About Me!
I first entered traffic in 1963, outshopped from Chester NHS works.
Now based in Derby, England I worked in Derby Locomotive Works for 9 years leaving there in 1989 and then driving buses until July 2000. This was with one company until early 1999 when I walked out. This was mainly due to their absolutely pathetic obsession with 'customer' service, such as expecting drivers to wear a coat hanger smile all day. Abject pettiness was the order of the day so that was then end of that.
Oddly enough the company I went on to work for happen to operate from the same garage, most marvellous seeing things on the former set up from an outside perspective, and how pathetic it looked too!
Another move happened at the end of July 2000 when this company called in the receivers. I did not accept the offer of employment from the company I walked out on! Quite a lengthy period on the dole then followed as I had decided that bus driving for a living was most probably over on my part.
During this time my partner gave birth to Sarah Alexandria, being out of work helped things to get underway. I really thought the sleepless nights would never end but they did!
Unfortunately in some ways we ended up parting in July 2001 though on a firmly amicable basis, regular contact/visits etc. are maintained.
Attempts at gaining employment within the railway industry came to nothing, despite one interview in Birmingham.
In January 2001 a chance conversation secured an informal chat at a major international company which led to me getting the job of driver/handyman (initially) and then progressing onto electrical duties (allegedly). Paying more than buses ever will for a 39 hour week I toured the country delivering and collecting things like welding machines, lifting gear and safety clothing using a large blue van for this purpose. Ironically the current base was only yards from where the Locomotive Works complex once stood!
Time passed by and this small part of that major International company (Alstom) was "sold off" with the operation becoming nothing more than a glorified warehouse. With that came ridiculously long hours and highly dangerous amounts of time being spent behind the wheel - all at the same rate of pay which, for the hours being worked, just about equated to a week 'on the buses' (or less) but far and away more dangerous from a road safety point of view.
In light of the fact one never knew when the working day would end (invariably after shops, banks etc. have all closed for the day) the seemingly never ending project of alternative employment was resumed.
This project came to a (then) more than acceptable solution towards the end of May 2002 when a job became available and was taken in Derby. This consisted of mainly electrical work on 1960s built diesel locomotives. The company involved then ran into severe financial difficulties which by June 2006 forced a reduction in staffing levels.
This saw numerous individuals interviewed with others (many without any formal engineering qualifications and some who do the proverbial 'five days a week') being what can only be described as "ringfenced" or told their position is unaffected - perhaps the ability to play golf and following that wholly irrelevant and pointless "game" of football is the key to this.
On the morning of July 3rd 2006 six engineering staff were made redundant at least four of whom have recognised engineering qualifications - perhaps a case of if one knows what one is doing we can't be doing with it.
Despite the seemingly cavalier manner used I'll probably thank them one day - it is said when one door closes another opens with the start of a career on test trains now underway.
One pastime is looking after my own bus (when time permits). This has been restored to the livery it carried when it was delivered to Midland General Omnibus Co. Ltd. back in June 1971. Its fleet number was 148, hence 'MGO 148'. The bus is not used very often, indeed it did not move at all during 2002. Two events were attended during 2003 followed by another year off. 2005 has seen the bus in active use again attending a handful of shows as well as a publicity unit for a local radio station based in Ilkeston.
Another major pastime is Radio work which has
received much acclaim over the years, click HERE
to take a look.
I also owned and a 1976 Ford Granada 3 litre Ghia (My 'Sweeney Car').
2002 saw 'RNN' return to service after a short period in store (instead of the bus - Granada shows are far more interesting and sociable).
In 2003 a routine inspection revealed the car was not in the best of health where the bodywork and structure was concerned. Repairs would have run into thousands of pounds. Consequently 'RNN' was taken out of use and stripped of all reusable components. The bodyshell was then tucked in a suitable corner.
Fortunately I acquired a very nice Mark 2 Estate in November 2002. This vehicle has a Mark 1 Ghia interior, wheels and external trim and certainly looks different. 2003 saw a trip to an event in Holland.
Said Mark 2 is seen at Calais in company with a 1972 Consul and below is another view during the run back from Bo'ness in September 2003
The lack of Mark 1 power was swiftly resolved in July 2003 with the appearance of a very nice 3 Litre Estate complete with an unusual (for a Granada) manual gearbox. By September the car had been extensively refurbished and made its show debut at Billing Aquadrome.
SOME RATEABLE LINKS, JUST CLICK ON ONE AND GO THERE!
Granada Mark1 & Mark2 Drivers Guild.