THE TRADITION of not running any passenger trains across Christmas Day and Boxing Day is now established, but this has not always been the case, writes Neil Gordon.
There was a time when both passenger and freight trains operated all-year around, including at Christmas, with Bromsgrove being just one place of many that was a hive of activity.
Here, Alan Spencer, who was a fireman on the banking engines at Bromsgrove, recalls working on a busy, and wintry, Christmas Day 1963.
Mr Spencer said: “In the 1960s it was normal to run trains on Christmas and Boxing Day.
“And, while not all trains ran, several important express trains ran on the north east-south west route through Bromsgrove, with most services still being steam hauled despite the introduction of some diesel locomotives.
“On Wednesday, December 25, 1963, I was rostered on the afternoon shift from 4.05pm with driver Bert Halfpenny. We were allocated BR Standard Class 9F steam engine, number 92223.
“I’d left my home in Redditch that day around 2.45pm to cycle the seven miles to Aston Fields.
“I was 16 years-old and had only joined the railway in the February, aged just 15.”
Alan said their first task was to top up the firebox, coal tender and water tank on 92223, before a Bristol to Sheffield passenger service arrived at 4.32pm.
“That train comprised 12 coaches and was being hauled by Jubilee locomotive number 45676, named Codrington.
“We banked this up the Incline to Blackwell in quite heavy snow.
“Once Bert and I got back down to Bromsgrove depot, known as 85D, I called in at the south signal box to see Ted Mason, the signaller, who was, as usual, knitting.
“Ted had shown me how to work the instruments and levers in the box and I took the opportunity to set the road for a down express under Ted’s guidance, while he continued to knit.”
Mr Spencer told how Ted then made enquiries to see which other trains were due through Bromsgrove later on, and would need banking.
“We were informed there was a Cardiff to Leeds and Bradford passenger, a Bristol to Newcastle mail and a relief mail to Derby.
“Also, there were two banana special freight trains from Avonmouth Docks in Bristol, both going to Water Orton.
“I returned to the mess room from the signal box for a cup of tea and some turkey sandwiches, which Bert’s wife had made.
“There was no TV to watch, so we played cribbage, which Bert had taught me.”
It then began to get busy for Alan and Bert, just as the weather deteriorated.
“The Leeds and Bradford service arrived at 7.30pm, comprising 12 coaches hauled by Jubilee 44818.”
Alan said: “We banked this train up the Incline during a blizzard.
“Then, at 9.25pm the Newcastle mail arrived comprising 14 coaches (622tonnes) of which three coaches were TPOs (Travelling Post Office).
“It had now stopped snowing but there were several inches covering the ground, which concerned me as to how I would cycle back home.
“At 10.15pm the relief mail arrived with another Jubilee, number 45584, hauling 11 coaches (465 tonnes) which we assisted.
“Once back in our messroom the ‘phone rang as we settled down to play cribbage again. It was the British Rail telephone exchange at Gloucester saying my parents had phoned and that my stepfather,Ted, was hoping to collect me around midnight.”
Today, 78-year-old Mr Spencer works from home as a duty control manager for a parcel distribution train company and has had a railway career spanning 62 years.
He said “After assisting one final train Bert and I signed off at 1am, and my stepfather drove me home.
“It was a very worrying journey back to Redditch in the drifting snow, with my cycle in the boot and snow chains on the car.
“What an end to Christmas Day working on the railway.”
