The Railwayman's Life

1: The Cleaners Life

I signed up for the railways shortly after the pre-grouping act of 1923. Instead of multiple railway companies across Britain, they were now grouped into 4 main railway companies. These consisted of the London and North Eastern Railway (LNER) the London, Midland and Scottish railway (LMS) the Southern Railway (SR) and the Great Western Railway (GWR)

On the day of signing up, I met the shed manager, John Harris. I was only looking for the room with the interviews, but he would soon become one of my closest friends.

"Excuse me" I said in my young voice "Where is the interview room"

"Just around the corner there" said John, pointing towards a red brick building "Why? You hopin' to get a job with us railwaymen?"

"I sure would love to" I smiled, running off for the interview room.

Harry Perkins, the man hosting the interview, looked over my application form through his small, round glasses. He took a glance at me and slowly dropped the form.

"So you think that you're cut out for a cleaner?" he asked

"Yes sir. I am sir" I said. Cleaners in those days, eventually led up to becoming a driver.

Harry Perkins leant back in his chair and took another look at the form.

"So you're interested in the job for it's active value?" he asked "What kind of active value Mr Ellis?"

"Just the thought of being part of a living, breathing machine is just magical" I said. I was worried that Harry would notice my enthusiasm for railways. The GWR was not keen on hiring enthusiasts back then, as this often got them distracted from the job. Harry leant forward in his chair again.

"How would you like to start work next week?" he smiled. I could hardly believe it. I stood up and shook him energetically by the hand.

That was the point of my life which I became a railwayman. But when I began, I was shocked at how difficult the job actually was. The cleaner would normally sign on the job at around 2:30am to 3am, and spend the entire morning polishing brass, oiling all 64 joints and scrubbing down the boiler. Like I said John Harris became a good friend of mine, as he saw my enthusiasm for the job and enjoyed watching me at work. I had the job of the brass. Scrubbing madly away at the brass until I could see my own face in it.

John Harris would run down with the engine crews at the end of the day down to the Railway Inn just down the road. I was often left to clean up the locomotives, which I didn't mind a bit. I'd much rather spend time with the locomotives than men who'd get out drunk.

One afternoon I was approached by John after the sun had set.

"Hey buddy!" he called "You're out here rather late. Locomotives still not lookin' good?"

"Just this one!" I called. I was oiling the bearings of a King Class, this one was particularly painful, as I'd been working on the damn thing since 2pm that afternoon.

"Listen buddy" John continued "We have some serious problems across at Swindon. There's a lack of cleaners there for tomorrows trains. Every station on the railway is sending their cleaners for the morning rush tomorrow. You wanna go?"

I stood there, bewildered for a second.

"W... What?" I stammered.

"We need you up at Swindon" John repeated "to cover for the lack of cleaners."

I suddenly became overjoyed. Swindon was my favourite station on the Great Western, I'd often gone down there as a kid. Taking the numbers of the locomotives while also ducking and diving undercover from shed foremen and officials. Now, I was actually being Asked to go, and I can't explain how excited I really was.