NINE ELMS ENGINEMEN TRIBUTE - Locomotive headboard dedication
ENGINEMEN CAP BADGE
ENGINEMEN S.R.
Welcome to the 'Enginemen' section of our Nine Elms web site. Before you continue viewing some of the many faces of Enginemen who worked at the depot let me explain the background to the various characters that you are about to meet. These are but just some of hundreds and hundreds of the footplate crews that were historically associated with working on steam locomotive hauled trains from both Waterloo and Nine Elms Goods Yard to numerous destinations in the South West of England between 1838 and 1967.
The wonderful arch to be seen at Waterloo station bearing the stain glass Coat of Arms of the 'London & South Western Railway' is surrounded by the names of the counties that the company served. Those lines in many of these counties were part of the extensive route miles over which Nine Elms Enginemen had an intimate working knowledge over many years.
Unusually 'Engineman' was a term almost specifically used by the Southern Railway that was formed in 1923 when the 'big' four railway companies were created following the nationalisation of numerous private railway companies after the First World War.
The annual 'Nine Elms Enginemen's Reunion', which started in 1999, that was initiated after the late Bert Hooker's sad funeral, is now a continued successful gathering of many associated loco-men. A calculation of the combined footplate service of those attending this year event at the Bluebell Railway came to a meagre 5,400 years! Below are some photographs of our dedicated 'Nine Elms Enginemen' headboard that we have been proud to place on the smoke-box front of various locomotives in memory of all these men.
So in conclusion look carefully my friends at the faces of these 'Enginemen', for they are the very last of a footplate profession dating back to the year 1838.
James (Jim) Lester - 70A Engineman
Here are some photos and notes describing Nine Elms enginemen:
This section is now in two parts - this page is in alphabetical order A - K.
Click here - Nine Elms enginemen with names L - Y.
We have photos that need positive identification - please email the Nine Elms Shedmaster if you can help.
Any names please?
Tim Crowley and Alan Newman have suggested that the driver would appear to be " Spot" King of Nine Elms Depot. If this is so, the fireman could be identified by association with the driver.
Bronco Bryce writes: could the crew on 34064 be Driver Ernie Doust and Fireman Dave 'Dropgrate' Wilson?
Alan Newman writes: I think the fireman on 34064 might be Johny Wild.
Dave 'Dropgrate' Wilson has replied: There are suggestions that I might be the fireman - not me I'm afraid. I did fire for 'Spot' King - but not, as I recall, for Ernie Doust.
34064 at Waterloo - photo courtesy of Jim Lester - copyright to be confirmed
Driver George Adams at Southampton Central with the 11.09 Bournemouth to Waterloo, 9th January 1966.
(Photo copyright Bob Grainger)
Driver Bill Anderson at Brockenhurst with the 08.35 Waterloo to Weymouth, 27th February 1967.
(Photo copyright Bob Grainger)
 
Driver Brian Aynsley left, on a 73xxx Standard Class 5, right seen oiling 34005 "Barnstaple". Photos taken in 1965 by Jim 'Freddie' Cameron from Workington, on loan to Nine Elms.
(Photos Brian Aynsley collection)
Fireman John Barnes
(Photo Jim Lester collection)
Robin Bell
(Photo M. Dominey)
Whilst waiting for the 'Right-Away' at Bournemouth Central George Bowen gives the hint of a smile in this shot of Class 'West Country' No. 34008 'Padstow'. (Photo J. C. Lester)
Maurice Boyce shares a joke with Alf Hurley whilst waiting for the 'Right Away' at Woking on Class 'West Country' No. 34091 'Weymouth'. (Photo J. C. Lester)
Nine Elms driver Sidney Bracher on board 34087 '145 Squadron' at Waterloo Platform 11 in 1959.
(Photo Bernie Tipping collection)
The late Robin Brown on MN No. 35029 'Ellerman Lines' seen here at Bournemouth Central. Nowadays, the locomotive can be seen in the National Railway Museum at York although now sectionalised for educational purposes.
(Photo J.C.Lester collection)
Nine Elms driver Dickey Bud.
(Photo Tom Coles collection)
Nine Elms fireman Pat Burgess.
(Photo Tom Coles collection)
Fred Burridge (left) and Alan Sanson pose with Class 'H' No. 31326 whilst on trial in this busy scene at Waterloo, seen here alongside Class WC No. 34028 'Eddystone' on the 'Belle' in the late 1950's. (Photo copyright Bernie Tipping)
Class MN, 4-6-2, No. 35001 'Channel Packet' heads the all Pullman coach Up 'Bournemouth Belle' in Bournemouth West station with Arthur Camp at the regulator and behind Arthur is fireman B.A.G. West. (Photo M. Blackbourn)
John Cant Nine Elms fireman, here at Tattenham Corner in 1960
(Photo John Cant collection)
Fireman Roger Carrell (with untrustworthy Lambretta!) about to leave for work at Old Basing Village circa 1964, and (right) August Bank Holiday on the Bluebell in 2000, after thirty-five years away from the job.
(Photographs copyright Roger Carrell)
Driver 'Punch' Clark seen sitting in the fireman's seat of MN 35019
(Photo Malcolm Stevenson collection)
Len Clarke as a Nine Elms fireman in 1956
(Photo copyright Len Clarke)
Nine Elms driver Tom Coles (left) with fireman Barry Drage (right)
(Photo Tom Coles collection)
Jim Corbett with 31858 at Nine Elms. (Copyright Mike Roberts)
Bert Fordery and Colin Cottey on board 34034 at Southampton Central.
(Photo Colin Cottey collection)
Tim Crowley (left) near his St Johns Wood flat in 1954 with his trusty transport to Nine Elms. Tim tells us that his bike made many footplate and tender trips between Nine Elms and Waterloo, only to be deposited behind the shunters cabin adjacent to No 1 and 2 docks.
Lower photo on board 35008 at Weymouth.
(Photo copyright Tim Crowley 2008)
Driver Syd Cull in photo from Deborah Pitman collection . Sadly passed away April 2009.
Dave Davis in charge of "double 0 seven" at Nine Elms on a dull overcast afternoon, 15th October 1966. Sadly passed away September 2007.
(Photo D. Davis collection)
David (Dave) Davis (known as D.D.Davis) back on the footplate again when steam returned.
Always knowledgeable about locomotives and Nine Elms days, he would
have been so proud to be associated with the 70A web site such was his
enthusiasm to record details of those times. Sadley passed away April 2005. (Photo J.C.Lester collection)
FINAL FAREWELL - An interesting story concerning the late David Duncan Davis of Nine Elms depot recounted by Peter Roberts who regularly drives steam specials and charter trains in the South of England.
Three weeks earlier to the following event I was asked if I would put the ashes of an old railwayman in the firebox of our locomotive at a specified place as requested by the relatives of the deceased. This wasn't an unusual request at all and of course I agreed. So, on the day in question Black '5', 4-6-0, No. 45231 ran into Salisbury on time and I duly relieved my colleague who had brought the train from Bristol. While the loco support crew were taking water from a bowser and were pushing some coal forward the ashes of the deceased was given to me with the request to sound the whistle and put them in the firebox London side of Esher station.
We left on time and my fireman, Geoff Bailey of the Mid Hants, performed well so all went according to plan. After passing Esher on the up slow and under caution we came to the designated spot so Geoff put the ashes in the firebox and I blew a lament on the whistle. Below an over-bridge there was a large waving crowd. We felt that we had done what was required and with as much dignity as possible, so onwards to Waterloo. On arrival there was the normal large crowd gathered around the engine when a young lady came up to the cab with tears in her eyes and said "Thank you very, very much for giving my grandfather a good send off, it's what he wanted", both Geoff and I felt very humble and pleased to have been of service. Soon the crowd dispersed and a South West train came into the opposite platform, the driver got out and it happened to Bob Parker (ex-Nine Elms fireman), who came over for a chat. In the course of the conversation he informed me that Dave Davis had died and that he was going to have his ashes put in the firebox of a steam engine. You can imagine my surprise because I'm sure that those ashes were those of our old colleague D. D. (Blondie) Davis.
Fred Davis who worked at Nine Elms and Wimbledon Park in the 1950's-70's.
(Photo Les Hoath collection)
Driver Ted Dente at Winchester on board 35028, 4th July 1967 (photo copyright Dave Sprackland).
Tony Domm Nine Elms engineman.
(Photo Les Hoath collection)
Alan Domm Nine Elms engineman.
(Photo Les Hoath collection)
On the right is driver Ernie Doust with on the left Alan Newman and centre Bert Hooker, photographed at Bressingham. (Photo copyright Alan Newman)
Fireman Barry Drage - click here for photograph
Photo on right shows Driver Jim Evans (left) with fireman Brian Masters on board 35007, at Southampton Central with the 0830 Waterloo to Weymouth, 17th June 1967 (photo copyright Dave Sprackland).
Lower left photo is of Jim, 8th May 1967 on 34052 with 1709 Waterloo to Basingstoke. (Photo Don Benn collection)
Bert Fordery on the footplate of Standard Class '5',
4-6-0, No. 73082 'Camelot'. (Photo Daily Mirror)
John Gaffney photographed in 1967.
(Photo from Gaffney family collection via Alan Newman)
Peter Gammon pictured sometime in 1988.
(Photo Garry Arthur collection via Alan Newman)
Driver 'Conker' Gee Nine Elms driver
(Photo John Cant collection)
Fireman Vic Gotland at New Romney beside an engine of the RHDR which was a passion of his circa 1965.
(Photo Robin Bell collection)
Fireman Colin Gray - click here for photograph
Les Greer on the footplate of West Country 34001 'Exeter'
at Winchester, 13 April 1967.
(Photo Les Greer)
Fireman Alan Grimsey (left) with fireman Charlie Philpot
(Photo Ken Julian collection via Les Hoath)
Clive Groome (right) is seen here with Fireman Robbie Lee at Waterloo with the 0720 train to Salisbury (photo Robbie Lee collection). In the lower photo, Clive is seen at the Bluebell Railway in 2007 (photo copyright John McIvor).
Driver Ron Hambling at Southampton Central with the 11.30 Waterloo to Bournmouth, 11th December 1966.
(Photo copyright Bob Grainger)
Ernie Harvey here at Bournemouth West in charge of Class 'West Country' No. 34026 'Yes Tor'. (Photo J. C. Lester)
Driver Reuben Hendicott (left) with Fireman Les Greer at Southampton with West Country 34034 'Honiton' on 25th March 1967. (Photo Les Greer collection), and in lower picture with Fireman Ray McQuade on 34087 at Southampton Central, 29th June 1967 (photo copyright Dave Sprackland).
Fireman Les Hoath alongside 35030 at Templecombe on 16th February 1964 'Quantock Flyer' special train. (Photo Les Hoath collection).
Driver George Holloway (left) with fireman Colin Gray at Winchfield on board 35023, 11th June 1967 (photo copyright Dave Sprackland).
Bert Hooker is seen here in the familiar driving cab of Battle of Britain No. 34060 '25 Squadron'. Years earlier both he and Driver Jack Swain had performed epically in the Exchange Trials of 1947 on original Bulleid locomotives. (Photo B. Wright). In the lower photo, Bert is seen at Salisbury with 35023 on a West of England railtour, with Tony Leaver looking on, 15th October 1966 (photo copyright Dave Sprackland).
Driver Gordon Hooper (left) and Driver Reuben Hendicott on board MN 35007 'Aberdeen Commonwealth' heading the 16.35 Waterloo to Weymouth, 19th April 1967. (Photo copyright Ray McQuade)
Billy Hughes. (Photo copyright Alan Newman)
Nine Elms fireman Morris Hunt.
(Photo Tom Coles collection)
Alf Hurley tops up the big-end of Class 'West Country' No. 34048 'Crediton' in Bournemouth Central loco in readiness for the return working to Waterloo. (Photo J. C. Lester)
Driver Bob Jackson at Waterloo with 17.30 to Bournemouth, 14th May 1966.
(Photo copyright Bob Grainger).
Lower picture Bob Jackson is seen with Tom Moult (right) (Photo copyright Derek Tuck)
Driver Arthur Kelly and Fireman Bill Parker are seen here on the footplate of WC No. 34041 'Wilton'. (Photo J. C. Lester collection)
Driver Bill Kiff at Southampton Central on 11th September 1965 (photo copyright Dave Sprackland).
Reg Knight on board 34066. (Photo copyright Alan Newman)
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