ASLEFJOURNAL FEBRUARY 2019 The magazine of the Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers & Firemen Trains on film

Brief Encounter From Russia with Love The Lady Vanishes North by Northwest The Railway Children Murder on the Orient Express Night Mail and many more movies with scenes on the permanent way

The train drivers ’ union since 1880 Driver Learning Manager , T raining

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Join our team of Great W esterners and you’ll help provide a great service to 100 million customers every year . Y ou’ll also help us make history as we transform one of the world’ s most prestigious rail networks and create a 21st Century service to be proud of. You’ll play an important role in our busy and vibrant Driver T raining and Development team as you develop and deliver training and assessment to drivers and other colleagues across the business. Y ou’ll also ensure that we continue to meet the highest standards, promote and demonstrate good safety behaviour , maintain training records, and give great feedback. Enthusiastic and flexible, you’ll be passionate about development, open to new ideas, and able to inspire your team. T raining or coaching experience is essential, and you’ll already have spent at least 3 years as a main line train driver . You’ll be rewarded with all kinds of benefits, including a final salary pension scheme, free rail travel across the GWR network for you and your family , a company-sponsored healthcare plan and childcare vouchers. We’re unable to accept paper applications or applications via email. Please complete the online application. To apply please visit GWRcareers.co.uk

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Membership available now! Membership is open to all rail and transport industry staff either active or Miners’ Gala retired and including immediate family and brings you over 125 years of experience and wide ranging members’ discounts and benefits. will be held on Saturday 13 July 2019 Benefits: l We have full details on our website www.repta.co.uk and in our Please support the Big Meeting by joining comprehensive Yearbook. They include competitive insurance via our broker Alan Boswell Group. Obtain a quote before accepting your existing the Friends of Durham Miners’ Gala deal - Direct REPTA Telephone 01603 649737. www.friendsofdurhamminersgala.org l FREE Love2shop Card offering 7% discount at high street stores and once Love2shop registered an opportunity for 4% at Tesco or Sainsburys. New for 2019: l Holiday Inn Bristol: Norway Cruise: Bletchley Park: GX Pillows: Christmas Lunch Cruise: Cockney Matinee: Brick Lane Musical

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BRINGING THE INDUSTRY CLOSER TOGETHER GS Mick Whelan UK’s a laughing stock ASLEFJOURNAL FEBRUARY 2019 E ARE the The magazine of the Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers & Firemen laughing stock of W the international railway community. After inventing the railway, and selling our expertise abroad, we now introduce trains with windscreens not suitable to observe signals; trains that cannot Mick Whelan: ‘Trains operate with technology that don’t fit platforms’ we were assured was fit for purpose; and trains where the software impacts on 4 5 the signalling system. And surely no one would dream of putting hydrogen technology on 20 year old trains and claiming they were new, would they? News It would be even odder if, having bought new trains that do not fit the platforms, anyone would, in l EC riders in St John Street; ABS in Croydon 4 degraded working, think it a good idea to have a l Twitter warning from a Tube driving ninja 5 driver leaping on and off the train, along the ballast, plus Off the Rails: Justin Cartwright, David and up the platform slope, to check the doors; and Steel, Damon Albarn, and Brian Clough then running back to clamber onto the train! Quite sure no company or stakeholder would recommend l Picture this – a sky full of HST thunder 6 that because of the domino effect on safety on our l Time for Theresa May to fall on her sword 7 6 congested multi-user railway. The simple solution is l Only a bird brain would risk death or injury 8 the trains must come out of service or run on to do the Netflix Bird Box challenge conventional working. After the sharp rise in sexual assaults on the main line we have an increase in violent crime on the Features Tube. This is not the result of better reporting but of a sea change in society. We still have one of the l Colin Hicks reports on our weekend forum 10 safest transport systems in the world but it’s time to for Districts 5, 6 and 8 with Alex Norris, reassess all working for the safety of both Rachael Maskell and Steve Murphy passengers and staff. It is also necessary to reassure those who go to the assistance of other staff that l Chris Proctor imagines how the RDG set 11 8 about promoting their latest disaster they will be respected and protected from repercussions when it is patently obvious their l Conrad Landin snaffles the Butterkist 12-13 actions are justified. It is time for the employers to and settles down to enjoy trains on film take action against those who behave l Bill Dale reports on the RMS weekend 14 inappropriately then make up allegations against forum at Low Hall, Scalby, in Yorkshire staff. The driver’s train licence is causing problems in its application. We are seeking to address and clarify all Regulars the concerns; this is, of course, outside the normal CDP/CMS or discipline process. l Branch News, Upcoming Events and 16-17 12 Whatever view you hold on Brexit the whole 100 Years of Union country it seems is united in thinking that Theresa May’s deal is not fit for purpose and that a no deal l Obituaries 18-19 scenario is filled with risk because of a government l Letters and Classified Advertisements 20-21 which has failed to prepare properly. Meanwhile we l Last Word: Jonathan Coe and Martin 22 see the fourth railway package being introduced in Rowson on the state of our nation France against the wishes of the unions and the populace. l On Track: Railways and colonialism in 23 It was with great pleasure that I attended, along JG Farrell’s Singapore Grip ; Crossword; with DO3 Andy Hourigan and EC3 John Metcalfe, the Legal Services; and Change of Address inaugural meeting of Blackburn branch and we wish them all the best and echo their thanks to Preston and their reps for all their support and assistance. The ASLEF Journal is published every month by: On a more disturbing note, you will see on page 6 ASLEF, 77 St John Street, London, EC1M 4NN that long-term driver, friend, and union activist Andy Tel: 020 7324 2400 l email: [email protected] Derrett disappeared whilst at work before Christmas. website: www.aslef.org.uk l twitter: @ASLEFUnion 22 His family and friends just want to know if he is ok. If anyone has any knowledge, please respond to the EdiToR Mick Whelan l dESiGNER Michael Cronin l PRiNTER College Hill Press, London, SW19 4HE family’s plea? AdvERTiSiNG ASLEF Journal, 77 St John Street, London, EC1M 4NN. Contact Keith Richmond on 020 7324 2407 or [email protected] l clASSiFiEd AdS [email protected] or call 020 7324 2400. The acceptance of a Yours fraternally display or classified advertisement does not necessarily imply endorsement of that product or service by ASLEF Mick Whelan, general secretary chANGE oF AddRESS Please post your details to ASLEF, 77 St John Street, Clerkenwell, London, EC1M 4NN

February 2019 l The ASLEF Journal 3 News ASLEF’s EC riders TWEETS OF THE MONTH After nearly 3 years I’m glad the Prime Minister finally picked up the SLEF’s new-look phone. Told her deal on the table isn’t executive good enough and non-binding assurances A committee sat for on workers’ rights won’t cut it – the first time last month with @Tim_Roache after speaking to PM. three different faces – @AlanJonesPA compared with this time last year – round the big table in Revolving Doors: The Chancellor the EC room in the basement announces Bill Dodwell (Deloitte of our building in St John partner) as new Tax Director. Deloitte Street in London. implicated in designing tax avoidance John Metcalfe was elected schemes and their partner is now put in as EC member for District 3 in charge of making tax laws – foxes June last year after Andy guarding the hen house. Hourigan resigned following @premnsikka his election as District 3 Organiser. Hugh Bradley Marz colombini, John Metcalfe, The EDL and DFLA tried to break up (District 2) and Tosh AGS Simon Weller, Terry a picket line of @RMTunion workers, McDonald (District 4) both Wilkinson, dave calfe, GS Mick calling them ‘traitors’ for striking. Timely stepped down at the end of Whelan, Jim Baxter, Mark reminder that fascism is a movement of last year. Wakenshaw, howard Kaye, and force against working people. The reliable So when the executive Andy hudd; new president henchmen of the rich. committee met for the first dave calfe (far left); and new @marcusbarnett time this year on Monday 14 vice-president Andy hudd (left) January it looked like this: EC1 Chris Grayling, a man you’d Marz Colombini; EC2 Jim president for the last four the ASLEF executive supervise if you saw him attempting Baxter; EC3 John Metcalfe; years, was elected EC committee,’ said Dave. ‘When I to use scissors. EC4 Mark Wakenshaw; EC5 president unopposed. Two started nearly 34 years ago I @SimonWeller Howard Kaye; EC6 Dave Calfe; candidates – Marz Colombini never imagined holding – or EC7 Andy Hudd; and EC8 and Andy Hudd – were even knew about – this Today I’m going Brexit-free. It’s all Terry Wilkinson. nominated for vice-president position! I want to thank about the UK rail network. Dave Calfe, who joined the and Andy was elected. everyone who’s encouraged, @LilianGreenwood executive committee in 2006, ‘I’m very proud to have helped, and influenced me and who has served as vice- been elected as president of over the years.’ Happy birthday, IER ABS in Croydon QUOTE… ‘Keith Williams is not there to GS Mick Whelan recorded a ‘happy Croydon trams are to be fitted with a new automatic come back with just another birthday’ video for the Institute of braking system in response to safety recommendations report. He is there to come Employment Rights on Wednesday 23 made after the fatal crash at Sandilands in November up with a reform plan that January. ‘We’re delighted to wish the IER a 2016. ‘It’s good news that Tramlink is finally to get an can happen quickly.’ – Chris happy 30th birthday and thank it for all automated braking system,’ said DO8 Finn Brennan. ‘But Grayling , Secretary of the good work it has done, in particular this should be across the network, not just at “high risk” State for Transport the research it carried out for us in relation locations. Cutting corners on cost grounds could lead to …UNQUOTE to improving equality and diversity another tragic accident in the future.’ among rail staff. ‘The IER has been at the forefront in THE KING’S CROSS STORY support of equal workplaces and has You can support the Camden Railway Heritage Trust by buying The King’s Cross Story by consistently delivered high quality reports Peter Darley (The History Press, £20) which was featured on the centre pages of the to keep trade unionists up to date with January Journal , directly from the trust at a discounted price of £15 inc p&p; email developments in the law. Its Manifesto for [email protected] or phone 020 7586 6632 for details. ‘All income from sales goes to the Labour Law , which John Hendy QC spoke trust,’ says Peter, ‘and helps recover the cost of buying the images.’ about at AAD in Liverpool last year, has support at Westminster and across the A KICK IN THE WALLET labour movement. It’s a blueprint for a progressive labour law to change Britain ‘After a terrible year of timetable chaos, passengers are being rewarded with yet for the better and, together, we can create another kick in the wallet,’ said Bruce Williamson of the campaign group Railfuture a brighter future.’ when the privatised train companies put fares up again last month. ‘Since 2004, rail fares have raced ahead of people’s incomes whilst petrol is now cheaper than it was in 2011. Are they trying to drive us off the railways?’ Our woolly hat will keep VIOLENT CRIME UP ON TUBE you warm this winter. Price Violent crime on London Underground has increased by 43% in the last three years, £5 (including p&p); email according to new figures released by the British Transport Police. There were 2,838 [email protected] or visit our online incidents reported between November 2017 and September 2018 compared with 1,980 shop at www.aslef.org.uk between November 2015 and October 2016.

4 The ASLEF Journal l February 2019 News

my loved ones in ways Not cool, not funny you cannot begin to understand. off the Rails UNNY ‘So next time you Neuroshima feel like pretending to S – who JUSTIN CARTWRIGHT , the South African- jump in front of a describes himself on born author who died at the end of last year, train, just don’t. It’s not his Twitter feed as a was a man of many parts. He was an award- as cool or as funny as ‘Tube driving ninja, winning copywriter of pet food commercials you seem to think. Try board game geek and (the premise of his campaign for Pal was and be more curry lover’ – is known that it was too good for dogs); director of considerate.’ for his sunny several television documentaries and a soft Sunny’s tweet disposition. Tube driving ninja, porn film ( Rosie Dixon Night Nurse starring prompted lots of But on Saturday 5 board game geek Arthur Askey, John Le Mesurier, Beryl Reid and Patricia sympathetic replies, January @Tube_driver and curry lover Hodge); as well as the author of novels such as Leading the including this one poignantly tweeted: Cheers , White Lightning and Other People’s Money . He also life to date and I from Peter ‘Man pretended to made party political broadcasts for the Liberals, and then needed a long time @downthetunnel: hurl himself in front of the SDP-Liberal Alliance, and was close to David Steel, off work and weeks of ‘Sunny, well said mate. my approaching train working as his spin doctor. Cartwright was made an MBE counselling. It Affects station staff as at Old Street. This is and recalled, in 2015, that the Queen had asked him how he negatively impacted well, dealing with the not remotely amusing had earned the honour. ‘For trying to help David Steel, my life and the lives of aftermath.’ or impressive. It is ma’am,’ he replied. The Queen, he said, paused, looked idiotic and potentially rather thoughtful, and then said: ‘Well done, anyway.’ dangerous, and only serves to prove to all The grit parade DAMON ALBARN , whose latest witnesses that you are Cumbria county council asked residents to album, Merrie Land , is not unlike a cretin of the highest name its new 11-strong winter gritting Parklife , the Blur record whose order. fleet. The winning names include Gritty wit, poetry and pomp helped to ‘I have been in the Gritty Bang Bang; Usain Salt; Grittany define Britpop in the 1990s, unfortunate position Spears; Spready Mercury; David Ploughie; tackles Brexit, and the state of of experiencing what Gritty McVitie; Nicole Saltslinger; True Grit; this disunited kingdom, noting it is like to have a Whinlatter Scatter; Gritter Garbo; and now how ‘We’re a shaking wreck where nothing grows’ and person under my train. Ready Spready Go. Sadly, Bay Gritty Roller, observing ‘Outbreaks of optimism in the care homes of It was the most Freddie Salted, Frosty the Snow Van and England.’ ‘I’ve been to a lot of old people’s homes, because traumatic event of my Brad Grit didn’t quite make the cut. of relatives, and they’re watching programmes about the 1950s. If you can show me it was split 50/50 between people who voted remain and leave in care homes, I will CONFERENCES & RALLIES have to say the lyric is about something else…’ The Scottish labour Party conference is at the Caird Hall, Dundee, from Friday 8 to Sunday 10 March. The Welsh labour Party conference HEATHER NAUERT is the former Fox news is at the Venue Cymru in Llandudno from Friday 12 to Sunday 14 April. anchor appointed by Donald Trump as his The Scottish Trades Union congress is at the Caird Hall, Dundee, from ambassador to the United Nations despite Monday 15 to Wednesday 17 April. Workers’ Memorial day is Sunday her somewhat slender grasp of foreign 28 April. ASlEF’s annual assembly of delegates is at the Marriott policy. To wit, she said, in June: ‘When you Hotel, Leeds, from Monday 13 to Thursday 16 May. The STUc lGBT+ talk about Germany, we have a very strong workers’ conference is at the Golden Jubilee Conference Hotel, relationship with Germany. Tomorrow is the Glasgow, from Saturday 25 to Sunday 26 May. The STUc youth anniversary of the D-Day invasion.’ Which drew gasps. And conference is at the Golden Jubilee Conference Hotel, Glasgow, from prompted David Gergen, a foreign policy adviser to four US Saturday 29 to Sunday 30 June. The durham Miners’ Gala is on presidents (Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Ronald Reagan and Saturday 13 July. The Tolpuddle Martyrs’ festival , near Dorchester, is Bill Clinton), to murmur: ‘In terms of what we normally look from Friday 19 to Sunday 21 July. The Trades Union congress is at the for at the United Nations, her résumé is very thin...’ Brighton Centre from Sunday 8 to Wednesday 11 September. The labour Party conference is at the Brighton Centre from Saturday 21 to DENIS NORDEN , who died last year, was a Wednesday 25 September. writer and presenter who always had a rather wry take on events. In his memoir 500 CLUB: S Pease, with number 121, won the January draw, scooping Clips From a Life (Harper Perennial, the RMS prize money jackpot of £442. £10.99) he recalls: ‘From the very first It’ll Be Alright On The Night , we paid a fee to every performer seen in an outtake. our new ASlEF mug Outside of running a railway, or managing has images from the a pension fund, it is hard to think of another activity where Mick Jones triptych those who make a mistake can get paid extra for it.’ in reception at head office. There are four BRIAN CLOUGH once revealed his versions – three have approach to democracy in the dressing an image on one side room, which has been taken up by and the ASlEF logo on the other; the fourth has many a politician, as well as many a all three images. £6 each (inc p&p) or £15 for a football manager, over the years: ‘We set of three; email [email protected] or visit our talk about it for 20 minutes and then online shop at www.aslef.org.uk we decide I was right.’

February 2019 l The ASLEF Journal 5 News Picture this – a 125 sky full of thunder

FTER 43 years, the InterCity 125 high running into Temple Meads.’ speed train is about to be withdrawn The eight-coach trains, introduced in 1976, A from service on the Great Western will be withdrawn in March. Railway. It will soon be gone, but not One of Nick’s pictures depicts an HST, in forgotten, if Chris Windsor, of Worcester GWR livery, crossing the River Tamar watched, branch, who serves on the LDC, has his way. in the foreground, by the silhouette of He’s working with Nick Wilty, a stand-up Isambard Kingdom Brunel, standing in a small comic and artist who lives in Whitstable, Kent, boat. on a triptych to celebrate what is still the Another shows a 125, in FGW ‘big purple’ Nick Wilty with two-thirds of his proposed fastest diesel passenger train in the world. livery, crashing through the waves at Dawlish three-part tribute in oils to the hST ‘The HST is iconic,’ said Chris. ‘It’s stood the in Devon on one of the most picturesque test of time. When BR’s advanced passenger stretches of railway line in the country. West Country or Wales. train project went over budget – it was never The first picture – on which work has not ‘It would be great if someone came forward finished – they brought in the HST to replace yet started – will show either a loco departing to commission Nick to complete the project,’ the old diesel locos. I grew up in Bristol and from platform 1 at Paddington or a row of said Chris. ‘And leave a lasting monument to a remember how exciting it was to see them HSTs at the station waiting to leave for the train that has meant so much to so many.’ Have you Southern comfort seen Andy? Three Southern Rail drivers based at Brighton rowed the 214 mile distance Andy Derrett, a long-time from london to Paris on Friday 11 and railwayman, union stalwart, Saturday 12 January to raise £2,000 and go-to man for badges, is for cancer Research UK. The three well-known to many ASLEF took it in turns in a 24-hour non-stop members. But Andy – who rowathon at Brighton station. appeared healthy, happy, and well – disappeared without trace two weeks before Christmas. Now his wife, and Suffolk Police, have issued an urgent appeal for information. ‘I hope the Journal can help Beverley Derrett told the us by placing an appeal as to Journal : ‘On Tuesday 11 his whereabouts, preferably December my husband with a picture, as there may be Andrew, whilst on duty at the many who have heard this Freightliner mess room at story but cannot place the Stonebridge Park, suddenly, person. We are desperate for Andy: a familiar face and without any warning, news.’ disappeared. Suffolk Police said: ‘Andrew black jeans, a short dark coat, Richard Brown, Gary harman and ‘My family and I had to Derrett, a 51-year-old Ipswich and black boots. Enquiries are Richard Quinn endure a Christmas without man, is white, 5ft 8in, heavy ongoing to locate Andrew and him; me without my husband, build, with shoulder length hair anyone who has seen him, my children without their and stubble. He has tattoos on knows of his whereabouts, or father, and now, as we progress both arms including the name has seen a male matching his into the new year, there is still Beverley, a dagger, and a love description should contact us Stagecoach urged no news of his whereabouts. heart. He was last seen wearing on 101.’ ‘He has, over the years, to mothball rail fostered extensive contacts HS2 WARNS TRAINS MAY GO SLOWER Invesco, one of Stagecoach’s biggest throughout the UK through his HS2 boss Mark Thurston, with no discernible trace of irony, or investors, has called for its rail operations various union posts, his apparent recognition that his project’s USP is, er, ‘high speed’, to be ‘mothballed’. The company pledged underlying interest in the trade has told the All-Party Parliamentary Rail Group that its trains to concentrate on UK bus and rail union movement as a whole, may have to run slower, and less frequently, to stay in budget. operations after selling its North American and through his involvement He suggested reducing services from 18 to 14 each hour, coach arm. But Martin Walker, a fund with the design and changing from slab to ballast track, and running 30mph slower, manager at Invesco, said: ‘The East Coast manufacture of union badges. which means trains would fail to break the 200mph barrier. rail renationalisation was a scarring experience for Stagecoach and we understand that the three current carry all your stuff – QUOTE… papers, sandwiches, franchise bids have been made on ‘I have a car, but I barely use it, apart keys – in style with our commercial terms. I would be happy to see from going to B&Q and Ikea. The Tube is smart new sturdy black the UK rail business mothballed.’ Analysts the best invention in the world.’ ASlEF bag. Price £17.50 (inc p&p); say the firm has ‘lowballed’ its bids for East – fashion designer Henry Holland email [email protected] or visit our Midlands, Southeastern and the West …UNQUOTE online shop at www.aslef.org.uk Coast main line (its joint venture with Virgin) causing concern at the DfT.

6 The ASLEF Journal l February 2019 News Time for Theresa to go, says Mick

S Mick Whelan called on politicians, from so many Prime Minister Theresa different parties, with so many G May to go ahead of the different points of view, to go vote of no confidence in the into the lobby and vote against government tabled by Jeremy her. If you take out the payroll Corbyn on Wednesday 16 vote there really is very little January following her support for her, even on her own humiliating defeat in the side! previous night’s meaningful vote ‘But Theresa May is, at least, Mick: ‘MPs should follow the logic of the vote on the PM ’s Brexit deal’ on her Brexit deal. assured of her place in the ‘It’s not just the defeat; it’s the history books. Because last should do the right thing and of Commons, and in whom MPs scale of the defeat. Because this night’s vote was the biggest follow the logic of the vote last have no confidence, and who was her deal; and it is her defeat. Parliamentary defeat for a sitting night and say they have no cannot get her Brexit deal She has spent two-and-a-half government in history! ‘ confidence in the government of through, has to go.’ years working hard to get to this Mick added: ‘Some people say Theresa May. Then we can have a point. The point at which she displays fortitude, others general election which will allow Parliament, by 432 votes to 202, that she is merely stubborn. the people to have a meaningful QUOTE… has said it’s a bad deal for Britain. Many, on her own side, think she vote on the future of this ‘Reading is a life-long ‘No one likes it – neither hard- is being stupid and simply country. collision with minds not like line Brexiteers nor those who “doesn’t get it”. That she can ‘I hope that will see the return your own. We should book- want to remain in the EU. It is come back with a Plan B that is, of a Labour government. But bomb Donald Trump.’ – quite remarkable that the Prime essentially, Plan A, and it will be even Tory voters, like Tory MPs, Jeanette Winterson Minister has managed to voted through. It won’t. can see that a Prime Minister …UNQUOTE persuade so many different ‘And that is why MPs tonight who is humiliated in the House

‘COME ON THEN, LET’S HAVE IT’ DB set to sell Arriva A factory worker suffering from paranoid schizophrenia shouted ‘Come on then, let’s have it’ as he stepped in front of a 75 ton Wrexham-bound train near Gwersyllt station on 23 May Deutsche Bahn, the German state-owned rail 2018. The coroner, John Gittins, gave a narrative conclusion, saying that, on the balance of operator, is said to be set to sell both Arriva and DB probability, Liam Bateman did not have the mental ability to decide to commit suicide. Schenker, according to reports from Berlin. DB, which has been struggling with falling domestic passenger TAXI TOOK WRONG TURN TO LEVEL CROSSING numbers, needs to fund a 4 billion euro funding gap. A taxi was hit by a Northern train after the driver took a wrong turn and drove onto the When DB bought Arriva in 2010 it picked up three tracks at Warden level crossing between Hexham and Haydon Bridge on Tuesday franchises – Arriva Trains Wales, Chiltern Railways 8 January. The driver and passenger had a miraculous escape; but the back of the vehicle and CrossCountry – as well as Tyne & Wear Metro, the was completely crushed. open access operator Wrexham & Shropshire, and a chain of bus companies in Britain. In 2011 Arriva BRANCH LINES The water of life tastes better acquired the open access operator Grand Central but Two new ASLEF branches have been in an ASlEF crystal whisky wound up Wrexham & Shropshire. established: Blackburn 278 which will tumbler! Price £8 (inc p&p); In 2016 Arriva extended London Overground, have members from Preston (see page email [email protected] or visit which it had been running since 2007 in partnership 17) and LU Test Trains 279 which will our online shop at www.aslef.org.uk with MTR, as a sole operator. have members from West Brompton. What can you get for your new , shiny £1 coin? TBF membership... just £1 a week covers you, your partner and dependent childr en. 0300 333 2000 www.tbf.org.uk

Transport Benevolent Fund CIO, known as TBF, is a registered charity in England and Wales, 1160901 , and Scotland, SC047016.

February 2019 l The ASLEF Journal 7

News Only a bird brain does the Bird Box challenge

ICK Whelan spoke out the risk of prosecution, and a after footage was criminal conviction, even if you M posted online of a are not seriously injured or young man walking along a killed. railway line while wearing a ‘There is also the danger to blindfold in a ‘challenge’ inspired everyone else who uses the by the Netflix film Bird Box . Video railway – staff as well as of Elliot Giles, uploaded to his passengers – and this job is YouTube channel on Sunday 13 difficult enough as it is without January, has been viewed more people walking along the There are none so blind as those who will not see – Elliot Giles walks than 250,000 times. railway track without being able along a railway track wearing a blindfold and posts it on Youtube ‘I would urge anyone who is to see where they are going. thinking, for whatever reason, of ‘I’m not a killjoy; but this is no to have to pick up the pieces.’ not to take part in an online trying the Bird Box challenge not one’s idea of fun. Our members – l Bird Box stars Sandra Bullock challenge which involves to be so bloody stupid. It is the men and women who drive as a mother who wears a attempting everyday tasks while reckless – and it is a crime – to Britain’s trains – do not want to blindfold while trying to avoid wearing a blindfold – a challenge trespass on the railway track. It is come across a bird brain doing seeing mysterious forces that which has resulted in people not only irresponsible, and the Bird Box challenge. And the encourage people to commit crashing cars and running into highly dangerous, but you run emergency services do not want suicide. Netflix has urged fans walls.

Just Williams AUTOMATIC BREAKS Pity the poor sub on the BBC home page We Own It, the lobby sounding comments whose head on a piece ran: ‘London group which in this area, but we trams to get automatic breaks’. Robert campaigns for the want to encourage Scott dryly observes: ‘While some are still return of Britain’s him, and to make the debating whether robots have rights, public utilities to argument that public here is an indication that trams are ownership is public ownership, has Keith Williams says seeking parity with their drivers…’ overwhelmingly collected more than he will listen 120,000 signatures on popular,’ said its petition to present campaigns officer unprecedented I COULDN’T LIVE WITHOUT TRAINS to the Department for Ellen Lees. chance to rethink the Rosalie Craig, who starred as Rosalind in As You Like It and as Polly Transport to try and ‘Privatisation has railways – the biggest Peachum in The Threepenny Opera at the National Theatre, and is now persuade the Williams failed. Fares are rising, opportunity since playing Bobbi in Company at the Gielgud Theatre in the West End, was rail review to keep trains are privatisation in 1994. asked by the Evening Standard whether she prefers bus, taxi, or Tube? ‘All nationalisation on the overcrowded, delays We want to show the of them. I love the Tube. Trains I simply couldn’t live without. Taxis equal table. and cancellations are strength of public extravagance for me.’ ‘Keith Williams has now the norm. We feeling for public made some positive- have an ownership.’ RUPERT’S A REAL WILDE CHILD Rupert Everett, asked if it was difficult directing himself through the £10,000 TICKET SHOCK intimate and emotional scenes of The Happy Prince , the Oscar Wilde biopic which he wrote, directed, and starred in, replied: ‘No. I liked it. I Lucy Watson was only trying to get from London to Gatwick on enjoyed working with me.’ Wednesday 2 January. But the ticket machine at London Bridge quoted her not the usual £11 fare but an astronomical £10,000. ‘Might go for Thameslink, then, cheers’ was Lucy’s response to GTR MORE CHAPLAINS FOR RAIL STAFF @shesgonestella on Twitter. GTR said the price was a mistake (obvs!) Five new full-time chaplains from the Railway Mission have been and blamed a ‘technical glitch’. But that didn’t stop Lucy’s followers appointed to counsel workers following the abuse heaped by angry piling in on the unpopular TOC. ‘Rail fare rises were on the news passengers on staff after timetable disruption last year. ‘The employees today’ wrote @Mmelulu. ‘Hadn’t realised just how bad they are…’ that commuters see are frontline staff on the gate line, or dispatching trains, and they’re the ones getting the brunt of their anger and frustration,’ said Liam Johnston, executive director of the Christian charity. our new topical tee-shirt, designed by those hoxton hipsters at Philosophy Football, features Rik Mayall as the obnoxious QUOTE… anarchist Rick in The Young Ones , and this ‘Voters are accustomed to Theresa May rattling out the same classic exchange: ‘he threw us off the train old lines like an unstoppable teleprinter – as in her fractious because you said ASlEF was an anagram for appearance on the Today programme – entrenching her “total and complete bastard”.’ ‘And apart from everything reputation as the Maybot.’ – Mark Wallace , executive editor else… it isn’t, even.’ £10 (inc p&p); email [email protected] or of ConservativeHome visit our online shop at www.aslef.org.uk …UNQUOTE

8 The ASLEF Journal l February 2019 February 2019 l The ASLEF Journal 9 Report Rachael dedicated to getting our industry back on track

COLIN HICKS , local rep, High Barnet depot, reports from the ASLEF weekend forum for Districts 5, 6 and 8 on Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 November at the Jury’s Inn hotel in Nottingham

Marz colombini, dicky Fisher, Nigel Gibson, Mick Whelan, Alex Norris and howard Kaye (top); Shadow Transport Minister Rachael Maskell and cliff holloway (above); Nigel Gibson, Matt France, Young Members’ future of our trade union is in good hands. committee member for Day two saw a surprising name on the district 8, and district 6 agenda. The MD of MTR Crossrail, Steve committee member Tony Murphy, who had been asked to speak about holdsworth (above left); the difference between the concession and howard Kaye, debbie the franchise systems. What we actually got Reay and Steve Murphy was a mixture of funny anecdotes from his 30 (above right) years of working in the rail industry, candid opinions of the way our rail system worked HE weekend before bonfire night be someone who is obviously totally under BR and how it works today, and, saw a mixed bag of reps and activists dedicated to getting our industry ‘back on something I never thought I would hear from a T from Districts 5, 6 and 8 get together track’. senior manager of a TOC, an endorsement of in Nottingham for an ASLEF forum. co-operation between ASLEF and Considering everyone had to be there in their FUTURE IN GOOD HANDS management in order to deliver a better own time, the number of delegates who Far too often we have seen Labour MPs take railway for both staff and passengers. There are managed to attend was hugely encouraging. the podium at AAD and say all the right things, plenty of TOCs out there who could do with an The first session was opened by the GS yet when it comes to delivering, their actions MD like Steve. who gave us an update on ‘the state of the fall way short of their words. After hearing nation’ for the rail industry. As usual, it was about the trade union backgrounds of each of REWARDING AND EDIFYING delivered in Mick’s absorbing and informative these MPs, I believe ASLEF has a true friend in Finally we heard from Julie Rutter, an ASLEF style. both of them. union learning project worker. Julie has We were then addressed by Alex Norris, Next on the agenda were two members of worked for ASLEF for the last 12 years, Labour MP for Nottingham North. It was the Young Members’ Representatives’ organising the many excellent training extremely refreshing to hear an MP speak so Committee, Bro Tony Holdsworth (D6) and Bro opportunities to which we get access as ASLEF frankly about the state of the party at present, Matt France (D8) to talk about organising and members. Julie spoke about the ongoing work and to make clear his unswerving support for getting active in ASLEF. within the industry to provide train drivers trade unions like ours. Now most delegates present in the room with a valued qualification, and the potential haven’t been eligible for the YMRC for some for apprenticeships. MUCH NEEDED NUTRITION years, so when it came to question time, there All in all, a rewarding and edifying After a short break for some much needed was an assumption by many of us that they weekend. I would like to thank DO8 Finn nutrition, we heard from Rachael Maskell, the are probably finding things fairly difficult. We Brennan, DO5 Nigel Gibson, DO6 Dicky Fisher Shadow Rail Minister. Readers of the Journal couldn’t have been more wrong! The positivity and Julie Rutter for organising the weekend. I will have read all about Rachael in the January that emanated from the answers of both of would also like to thank Mark Daniels, Cliffy edition of our magazine, and there isn’t much I these guys was impressive, and left me feeling Holloway and Debbie Reay for their excellent can add to that piece. Other than to say that I that if all our young ASLEF activists are half as work chairing the three sessions. I look forward was very impressed by her and found her to confident and capable as these two, then the to the next one.

10 The ASLEF Journal l February 2019 commentary Chants of ‘RDG! RDG!’ rang out across the land

‘Dealing with complaints is more our area of expertise than improving railways.’ Well, yes, perhaps. But what an admission! CHRIS PROCTOR , a journalist for more than 40 years, and who handled press and PR for ASLEF for eight years, examines – well, imagines – the way the Rail Delivery Group, its chief executive Paul Plummer, director of communications Andy Bagnall, and former BBC News and Sky News hack Robert Nisbet, together with their four strong in-house media team, might have handled recent announcements on behalf of the TOCs

AM still agog with admiration for the The entire organisation dropped its vague police spokesperson who faced plans to revise routes and timetables; binned I questions about the closure of any outline proposals for smooth integrated Gatwick airport at the end of last year. All transport links for lines and journeys; and flights were cancelled owing to clouds of pushed aside any thoughts about serious drones hovering over the runway. investment to boost the freight sector. Instead, The police first employed their traditional it began work on how to process complaints. response, and scurried to a local semi to arrest ‘Dealing with complaints is more our area a window fitter. When, despite this activity, of expertise than improving railways,’ a criticism continued, they had to come up with spokesperson for the Rail Delivery Group something ingenious; and they did. They sent pointed out. Thus towards the end of the year out one of their number to tell the world that a bold new moaning device was unveiled. The new RdG initiative – the work of Paul ‘there may not have been any drone activity in Standing at a dais before an assembly of Plummer and Jacqueline Starr – was met by the first place’. motionless railway carriages, the RDG proudly the heartwarming sight of gleeful So there we are! No problemo ! All solved. presented the ‘UK rail ombudsman service’. passengers singing and dancing on railway Clearly, if there was no reason for an airport platforms across Britain. Maybe. closure, it wouldn’t have been shut and so all HEARTWARMING SIGHT OF GLEEFUL difficulties were removed. Interfering busy- FOLK SINGING AND DANCING rang out over the land as the news of the bodies might still point at troupes of snoozers The RDG reported that the innovation was met coming ombudsman spread. ‘Just in time for and hordes of queuers but the press relations by the heartwarming sight of gleeful folk Christmas,’ said derivatives banker Mr Kliers of job was done. The crisis had been sorted out singing and dancing on railway platforms Oxford. ‘It has confirmed my confidence that even if it was still going on. across Britain. the RDG will provide services and support to ‘This is great news,’ said Mrs Olive Smithers, enable its members to succeed in BEYOND THE GATWICK GAMBIT 84, as she was taken by ambulance to Stoke transforming and delivering a successful Whoever came up with the magnificent Mandeville Hospital after contracting railway, benefiting customers, taxpayers and strategy of simply denying that a problem hypothermia at Tring station. ‘My delayed train the economy’. Pocketing the proffered brown exists is a genius. It is a PR masterstroke. But compensation claim will be so much easier to envelope from an associate of Ms Starr, he even these efforts have been eclipsed by the activate thanks to the ombudsman,’ she listed his interests as ‘waiting and complaining’. subtleties of the word-spinners at the Rail croaked. ‘I’m so fortunate the service is awful.’ Delivery Group. The late Henry Whitstable remarked how SOMETHING TO MOAN ABOUT The RDG found itself being criticised pleased he was ‘to live in a land with such high The effects of the ombudsman are already because of late running trains. I imagine they standards in its complaints processes’. Sadly, he evident. Complaints have never been more first considered the ‘Gatwick gambit’ of no longer lives in this, or any other, land owing popular, thanks to a combination of poor rail denying everything; they could have argued to breathing difficulties as he awaited the services and an up-to-date moaning that no train was late and any inconvenience delayed 23.20 to Paddington. mechanism. ‘The average passenger prefers was caused by the train behind running early. Standing in front of a large board at Hull complaining to travelling,’ insisted Mr R Starr But, no, they went for an even more Trains, each arrival with its individualised (no relation) of Roehampton. imaginative response. They joined in with the ‘delayed by’ figure, RDG customer experience Sources within the RDG suggest that it may complainers. managing director Jacqueline Starr now cease to concern itself with difficult issues ‘Ten per cent of trains are delayed,’ moan announced that the re-jigged complaints like leadership and strategic direction in favour the customer groups. ‘Wrong!’ replies the RDG. service would ‘Certainly build confidence in of concentrating on its complaints procedure. ‘It’s a hell of a lot more than that!’ ‘We are really our services.’ She explained that it was the A new spokesperson, recruited from Gatwick, annoyed,’ say passengers. The RDG sneers: company’s way of ‘improving the customer revealed: ‘Now we are world-leaders in ‘Only annoyed! We are livid and outraged.’ ‘We experience’. grievance apparatus provision, it would be should be compensated,’ grumble travellers. ‘I can’t remember the last time I enjoyed counter-productive not to give customers The RDG trumps this with a further complaint: filling in a complaint form so much,’ confided something to moan about. We are examining that it is difficult to complain. And it points its Ms KC Jones (no relation). ‘It has made such a ways to manufacture additional delays so we finger at this outrage: ‘That’s what needs fixing! difference to the journey I’ve not had.’ can ensure the new facility is working to The complaints procedure!’ The company says chants of ‘RDG! RDG!’ maximum efficiency.’

February 2019 l The ASLEF Journal 11 Agenda The rumble of the railway is the thunder of the rollers

CONRAD LANDIN , Scotland editor of the Morning Star , is a movie buff. Here he settles down with a packet of popcorn and looks again at trains on film. From thrillers like Murder Eva Marie Saint (as Eve Kendall) and cary Grant on the Orient Express to romantic tales (Roger Thornhill) get down to business in a such as Brief Encounter and from Cold War train carriage in North by Northwest killers in From Russia with Love to zombies and the apocalypse in Train to Busan . Conrad reckons that the claustrophobia of a railway carriage – together with the opportunity for a chance encounter en route – makes trains irresistible to movie makers Garry Warren as Peter, Jenny ‘ MUST have gotten into the wrong compartment,’ mutters the police Agutter as Bobbie, I detective played by Charles McGraw in and Sally Thomsett the 1952 B-movie The Narrow Margin , after as Phyllis in The dodging his nemesis in the corridor by ducking Railway Children through the nearest door. ‘Mine must be in the and the book by car ahead.’ ‘Hey, the next car doesn’t have Edith Nesbit compartments,’ a young boy retorts to his nurse after McGraw has ducked out again. ‘It’s a day Louis, terrified viewers in 1896 with their film of a coach.’ mail train pulling into La Ciotat, in southern Not for the first time, it’s the kid who’s clued France, the railways have proved irresistible to up on the train’s composition. But, perhaps more filmmakers. importantly, the claustrophobic confines of the In Brief Encounter (1945), David Lean’s film of train setting have both dictated the Noel Coward’s play Still Life , the railway station at protagonist’s escape mechanism and thwarted Milford Junction offers a safe haven for the his excuse. forbidden excitement of adulterous love. In From Russia with Love : The celebrated, realistic, Ever since the Lumière brothers, Auguste and Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger’s I Know and brutal brawl between Spectre agent Red Where I’m Going , which came out the same year, Grant (Robert Shaw) and 007 James Bond celia a sleeper journey from Manchester to Scotland (Sean connery) on board the Orient Express Johnson represents an exciting and dangerous journey and Trevor into the erotic unknown – ahead of Wendy action into the carriage interiors. But just what is howard in Hiller’s protagonist being forced to face reality it that makes a train an ideal setting for a two- Brief when stranded on the Isle of Mull. hour feature? Encounter And when the siblings in The Railway Children Two of Alfred Hitchcock’s best known films, (1970) move away from their comfortable life in Strangers on a Train (1951) and North by London, the railway offers an alternative Northwest (1959), involve key sequences in plush community that does not depend on material carriages. But the British master’s most serious wealth. venture into the railway genre came before his In Murder She Said (1961), loosely adapted move to Hollywood, with The Lady Vanishes from the Agatha Christie novel 4.50 from (1938). May Whitty plays Miss Froy, an elderly Paddington , Miss Marple (played by Margaret woman who helps an English tourist (Margaret Rutherford) witnesses a murder thanks to the Lockwood) onto a train in central Europe after alignment of trains running on parallel tracks. In she is hit on the head by a falling planter. When The Taking of Pelham One Two Three (1974) a Miss Froy disappears, all the passengers bar a hijacked New York subway train poses a problem musician called Gilbert (Michael Redgrave) deny, for police and audience alike: how can the for the sake of personal convenience, that she ‘Thank you for assailants, who are demanding $1 million for the was ever on board. Naunton Wayne and Basil coming back to me.’ release of the passengers, hope to escape from a Radford play cricket obsessives – roles they carnforth station in vehicle on fixed tracks under the ground? would reprise in many other films to the end of lancashire was used These films, like Night Mail (1936) and the the 1940s – concerned that delays will stop them as the location for the The david lean film classic documentaries produced by the British catching the last days of a Test match. How very heartbreaking train (1945) was based on Transport Films unit, capture the romance and English! Lawyer Todhunter (Cecil Parker) is and platform scenes Noel coward’s one-act excitement of the railway world. Other examples travelling with his mistress and terrified of being at the fictional play Still Life (1936) see cinema’s love affair with the iron road caught in a scandal. He is later shot attempting Milford Junction pushed a step further – putting almost all the to surrender to the rather fascistic-looking

12 The ASLEF Journal l February 2019 Films

under strain. Trains are enclosed and confined: directors throughout the decades have made hay out of showing passengers forced to squeeze past one another in tight corridors. But they can still have multiple locations – which explains why the long-distance variety, with a mixture of sleeper, seated and dining carriages, are so popular in films. Trains also run on self-contained networks, their operation remaining a mystery to most passengers – and yet they are surrounded on all The strange case sides by the real world. This is explored in The of the strangler Cassandra Crossing (1976), a disaster movie killer aboard the unfairly panned by critics and audiences alike. night express An all-star cast including Richard Harris, Sophia investigated by Loren, Martin Sheen, Ava Gardner and OJ Margaret Simpson find themselves enclosed at gunpoint Rutherford (as Stuck in an (artificial) snow drift. Kenneth Branagh’s Murder on the Orient on a trans-Europe express. A terrorist who raided Miss Marple) and Express was filmed at longcross Studios, between virginia Water, chertsey a US chemical weapons supply in Switzerland based on Agatha and cobham in Surrey. istanbul station – with two tracks and a platform on has stowed aboard and infected passengers with christie’s murder either side – was recreated on one of the studio’s enormous sound stages, a deadly disease. The train is diverted across a mystery 4.50 from as was the train itself, a majestic 30 tonne locomotive with four carriages perilous arch bridge on a disused Nazi railway Paddington running along a mile of track, plus a second version with moveable walls for line – prompting a race against time for survival. interior shots. A rig of hydraulics and air bellows Civilisation is right outside – yet it couldn’t be beneath the carriages, as well as virtual scenery, further away. In occasional scenes off the train, shot in New Zealand, moving on lEd screens, Burt Lancaster plays a twisted military helped convince the cast they were riding on a intelligence colonel who would rather send real train. The special effects teams also built a passengers to their deaths than allow secrets of viaduct, and a 35ft high mountainside the US germ warfare programme to be revealed. stretching for several hundred metres. On board, meanwhile, a Holocaust survivor (Lee Strasberg) brings a taste of the outside world, and the helplessness of passengers, as he recounts his journey on the route before – heading to a concentration camp. Snowpiercer (2014), another South Korean flick, turns this on its head – with the passengers on board a continuously-running global train the only survivors of a new ice age. They may be privileged to be alive, but the train has a class system more stark than anything seen on earth – with the vast majority living a serf existence in the rear carriages. While they live in filth and Yeon Sang-ho’s Korean zombie apocalypse chew protein blocks, those in first class sup on action thriller Train to Busan stars Gong Yoo, sushi and steak up front. Again, the only hope is Jung Yu-mi, and Ma dong-seok collective action – but the truth of the revolution charles McGraw as reveals a cynicism to rival George Orwell’s. lAPd detective refusing entry to other survivors of the zombie The trope of strangers on a train – true as it Sergeant Walter attack. Unlike the unifying message of British may be – can sometimes seem rather jaded. But Brown in The Narrow patriotism in The Lady Vanishes , however, Train to it’s an old story that offers the best twist. Agatha Margin Busan is highly class-conscious. As Yon-suk flouts Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express reveals that his willingness to sacrifice everyone and the suspects share a secret, a tragic connection soldiers who attempt to take control of the train. everything for his own survival, his actions only to one another. The 1974 screen adaptation This saga neatly illustrates a theme which exacerbate Korea’s zombie epidemic. Without captures well the feigned tension between these characterises railway films to this day. Train solidarity, the film suggests, we’re all doomed. characters, as they navigate the corridors of the journeys, especially long ones, disrupted by Thrillers based around other forms of world’s most luxurious train – which still can’t dramatic events, enforce intimate interaction transport rarely offer as much potential. Cars are help being rather cramped. The 2017 re-make, between people who, to this point, have been too small for a normal-size cast, and even Jean- starring and directed by Kenneth Branagh, strangers. And, in times of crisis, passengers can Luc Godard’s quintessential art house picture undermines this mood by taking characters off either join forces, or continue to insist on looking Pierrot le Fou (1965) struggles to maintain the train for bizarre interviews in the snow. out for number one. momentum in its extensive driving scenes. Perhaps in pursuit of a US audience or a In many ways, Train to Busan (2016) stands in Ferries and cruise ships are so big the interiors desire to imitate Wes Anderson’s Grand Budapest sharp contrast to Hitchcock’s classic. A South often resemble static buildings. Buses and Hotel , Branagh chose to emphasise the Korean zombie apocalypse film, the action takes planes both tend to attract smaller class spectacular scenery and external shots of the place on a modern Eastern bullet train, whose spectrums, meaning interactions are less train. He should have stuck with the corridors passengers are so obsessed with their work and remarkable and less dramatic. Journeys on both and the claustrophobia that passengers – and hi-tech devices they don’t have the time, or tend to be shorter, with fewer reasons to leave audiences – understand and love. Because the patience, for fine dining even if it were on offer. one’s seat – allowing less time and space for best railway films have always kept us on board. But wealthy company boss Yon-suk, in a realistic, self-contained plot development. remarkable performance by Kim Eui-sung, plays True, trains are often segregated on class lines l What’s your favourite railway film? let us a similar role to Hitchcock’s quisling lawyer – – but these divisions are rarely enforceable know by emailing us at [email protected]

February 2019 l The ASLEF Journal 13 Report Will you still need me will you still feed me?

BILL DALE , RMS committee member, and Chingford branch, reports on the Retired Members’ Section weekend forum at Low Hall, Scalby, in North Yorkshire, from Friday 2 to Sunday 4 November

HE chair, Ray Jackson, welcomed everyone, particularly those T attending for the first time, and invited questions to and encouraged contributions on all the topics to be raised. Our guest speaker, on Friday, was GS Mick Whelan, who congratulated Tosh McDonald on making the best speech at the Labour Party conference, said Tosh had been one of the outstanding ASLEF EC presidents he has known, and wished him well when he leaves the executive committee at the end of December.

TICKET SALES DOWN 9% Team pic at low hall; Tosh, Ray and Nikki; Mick said that Chris Grayling, the Secretary of Mick and Bill; and Mick and denis State for Transport, took no measures to stop the increase in rail fares at the beginning of is financially sound. Freight needs to be January by TOCs who used RPI rather than CPI nationalised, but that may prove difficult, as it for the increase. These rises, for some people, is fully privatised. The TOCs will be easier, as mean rail travel is now unaffordable; borne out franchises are regularly broken. Tosh talked by the fact that ticket sales are down by 9%. about harmonisation, the ASLEF Charter, and That has a knock on effect on jobs. Station car reflected on DOO and the Southern dispute. parking charges have soared, too. TOCs could do much more to help people use the railway AUSTERITY VERY MUCH ALIVE by offering reduced fares outside the peak On politics, he said austerity was still very times, which would improve community much alive, there are more homeless people, spending in all areas. and in Doncaster the sex industry has Labour is committed to renationalising the way the service works, without much thought, increased by 60%, as students go into this passenger train operating companies, and little consultation, leading to problems industry to pay off their student loans. The privatised by John Major, and plans to with low morale and staff retention. As for the only way out of the mess this country is in is a introduce a publicly-owned freight operating latest NHS pay deal, in real terms it is a £1,200 general election with the return of a Labour company, and the Welsh Assembly wants to pay cut, with sick pay and holiday pay reduced government. return railways to public ownership. by 25%. Finally, Tosh paid tribute to Bill Ronksley, Finally, the GS presented 50 year who took him under his wing, and thanked the membership medallions to Bros William (Bill) JUST TWO VEHICLES RMS for his many invites to speak. He said he is Dale from Chingford and Denis Parker from They said that Scarborough A&E ambulances looking forward to attending our forums when Derby. have been reduced by twelve, with evening he retires from the railway and becomes a On Saturday our first speaker was Simon cover now just two vehicles. Attacks on crews member of the RMS. Wood from Thompson solicitors in Leeds. His are up, 580 per year, showing a lack of respect, Peter Grant gave a vote of thanks to this presentation was about wills, covering making and paramedics are concerned that when an stalwart of the union, and Tosh was given a a will and what it involves, administering an offender goes to court, the sentence does not standing ovation by members. The chair then estate, and appointing an executor; living wills, match the offence. presented Tosh and his wife Nikki with gifts and lasting power of attorney, which is quite On Sunday Tosh McDonald addressed the from the RMS. involved. He informed us of the legal services forum for the last time as president of ASLEF’s for members with a total package of benefits executive committee. He opened by talking along with the Civil Liability Bill. Simon asked about the EC district elections and about how many members had made a will, and was younger members coming forward, creating Don’t let it surprised by the number who had not done healthy competition. The EC has three new one. We learnt a great deal from his detailed members – John Metcalfe, Jim Baxter and and valuable contribution. Mark Wakenshaw – who will need support. cost you Our next speakers were Richard and Neil, Tosh reflected on the past 14 years of the Yorkshire paramedics, who said there were real union when, at one stage, it was close to issues with 999 calls, which should be amalgamation, because of severe financial answered in eight minutes, but only 75% meet difficulties. He said the union now has nearly your job! that target. Changes have been made to the 20,000 members – 96% of footplate staff – and 7 14 The ASLEF Journal l February 2019 Driver Standards Manager

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The 500 Club STANDIN G ORDE R M ANDA TE To ______Ban k The 500 Club is a fundraising venture for ASLEF’s Retired Members’ Section. Numbers in the draw cost £4 each and, to begin making Ad dress ______payments into club funds, all you have to do is complete the ______standing order form and return it to your bank. Alternatively, you ______

can pay by cheque a year in advance; the cheque should be made BANK BRANCH TIT LE ( NOT AD DRESS) SORTING C ODE N O.

payable to ASLEF RMS 500 Club. Ple as e p ay Uni ty Trust Ba nk Bi rmingham 08 -60 -01

Payments need to reach the club account by 1st of every month ’ and the draw takes place on 12th of every month – with the winning BENEFI CIA RY S N AME ACCOUN T N UM BER For th e cred it of ASL EF RMS 5 00 CLU B ACCO UNT 2 0 2 0 1 1 9 3 number, name, and prize printed on page 5 of the ASLEF Journal . Once you have arranged your method of payment just complete the form and return it to the Admin Department at head office. AMOU NT IN F IGUR ES AMOU NT IN WO RDS

The su m o f £ The Retired Members’ Section committee would like to thank you for your support and wish you luck in the draw! DATE AN D AM OUNT OF F IRS T PA YM ENT DUE DA TE AND FR EQU ENCY Yours fraternally, Mick Whelan, general secretary ST Com mencing £ and th ere after e very 1 OF EVE RY MONT H

ASlEF RMS 500 club application form DATE AN D AM OUNT OF L AST PA YM ENT *Until £ *Until you r ece ive fu rth er notice fro m m e/us in writ in g Name...... Qu otin g t he and debit my/our acco unt acc ord in gly re ference Address...... Pleas e can cel any prev ious stan din g o rd er or dir ect d ebit in fav our of t he benefici ary named ab ove ...... Telephone No...... SPE CIA L INSTRU CTIO NS email...... Each number costs £4. You can purchase as many numbers as you like. ACCOUN T TO B E DEBITE D ACCOUN T N UM BER I confirm that I wish to purchase ____ numbers as part of the 500 Club.

A) I have set up my standing order (£48 per annum or £4 per month)

B) I enclose a cheque for advance payment (£48 per annum) Si gnatur e( s) ______Date ______

______Signed...... Date...... ’ Note: The Ban k will n ot underta ke t o: (i) mak e an y r eference t o Va lu e Ad ded Tax or oth er in determ inat e ele ment Please return this half of the form to: Andrea Weston in the Admin Dept, (ii) advis e pay er s a ddre’ ss t o b enefici ar y (iii) advis e beneficiary o f in ab ili ty t o p ay ASLEF, 77 St John Street, London, EC1M 4NN and hand the other half, the (iv ) request benefici ar y s b an ker t o a dvis e b enefic iary o f r eceip t standing order mandate, to your bank (or via your internet bank) * De lete if n ot ap plic ab le If th e a mounts o f t he p eriod ic p ay ments v ar y, t hey sho uld b e in corp ora ted in a sc hedule overl eaf

February 2019 l The ASLEF Journal 15 Branch News

links until his Upcoming events True gents retire retirement on 20 October 2018. He is enjoying his n EASTLEIGH – SATURDAY 9 MARCH from Freightliner retirement – and From 12.00 until 18.00 at the BRSA Club, Romsey Road, jokes that he doesn’t Eastleigh. All welcome, buffet provided. NDY GIBBS role was abolished in know how he found started on 1996. time to come to n CRICKLEWOOD – FRIDAY 29 MARCH A work! – and hopes the railway Andy stayed with From 12.00 at Bedford RAF Club, Ashburnham Road, Bedford things have as a traction trainee Freightliner at (opposite the railway station). at Ipswich on 16 June Ipswich for the rest of improved at his career, in the East Freightliner since he 1980, at the age of n GATESHEAD & NEWCASTLE – FRIDAY 29 MARCH 16, five days after Coast link until 2013, left. Reunion from 13.30 at the Bowling Green Club in Gateshead. All leaving school. He then in the non- Lee Barber , branch welcome. passed out as a relief lodge and West Coast secretary driver in March 1987 n RAMSGATE – THURSDAY 4 APRIL and got his driver’s From 11.00 at the Red Arrow Club in Ramsgate, Kent. check at Ipswich in December. Andy DIDCOT – SATURDAY 27 APRIL progressed through n Annual reunion from 12.00 at the GWRSA Club. Buffet provided. the links and in 1993 joined the regional BRIGHTON – TUESDAY 7 MAY railways link. n When Ipswich Informal open afternoon for all retired and working members depot was split in of Brighton or any of our Sussex branches from 14.00 at the 1994, in the lead-up Brighton Railway Club, Belmont, off Dyke Road. Details from to privatisation, Andy Paul Edwards (07402 478278) or Paul Horan (07868 757492). chose to join the freight side, which n HITHER GREEN – WEDNESDAY 8 MAY was RfD, and became The next Hither Green old farts’ reunion will be held from 11.00 Freightliner in 1995 at the Richmal Crompton (a Wetherspoons pub) near Bromley under privatisation. South station. All welcome (well, nearly everyone). See you He served as an there, Ray Cooper RMS. acting TCS, until the Andy Gibbs with branch chair Mark Mulley n ASHFORD – THURSDAY 4 JULY From 11.00 at Ashford Railway Club, Beaver Lane, Ashford. darryl Seaman started as a shunter n RAINHAM – THURSDAY 4 OCTOBER with Rfd at From 11.00 at Rainham Social Club, 86 Station Road, Rainham. Parkeston in december 1990. he got promotion to the footplate at Norwich in october High road to Edinburgh 1992. in May 1994 Dave Court and I made our annual visit to Edinburgh No 2 on Friday 7 he moved back to December. Sadly, our numbers were down due to illness, and prior Parkeston, due to commitments, among the RMS committee but we left the District 4 being surplus at dinner at Doncaster in mid-afternoon and arrived in the Athens of the Norwich after North at 6.20pm. privatisation. he We joined the officer, branch reps, active and retired members at a then moved back to social evening and meal with retiring EC member Hugh Bradley. District Norwich and Anglia 2 Officer Kevin Lindsay, who is renowned for his charming manner Railways. darryl darryl Seaman with branch chair Mark Mulley when presenting service awards, made sure each recipient was was made subjected to in-depth historic analysis with a great deal of humour. redundant in october 2018. you, darryl, for all Hugh Bradley, a good friend of the RMS, made a short contribution, december 2007, darryl was ldc rep your help and being along with an even shorter one on my part. Hugh and I were then started with at ipswich and a loyal member of presented with honorary membership of the branch by Rab Wicksted, Freightliner in helped with a lot of this trade union. Stuart Williamson, and Kevin Lindsay. I wish to thank the branch as it did January 2008 until business at ipswich Lee Barber , branch lift my spirits! he retired in Freightliner. Thank secretary Ray Jackson , RMS chair

BADGE OF HONOUR No hiding place – and no euphemisms, such ROCK’N’ME BABY as ‘silver surfers’ or ‘senior citizens’ – in Ray Colleagues, on my last day as an ASLEF EC member and EC Cooper’s railway lexicon. He tells it like it is. president can I thank you all for the help and support you Which is why, in the Upcoming Events, you have given me over the last 14 years. Keep rockin’ in the can see he likes to announce that the annual Hither Green bash at new year. Solidarity! the Richmal Crompton is the Old Farts’ Reunion. He even, as you Tosh McDonald , Doncaster might imagine, has the badge to prove it…

16 The ASLEF Journal l February 2019 100 Years of Union

Fazackerley who personally Blackburn branch looked after the Blackburn drivers. Many thanks to the GS opens for business who braved the weather and gave a rousingly memorable speech which the branch HE birth of the new secretary Graham Lloyd George, the election, and an year witnessed the Fazackerley; and me. attendees, many first time T creation of a new Blackburn branch will be attenders at an ASLEF branch, 8 hour working day were all hot branch to add to the ASLEF populated by Arriva Rail will remember and recite for topics in the Journal 100 years ago. family. For the first time in Northern drivers who had years to come. MICK HOLDER turns back the decades, District 3 has sought their own identity and Blackburn branch will now pages (and time) to February 1919 opened a new branch and, on requested a branch as soon as find its own feet and identity Monday 7 January, the the new Blackburn depot was and I would like to proudly ENTHRONEMENT OF TORYISM inaugural branch meeting of formulated in 2017. welcome them into our ASLEF JRR on the result of the general election: ‘We Blackburn was well attended Previously, Blackburn depot family. Thank you to everyone have discussed many great hopes and by its new members. Also in was administered by the very who attended this historic aspirations together, and the result of it all is attendance was the general capable hands of the Preston occasion and to those who not represented by this election, and the secretary; various members of branch and a huge thank you helped to found the branch. I enthronement of Toryism. Some prominent the Arriva Rail Northern must be given to the way that wish the branch all the best of members of the Labour Party have gone company council; John Preston branch has luck and look forward to down, notably the left-wing section, and Metcalfe, executive welcomed the Blackburn working closely with them. many promising candidates, including the committee member for depot and, in particular, Andy Hourigan , District 3 three in our own Society, have been unable District 3; Preston branch thanks to Bro Graham Organiser to stem the flowing tide. I was not surprised at the failure of the left-wing for, although we always shall and must have a left-wing, the public have a distaste for left-wingers. The elections have put Lloyd George into an extraordinary position. Here is a man cradled in Liberalism, and pledged to Liberalism, bringing in rampant Toryism, and acting as its leader.’

WORKING AN EIGHT HOUR DAY On achieving an eight hour working day, ‘One For Advancement’ writes: ‘I am hoping our Society will press for the speedy release of our fraternity who are at the present time serving in the Army or Navy. This of itself GS Mick Whelan joins the celebrations of the first new branch in district 3 for decades would greatly facilitate the working of an eight hour day, and no more. Then I advocate for the confining of our working week to one Spa – small but perfectly formed of 48 hours. I can plainly see that if we do not take a determined stand on these points the Leamington Spa branch was pleased to problems with rostering and cross-covering railway companies will rather let the men welcome EC6 Dave Calfe, Bob Earlam from diagrams. He also thanked the branch for our work more overtime, to the exclusion of West Midlands Trains company council, and Vic nomination to his continuing work on the more labour, thereby retarding promotion.’ Waite, Roy Woodward, Phil Spice and Richard company council. Hopkins from our ‘Good Old Boys’ Retired Vic told us all about the Retired Members’ WHILE RUNNING TENDER FIRST Section, to our December AGM. Section’s year, trips and meals they have The Sheffield branch secretary writes: Dave went first and told us about national enjoyed, and the sad passing of George Rooke, ‘Another matter is the question of “storm ASLEF issues including LU problems relating to Pete Cleaver, Brian Whitehead and David sheets” which had been provided for the cab access, training on Freightliner and DB Watts. Our thoughts and condolences to their footplate in the case of air raids, etc. These Cargo, the industry trespass group, Medigold families. sheets are now withdrawn, much to the medicals, the sounding of two-tones at whistle The chair and secretary would like to thank indignation and discomfort of the men boards, Class 230 rolling stock, and CDP plans. all our visitors to Leamington Spa over the past concerned. During the discussion it was Bob was next, with more local issues, year. We are only a very small branch of 18, so shown that these sheets act in no way as a including WM Trains rest day working until the the time taken out by people to come and see deterrent to safety; whilst on the other hand end of May, the new gain share scheme, job us on a Sunday morning is very, very much they had proved a boon to the men whilst share arrangements, changes to the May 2019 appreciated! running tender first, and standing about in timetable, the new Class 196 DMU units, and Nick Walker , branch chair rough weather.’

FOR AULD LANG SYNE GET THE JUSTICE OF THE PEACE colleagues, before i’m deleted from the ASlEF email account i would like to take this ‘I am sure that all readers of the Journal will opportunity to thank you for all your efforts on our behalf over the years, for your be pleased to hear that Stourbridge branch professionalism, and for making all those Ec decisions happen! i would also like to thank secretary Bro C Broughton, and Slough you for the leaving gift and the card with all those nice messages; it was very much branch secretary Bro WG Mills, have both appreciated. Thanks again and all the best for 2019 and beyond. been made a Justice of the Peace.’ Hugh Bradley , Motherwell

February 2019 l The ASLEF Journal 17 obituaries

IAN WESTWATER MEMORY MARCHES ON On behalf of the members of Edinburgh No1 branch I write with great sadness following the passing of Ian Westwater at the age of 48. Westy passed away suddenly, but peacefully, after a short illness just before Christmas. In common with our colleagues at Edinburgh No 2 branch, where he was a ian Westwater 8 July driver with CrossCountry, we will all miss 1970 - 15 december Ian; one of the nicest people you could 2018 ever wish to meet. He started on the entrance to transport me home, post- railway, initially as a YTS trainee, before match. I hadn’t gone to the game with him coming onto the footplate, and getting his that day, but it was entirely typical of the driving appointment at Millerhill, where he man; Westy was the one stepping forward had a spell as LLC rep. to fondly remember him by; personally, I to help. It’s hard to believe it is now the best became friends with Westy over a shared A poignant and emotional service to part of 20 years since he then moved over passion for Hibernian FC. In our early 20s celebrate a life cut cruelly short was held at from freight to the passenger side at we travelled by train and ferry to see Hibs Warriston crematorium on 28 December. Edinburgh Waverley; in our eyes he always playing Anderlecht in Brussels, a journey The chapel was literally full to overflowing remained one of us. Even though we part of which Ian spent in the overhead with many not getting beyond the steps would only see him all to infrequently in luggage compartment, for some reason. outside. The loss and sorrow of his friends the intervening years, he never changed a Another time, following a late equaliser at is great, but it is his wife, who has bit. Of course, with his big smile, gift for Celtic Park, I injured myself in overzealous displayed such fortitude throughout his getting on with people, and lovely celebrations. Eventually being strapped to illness, I feel for most. Tracy, you are in the disposition, often putting others before a trolley to be wheeled around the track to thoughts of us all. Westy, your memory himself, he was equally appreciated and at the treatment room, it was Westy who marches on. home in his ‘new’ depot and branch. spotted me getting carted away and Hussein Ezzedine , branch secretary, Everyone has anecdotes to recount and arranged to bring his car to the front Edinburgh No1

DISTRICT 3 & DISTRICT 7 ‘WESTY ’ A TRUE GENTLEMAN Westy, a CrossCountry driver and brain tumours and his death. WEEKEND SCHOOL health & safety rep, started on the Tribute must also be paid to railway at 16, as a YTS, in the Westy’s beloved wife and soul 23P24 MARCH 2019 summer of 1986, before gaining a partner Tracy, who was kind position as a traction trainee in enough to share his short time December at Millerhill depot. He with so many of his colleagues venue was appointed to driver in 1991 and friends. Westy bore his illness Royal Hotel Weston before moving to Edinburgh with dignity and strength and was 1 South Parade, Weston-super- Mare, BS23 1JP CrossCountry in May 1999. He had never heard once complaining www.royalhotelwestern.com a keen interest in ASLEF and was about his lot. Instead, he retained his legendary sense of humour Applications elected as h&s rep, a position he held with distinction for more until the end. l Rooms are allocated on a first Westy’s kindness and selfless come, first served basis. than 10 years, until his passing on What to expect attitude shone through until the Applications should be sent to 15 December. l Registration begins at 10am on very end, asking that a collection [email protected] Saturday morning with tea/coffee Westy had a well-deserved l All applications are to be and will be officially opened by the reputation as a true railway be taken at his funeral in aid of received by 1 March 2019 (no General Secretary Mick Whelan at 11.00. gentleman and much-respected Fighting Against Cancer exceptions). A buffet lunch will be provided and a hog roast colleague, which was borne out Edinburgh which, along with a l Please state your name, branch will kick off the social event in the evening. The with the great numbers who workplace collection, raised over and contact details when event ends at midday Sunday. There will be making your application. industry and political speakers providing an visited Ian at home and hospital £2,500 for this worthy cause. You update on developments on our railway as well There will be no refunds or during his short 13 weeks will be greatly missed mate. RIP. l as educational elements suitable for reps and cancellations after 1 March John Hay , Edinburgh No 2 lay members alike. between being diagnosed with 2019. l Please state how many and delegate fees and room rates which type of rooms you Delegate fee £10 pp* require and for which days. Single room £30 p/room, p/night (6 available) DON TAPP Payments Double/Twin £42.50 p/room, p/night Don Tapp, a well-liked member of staff, and always good l Cheques should be made Additional rooms are available on the Friday for a laugh, has died. The crematorium was full which payable to “ASLEF”. night (at the same rate) if required. says everything. Our memories will stay with us, and our l Cheques and cash payments Branches are encouraged to subsidise or pay for will be taken on the day. delegates to attend. thoughts are with his family at this time. *Mandatory Dave Weddle , Tonbridge RMS

18 The ASLEF Journal l February 2019 obituaries

KEVIN CHOWN HEART OF GOLD CLIFFORD BROWNING Kevin Chown started working for London PROUD TO SERVE Transport in 1980 as a guard at High Barnet, and went on to become a driver at East THE UNION Finchley and High Barnet. Kevin was a local My father clifford Raymond health & safety rep for many years and known Browning was an active member of to be both thorough and tenacious. He was a ASlEF. he passed away on 22 keen cyclist and squash player and used to November and his last request was take part in the annual charity walk, when a that his obituary should be posted group of drivers would carry a sleeper from in the Journal . High Barnet to Morden. Many thought he was cliff started at llanelly in April quite dour and Kev played on this. When we Kevin had a 1946 as a cleaner, did his national decided to put up pictures of all the local reps great sense service in Malaya from 1947 to in the mess room, he insisted on having a of humour 1949, and then returned to llanelly picture of Skeletor for his! Kevin will be sorely and insisted as a fireman. he transferred to missed by his friends and colleagues; on having a Tyseley, remained there until 1950, underneath that gruff exterior was a picture of when he returned to llanelly fantastically dry sense of humour and a real Skeletor on before a mutual change with a man heart of gold. the mess wall at old oak common in 1951 where Deborah Reay , Northern Line North he stayed, working his way through all the goods double home links, and finally through the passenger FRED BRISTOW SINGING SINATRA links, becoming a pass fireman, Fred Bristow joined London Transport as a guard in 1996 and then a driver. and became a driver at East Finchley in 2000. Fred was a he was elected onto the ldc in truly lovely man, who was always cheery and chatty and the 1963, of which he became mess room was always a happier place when he was secretary in 1965, while working around. Fred left to become a part time customer station the top passenger link as a put assistant at Waterloo, where he used to dispatch the trains. back driver until 1969. he moved If he knew a driver, he would mention them in his PA, much to Stewarts lane on a point of to the amusement of the passengers on the platform. Fred principle – ‘a certain well-known would travel down to Waterloo from East Finchley with the ‘A smile goes a mile.’ This individual not carrying out branch driver and I have many fond memories of him and I singing picture – service information decisions re training on new Frank Sinatra songs and giggling as we drove down to on 3 december, time to diesels’, as he put it – and during his Waterloo. It was always a good start to your day if you had remember – was a fitting time on the South Eastern at Freddy on your train. tribute from Fred’s victoria became chair of Battersea Deborah Reay , Northern Line North colleagues at Waterloo branch, went back on the ldc, and went to his first AAd at Buxton. JOHN COLE GREAT CELEBRATION cliff was a delegate at AAd on a John Cole sadly died from complications caused by cancer further five occasions, as well as a on 22 November 2018 at the age of 56. He joined the delegate at the Trades Union railway in 1990 as a trainee guard for South West Trains, congress and the labour Party moving to Southeastern where he qualified as a driver. In conference. he was proud to be the November 1998 he moved to Midland Mainline, based at St first chair of the ‘new structure’ at Pancras, from where he retired on 16 November last year, AAd. he returned to old oak six days before he died. common in 1989 where, in 1993, at John’s funeral on 13 December was attended by 300 the age of 65, he finished his people and one dog. It was a wonderful celebration of his railway career. life and I would like to thank everyone who came along; I’m Tony Browning sorry I didn’t get to speak to you all. The cancer research fund in John’s name now stands at more than £3,500 and I BILL NEGUS am so grateful for all your very generous donations and lovely messages. In particular, I would like to thank Rose We have lost another of the 184. and Jason at St Pancras for their constant support and Bill Negus, who started at 9A friendship to John over the years, and particularly during longsight in July 1948, and who retired on 5 January 1993, died on Friends and colleagues have his illness. 12 december at the age of 90. raised a fortune in his name Jill Cole , Orpington Mel Thorley , Longsight RMS JACK KNELL A WELL-LIKED COMRADE JM MORGAN Brother JR Knell of Sheffield Midland branch passed away recently at the age of 82 after a long it is with great sorrow that i have to battle with cancer. Jack served for many years on the branch committee and eventually took up inform you that TransPennine the very important role of organising the annual reunion which is still functioning and carried on Express driver JM Morgan died on by the next generation of driver members. He served on the LDC during the upheaval during the Friday 11 January. late 1990s, retired to Spain, but returned to Sheffield after his soul mate Dot passed away. Jack Colin Holmes , Immingham could party and was a proud, and well-liked, comrade. Ray Jackson , Retired Members’ Section chair

February 2019 l The ASLEF Journal 19 letters

Join the conversation! Send letters Bill was a model we would all do well to emulate and by email to [email protected] or i know he will be missed by everyone who knew him by Royal Mail to the ASLEF Journal at 77 St John Street, i was saddened to hear of Bill London, EC1M 4NN Ronksley’s death; a great and principled comrade and trade unionist. i am writing because i have personal memories of Bill from the No unicorns, but a promise 1970s when he attended the TUc’s transport industries committee of Paradise Regained Kelvin (left) says he had to be on the ball representing ASlEF. when Ronks (right) was around It is ironic that while the main letter in the Between 1973 and 1977 i was a TUc Journal (December) discussed religious beliefs, staff member, servicing the committee sure i was always on the ball with what we were greeted elsewhere on the page by and drafting the papers for meetings. i wrote! the Brexit evangelism of Tom Burns. No Bill, as one would expect, would read Bill was a model we would all do mention of unicorns for everyone, but the and digest every word, making well to emulate and i know he will be promise of Paradise Regained . An article of thoughtful and intelligent comments missed by all who knew him. faith and, as such, devoid of substance. It’s a from time to time, so i had to make Kelvin Hopkins , MP for Luton North fairy tale that left Brexiteers lap up, even though they normally scoff at anyone being naive enough to believe in God. Mr Burns seems to have misread – or failed alignment of legislation passed down from mass suicide for this ‘undiscovered country’ to read at all – my letter ( Journal , November). Brussels. Or see that EU legislation is limited to most of the British left know as dystopia. The bottom line was that being anti-Brexit isn’t trade, agriculture, the environment, etc. Not Patrick Redmond , train operator, anti-train driver. I know who my enemies are: taxation, education, drug liberalisation, or the Rickmansworth, London Underground they are the right-wing press claiming I’m right to wage war, amongst other things. overpaid with a ‘gold-plated’ pension. They But then why bother being wise where Pen pushers in Brussels want ‘a race to the bottom’ and to stir up ignorance is bliss? Many Brexiteers actually gullible readers to demand I’m replaced with a believe they are ‘ruled’ by Führer Merkel and As working drivers we are all in fear of robot. It certainly isn’t the EU. The pair of her Fourth Reich from her bunker in Brussels. causing a mishap, possibly a SPAd. When Sparts that initiated this debate don’t speak for An overdose of war films as kids, I suspect. this happens there is always the fear of me. And, frankly, Mr Burns sticking his foot in Others tell me it’s George Soros and his losing our job. Your driver manager the door as I’m closing it on the subject, is chemtrail-emitting lizards. compiles a report of the incident and a copy making himself look little better than a However, there is one thing that irks: ‘the is sent to the office of Rail and Road where pathetic double glazing salesman on wealth gap has been widening and social its impact and consequences are assessed. commission. mobility narrowing for over 40 years – roughly did you know that a copy of your incident is the time we’ve been in the EEC/EC/EU.’ The also sent to the European Railway Agency working-class has, roughly since 1979, been in Brussels? losing ground, and an unwavering belief Formerly the safety of Britain’s railways amongst the left, built on solid facts, is that was managed by British institutions, this has been solely down to an assault by currently the oRR, which is now merely the Th*tch, her spawn in New Labour, the re- British arm of the ERA and subservient to it. election of the Tories and nobody else. on duty you must carry your European However, according to the likes of Mr Burns, Train drivers’ licence and, without one, you the destruction of heavy industry, the attacks cannot drive. however, nobody has told on trades unions, the lack of new social you that this licence can be withdrawn by housing being built, culminating in the the ERA. An anonymous, faceless pen demonisation of those at the bottom as pusher in Brussels can destroy your career workshy ‘benefit scroungers’ through cartoon and there is nothing you can do about it. The Grand Mufti of Jerusalem, haj Amin characters like Wayne and Waynetta Slob, isn’t At home ASlEF has negotiating rights al-husseini, meets his new best friend Adolf their fault now. It’s Brussels. with your Toc or Foc but ASlEF has no hitler in Berlin on 28 November 1941 Nothing displays the moral, political, and right to go to Brussels, argue your case, and I wouldn’t normally respond to puerile intellectual bankruptcy of people like Mr Burns get your job back. Your friendly staff or conjecture, exaggerations and fabrications, more than this laughable Orwellian company council rep has no power in something I could describe in a single word of revisionism. It’s up there with Benjamin Brussels. Regardless of your views on the eight letters, but that Mr Burns would find too Netanyahu’s 2015 declaration that Hitler didn’t EU are you happy that a stranger in Brussels ‘foul-mouthed’ for me to stomach. He seems to fancy the Holocaust until he was convinced of can destroy your livelihood? think I should be compelled to know why he it by the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem. Frankly, I Arno Brooks , York voted Brexit. With respect, I couldn’t care less prefer people who blame immigration for why anyone would consciously want to make voting leave. I might not agree that AGS Simon Weller says: ‘it doesn’t go to their country poorer. I’ll leave that to the immigration has been detrimental to Britain, Europe. The oRR and the dfT have the psychoanalysts. but I can’t argue there hasn’t been any large- authority on these licences.’ True, some of his ‘facts’ need correcting – scale immigration at all. his example of 70% of laws is laughable and It’s saddening to see the likes of Mr Burns Surely our father has duty long debunked. Just search the laws passed in succumb to such a corrosive cult. The cult of Westminster, or the divergence between Brexit has become the place where the truth to protect his children? member states’ legal systems, to conclude becomes lies and lies are peddled as truth, and Denis Lewis ( Journal , November) stated that there is little evidence of a systematic where its brainwashed followers happily risk religion, in his opinion, is ‘the root of all evil’. It

20 The ASLEF Journal l February 2019 classified Advertisements is his right to have that opinion. In my opinion side of workers and trade unionists. The no one item causes the misery and blood- SNP has failed to use the positive policies it CLASS 308 NSERS badge letting the world now experiences and, yes, has pursued to highlight a transitional view to raise funds for the preservation of the last money, greed, and religion have played, and of an independent Scotland. We must complete Phase One 4 CIG will always play, their part in the turmoil and recognise the positives of the SNP train 1753. £6 inc p&p from NSERS, 41 suffering we cannot control, even in this world government, such as free prescriptions, but Highfield Road, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP1 6DD. of great technical advancement. we cannot be uncritical as they don’t Cheques payable to Network South East Marek Lasek ( Journal , December) took represent a socialist vision of Scotland. The Railway Society. Brother Lewis to task for his opinion. The great Scottish/irish socialist, James introduction of instant filmed news can show connolly, warned of the dangers of AIRDRIE has produced a the disgraceful way in which our fellow human lowering the socialist banner in favour of a badge to commemorate its beings are being treated. We now experience nationalist one and this warning rings true reopening as a separate branch. whole villages being destroyed, rape, murder, today. £6.50 inc p&p. Please contact pillage, and yet Brother Lasek grants Just for political balance: i nearly choked branch chair Ivan Wilson absolution to his God who, we are told, is all- on my turkey when i read that the labour (07949 862393) for details. seeing and powerful and before whom we Party was criticising the lack of train must stand in the next world to receive services on Boxing day. it’s unbelievable to PERTH branch badge to judgment. ‘If a man does someone harm in the see the party that claims to stand for commemorate 110 years (1908- name of religion, it’s not God’s fault, or working people argue publicly for rail 2018). £6 plus £1 p&p. Cheques religion’s fault. If a Spurs fan attacks an Arsenal workers to get less time off with their payable to Perth branch ASLEF fan is that Harry Kane’s fault? Of course not.’ In families. We already work across a seven No 134 General. Please contact all of my 76 years, never have I observed such day week, cover a 24 hour day, and work branch secretary Grant Murchie for a crass statement about such a heart-rending extreme shifts, making work/life balance details on 07412 453454 or subject. difficult. Andy Mcdonald, labour’s Shadow [email protected] I was brought up a Catholic and can still Transport Secretary, wants to take away vividly remember the indoctrination re the one of the only guaranteed days off many KIRKDALE 121 limited catechism. I would remind Brother Lasek that of us have. A true labour Party would be edition centenary badge he believes God made him in his own image, fighting for more people to get Boxing day 1917-2017 price £7.50 inc and is on earth to serve him in this world and off, not just in the railway but across other p&p from branch secretary be happy with him forever in the next. But, sectors. Keith Devling. Call 07933 wait, until that euphoric time comes with God, Steven Nimmo , Edinburgh No2 144768 or email you’re on your own, because he gave the [email protected] perpetrators who are causing mayhem and Forced to return her pass destruction free will to do so. Slade Green branch is concerned at the HANDMADE miniature If we are children of God does not our continuing battle regarding non-safeguarded driver’s keys to wear as a father have a responsibility to protect his employees. This has never been more evident charm or round the neck. children, saving us from the evil regimes which than when one of our non-safeguarded Solid silver and solid 9ct are there before our eyes, or are religious members passed away recently while in gold weighing approximately 7 grams. Just over beings such as Brother Lasek just pedlars of service. His widow was forced to hand back 2cm in length and just under 2cm width. Gold afterlife illusion? her travel pass to the company and advised £300, silver £100 + £7 p&p recorded delivery. Mark Dowd OBE , RMS, Kirkdale that she has no further entitlement to travel Contact Brad McCarthy on 07929 350146. facilities. SNP – no friends of unions With more non-safeguarded staff every CLASS 15 locomotive (D8233) it is unfortunate that the debate around week on the railway this is something that will enamel badge on sale to raise Scottish politics and the independence affect more staff over the coming years. We funds for restoration of the sole movement is polarised around the SNP. on hope to raise this issue at AAD and hope we surviving Class 15 loco by the the one hand Brother Simpson ( Journal , will have the support of other delegates and Class 15 Preservation Society. £5 January) uses marginal SNP election wins branches. + £1 p&p from Ipswich driver Clive as a stick with which to beat them for not Richard White , Slade Green branch sec Whiting. Payment can be sent via PayPal to [email protected] accepting the Scottish referendum result. i’ve heard similar arguments over the past Lighted flame still burns PROFESSIONAL few years and they are clearly ridiculous. brightly in our hearts ENGRAVING at sensible prices. i’m sure the labour, liberal and Tory parties I can engrave anything you wish, will all come back at the next election and Through the pages of the locomotive such as the ASLEF logo on the contest those seats. The idea that one vote Journal, i’d very much like to thank those pint tankard. Contact Paul Potts precludes people from continuing to that organised the recent Retired Members’ by email at [email protected] campaign for their political views is the Section weekend forum at Scalby, antithesis of democracy. imagine if that Yorkshire. The event mimics the tried and BESPOKE CUSHIONS logic had been applied after the 1979 tested ASlEF tradition: top class Hand made 40cm square general election! inspirational speakers and educational cushions of railway engines Before i get tarred with the SNP brush, enlightenment; alongside sociability of the and carriages. £50. Call Abi those of us on the left of the independence highest order! on 07954 659849 or email movement have to be clear about the SNP. The lighted flame burns just as brightly me at [email protected] They are no friends of the trade union in the hearts of our retired members as it movement. Recently, John Swinney wrote did during our various railway careers. To place an advertisement in the directly to EiS members in dispute Thank you, ASlEF, for giving retired ASlEF Journal please phone circumventing collective bargaining. At no members the platform to continue to be 020 7324 2400 or send an email to point during recent railway disputes has progressive! [email protected] the SNP come out, unequivocally, on the Mick Barker , Retired Members’ Section

February 2019 l The ASLEF Journal 21 last Word I met murder on the way – he had a mask like Castlereagh

‘Books do furnish a room,’ says Lindsay Bagshaw, dryly, in Anthony Powell’s A Dance to the Music of Time . KEITH RICHMOND opens Jonathan Coe’s new state of the nation novel and Martin Rowson’s scabrous new volume of verse

TATE of the nation novels have become S fashionable again in recent years, on both sides of the Atlantic. If few of them have the range, depth and ambition of, say, on the write lines: Jonathan coe (left) George Eliot’s Middlemarch , and Martin Rowson (above) William Makepeace Thackeray’s Vanity Fair or Anthony Trollope’s they’re doing. We’re so, so f*****.’ demand to be performed rather The Way We Live Now , there have In one poignant scene than read; they would work still been plenty of authors Benjamin takes his father back to better, I suspect, on the stage prepared to sit down in front of what was once the Longbridge than on the page. Because they their MacBook Pro and tackle plant, where his dad used to work, are, in the main, and as Rowson the dark side of the neoliberal and he struggles to comprehend cheerfully admits, metrical rants dream. what has happened to the West against Hugo from Stowe Jonathan Coe, who savagely Midlands, and this country, and its ‘enriching the rich by investing set about the Thatcher manufacturing base. And the their dough / In a hedgie government’s obsessional, ill- whole thing is bookended by hegemonic portfolio / In farway conceived, and badly brought in Benjamin listening wistfully to countries about which we know / privatisation policies in What a remain on a turnout of 72% of the Shirley Collins singing Adieu to Old F*** all’ and ‘racists with faces / Of Carve Up! , returns in Middle electorate. England … a hue that’s as red as / Pastrami’. England (Viking, £16.99) to the But if you can’t listen to Rowson characters we first met in The ‘Now I am glad with a hard ‘Boris Johnson, Truth-free Tory declaim them in person, pick up Rotters’ Club , when they were at mouldy crust / And glad that tosser twat’ this paperback and enjoy lots of school in Birmingham, and then I’ve got it to eat’ laugh out loud moments as he The Closed Circle , when they were Martin Rowson is best known for rips into the people and the making their way in this world in ‘The canvas is broad, as well as ‘his satirical political cartoons attitudes – and there are lots of the first four years of this new deep, taking in Grete, a young which – in the tradition of them – he loathes. millennium. Lithuanian woman who cleans for Hogarth and Gillray, Gerald Scarfe the bigoted mother of Benjamin’s and Ralph Steadman – are ‘A-brim with Tunnocks without ‘Once I could eat of good bread niece’s new boyfriend, as well as visceral, offensive, savage and end / And copies of The / Good bread that was made of Nigel, David Cameron’s spin funny, and appear regularly in The People’s Friend ’ good wheat’ doctor in Downing Street, who at Guardian , Daily Mirror , Morning a meeting in a café next to Temple Star , and Chartist . But he writes as ‘Best, though, is Rowson’s, ahem, ‘This book – the publishers have Underground station seamlessly well as he draws – an elegant ‘mash-up’ with Percy Bysshe slapped the words ‘A novel’ on the moves from telling journalist monthly column for Tribune , for Shelley’s Masque of Anarchy , cover just in case – covers the Doug Anderton that ‘Dave is a many years, and a poignant written after Peterloo in 1819, period from April 2010 to modernizer. A man of vision. A memoir in Stuff – as well as with its famous exhortation to the September 2018, from the man of great personal and moral thoughtful graphic novels people to ‘Rise, like lions after (fictional) funeral of Benjamin courage. A man of principle. Who reworking Gulliver’s Travels by slumber’ as ‘Ye are many – they Trotter’s mum and Gordon keeps his promises’ and Jonathan Swift, Tristram Shandy are few’: ‘I met murder on the way Brown’s ‘bigoted woman’ remark describing Theresa May as ‘very by Laurence Sterne, The / Looking like Esther McVey’; to a new life for some of them on ambitious, but rather cautious. Communist Manifesto by Karl Marx ‘Behind her shuffled, vast & the banks of the Sorgue near She knows her own mind, but and Friedrich Engels, and The wailing, / The Troll F*** Up, aka Avignon as it tries to explain why relies heavily on her advisers. She Waste Land by TS Eliot. Grayling’; ‘He yelped, as down the Britain voted for Brexit. believes in strong leadership, but money rains / On Stagecoach and Or why, more accurately, on also in following the will of the ‘Taxpayers’ treasure / Must not on Virgin Trains / Til F*** Up’s Thursday 23 June 2016, people’ to, a little later, admitting be wasted on the poor / Or the puking up his brains’; ‘He yawns, 17,410,742 (51.9%) men and ‘We’re f*****.’ ‘Excuse me?’ ‘We’re feckless any more’ then passes both his socks / to women in England, Scotland, utterly and irredeemably f*****. Madness, known as Liam Fox / Wales and Northern Ireland voted It’s chaos. Everyone’s running ‘Most of the poems in Pastrami Who sniffs them with excited to leave the European Union around like headless chickens. Faced Racist and Other Verses squeals / Fantasising new Trade while 16,141,241 (48.1%) voted to Nobody has the faintest idea what (Smokestack Books, £8.99) Deals’.

22 The ASLEF Journal l February 2019 Across down on Track Prize crossword 1 Unwanted current 1 Gets rid of as of air? useless crossword 154 by Tom Williams 5 A clenched hand 2 Upholstered seat 7 Quantity of money 3 Having an excessive LIKE RAILWAYS 8 The outside surface appetite AST year I picked up a first 9 Greenfly 4 Sway and stagger edition of The Singapore Grip by 10 Censor 5 Command not to L JG Farrell (Weidenfeld & 13 Pigeon 6 Retail store Nicolson, 1978) for a fiver at Kernaghan 14 Fall in droplets 11 Bullfighter Books in Liverpool during the Labour 18 Lurch and spin 12 Group of Party conference. This critically- 19 Large storage box six singers acclaimed novel, about the fall of 21 Fiesta or fete 15 Monkey nut Singapore to the Japanese in 1942, has 22 Round mark 16 Lucky plant? been adapted by Christopher Hampton above some letters 17 Weighing for a six-part drama series to be shown 23 Where the machine on ITV later this year. sun sets 20 Appointment with At one point Matthew Webb, heir to a 24 A substitute kept a sweetheart rubber empire, is haggling over ‘colonial in readiness policy’ with an American soldier, Jim Ehrendorf. ‘If by “progress” you mean the increasing welfare of the native then I’m Solution to crossword 153 afraid you’re going to have a job proving Across: 1 Banker 4 Rifle 7 Cloudburst 8 Lion Name...... the beneficial effects of these public 9 Neddy 11 Nursery 13 Bouncer 15 Spell works you make such a song and dance 17 Hoot 18 Peninsular 20 Rowan 21 Tarzan about...’ Matthew was saying. ‘I suppose down: 1 Berlin 2 Kiln 3 Rhubarb 4 Robin 5 Fir Address...... you’re talking about railways... In our 6 Entry 7 Course 10 Doctor 12 Yoghurt 14 Rotten 15 Super 16 Linen 17 Hair 19 New African colonies ...... something like three- quarters of all loans Congratulations to Mrs raised by the colonial Alesbury , of Whitehill Bordon , ...... government are for hampshire , who was last month’s winner. The winner of this railways. True, they’re ...... useful for month’s Prize Crossword will receive administration... but Marks & Spencer vouchers to the ...... what they’re mainly value of £25 useful for is opening up great tracts of l You can see more of Tom Williams’s land to be developed as plantations by crosswords, word games and puzzles at Postcode...... Europeans. In other words, it’s done not wordgames.co.uk for the natives’ benefit but for ours! To which you will reply, Jim, that what Thanks for all your responses to the 153rd prize crossword in the January edition of the ASLEF benefits us, benefits them... To which I Journal . If you successfully complete this month’s crossword please send the solution to the reply... Not necessarily so! Editor, ASLEF Journal , 77 St John Street, Clerkenwell, London, EC1M 4NN by 14 February ‘What we are doing is subsidising the white man’s business operations at the expense of native welfare... Now, I agree with you, this would not matter if the ASLEF’s legal services profits stayed where they were produced, but they don’t... they’re have you been sacked, or are in trouble at work, and cannot get hold of whipped off back to Britain, or France, or your branch secretary, local representative or district organiser in an Belgium or Holland or wherever...’ emergency? call our industrial relations department on 020 7324 2400 ‘Let us not forget that railways act as an instrument of civilisation,’ said (9am to 5pm Monday to Thursday or 9am to 4pm on Friday) or leave a Ehrendorf vaguely, his eyes roving the message on the answer service, or email [email protected] with a subject darkness for some sign of hope, heading of ‘For the attention of the ‘bringing people into contact with the industrial relations dept’. modern world.’ ‘Slavery used to be defended in those very words! Besides, in Africa, natives died by the hundreds of thousands just in building the damn things. Look at the changed your address? Please let us know! Just fill in this form Belgian Congo under Leopold! Name...... ‘You see, what I’m trying to explain is how everything in a colony, even Address...... beneficial-sounding things like railways, and experimental rice-growing stations, ...... are set up in one way or another to the Postcode ...... Telephone...... commercial advantage of the Europeans or Americans with money invested in Branch...... Membership No...... the country...’ Keith Richmond Please return coupon to: ASLEF, 77 St John Street, Clerkenwell, London, EC1M 4NN

February 2019 l The ASLEF Journal 23 Qualified Train Drivers

£49,819-£50,977 rising to circa £62,000 by 2020 Reading, Oxford, Bristol, Gloucester , W estbury , Fratton, Plymouth, Exeter & Penzance

At GWR, we’re looking for Qualified T rain Drivers who want to deliver a different kind of rail service. Where rewards are first class, and where salaries will rise to around £62k by 2020. Where the fleet is being modernised. And where you’ll get the chance to drive through some of the UK’ s most beautiful countryside, across the South W est of England and W ales. We’re setting a new standard for rail in the 21st Century – for our passengers and for our people. And we’re focused on creating a relaxing, fast, efficient, friendly , fun and special experience. Join us and you’ll use your drive, commitment, passion for customer service, and exemplary safety record to help over 100 million passengers travel between more than 275 stations, safely and on time, every year . It means you’ll need to work a variety of shifts and live within an hour’ s travel of the depot you apply to. But in return, we offer a Defined Benefit Railway Pension Scheme, free rail travel across the GWR network for you and your family , a Health cash plan and much more. GWR celebrates diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all our employees. Join our team of Great W esterners and help us make history . We’re unable to accept paper applications or applications via email. Please complete the online application. To apply please visit GWRcareers.co.uk