Railway: Instructor knew loco kidnapper

Some of those who were first at the scene of the loco derailment outside Derby station in October 1962

THE mystery of the derailment of diesel loco D165 outside Derby station on October 3, 1962 – the day of an NUR strike over Beeching cuts – continues to be unravelled by readers.

Philip Churchman, of Spondon, was the fitting instructor at Derby Loco Works Training School on the day in question and the apprentice, Bernard Davies, who took the train, was one of a group he was responsible for.

He writes: “An agreement was made between the management and the union that the training schools would work as they were non-productive and did not affect the dispute.

“The finishing time was 4.30pm and everyone went home. There was one trainee, however, who decided to go home by rail.

“He collected his bike from the cycle-rack, crossed the works and the track adjacent to the No 4 Running Shed, as it has been previously described.

“Here, he chose his locomotive, clambered aboard, taking his cycle into the cab, and switched on the ignition.

“The culprit was quickly identified by Mr Gabbitas, who was the railway police chief at the time, and was fined £100 and dismissed from the railway service.”

Geoff Grundy, of Laund Close, Belper, was in the same class as Bernard Davies. He adds: “I remember Bernard, although I cannot recall his loco driving episode. However, I do remember the ink drinking party piece mentioned in last week’s Bygones.

“There was also a young man of the same ‘does anyone dare me to do this’ ilk and that was Lee Montgomery.

“Sadly, he was knocked down and killed on Nottingham Road when he was in his late teens.

“As for me, I served my apprenticeship at Batterby and Hefford Ltd as an electrician from 1960-65. I then joined the Merchant Navy as an electrical officer, where I still am – just about.

“If anyone is interested in a reunion, I can be contacted via Bygones. ”

John Taylor, of Spondon, was also an apprentice, attending the Loco Works Training School at the time.

“I remember us all not being very happy that we had to work while the strike was on and recall the story about the loco being taken by an apprentice. We were all questioned about it.”

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