1953, I was 15 years old, worked for British Railways, Southern Region, in the signal box at Brighton, my grand title was "Signal Lad". The job was to keep the register of all movements within the area controlled by the signal box, trains,(The Brighton Belle), freight, shunting and engines travelling on the main line to London, down the west coast to Plymouth, and eastward to Hastings. Two shifts, 6.0-2.00 and 2.00-10.00, the signalmen covered the job during the night.
There was also the task of weekly cleaning the windows, all 50 or so, cleaning and filling the hand lamps for use during an emergency, daily mopping the floor and making the tea for the three signalmen that were required for the 300+ signals and points levers.
My record player kept me alive at other times, Johnny Ray, Guy Mitchell, Doris Day, and the great Frankie Laine.
12/02/08 @ 21:42