‘Fantastic day’ says organiser as Stratford crews swap memories
THE reminiscing, banter and constant tea consumption ensured the reunion of former Stratford drivers and firemen at Mangapps Railway Museum on September 25 was a roaring success.
It was the third get-together ex-driver Dave Brennand has organised at the working museum near Burnham-on-Crouch in Essex, and against the Covid-dominated background of the past 18 months, quite probably the best.
“What a fantastic day,” said Dave, who started his 40-year railway career at Stratford in 1973 as a 16-year-old engine cleaner and within five years was driving diesels.
“Despite the so-called petrol crisis and a few from our ranks unable to make the journey, we had a great turnout of 33 attendees.
“The tales, jokes and mockery were truly evident, and never mind the petrol crisis – we were worried there might be a teabag crisis due to all the cuppas being served on the day!
“We are all so very fortunate to have worked at Stratford and have such long-lasting friendships way beyond its closure.”
Dave said two former drivers, Chris Maguire and 81-year-old Danny Forbes, travelled more than 500 miles from Aberdeen. Bob Kent travelled from Bristol, and Tony Gooding, who is in his late 80s, made the journey from Great Yarmouth.
Among the highlights were rides on the museum's ¾-mile standard gauge line behind Class 31 No. 31105 (D5523), hauling a pair of Class 302 EMUs with former Deltic and Class 15 driver Brian Eley at the controls, and a display of two Class 47 diesel nameplates, James Nightall G.C. from No. 47579 (D1778) and County of Essex with the coat of arms from No. 47580 (D1762). “Both are ex-Stratford locos, so many of us would have driven them in the good old days,” said Dave wistfully.
The former railwaymen also enjoyed seeing the fruits of a recently completed £1 million expansion at the museum that has included the construction of a three-road 150ft long carriage shed, a 60ft extension to the locomotive shed, and a five-road 80ft extension to the museum itself, which is home to one of the country's finest privately-owned railwayana collections. Mangapps' owner, John Jolly, whose son James owns the two Class 47 nameplates that were on display, shared Dave's enthusiasm.
“Our best turnout yet – it was brilliant,” he said. “Everyone enjoyed themselves, judging by the amount of talking done and tea consumed.”
He said the oldest guest was 93-year-old Dennis Saville, a former Mangapps volunteer who started his driving career on Great Eastern Railway J15 0-6-0s.
“The reunion has become a firm fixture in the Mangapps calendar,” said John. “Long may it continue.”