John May

Maybe someone will be interested? I’m not much of a writer, but the pictures in my head!!!

As a five/six year old I have memories of this place… My grandfather was a driver working out of here.

I remember the excitement of taking trips in the cab, starting from Ripple Lane out to various places.

The smell of Diesel was almost overpowering all around the depot and it dripped on my head, and other things! While exploring the pits and underneath locos. Went to collect grandad’s wages with him and the office gave me a pay-packet of my own with sixpence in it!

I was also lucky enough to visit the control tower for the hump shunting yard next door, the signalman had an 00 gauge layout in his office. Excited by the retarders on the line (operated for my entertainment) wondering what would happen if you got your foot stuck in one.

Also managed to see a guy chasing a runaway truck and jamming the brakes with his pole, swinging along dangling from it! No health and safety there.

Made a return trip as an adult before it closed, No shunting then, just dozens of containers, the shed I remembered was still there though, had a tour in company of a cleaner who remembered my grandad, cost me a few pints in the Ship and Shovel just up the road, but worth it.

Now it’s all gone… I think I may have a few pix, not from my childhood but from the ’70’s which I will try and find.