Cliff Howes

Came to Bishop Auckland at 14, started work on the railways, early training in signals, then various other postings driving locomotives. Remembers some crashes in Berwickshire. Career path through Darlington Railway Police. Arresting thieving railway staff. Experience of policing the 1975 cavalcade and also on duty when Queen Mother visited. Trains bringing visitors to Shildon in 1975. Discusses various fatalities on the line, in particular two suicides near York. Describes crashes near Darlington, and some trucks running off the track. Driver who stole things instead of delivering them. (Wife Marjorie: Worked in booking office - busyness of railway and platforms, special passes.) Arresting men at works for theft usually of brass bearings – either workers or others. Thefts of pipes, and copper from telegraph poles, and timber. Accident in Shildon tunnel, another in Shildon Works. Snow of 1947, use of flamethrowers to shift the snow.

Location: Shildon
County: Durham
AUD2009-118

• Add a comment