Wigan Album

never had the honour myself tom,unless being on standby on the crane counts.

Tom HELP Do you have photos of the NCB diesels at Bickershaw in place of the steamers.I can't find any reference to them (it) and nobody remembers, I think they were named Western King @ Western Queen

Hi, Does anyone on here remember my Grandad, Ronnie "Bob" Hardman...he worked at Springs Branch for over 40 yrs, until the early 80's.

Hi Jennifer, Fired to your grandad Ronnie Hardman on many occasions, one springs to mind on the 11th February 1963, that afternoon we worked a fast freight train originating from Shrewsbury and going to Glasgow, we worked it from Bamfurlong to Carlisle with engine number 48148, and between Penrith and Carlisle we did it in record time for that class of engine 13MINUTES!just to catch the last orders in the Hilltop hotel at Carlisle.We had booked off duty by that time I might ad, and lodged, coming home the following day. Happy Days.

did 2 turns on the royal train myself,one from crewe to holyhead,the other down the blaenau branch.both had charlie on and 2,47s the blaenau job top and tailed.i remember one of the senior loco inspectors didnt like me having long hair even though i had it tied back and was very rude about it.he had also pinched the co drivers seat,so in return i told him to stand at the back and to shut up or i would escort him from the cab.he stayed in a stunned silence all the way to holyhead.