The Ramblings of a Railwayman - Chapter 5 'Firing Days - On Loan'

This video is part of 'The Ramblings of a Railwayman' a book written and self-published by Geoff Burch - part of The Rambling Railwayman Series. Chapter 5 ‘Firing Days - On Loan’, follows Geoff's early career as a fireman covering work at other motive power depots usually, Nine Elms and Feltham because of a shortage of staff. The working hours were quite long as you were expected to sign on earlier to travel by train to these depots, perform the firing duties involved and then travel back home again. Sometimes, working 12 hours a day. The work was usually of a preparation and disposal (P&D) nature and then shuttling locomotives back and forth between Nine Elms and Waterloo. However, some of the Nine Elms turns would involve working empty coaching stock (ECS) from Waterloo to Clapham Junction Yard and return as all steam hauled trains were serviced at Clapham Junction Yard at that time.