Footplate Reminisces Books Perhaps The Best Ever

I have 2 or 3 of these volumes, agreed very interesting reading especially it is from my era & area.

 

I would add 'On the Right Lines' by Bert Stewart of Lostock Hall and Crewe North.

 

I am just reading the second Terry Essery bok at the moment and have to say I think it is great. The story about Piggy chasing him round the shed was a laugh out loud tale!

I started buying and reading these old books when I started firing on the Corris. I was advised by one of the driver instructors there that reading about what old firemen did would be good background for my work. I know it's all very different from mainline to narrow gauge but I'd like to think that part of the way I have fired and run the boiler is credit to Terry or Piccolo Pete as mentioned before. Certainly when I pop a shovelful into the back corners and under the firebox door I know I read about one of these authors doing just the same.

It's great to have a sereis of books to look out for when visiting lines as I have probably got all of the photo books I ever need by now.

 

Every time I get between the frames, I think of that story!
Is it just me , but this site is all upside down, ie, the new posts are on page 1 etc. Moderators??

 

Another good one I read is "Didcot Engineman" By Bernard Barlow. It describes his life and work as a railway fireman based at Didcot engine shed during the 1940s and 50s. Apart from a few weeks at Winchester, he spent his firing days and most of the rest of his career at Didcot, where he experienced the enormous influx of extra crews to cope with the workload brought about by the war and the associated problems of tool shortages, etc.

Besides providing a candid insight into the life of a Didcot engineman, he also recalls how Didcot shed was actually operated, something of its daily routine, and details of the rostered turns of Didcot crews throughout the links until his eventual appointment as driver. The book is extensively illustrated and should endure as a valuable work of reference.

 

Try Norman McKillop's books too...

 

Yes, 'Engineman Elite' !

 

Many of the books discussed here were from the Bradford Barton softback series published in the 1970's and 80's, and are long since out of print, however your local Heritage Railway can be a useful for picking up secondhand copies, and you are usually contributing funds to the Railway, or to a loco or station volunteer group at the same time.

Money well spent in my opinion.

46118

 

I have read and enjoyed all the books mentioned, some very frequently. They are extremely readable and have helped me with my own footplate career. Indeed, while I, regretfully, cannot corroborate Pete Johnson's experiences on the Lizzies, although I have driven both classes, I can enthusiatically endorse Terry Essery's opinions of Ivatt Class 2s driven hard!

Sadly, "Piccolo Pete" has moved on to the big engine shed in the sky, but last I heard, Terry could be found doing the biz on the Churnet Valley

 

Gasson for me but I've enjoyed many of the others as well. There is reference in Piccolo Pete's to a forthcoming third book but as far as I know it never existed. Anyone know for sure?

 

Could someone please tell me the titles of both Piccolo Pete's and Peter Smith's books so I can keep an eye out of them ?

TIA

 

I've looked for it and never found it.

 

Bill Hoole - Engineman Extraordinary...

 

Piccolo Pete's book was done by Xpress Publishing. Its title is British Railways Operating History Volume 3 Through the Links at Crewe (ISBN 1-901-056-031).
Interestingly, it states that it is Parts 1 to 3 complete and revised.

 

I can heartily recommend On the Footplate at Bushbury 1947-1962 by Keith Terry (Oakwood Press), aside from what you expect in a book of this sort Mr Terry is brutally honest about his many failures to get the hang of firing on the mainline, although he obviously got there in the end. One notable trip he recalls is with 45733 Novelty on a Euston - Wolverhampton when the cylinder lubrication failed, they carried on, having to work the loco much harder than usual to overcome the extra internal resistance and just made it but at the cost of all glands blowing and deeply scored piston rods. Interestingly his favourite locos were the rebuilt Patriots, while his least favourite were the original Patriots, mainly due to their awkward cab layout.

Dave

 

'London Midland Fireman' by (the late) Mike Higson published by Ian Allen Ltd in 1972. Mike used to run 'The Roundhouse' railwayana and bookshop in London.

 

Cracking read, tracing his career from being a cleaner/fireman @ Lancaster Green Ayre to the top link at Crewe North.

 

Peter Smiths books are:

Mendips Engineman
Footplate Over the Mendips
and Somerset and Dorset from the Footplate

All of which are still available on line

Cheers

Andy

 

As I think its only been mentioned once I'll throw in another recommendation for Morgan and Meyrick's "Behind the Steam", which to my mind is easily the best reminiscences book I've read, what with tales of poaching from the footplate, making radio aerials from pet pipes and even taking advantage of the company's domestic water supply.


And as noted Morgan's career spanned 1916 - 1964, so its much stronger on the "golden age" between the wars than many of these books.

The only caveat is that the esprit de corps of the GWR comes out from practically every page, which might bother those who find that assumption of superiority irritating.

 

Thanks! the first one's on it's way to me..