NorthBrit
Well-Known Member
The one that is the earliest in my memory is ---------------
I lived with an Uncle and Aunt and two cousins until I was three years of age. Therefore it was at that time. (When I was four I lived with my Grandma and Granddad.)
If I was three, then it was the Summer of 1950. Aunt and Uncle decided to take us to Bridlington for the week.
It was a Saturday morning. Suitcases were packed. The excitement of going on holiday.
As my Uncle had to work Saturday, he was to follow us the following day. (Six day working days were the 'norm' then.
I remember how dark, dingy and very smoky the area around the ticket office at Leeds City Station was. I doubt a lightbulb had been changed since before the war. My two cousins (Jean, 7 yr old and Margaret, 5 year old) and I watched as my Aunt bought our train tickets. Carefully she placed them in her handbag.
With having two suitcases a Porter was needed and one was immediately on hand. Loading the cases on his hand barrow he asked "Which train."
"Bridlington," Aunt replied. To which we scurried after the Porter to our waiting train.
At last we boarded the train. Aunt lifted the suitcases on to the luggage rack above and we settled down in our compartment.
Looking out at the platform, a huge Station Clock gave the time of 08.56. Aunt smiled as our train was not due to depart until 09.37.
Another elderly married couple joined us in the compartment.
Aunt looked out of the window and saw, not twenty yards away, a lady with a tea trolley. The clock said 09.04. Plenty of time.
"There isn't a queue I shall get some tea," said Aunt and alighted from the carriage.
No sooner than she had bought the tea, she turned, saw and heard the engine take the strain an began the Schhuff, Schhuff, Schuff. The time was 09.07.
Pandemonium struck in the carriage. Three of us screamed "Mam." Tears streaming down our cheeks
We were some way out of Leeds by the time the other couple in our carriage managed to calm us down.
The Ticket Inspector arrived. Off course we had no tickets. Aunt still had them in her handbag. The Ticket Inspector was dubious to our story, but we stayed on board.
Finally we arrived at Bridlington. The elderly couple had their own suitcases, but they also helped us with ours.
At the ticket barrier, the Inspector allowed us through to the other side, but had to wait there until the next train from Leeds arrived. The elderly couple waited with us.
Thirty minutes later, the train from Leeds arrived. Amid tears of joy, Aunt thanked the elderly couple.
The 09.07 departure to Bridlington from Leeds was a 'Duplicate' and not in the timetable.
The week in Brid was great.
Anyone else have memories of a train journey?
David
I lived with an Uncle and Aunt and two cousins until I was three years of age. Therefore it was at that time. (When I was four I lived with my Grandma and Granddad.)
If I was three, then it was the Summer of 1950. Aunt and Uncle decided to take us to Bridlington for the week.
It was a Saturday morning. Suitcases were packed. The excitement of going on holiday.
As my Uncle had to work Saturday, he was to follow us the following day. (Six day working days were the 'norm' then.
I remember how dark, dingy and very smoky the area around the ticket office at Leeds City Station was. I doubt a lightbulb had been changed since before the war. My two cousins (Jean, 7 yr old and Margaret, 5 year old) and I watched as my Aunt bought our train tickets. Carefully she placed them in her handbag.
With having two suitcases a Porter was needed and one was immediately on hand. Loading the cases on his hand barrow he asked "Which train."
"Bridlington," Aunt replied. To which we scurried after the Porter to our waiting train.
At last we boarded the train. Aunt lifted the suitcases on to the luggage rack above and we settled down in our compartment.
Looking out at the platform, a huge Station Clock gave the time of 08.56. Aunt smiled as our train was not due to depart until 09.37.
Another elderly married couple joined us in the compartment.
Aunt looked out of the window and saw, not twenty yards away, a lady with a tea trolley. The clock said 09.04. Plenty of time.
"There isn't a queue I shall get some tea," said Aunt and alighted from the carriage.
No sooner than she had bought the tea, she turned, saw and heard the engine take the strain an began the Schhuff, Schhuff, Schuff. The time was 09.07.
Pandemonium struck in the carriage. Three of us screamed "Mam." Tears streaming down our cheeks
We were some way out of Leeds by the time the other couple in our carriage managed to calm us down.
The Ticket Inspector arrived. Off course we had no tickets. Aunt still had them in her handbag. The Ticket Inspector was dubious to our story, but we stayed on board.
Finally we arrived at Bridlington. The elderly couple had their own suitcases, but they also helped us with ours.
At the ticket barrier, the Inspector allowed us through to the other side, but had to wait there until the next train from Leeds arrived. The elderly couple waited with us.
Thirty minutes later, the train from Leeds arrived. Amid tears of joy, Aunt thanked the elderly couple.
The 09.07 departure to Bridlington from Leeds was a 'Duplicate' and not in the timetable.
The week in Brid was great.
Anyone else have memories of a train journey?
David
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