R h n hardy collection
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- RH652 and 654
- THE LAST STEAM HAULED TRAIN PARIS-CALAIS MAY 15 TH
- CALAIS MEN IN ENGLAND ON THE ROMNEY IN 1965/67/68 AND 1971. 1965
- THE 1969 VISIT WHEN WE WERE NOW ON MERSEYSIDE AND LIVING IN WIRRAL. THAT DEAR MAN EDMOND GODRY WAS IN CHARGE.
RH644 In diesel days at Calais depot after having worked train 9 from Boulogne. We are leaning against our 72000 (the numbers are all the same to me, the great lumbering things)so very different from the Pos that belonged to Gilbert Sueur. Frank Mayes came in 1965 and had his one and only PO trip on E5 and Pierre Beghin, here he is with gilbert and myself next to Henri Dutertre RH645 This time I must have taken the photo with Edmond Godry in the centre RH646 About 1975, probably my last visit to Calais depot although it is difficult to say exactly. The remains of the K82 made us all feel sad for she had beena good machine and Henri’s titulaire for a time but everybody on the photo has retired bar me: no doubt Danny Whelan who was with me and I spent the evening with the Godry’s with Denise’s love for Eddie Calvert and some lovely music to accompany a glorious meal. She had worked at the shed when Edmond was the best looking young man passed for driving at 24 years of age and with his own engine six months later. He retired as Le Patron of what was left of Calais shed as well as all other engineering matters such as C&W at the station RH647 Here for the last time in 1969 are the station staff minus the Chef de Gare at Rang du Fliers Verton. It always struck me as a fairly hefty establishment although it does include Bill Thomas(camera) and Edmond. It was the wonderful day when we came down on 141R428 on 34 and I was two minutes late at Boulogne with about 700 tons of train. Edmond said that we must reach100kph as soon as possible and maintain that speed to the top of Dannes Camiers (max for that class of engine). That meant full regulator and about 50% cut-off and I have never heard such a row in all my life from those two huge 25”X28” cylinders. But she was stoker fired and the chauffeur from Longueau filling in for a diesel sat there and had the needle glued on the red. RH648 In 1975, not long before Josef Six retired, Peter, Gwenda and I were returning from a holiday in SW France and our train was taken on from Amiens by Josef Six and his blunderbus which the Deltic would see off the park. He said to come at Boulogne and he would give Peter a ride to Marquise, the last stop before Calais. This he greatly enjoyed and much as he liked Edmond, he knew the latter would be meeting us at the Ville and would, quite rightly, take no chances. Peter took the photo of Josef and myself. RH649 The last six photographs were taken at Valenciennes en route Aulnoye-Lille and they are interesting as they portray life on one of the original BB12000s which started the 25KV ball rolling in Eastern France in around 1951(subject to correction) L-R is Chauffeur Billy and mecanicien Albert Forguet of Aulnoye, Chef Mec M. Lesur and George Mitchell, Examining Inspector, Eastern Region. RH650 I much enjoyed my two journeys with the same mechanicien who hailed from Calais and who went back after his retirement. Here you see Albert at the controls sideways on to the direction of travel,. At his right elbow is the big Westo brake valve for the train and above it, the handle of the straight air brake for light engine and loose coupled work ( actually I think loose coupled work had long gone in France by 1962). In front of him is the “bacon slicer”, the large wheel that can still be seen for just that purpose in a butcher’s shop: this was the controller and each notch was a complete circles. Monsieur Lesur, very agreable company, is on the right. No notices about smoking in those days for French railwaymen were mostly addicted To Gauloises or their equivalent. I loved them but to the tune of a maximum of three a day and I had not inhaled since 1951 when I stopped smoking to pay for the Austin 7 we bought. RH651/653 651 and 653 are virtually identical and are taken at Valencienes. Albert Forquet again, another assistant Conducteur whose name I did not get but who was a great Tottenham Hotspur fan as I was until I went to work in Liverpool ! The Chef Mec was a Calais PO mecanicien until he moved to Tergnier. His name was, rather magnificently, Monsieur Belbessier, who had ridden with us from Tergnier on a K or G which I failed to make steam freely. A grave disappointment but there it is: however well one did most of the time, there was always the time you make a mary-ann of the job and are brought down to earth with a bang. And a good job too! RH652 and 654 are similar except that Chauffeur Billy took 654 which shows me ready once more for the Lille-Calais stretch on E22. And that is the end SNCF CAPTIONS IN FRANCE 658-674. The Pacifics had been replaced by the 141R and the 66000 diesels were about but when ever we went on train 16 or 34 or 27, we got a 141R and so much the better as the 66000s were not up to the very heavy semi-fast trains.. RH 658 Abbeville Train 16 0800 ex Calais Ville Engine 141R 1264 with Calais men who return with train 27, a very heavy semi-fast Chauffeur Claude Lhote and Mecru Lucien Lyonne with RH: we had just topped up the tank. These two men were together for many years, on PLM Pacific K and G work but Lucien never wished to pass for the PO Pacifics and his mate stayed with him. They often worked the PO jobs with these engines. RH 659 Abbeville again train 16 another 141R number invisible ground level and the enginemen standing by the valve gear. Bill Thomas, a great friend, Chauffeur Michel Lacroix and Mecru Andre Delrue who looked like a Chinaman. He was a mecanicien de remplacement on the 141Rs and for some reason was taken off the job in later years and joined that tragic little gang of labourers in the shed in diesel days which included the unforgettable Maurice Vasseur who had fallen on hard times: heart-breaking to see them. RH 660 141R 1285, Train 16 at Abbeville with Rene Gauchet standing between the engine and tender uprights. He had been on E14 and then E37 for many years and after the POs went he shared G42 with Henri Dutertre. This is a lovely study of a quiet and brilliant engineman. RH 661 The same day as 660 with James Colyer-Fergusson, Eleve Mecanicien Albert Faes and Rene Gauchet.. I loved firing and driving those engines. On a semi-fast train, you could shut the coal supply right down approaching a station and also the Worthington feed-pump so as to stand absolutely quiet in the station. On leaving one opened the steam valve and the stoker did it’s stuff perfectly so one immediately had a full head of steam: Very like oil burning. Only once did I get it wrong and that is another story! RH 662 The front of a 141 Train 16 Calais Ville–Amiens-Paris at Abbeville where there was quite a wait, always time for photography. Mecru Roger Chabe who looked a bit like Danny Kaye and was Champion Boule player SNCF Nord or maybe of the Pas de Calais. His chauffeur is the “Michelin man” Emilon Hede, Eleve Mecanicien whose brother was a mecru de remplacement on the PLM K and G and Roger had had K22 for several years, always beautifully kept.... RH 663 Train 16 Abbeville Bill Doughty ex Secretary of Sectional Council B Eastern Region who came off the footplate with colour vision when he was 50 and became an Instructor at the Ilford Training School very successfully. He was determined to prove that the doctor who failed him at his 5oth medical was wrong and he passed his colour vision at 60 but by then was in a salaried positiona nd would never return to the front-end. He had started on the M&GN at Melton Constable in the mid-thirties and moved to Doncaster as a fireman when the LNER took over. He was a fine man and loved the French Railwaymen. The Mecru is our old friend Raymond Lasquellqc(Monsieur Dunstable) and the chauffeur is Victor Delattre whose elder brother Emilon had fired for Rene Gauchet. RH 664 Train 27 Boulogne Ville 141R. Chef Mecanicien at Calais Marcel Dewvevre. Our Divisional Operating Supt at Liverpool, the late and much-loved Danny Whelan, Monsieur Doonstable again and Chauffeur La Salle of Calais. RH 665 Train 27 Boulogne Ville 141R . As 664 but including RH as the picture was atken by Raymond Lasquellac. THE LAST STEAM HAULED TRAIN PARIS-CALAIS MAY 15TH 1971 HAULED BY THE CALAIS K82: AN EMOTIONAL OCCASION. RH INVITED TO REPRESENT BRITISH RAILWAYS. ALL PASSENGERS WERE GUESTS OF THE SNCF NORD. RH 666 The special train was hauled by the ex PLM 231K82 of Calais. Here she stands in all her glory at Les Joncherolles Depot mid morning before the lunch time depart from the Gare du Nord. A day to remember. RH 667 The retired Chief Locomotive Inspector of the Nord Region arrives by bicycle in his overalls at Les Joncerelles. An amazing character. As a young Inspecteur in 1937 and in charge of the engine of the ”Royal” train Calais-Paris, a suburban station out of town, he was presented to the then Duke and Duchess of York and instead of shaking hands, he kissed the hand of a delighted Duchess but next day, he got a very strong rocket from his Chief!. RH668 This is the group who did most of the work on the day if we except the chap who took the photo! L-R The remarkable George Carpenter who knew Monsieur Chapelon and worked with him.and therefore is the acknowledged expert(with the likes of me) on French Steam Locomotive design and Performance and who knew all the senior SNCF Locomotive Engineers of the day and he is probably as up to date as ever to this day. Jean Guelton, by then the senior mecru at Calais who had had E32 and E22 as his machine titulaire.. Michel Lacroix who fired for Rene Gauchet and who was used on most of the last Pacific journeys along with Michel Rock; my very dear friend Edmond Godry, Chef Mecanicien, Calais and the retired Chief Traction Inspecteur of the SNCF Nord.. At Joncerolles before departure for the Gare du Nord. RH 669 Paris Nord. The crew talking to an unknown guest with others in the background. RH 670 On arrival at Calais Maritime-that other great friend and ex Motive Power Supt for whose kindness I cannot express my gratitude for all he has done for so many railwaymen and friends from this country-Phillipe Leroy with Edmond who revered him, Jean Guelton and Michel Lacroix–a perfect journey RH 671 As for 670 minus Philippe Leroy. RH 672 K82 and a closely interested group in something. RH673 M.Oscar Pardo, much loved by his SNCF friends: he had a permanent footplate pass and each year spent a week or two or even three in Calais. The youngest son of an ex President of Peru, he was born in France and, in 1936, had several months as a pupil in Eastleigh Works and later at Battersea where he got to know a number of fireman who were Running Foremen and Drivers in my time. So we had several friends in common including Bob Shew, a fireman in the Nelson gang who got in touch with Oscar again. A man of independent means and loved and admired by all. With him is the then BR(Shipping Division) Interpreter, M.Alfred George White born of English parents in Bleriot Plage near Calais in 1922. A very good friend to me. RH674 And hereon lies a story. At Amiens and having finished an excellent lunch in the train, I was talking to Gilbert Sueur and Michel Rock on the machine de reserve 231K8 nearby when I was hailed by Monsieur Ravenet, the CME of the Nord and ordered to travel on the engine to Calais. That I was wearing an excellent and long lived dark suit mattered not one bit, I was under orders. I borrowed Oscar’s blue smock and got up on the foootplate to find that M Leisiegneur was already there and in excellent post-prandial form. He was immediately followed by Oscar who also been ordered aboard so we were six. But about two minutes before departure, a steward arrived at the engine and passed up three splendid steaks with all the trimmings and a bottle of vin rouge, side plate and glasses, not to mention the same delicious pudding to follow. So we were six with the principle contestant standing up eating steak and the regulator was assumed by M. Leseigneur. That left me to do the firing to Abbeville in my best suit while my magnificent driver collared the wine and did it justice with mighty draughts accompanied by magnificent Gallic gestures indicating more speed and coal. I may say that we had in the train some of the most important Engineers of the SNCF both serving and retired who were luckily oblivious of the drama being played out at the front end. Passing Abbeville, both the relief enginemen were relieved by the regular men. and Edmond Godry once more became Chef Mecanicien. The rest of the journey was exactly to time and perfectly ordered and so we arrived at the Maritime, elated and emotional. We were invited upstairs into the grand salon to hear the Directeur en chef of the Nord give an extremely mundane and boring speech which droned on and on whereas the so-called phlegmatic English would have risen truly to such an occasion whether in France or their own country. I am with Oscar and my suit looks passable but my tie is a disgrace. CALAIS MEN IN ENGLAND ON THE ROMNEY IN 1965/67/68 AND 1971. 1965 RH 675 “The Green Goddess” was laid up on our second trip in 1965 so we had ”Northern Chief” along with George Barlow and a train of empty stock to Hythe and back and then to Hythe before the SNCF group caught the boat home from Folkestone. Here we have the group along with Bunny Collins, the Owner and Peter Catt, Operating Manager and M.Eugene Lavieville, Chef de Depot at Calais to the right of the safety valves .L-R Pierre Beghin, Maurice Vassuer, Edouard Rambure, Lucien Lyon(hidden), Fred White and for some reason Jean Guelton missing. RH 676 Always the centre of the party is Maurice Vasseur, Monsieur le President de L’Amicale des Mecaniciens et des Chauffeurs du depot de Calais. Also Mecanicien de Route( Mecru) and titulaire de la belle machine PO 231 E 7 AND A CHARACTER! Getting ready for his turn to share the footplate of the “Chief” with George Barlow and enjoying a “Coup de rouge” Also on the picture are Bill Hart and ”Padge” of the RH&D and sitting in the leading coach Lucien Lyon. . RH 677 View from 1st coach of Maurice Vasseur driving the Chief suitable only for 51/2”x 31/2” cropped suitably. RH 678 George and Maurice once more, the latter shouldering arms with a RH&DR bent dart about 3 feet long. RH 679 Before departure from New Romney L-R Pierre Beghin(E5), Edouard Rambure(G70), Jean Guelton(E22), Fred White(Interpreter), Maurice Vasseur(E7) and Lucien Lyon(G266) RH 680 The group at New Romney with George and taken from the overbridge. Nearest to the camera is Pierre Beghin, Edouard Rambure, Maurice Vasseur, Jean Guelton, Fred White and Lucien Lyon. RH 681 A very happy picture: George and Maurice Vasseur and back to the camera “Padge” of the RH&DR. and(R) Jean, Pierre and Lucien. RH 682 En route to lunch at the Station Hotel but Pierre and Maurice pause for yet another photograph with the others disappearing into the distance. RH683 Taken just before 682 particularly as it shows Fred White in the cab. He must have just had a trip which he did not usually have being a shipping man and by no means a steam locomotive fan. But he enjoyed his journey with George and, of course, they could converse in English. We are a lot of cheerful little boys! The French always used to think the English were terribly reserved but they know better now for all the visits were full of joie de vivre! 1967. This visit also included Andre Duteil, late of La Chapelle depot and 232.002, one of my oldest French friends and called up as a replacement by Monsieur Leroy, Motive Power Supt who knew Andre and his love of this country. RH 684 Here he is again! Maurice Vasseur again talking to Bunny Collins now well into his third year as owner along with his Operating Manager Peter Catt who died tragically young. Maurice is smoking Scarfellati Caporal home-made fags which soon give way to Bunny’s cigars. RH 685 This was taken at Tinsley and how on earth did we get there. It was Sept 1967, a few days after Gerry Fiennes had resigned from his position as our GM for I remember his successor Derek Barrie meeting us on arrival at York wearing his best bowler that greatly impressed the Frenchmen(chapeau melon) for he had had plenty to do with the French railways in the war. He had let us have his Wickham railcar or inspection coach in which unfortunately the engines were under the dining room table on which we had Henry Kemps’s supremely good lunch jumping up and down en route Tinsley-York. Yet again you can see for yourself the true welcome of our railwaymen. I nearly said Englishmen but remembered just in time that David Scott (L) was a Scotsman ex LMS and DMPS Sheffield. Then Harry Amos now ADOS Sheffield and later on a much deserved DOS, Georges Chatillon, Sous Chef at Calais, the immensely tall Henry Kemp(6ft7), the General Manager’s factotum, then Fred White, at the back a delightful Sheffield Traffic Inspector, Arnaud Flament, Maurice Vasseur, Rene Gauchet, George Harland, HQ Loco Inspector, Ron Fareham ex Mexboro whom I had known since 1941 and another friendly Sheffield Traffic Inspector. The front four are the two midgets, Andre Duteil(5 ft 01/2”) and Andre Desmolliens(5ft0”), Louis Sauvage and Frank Harrison( whose father I had known since Doncaster days until he died in 1945) who had started as a clerk on the orders of his long-headed old father rather than as an engine cleaner and had so far risen to be Div Operating Supt at Sheffield. What a happy crowd. RH 686 Taken at Hythe on the last day: Maurice, Peter Catt, Louis Sauvage, Bunny Collins, Andre Duteil Arnaud Flament, Fred White, Georges Chatillon, Andre Desmolliens and Bill Doughty who was a magnificent guide and interpreter although had hardly knew a word of French but he was a railwayman, an enginemen, a big man in ASLEF and a diesel Instructor at ilford after he failed with his eyes at 50. So they all thought alike and by gesture and common understanding bridged all the gaps. This time George is missing from the group but he soon made up with it and his engine is the “Goddess”, of course. RH 687 George’s favourite of the SNCF visitors which he called ”The Old Firm”, a title unknown today but often used maybe of a group of soldiers, sailors or airmen who had served together and who were great comrades. George and Maurice Vasseur, two men completely at one with the other yet could not speak a word of each other’s tongue. But what an example it is of “The Great Brotherhood of Railwaymen”, the true membership of which transcends all boundaries of rank and position. RH 688 Here we are at New Romney with Arnaud Flament, now Moniteur de Chauffe (Firing instructor) and Champion Billiard Player of the SNCF Nord and about to settle down into the cab of the Goddess with George. RH 689 Maurice at Hythe, red wine at the ready! RH 690 A light-hearted cameo: Maurice, Baggage Master and Fred White Checker. RH 691 George and Wine Waiter Vasseur at Hythe and George toasting the photographer RH 692 I think this must be at Dymchurch after Arnaud had driven from Hythe. We had the railway to ourselves so a stop like this to change crews did not signify. Anyhow wherever it is, the platform is narrow and the group is happy. RH 693 Changing footplates at Dymchurch direction Romney. Georges Chatillon and George Barlow. RH 694 Technical discussion at Romney(after lunch) with the Station Hotel in the background. Bill Doughty in the foreground. Rene Gauchet and Andre Duteil in the background by the tender in serious discussion as befits two such distinguished “Senateurs” RH 695 Andre Duteil, three years into retirement at 50 and three months and now back in his “Bleus” and cap as I had so often seen him, with George—old friends again from the 1963 trip(in colour). RH 696 Drinks on the terrace before lunch on the terrace at Bunny’s home once the Howey residence. Rene is now on cigars, likewise Andre Desmolliens and Louis Sauvage with Bill and Bunny Collins in the background. RH 697 Rene Gauchet is at the throttle with George and as delicate of touch as ever. He was a lovely man, quiet, serious and completely dedicated. RH 698 Louis Sauvage, once a Boulogne fisherman, joined the SNCF to become a fireman until he retired. He fired E7 with Maurice for years. They were a splendid pair and, almost unknown in France, changed sides when away from officialdom. Maurice had been a long term fireman before deciding to go forward for driving and passing not only to drive G and K Pacifics but also the Pos which debunks the old myth that you had to be technically trained to be a Mecru. So he liked to keep fit and Louis benefited no end. THE 1969 VISIT WHEN WE WERE NOW ON MERSEYSIDE AND LIVING IN WIRRAL. THAT DEAR MAN EDMOND GODRY WAS IN CHARGE. RH 699 Ashford Station on arrival from Charing Cross with Fernand Chaussoy in the background. RH 700 Here we are again at New Romney L-R along side the Goddess. Edmond Godry, Maurice vasseur, Fred White, Albert Annicote, Michel Lacroix. George Barlow, Raymond Lasquellac (Dunstable). Emil Lefebvre of E36 and retired some years, Fernand Chaussoy and the enormous “P’tit” Louis Lapierre who fired E17 for years. Yet another happy group. RH 701 Changing into overalls at New Romney RH 702 Emil looking longingly at Monsieur Le President’s Gladstone bag full of bottles of enticing red. RH 703 Emil again pausing later in the day for ablutions. RH 704 Everybody so typically happy. Edmond, Fred, Michel :acroix, “Dunstable” and George, the cause of this amusement. RH 705 Emil was moved to tears when he first boarded the Goddsee_ he had retired some eight years before and was quite overcome. Terry Whewell and a pensive George are quietly in the background. RH 706 Emil was always a beret man but he has somehow acquired auniform cap and is now much more cheerful under the influence of President Vasseur. RH 707 The gigantic P’tit Louis Lapierre, Henri Dutertre’s last fireman mounts his minute machine but somehow he got coiled up enough to have a comfortable ride. RH 708 “Dunstable” as cheerful as ever. He had a sister-in-law living in “Doonstable” where he and his wife had stayed and visited Les Jardins Zoologiques at Vipsnarde and also the Cathedral at Sant Olbonz. A loevely man so cheeful and yet another who died before he was barely sixty. RH 709 George toasting the Frenchmen with Fernand and Terry Whewell enjoying every minute. RH 710 This time it is Albert Annicote’s turn on the Goddess.Albert was the last of the ex-PO Drivers in the service> He never had his own engine, being a mecru de remplacement but I went with him on E4 and he was an exceptional engineman. My last 231K journey was with him and I was the mecru from Amiens to Calais Ville: that was K8 still en activite. RH 711 A convivial trio: Maurice, Albert and Little Louis. RH 712George and Michel Lacroix with Terry looking on. RH 713 A thoroughly professional examination at the begining of the day. Emil comparing one Pacific with another, his own E36. RH 714 Louis, Maurice, Al;bert and Dunstable. RH715 Definitely after lunch complete with a demonstration by Louis with his tea-spoon and Maurice with a tube cleaning rod which bears a resemblance to a dressage whip. Michel and Albert equally enjoy the moment. RH 716 Louis yet again at the wine: a good job the glasses were small. RH 717 George and Albert in the distance. Michel and Fernand had other things in mind and “The bottle stands by you, Sir” RH 718 Nothing special about this one. RH719 A nice picture of Albert Annicote, a most gentle man. He, like some of the others in this group are no longer with us. RH 720 That man Louis again but worth a look! RH 721 A quiet group at New Romney before the last trip or maybe at lunch-time. L-R are Bert Hooker, Edmond Godry, Tom Miller, a greatally of the RH&D and their Solicitor: crippled by polio, I think and Maurice. RH 722 I think this must be the last change-over of the day with Maurice, who usually had his stint at the end, George, Dunstable and Michel RH 723 And here they go away from Folkestone on the French “Cote-d’Azur”: what a unforgettable few days for us all with a Liverpool interlude thrown in. Download 0.62 Mb. Share with your friends:
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