July 1961




Saturday 1 July
Today has been a bit day. I went to Davids this morning to do some washing and also to wash my hair, after that I came back via the library. I have been reading until dinner. I helped Johnny prepare the equipment for the ceremony next Wednesday. We had quite a good water fight this afternoon. Eventually it turned out to be the two Dave's versus Johnny and myself - we all got soaked. After tea we played cricket with Raymond on the lawn until about 8:00. Have been reading for the rest of the evening.

Sunday 2 July
The morning started overcast and very soon it begun to rain. This is the first rain we have had for some time and the garden really did need it. It has not rained much but it was very steady - everything smells nice and fresh now. Have been reading most of the day, it seems to have flown by. I did go into Davids this evening for a short while to get some clean shirts but apart from that I have done very little.


Monday 3 July
I phoned up Jeremy Whitehead early this morning to see if he wanted me to go surveying with him.  He did, so we left just before 1000 and went via Maidenhead, Slough and watford to St. Albans. I was left to do St. Albans with Brenda Strangleman.  This is the first time that I have surveyed a town and it is not nearly so interesting or pleasant as in the country.  We had to finiah quite early in order to get back in a reasonable time. We came back the same way except that we by-passed maidenhead on the new motorway.
What my diary doesn't record is that I asked Jeremy to put me with Brenda so that I could get to know her.  Nothing came of this.

Tuesday 4 July.
The weather has been very unsettled today. It has been cloudy and windy but still no rain. I messed around this morning until about 11:00. We have been playing some practical jokes on Dave Payne. This may at least make him retaliate - on Sunday we emptied out his wardrobe and he didn't do a thing. I did some shopping this morning and went back to the digs in the afternoon to do some work. I went into Davids this evening to see a production of Macbeth on TV. It was extremely good.

Wednesday 5 July
I have been packing today and generally preparing to come down tomorrow. I went up to Whiteknights this morning to see Professor Campbell and then went back via the library. Had dinner at the Union coffee bar and, after watching some tennis on television I went down to Tilehurst Station. We had an end of term celebration this evening. We spent the kitty money at the off license, all £2 of it, but the celebration didn't start until after 10:00. First we had a ceremony where we all had our gowns on and performed a “ritual”. It was a great laugh and we had all the neighbors looking on. We spent the rest of the evening outside on the lawn, eating and drinking by candlelight. Johnny, Arnold and Dave Cotton got quite drunk. I eventually went to bed about 2.30 after a walk around town.


Thursday 6 July
I came down today. I had to finish packing this morning and didn't leave Connaught road until just before 11:00. I caught the 11.28 train from Reading South. It takes much longer from the South but if I went througho Paddington I would have to go on the underground which is difficult with with this case - it is very heavy. I arrived home at about 2:15 - quite hungry.

Friday 7 July
I haven't done much at all today. I didn't get up till late and have only had time to go around to the library an

Saturday 8 July
I did some work this evening. I've also watched some of the final day at Wimbledon.

Sunday 9 July
I have been helping Dad for quite a bit of the day. This morning we turned the garden shed around and prepared a concrete base for it. This afternoon I have been putting some compost around the dahlias and runner beans. We have a vast amount of the muck, it smells up to high heaven. Have phoned up John Palmer. We are going down on his scooter to the meeting of the Kent and East Sussex Railway Preservation Society at Tenterden Town Hall next Saturday. It should be a very pleasant day out. I went into my bedroom this evening to find one of Mrs. Champion's ?? there. He was very afraid. I had to be very careful because he nearly jumped out of the window on to the concrete below. Must be 12-15 feet.

Monday 10 July
I have bought two nibs for this pen - another italic one and a very fine one (this one) for map work. This one is very good for maps but is terrible for writing - it makes my writing look even worse. I went to the library again this morning and have taken out four more books - I don't know if I'll get time to read them though. Dave Tyler was coming down this morning but he phoned midday to say that he couldn't make it and would be coming down another day this week. The more I live at home nowadays the less I seem to like it. I don't know what is wrong but Dad and myself just don't get along. I've only been home five days and already we have had a row (we had a row last time I came home - for 2 days ). It is a very good job that I shall be living at Shoeburyness for eleven weeks. I don't know what I shall do when I leave Reading. Mum and said that I will be living at home

Tuesday 11 July
I think this italic nib is certainly an improvement on the fine nib for writing with. I went up to Spur Road this evening to see Trevor's slides of his holiday in Switzerland. Some of them are very good, particularly those taken from the top of the funicular near Lugano.

Wednesday 12 July
I have started academic work at last. I am reading “The Wealth of Nations”, it is very interesting as it gives the economic views of an age when the problems were completely different and before the Industrial Revolution. It will take me some time as the reading takes a long time and I am also making notes. Dave Tyler came down this evening to collect a rucksack which he is using on his holiday which starts this Saturday.

Thursday 13 July
I didn't get up until very late again, I had intended to go to Gravesend today but it was raining so I decided not to go. It has rained really heavily in the last two days - according to official reports this is the first appreciable amount of rain since the beginning of May, although there has not been a drought at any time. I have been working again today and haven't done much else than read - I did get down to unblocking the drainage system in the greenhouse water tank. I had a letter from Johnny at Shoeburyness. His digs are not very good at all but he seems to be having quite a good time on the railway.

Friday 14 July
I didn't sleep at all well last night and consequently I've been very tired all day. This morning I took back all my library books and have done some shopping. We went up to Oaklands this evening for Richard's birthday. Although there weren't many guests it was quite a crowd. As well as the family, the Russells and one of Suzette's friends were there. Auntie Cooke doesn't look at all well. She isn't as cheerful as when I lost saw her at Easter and she is even worse on her feet. She even had a fall while we were there. I think she has lost the will to live.

Saturday 15 July

Went down to Tenterden on the back of John Palmer's scooter to the meeting of the Kent and East Sussex Railway Preservation Society in the town hall.  We went down via Sevenoaks, Tonbridge and Goudhurst where we had dinner.  The meeting started at 14.30 and went on for about 1½ hours.  It was very interesting and although very little has been accomplished yet it seems possible that a train service could run next year.  The main difficulty seems to be that of the level crossings.  B.R. are prepared to lease the line but the crossings have to be worked by professional railwaymen.  We inspected the track near Tenterden and it seems to be in quite good condition.  We came back via Rolvenden, Newenden and Hawkhurst to Flimwell where we sheltered from a heavy storm.  Carrying on, we managed to get as far as Sevenoaks but there the scooter broke down and we had to come home in the Guards van to St. Mary Cray.

Sunday 16 July
It has been very miserable today. The rain carried on until about 4.00. It was quite depressing and I haven't done much at all. Roy came around late this afternoon and we went by car over to school to try and see Dave Wright. He should have been at a rehearsal but, of course, no Dave. We came back and halfway through tea when there was a knock at the door and in walked Dave!


Monday 17 July




Started my job today.  I arrived at Shoeburyness depot at about 11.00 and was told to go to my temporary lodgings and come back at about 14.00.  The lodgings are pretty bad bad really.  It is more like a doss house!  The work at the moment just entails sitting in an old coach learning the rules - it does get a nit boring.  I have been fitted out with overalls etc.  We went in for a swim just before dinner, it was very nice although pretty cold.  There are two other chaps in our room other than Johnny.  These are a Canadian and a post graduate from Nottingham.  We went around after dinner and knocked at several houses trying to get accommodation.  We were eventually lucky. The woman has never had full time lodgers before but the house is very nice.  She seems willing to have a go at it.
Tuesday 18 July
Started down at the depot at 08.00 and just sat in the coach and stuck in the amendments to my rule book and signed forms.  I then started to read the book but it is very uninteresting.  After dinner we were shown over an engine and shown the various controls.  At least it is the first time I have worked soe of the controls of an engine.  After that we went down to the line of condemned carriages and were shown how to couple and uncouple.  I managed the train heating alright but stuck the brake pipe.  I couldn't undo it and had to get Fred (the instructor) to do it eventually - he just hit it once and it parted.  have been in swimming again.
Wednesday 19 July
Have spent the morning in the coach talking to Fred about railway matters in general, including the Southwold Railway and the Tilbury tanks.  After dinner we spent some time looking around the locos in the shed.  I worked the injectors today for the first time and know how to operate most of the cab controls.  We also went down to the condemned carriages and did some more coupling and uncoupling.
We have at last managed to get out of the lodging house.  The new digs are quite good - it seems that nothing is too much truble for them.  Bill and Adrian, two other students, live next door.  Johnny and I went out for a stroll with them this evening.
Thursday 20 July
I had a very pleasant surprise this morning.  I booked on at 08.00 and reported to the school.  Fred told me to go third hand on the carriage shunter.  Most of the people have at least a week in the school or shovelling coal.  the carriage shunter is No. 42520, otherwise known as twenty-five, twenty. I was on with two crews.  I just watched mainly with the first onebut with the second one the driver spends all his time in the shunters' hut so i had a fair amount to do. Tis is an easy duty really.  I have been shown how to work the feed and also how to fire although it isn't very difficult because it is very easy to keep a full head of steam and also a full glass of water.
Friday 21 July
Started at 08.00 this morning and was put third hand on the carriage shunter, fwenty-five, twenty, with the same crews as yesterday.  The fireman on the first shift left soon after we had taken coal and water so I have been firing the whole of the day.  Firing isn't really the right word because it is so simple.  I tried some experiments with the blower and also with firing.  I soon realised that firing to the front produces a higher pressure - she soon started to blow. This evening I went into Southend with Johnny to see Rose Price. I don't think she was very pleased to see us but it made a cheap night out as we went by privilege ticket.

Saturday 22 July
I signed on at 05.45 this morning. We only work four hours on Saturdays at the moment and were shovelling the ashes into heaps for the grab to pick up tomorrow.  We knocked off at 09.30 and caught the 10.40 train for Southend central.  We then went to Colchester via Southend Victoria and Shenfield where we had a short break.  Johnny and I then had a good look around and came back with extra breaks at Chelmsford and Southend.  Altogether we have had quite a busy day - it is advisable to use the travel facilities while we can.

Sunday 23 July
I went home today. After a bit of a lie-in I caught the 10.10 train, diesel hauled, up to Fenchurch sSreet. I managed to get to Charing Cross quickly but then I had half an hour to wait. However I arrived home just in time for dinner. Nin (cat) took no notice at all. Nothing much happened at home and I left just before 7:00. I was lucky and managed to get good connections back to Shoeburyness arriving at 10:00. Everybody was in bed when I got in.

Monday 24 July
Was back on the old shunter again today,  This time the engine concerned was 42513.  I am learning all the time and now I seem to be getting the hang of firing.  We had quite an eventful day really.  The first fireman shut off one of the water gauge cocks because he said it was about to blow.  However, the other fireman said that this was nonsense and simply tightened up the nuts.  Perhaps the highlight of the day came when we had to tow an electric multiple unit out of the platform because of a failure,  I really enjoyed this although there were some glum faces on the platform including that of the station master.  I went swimming this evening at about half past nine.
Tuesday 25 July
Had my first trip out on the main line.  I caught the 08.55 up to Fenchurch Street and then came back on the 11.25.  I had some time in London during which time I went down to the Tower.  The up train was hauled by 42679 while I came back on 42681.  The up journey was quite exciting - the engine running bunker first, had quite a thump when the regulator was opened.  The down journey was good fun - the crew were very friendly and I had a good time.  The injector kept knocking off and we didn't have much water in the tank when we got back.  I did some firing.
Wednesday 26 July
Was third hand on 42681 all day today.  We went up on the "Spiv Special", the 09.05 from Southend Central stopping only at Westcliffe and making the journey in 50 minutes.  Consequently the run was quite exciting.  At one point we were six minutes up on schedule but we were stopped by signals because we were catching up the train in front.  I did an errand for Ben Diamond, the driver.  I took his watch into a shop in Holborn.  We came back on the 11.25 slow train.  I didn't do all that much today although they said I could do some more tomorrow.
80103 was derailed in the yard today.  It was eventually rerailed by the breakdown train hauled by a diesel.
Thursday 27 July
I was on the same turn today as yesterday.  Terry, the fireman, filled the box up as much as possible before Southend while we were bringing the empty carriages, and then only put on a little once all the way to Fenchurch Street.  We then spent about half an hour in the first class compartment waiting to take the 11.25 out.

A lady asked Terry if the train was the quick one.
Reply "It all depends how quick you like it!"

I fired 42681 all the way back and also had a go at working the injector.  It was temperamental and kept knocking off.  I had a job to keep the boiler filled.
Went in Mike's Austin Seven to Southend to get the overalls washed at the laundrette.  I was quite a laugh.  We blew a gasket on the way back. We had to go to a different laundromat each time because our greasy overalls made a mess of the machines.
Friday 28 July
Was on the same turn today.  We were just going out of the yard when the inspector climbed up.  That would have been bad enough with four people but he told the fireman to go and sit in the Guards van so I had to fire all the way up to town.  Anyway we didn't lose any steam and arrived in London before time.  The ride back was quite exciting.  We had to retrieve pieces of brick arch out of the fire and also had a hole.  Quite an eventful day's work.
Saturday 29 July
Went on at 08.00 this morning and shovelled ashes until 12.00.  I then went to Hastings.  We caught the 13.10 to Fenchurch Street and 15.20 from Charing Cross to Hastings arriving at about 17.00.  We had a look around, including a visit to the castle.  We came back via Ashford - just for the ride.  We had half an hour at Ashford to look around and eventually reached Charing Cross at 22.40.  We caught the 23.00 from Fenchurch Street and straight away ran into trouble. - somebody pulled the Communication Cord.  After Barking we made an unscheduled stop at Dagenham East - the guard came down and had an argument with the driver, all the time our fireman was using his fire irons.  We made another stop while the crew examined the big injector with a torch and we eventually had to change trains at Hornchurch - the engine was in terrible state - 42684.  I slept from Laindon.  We arrived at 01.10 instead of 00.17.

Sunday 30 July
I decided not to do any work today and, having got up late, have done virtually  nothing at all, all day. It has been very warm and I have been sitting in the sun. I have done a bit more academic work.
Monday 31 July
Worked up to Fenchurch Street on the 07.26 on 4227 this morning (third hand).  The engine was in bad condition and we were 15 minutes late.  The brakes were bad and we were afraid of hitting the buffers at Fenchurch Street.  We had the doors open ready to bail out in a hurry if necessary.  The problem was that the fireman had let the steam get too low with the result that the brakes would go on alright but the steam pressure was insufficient to release the brakes quickly. 
Pedro, the fireman, standing in front of the firehole said "Goodness gracious, great balls of fire" - Elvis Presley.
We came back on the 09.08 and then worked some wagons to Benfleet.  Altogether it was quite a long day.  I think I will be able to pass out tomorrow.  Came off at about 3.00 and have done some shopping. I am going to get in an early night,.

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