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clive BRretired posted an update
Nice picture of Canadian pacific below! I was wondering where Dave’s got to? He fired it out of Nine Elms back in mid 60s! Come 1963 the dreaded diesel unit or DMU turned up! Me and driver at that time had gone from the nippy M7, (Cab was a bit small) But they had a slightly bigger wheel than the Ivatt 2Mt that followed! The Ivatt was a nice economical engine! And its wheel would permit it to coastal docks, I can talk of such things after all this time? My driver would be in the local railway club! (Secretarial work)! While i was navigating the local dock runs! Of imported coal, Lovely timbers and all sorts of stuff? Two road crossings but not many cars about back then! A 21/2 Riley didn’t argue with an Ivatt or Maunsell? So like Dave i would have to step up when DMUs come in! So by now it was bye to the Standard 82 3Mt and the heavier 800 Riddles sorts! And hello to the various heavy Maunsells, And the Oliver Bulleid sorts like Blue Star, Holland America, Peninsular or Brocklebank line sorts, But by 1964 the 3rd preference rule come in for them fireman to move anywhere! So i chose Bristol. I had steam at Barrow road plus diesels out of Bath road! You never knew what sort until you got to work! Suited me, So Western Prince or Hero one day, Or a 90 Austerity or black 5 or a multitude of stuff the next! Very strange times until single manning come in 1967! Had a few interesting years though!! Steam or diesel? An interesting choice for the young fireman?? I guess that might stand to this day!
