The "joys" of filth?

A friend of mine has just told me about taking his little daughter on an indoctrination visit to a certain steam railway in the south of England. By the way he is a very experienced steam engineman apart from being the foreman of an engineering workshop.

His verdict on the railway concerned? "Dirty trains, dirty locomotives and worse than dirty locomotive crews"! Had any of his own men presented themselves at work in such a state he would have sent them home.

Both of us have two sets of overalls, one for getting filthy in when preparing the loco. for the day and a fresh one for when operating. Not particularly difficult I would have thought or especially virtuous but as necessary for a tourist railway as getting those dirty carriages sorted out pronto.

P.H.

 

I do know of several people who do not bother having prepping overalls and a smart set to change into and yes, the image they portray is not exactly the best in the world, specially if their overalls have holes to go with the soot and oil! If it was up to me then I would be insisting on smarter attire, not BR style but at least clean and hole-free!

On top of this the main thing the public want to see is a clean loco and a clean seat, followed by clean loos and a nice cup of tea! Get these bits right and people will come back. And surely repeat custom is as important, if not more so, than new visits in the current climate?

 

Good enginemen should take pride in the job, that includes their appearance and that of their engine. If a crew can't be bothered to keep themselves and their footplate clean what else can't they be bothered with?

 

Pretty authentic BR late steam era, then!

 

I agree; from my own memories the so called "glorious years" of the 1960's were nothing of the kind. However steam railways are tourist attractions and whilst smoke, smuts and a bit of ash are acceptable, caked on dirt, whether on man or machine, is not.

P.H.

 

Completely agree. The Peak Rail reopening into Matlock was marred for me by one of the footplate crew looking like a cross between a chimney sweep and a vagrant, and this on one of the most prestigious days in their chequered history.

 

To be fair, working on steam locomotives is a dirty business full stop. Most of us are hard working people who give our best but we don't do it every day or perhaps even every month so a little latitude for the 'amateur' is not too much to ask for is it? I always change and have a good wash up before going off shed but find myself getting progressively filthy as the day goes on - despite trying not to! This from someone who takes considerable pride in the job

 

When in the public eye, all should be presentable. Staff, product, and surroundings.

It is very simple.

 

I can only speak for my footplate days on the KWVR. We always had two sets of overalls, and during the day we'd wash arms and faces using a bucket of warm water from the injector and a bar of soap. Likewise the footplate was maintained in a similar state. It's not that difficult.

 

I get dirty in a trice myself when on the footplate! Real professionals stay immaculate. However my friend was commenting about those who appeared simply not to give a (insert expletive of choice) about how they presented themselves or their railway.

P.H.

 

For some reason I attract dirt - I only have to be near a footplate for 5 minuites to have my hair full of soot and oil smeared across my face. (thinks)Maybe that's why I'm on carriage maintenance in the shed.

 

I think that the same standards that apply in the public workplace should apply at a heritage railway - which is a public workplace.

A dirty, scruffy shop assistant is not going to engender positive feelings in the customers, and nor is a dirty, scruffy driver, fireman or for that matter any other member of staff working in public places on a heritage railway. I think it is something quite a few volunteers could improve on.

 

On the railway I volunteer at, new volunteers are requested to get the "right gear" if they make a serious go of things. Overalls are accepted for the first few footplate training turns, then it is expected that you beg, borrow or buy suitable footplate wear and suitable shirts/ties.

For some reason I seem to get filthy apart from the white shirt which stays almost immaculate! Most crews I have worked with are big on cleanilness, and washing regularly also helps to keep cool on those hot days on a big engine.

 

Sometimes circumstances may mean the engine isnt as clean as normal such as a problem on the prep! Also Ive done firing turns where someone hasnt turned up due too illness and all I had was overall! Sadly much like life its not all Milk and honey!

 

Try being a member of "planet crew" and having a white kit !!

 

Most crews I know of try and come off shed in a clean condition. However, it is not unknown for there to be problems with the prep and for the loco to be last minute or even late off shed. If the choice is between getting the train away on time or being clean, then I know which is my choice.

 

These guys seem to have no trouble keeping clean.

http://www.festipedia.org.uk/w/images/9/96/JSDuffws1890s.jpg

I always been slightly bemused by the fascination with the downtrodden post WW2 era of Britain's railways rather than it's golden years.

Oh well I guess it's an age thing.

Tim

 

Couldn't agree more.

Paul

 

Have a look at the Nine Elms Enginemen of the 1960s. They are a pretty smart bunch; some may be a bit grubby but very few could be described as filthy.

Nine Elms Locomotive Shed - Enginemen

 

Just out of interest what do people think are the 'filthiest' jobs within the day? I would vote for coupling and uncoupling.