in these parts. It is sincerely hoped the excellent food for the mind will take root, and that the interest and enthusiasm asked for will be forthcoming in the very near future. Votes of hanks to Bros. Allen and F. Robinson brought an all to early close to an enjoyable evening. 

 BRANCH SECRETARY

Tunbridge Wells West in 1937 looking from the Brighton end of the station

 TUNBRIDGE WELLS BRANCH 1940

                           Driver C. Pattenden of Tunbridge Wells Branch was killed when his train was bombed and machine gunned by a German plane: he was the first of many which went to prove the "lines behind the lines" were not so very far in the rear.

Taken from “The Lighted Flame"

 Tunbridge Wells West shed in 1947

Taking water at Oxted on a H class in April 1962, 

Is the fireman from Tunbridge Wells West, Three Bridges, Brighton  or another depot?

 30052 at T.W.W. in c1952.

Can anyone name the footplatemen seen in the photo

 Eridge c1952

 On the top of the T.W.W. Loco Shed in March 1963. does anyone no the names of the Loco Cleaners 

 Above video footage of T.W.W. 

 Above video footage of the railway line Three Bridges & T.W.W. 

Above and Below video footage of the railway lines in the Oxted area 

Above a mixture  of photos & video footage of the railway lines in the T.W.W. area 

D.E.M.U. DEPOT

The last days of T.W.W. depot being open in early August 1985 

 The last Tunbridge Wells West to Victoria train on the 9th August 1985

Left - Right: Unknown cleaner, Driver Reg "Nana" Brown and unknown guard. 

Tunbridge Wells West after the closure of the railway line autumn 1985