BloodandCustard - Motorman Tom Smith's training Notes 1957

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Southern Region
Motorman’s Training Notes
Tom Smith

c.1957

A train pulling into a station

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Motorman Tom Smith at Ford walking to 2 BIL unit no.2082.

Terry Gough^© (Courtesy of Past & Present Publishing Ltd /Colin Smith)

Born 1922 and when he was old enough, Thomas George ‘Tom’ Smith joined the Southern Railway as an engine cleaner at Eastbourne Steam Depot (later MPD) somewhere between 1937 and 1939. During WW2 he transferred to Brighton Steam Depot as a fireman and it is believed he was passed-out for driving steam around 1949.

A train on the railway tracks

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Fireman Tom Smith is leaning out of the cab of Brighton Atlantic no.2039 ‘Hartland Point’ as it comes off Brighton’s London Road Viaduct with a birdcage set in November 1947.

H.M Madgwick^© (Courtesy of Colin Smith)

Looking for a permanent motorman’s position, Tom eventually went to West Worthing EMUT in 1957. Within a short time he secured a position at Lovers Walk (Brighton) where he remained until around 1982 until giving up driving due to a health issue. His railway career continued in a clerical post at Barnham Station (whilst still retaining drivers’ pay). Tom sadly passed away in May 1983.

Copies of Tom Smith’s railway career, photographs and motorman’s notes from c.1957 are kindly provided by his son, Colin Smith.

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