Post by towerman on Jun 19, 2005 0:57:44 GMT
How many of you remember the training train in White City Depot,an old Bakerloo joint stock unit,it was used to teach us thicko trainee car examiners about train equipment.Everyone of the 5 cars had some sort of equipment from the stocks in service at the time(mid 60's)one summer's day there wasn't much doing and the train was due to go away for scrapping,so the Chief Instructor,a lovely man John Vickers sadly no longer with us,decided to get 3 of us trainees to help dismantle some of the equipment.He took us into the leading car which had the MA and associated gear in it,handed us each an adjustable spanner and said start disconnecting the contactors and don't worry every things been disconnected and went to his office.we were quitely working away when one of the lads must have shorted something ,there was the biggest shower of sparks you ever saw and his spanner went flying across the car.When I picked it up the adjusting thread had practically melted!The poor lad concerned was just standing there shaking like a leaf.John Vickers came rushing in to see what all the hoo-ha was,I can't understand it,everythings isolated"was all he could say.Turned out the fitters from Ruislip Depot had neglected to isolate the batteries and these carry a fair old amperage.It didn't do the lad invovled any permanent harm,last i heard of him he was an an Area Manager on works trains at Lille Bdge.
By the way Q8,do you remember another East Ham/Upminster veteran who was an instructor(rolling stock)at White City-Wally Bradley.
By the way Q8,do you remember another East Ham/Upminster veteran who was an instructor(rolling stock)at White City-Wally Bradley.
