Railway staff on the Dursley Branch

Like every other line throughout the country, the Dursley branch had its share of local characters, without whom the line would have been a much poorer place. Looking back it is amazing just how many staff were needed one on one short line, with just three stations, to keep everything running smoothly and efficiently. The range of jobs was wide; stationmaster, porter, clerk, guard, signalman, driver, fireman, carter - the list goes on. Each had their part to play and each depended on the others to help keep the operation going.

	Picture Gallery (Click on picture for larger view)

			Dursley branch footplate crew Driver John Humphries (left) and his fireman Nigel "Badger" Davies on the footplate of Johnson 1F 0-6-0T, 41720, a regular performer on the branch line to Dursley. When the passenger traffic finished in 1962, John transferred to Gloucester shed and drove some of the crack expresses on the main line, including the "Cornishman" (c1955 - courtesy John Humphries, photo by J..J. "Nobby" Cross)

			Dursley Station staff Station master Mr Warren is seated left. Also shown seated is Bert Pegler. Standing, 3rd left, with the moustache, is the railway guard who was killed in the tragic crash at Charfield in 1928. (c1918 - courtesy David Evans)

			Midland Railway station staff at Dursley This photograph shows the number of staff employed at a single small branch line station. The station master is seated, 2nd from the left. (date unknown, probably early 20th century - courtesy David Evans)

			Bob Harris, LMS station carter London Midland Scottish Railway carter, Bob Harris, with his horse Dolly. Mr Harris had a flatbed wagon which Dolly would pull all around the town, delivering goods from the station to the various shops. He would stack the goods on the pavements outside the shops, either by hand or using a small sack trolley. (date unknown, probably 1930s or 1940s - courtesy David Evans)

			Jack Johnson, guard LMS guard, Jack Johnson, based at Dursley. Mr Johnson was unfortunately one of those who lost his life in the crash at Charfied station on October 13th 1928 when in the early hours just before dawn, the Leeds to Bristol night mail steamed at a steady 60 mph through the dense fog and collided with a train that was being shunted on to a station siding. The mail train was then thrown by the impact into the path of an oncoming freight train and a terrible fire ensued. (c1928 - courtesy David Evans)

			Ted Spilsbury, guard at Dursley Mr Edwin (Ted) Spilsbury pictured here, was for many years the guard on the Dursley to Coaley line. He was also at one time a Parish Councillor. (c1960 - courtesy Cam & Dursley Camera Club)