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Footplate Cloths

Discussion in 'Railwayana' started by Rumpole, Oct 15, 2013.

  1. Rumpole

    Rumpole Part of the furniture

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    Does anyone have a source please for proper, woven cotton footplate cloths? Looking to get some for issue to our crews, and Google's struggling a bit!

    Thanks in advance.

    Nick
     
  2. Steve

    Steve Resident of Nat Pres Friend

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    The traditional hand wipers/sweat rags were washable items supplied by such as Sketchley on a contract basis. For my own use I get them from the local supermarket (Morrisons to be precise). I think that they are marketed as floorcloths. They're as near to the original as you are likely to get. I usually buy a pack (of 2) every year and I just leave them in my overall pockets and they get washed with the overalls! They last a long time and I've about half a dozen on the go at any one time.
     
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  3. Rumpole

    Rumpole Part of the furniture

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    Thanks Steve, I'll check that one out.
     
  4. andrewtoplis

    andrewtoplis Well-Known Member

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    I bought a house a few years ago and the only thing left in the garage was a pile of these things! I have been working through them ever since.

    Floorcloths from a supermarket would do the job just as well though....when the pile runs out I'll buy some more
     
  5. buzby2

    buzby2 Well-Known Member

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    Nick, Not sure if you've tried JAT on http://freespace.virgin.net/jat.railway_supplies_and_services/index.html. I see they might still have some Signalman's cloths [remaining stocks only] but no mention of footplate cloths although they might know of any UK manufacturers left in production. No doubt you've tried asking other Railways about their cloths suppliers. Peter
     
  6. aldfort

    aldfort Well-Known Member

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    Oh the luxury of having an issued cloth! I normally cut a clean bit of "cleaning rag" from the plentiful supply in the rag bin. I nabbed a face towel from SWMBO which I use to mop my face when the sweat gets too much, it's pink, so no danger of anybody pinching it.
     
  7. John Webb

    John Webb Member

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  8. Steve

    Steve Resident of Nat Pres Friend

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    Having suggested using floorcloths from Morrisons, I went to get a couple of new ones today and there were none of the right type to be seen! I'll have to try elsewhere.
     
  9. Sheff

    Sheff Resident of Nat Pres

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  10. Steve

    Steve Resident of Nat Pres Friend

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  11. 32110

    32110 Member

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  12. buzby2

    buzby2 Well-Known Member

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  13. Steve

    Steve Resident of Nat Pres Friend

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    Nick,
    Did you get anywhere with this or did you abandon it? If you're still interested, try Robert Scott & Sons Ltd ( http://www.robert-scott.co.uk ) I've just bought a couple of heavy duty floor cloths from a market and the original manufacturer was this firm.
     

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