Stories
Picture Taken by Anne Knight
Bank Holiday – A Day Out On the Railway, 1940s Style
Today was Bank Holiday, Eric and I set off for Bury. First by bus then
the train to Manchester, down the steps to the Metro for Bury. On seeing
the notice above our heads, it said: ‘No evening service,’ we inquired,
did not know. So went into Manchester looking around. For a Bank Holiday
looked quite dull everywhere, so we decided to go to Bury and take the
chance that the tram would run in the evening. Whilst waiting in the
galelike weather, the tram arrived. It did not take too long going
through the stations then on to Bury.
A short walk to East Lancs Station where Eric showed his pass. At one
point a porter or keeper of the gate stopped him. Eric soon got his pass
out. ‘You have to be very careful these days,’ said the porter. We
walked down the slope where there were stalls selling 1940s wear from
hats, coats, nylons with straight lines on them. I should have said men
and women’s coats as well as hats, for both male and female were on
sale.
We then went down the steps to the station. I was back to my childhood.
A soldier, airman, French, German; then across the platform I saw a
Frenchman who reminded me of ‘Allo ‘Allo!, the character who spoke with
a funny accent. There was Americans, Germans and many more, too many to
put down. Near us there was a soldier playing an instrument like George
Formby used to play and singing the old songs of the Forties. Plenty of
stalls but everyone was waiting for the steam locomotive. A porter
calls: ‘Step back please.’ This was not understood, he ran up and down
the platform repeating himself: ‘Step back please.’ Then from the left
came the steam locomotive. Shrieks of delight and cameras at the ready.
Even I tried, having a seat stick seemed to get in the way. The smoke
and steam from it’s engine hissed ‘I’m here.’
Once it stopped we all boarded the train.
I found it a bit hard to climb up on and into the doorway, but with help
from a porter I got on the train. We walked through an open carriage and
found a seat for two next to a soldier with his wife; both dressed for
the occasion. We talked. The lady said they came in ordinary clothes the
first time but got hooked. Told us they’d been coming since 2001 in
1940s clothes. They were going to a 1940s railway event the following
week in Yorkshire. The man said they were off to the battle. As we went
on our way I remember the sound of the wheels, the smoke and the steam
hissing past the window; the movement of the clickety-click as it
covered the tracks.
A man kept going up and down the centre of the carriage dressed as a
taxman. ‘Don’t forget to pay your tax.’ He was so funny, we all laughed.
People talked and laughed. A great atmosphere.
Arriving at Ramsbottom, where Eric is a volunteer, I met his boss,
Maggie. She was pleased to meet me as she only heard my voice over the
phone. I also met the other men that Eric works with on Saturdays.
Eric had told me there was a lady selling Palitoy dolls. I soon spotted
her and her sister. I bought a Carrie. This will be nice as I have two
Christophers. I looked around at the many dolls, there was some in prams
too. The older sister said to me: ‘I’ve an AM Baby in that pram.’ Lo and
behold it was.
So going to the cabin to find Eric talking to his friends. After
knocking on the door: ‘How did you know I was here?’ ‘Well you told me,
come and see what I’ve found.’ As we walked to the other end of the
platform I told him about the AM. He really didn’t believe me so the
lady pulled down the clothes from the neck. He was surprised, he bought
it and that was the only one besides the little Carrie (Palitoy) doll.
The AM was very cheap in AM doll’s value. We asked for it to be wrapped
up as we had no car to take it home. So getting a pram cover she wrapped
it in that. The man next door, selling boy’s toys, gave her a bag to
keep the legs together, putting lots of tape round him once wrapped.
Eric took it to the office for safe keeping.
Whilst I waited I talked to the people on the platform. Eric told me
that we are going to Rawtenstall later, but we left for the village.
Walking up the street we found a café, we went in for an omelette and
salad plus tea. The tea came first, I was glad of the drink. Then not
long after the lunch. We sat enjoying it, then paid and left. Walking up
the street, passing the chip shop Eric goes to on Saturdays and takes
his chips back to the hut, but today he’s off as he only works Saturdays
on the East Lancs Railway as a porter.
We found an Antique Shop but had not long there. It’s a real treasure
trove of antiquities. Going back to the station we waited for the train
to arrive to take us to Rawtenstall. It soon came blowing steam, as
usual. Everyone seemed excited, people pushing to take photos from the
best place to stand. People like me, with an automatic, found it hard to
take compared to people with their cine cameras.
Eric picked up the doll from the office as we would not be calling at
Ramsbottom again. We boarded the train, the wheels turned, steam hissed.
It made that lovely sound that all steam engines make. Finding a table
seat we set off, people waving. I waved back as I’d done in my youth. We
came to a station called Irwell Vale, then carried on to Rawtenstall,
passing meadows, hamlets; too soon arriving at Rawtenstall. We all got
off and watched the engine uncouple, going forward, puffing its steam as
it went. As there was no turntable here, so a Daddy tried to explain to
his little daughter, the train had to go up the line to come back to
re-couple again. We bought a cup of tea from the tent and took it onto
the train. There was a German nameplate for the day for the 1940s
Railway Show.
The steam whistle sounded, we pulled out of that station, it was great
sitting in a different place with our tea, also so lovely to not hear
the noise of mobiles, except one that was on about four minutes after we
pulled out of the station. Perhaps someone wanted to know when they
would be home, but that was the only one I heard.
We saw lovely blue flowers as we looked out of the window. Arriving
again at Ramsbottom I waved to the two sisters who sold dolls. Next stop
Summerseat, then to Bury. Getting off at Bury, the people running the
stalls, some packing up, some not. We climbed the stairs, at the top the
stalls were still there with dresses. I looked at them. These dresses
remind me of the the ones I have at home. Oh good, I’d only need a coat
or jacket then. Leaving the East Lancs Railway we set off for home. One
lady had to go to Burnley, my mother’s birthplace. Saying we had to make
our way home to Stockport, my birthplace, we said Good Bye, safe
journey. We made our way by the Metro tram to Manchester, then on
electric train to Stockport. Arriving we both decided to walk home, the
wind whipping round us as we walked.
Home at last, a cuppa, most needed, then dinner later after a rest. What
a wonderful day on the 1940s yearly railway re-enactment.
By Anne Knight
Link to East Lancs Railway click here
Lancs
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