Myself (Ian Faulkner) Wharf 1961.
(I still have my cap although I'm afraid it is now too
small for me!)
Left to right, Bill Faulkner, Lord Northesk, Hugh Jones and John Bate.
(Photo John Adams 1962)
Staff circa 1963
Myself and my father Bill on the occasion of a photo shoot for a publicity
campaign.
(Photo : British Travel Association 1964)
Bill with Dai Jones Wharf 1964.
Dai Jones at Pendre with N°6.
I have great memories of firing for Dai on N°6, he was always very calm and
composed.
It's difficult to imagine that back in the sixties as a 14 year old teenager
he would trust me
to operate the only braking system on a full passenger train when running
back down the
cutting into Wharf Station. No steam brake at all, no continuous braking,
just a handbrake
on the fireman's side of the locomotive. On a wet day one had to be
especially careful.
I remember feeling somewhat crestfallen when having been over cautious Dai
had to ease
open the regulator to get us the last few yards to the buffer stops!
Of course there were other complications at that time such as sticking clack
valves,
temperamental injectors and extremely dusty coal or should I rather say “slack"!
Bill oiling Dolgoch whilst Jim Noble inspects my cleaning work. (Pendre
early 1960's).
The managers house, Bryneglwys mid 1960's
Looking down towards the cutting sheds from the ruins
of the winding house, Bryneglwys mid 1960's
More ruins, Bryneglwys mid 1960's
Bill & N°4
Dolgoch station 1968 (Photo : Rimmer)
I have fond memories of firing for my Father on N°4. One had to be on ones
toes when
working the train. We didn't need to speak a great deal as a nod or a wink
was enough
to say "your doing fine" or a word of advice if he felt that we needed more
or less steam.
He knew "his engine" by heart and I can still see him in my mind's eye
gently easing the
regulator open to pull out of Rhydyronen Station on a wet day with minimum
of wheel slip
even with a heavy train.
Another vivid memory is of the run back down the line on the last train of
the day, clattering
down Cynfal straight after a long hot day with cool air finally streaming
into the cab, sitting on
the fold down seats, just looking across at each other, a smile and a wink
said it all!
