Interview about childhood memories of Bletchley and the railway station, and experiences as a 'second man' on the railways in the 1970s.
Charlie Wyn-de-Bank recalls living in Railway Terrace Bletchley as a child, close to the Station. He remembers trips with his father to the signal box, via the NewFoundout. He recalls many details about the Bletchley Station area including the sidings, the old engine and carriage sheds, the Coffee Knob cafe, the turntable and the water tower. He also mentions the triangle where the Royal Train would be turned. Describing some of his tasks as ‘second man’ on a diesel, he notes that shift work made life difficult. He talks of progression on the railways; the second man could become a driver in a couple of years: but in the days of steam men would have to work for fifteen or twenty years before becoming a driver. He did not consider his job to be dangerous, but he recalls several serious accidents during his career. He enjoyed socialising with his family and fellow workers at the Railways Club, remembering the old club building and Christmas parties as a child.
Creator
Wyn-de-Bank, Charlie
Contributor
Pistell, Bernard
Reference number
WLM/019/001
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