J.T.R.O. Apprentice Whatever !

Griffin teabags - remember them ;D

ahh yes - only ten bags to make some flavour in the cup ;D
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Yeah but the Griffin loose leaf tea in packets wasn't too bad

I was both a J.T.R.O. and a P.S.T. (when they changed the title to Passenger Services Trainee halfway through my apprenticeship - and yes I've heard what PST sounds like, I've heard we were all p****d, heard them all 1000 times!)

My "home" was Edgware Road, so basically it was work the frame for a few hours, make the tea and then, at a suitable time no later than halfway through the shift, sweep, mop and shoot off (except with a couple of signalmen who thought it was fun to keep you to time - but then they never had the frame worked for them and never had any tea made.)

Most satisfying part was when I was tipped off by the Station Inspector that a course was booked for me (6 weeks of a Booking Office course or some such hell.) I couldn't stand going to White City. Much rather be in the cabin. So when Monday of the first week arrived, I used to stroll in on late turn.
"You're meant to be up the school," says the Inspector.
"Am I?" says I in fake surprise.
"Do you want me to ring them," says the Inspector.
"Oh no don't worry now. missed the first day now, so no point going. I'm sure they'll call me up again for it in a month or two," says I as I grab my bag and head up the cabin - safe in the knowledge that the school probably won't be looking for me for a few weeks as they will think I'm on the course.

Was that question directed at me ? If so I think I kind of covered it in my post. Edgware Road was my favourite cabin. No I hated all of the training courses, as we weren't treated like adults. Too much like being back at school, and considering I had not long left there, the last thing I wanted was to attend something similar.

Well, I was an R.O.A. Railway Operating Apprentice. I worked at Rayners Lane cabin for several (about 8) months, with a few short trips down to Harrow, but always returned to 'home' at Rayners.

Harrow was vast compared to the relative quiet of RL. Harrow has it's power frame with levers flying at the opposite end to where the signalman is standing!

RL was a 'push-pull' frame with signals & points being operated with a single 'route' lever. So, lever 31 could be pushed to clear the WB route (points & starter) for the Picc, and pulled to clear the route for the Met etc. The respective signal plates stated P31H, P31L.
RL controlled, at the time, South/West Harrow to Ickenham.

Really? I'd never have known!

Well lol Its a hard guess to make! The comment was aimed at those who were not aware of the fact!

It makes me laugh, as i use an old guards bag, (black canvas with the stamped on roundal). My manager says that i am very ;old school'! He also remarked that it brought back memories from when he was on the northern!

I must admit the bag does turn heads, particually when about the met! ;D

* says nice thing about the signalling of Minories Jct, to try to make up for changing teams* ;D

Right from the start ive wanted to be on the trains, almost a school boy dream to be a train driver, howeve ri didnt think it would happen as quick as it will / might.....

I like a challenge, and for me now, there isnt much of a challengee working a signal cabin. I know people say its boring on the front, however at least you have to stop the thing at every station which takes a bit of thinking!

Thats just my feeling anyway!

Yes platform observation is an important part of the job! I know an ECT Instructor that will tell you that! ;D ;D

I work with a couple of ex JTROs - albeit not from exactly the same batch as me, but we were all "boxboys" around the same time.

I also work with a couple of the signalmen who I was boxboy for! To begin with it was a nice feeling when they said they were going to get something to eat, and would I like some bringing back, or they offered to make me a cup of tea ;D

As for Gus, no don't remember him (I was purely a Met man and never strayed onto the red railway). However, if you open that can of worms a little wider, it may bring back something - the rumour mill was and still is, very well-oiled.

That sounds like a story that needs retelling!

Should have said 'SWOT' day - sorry

I had an "attachment" for 6 weeks in Earl's Court. Never stayed for the whole time (used excuse explained above) mainly because of their attitude.

I would do my fair share of making the tea for them all (and there were loads of them). But the attitude they gave you should you place the wrong cup in front of them. Like a bunch of old women. Actually that's a very nasty slur on old women.

I spent a week sat with the Information Assistant. The way he acted you would have thought the job was much more than speaking into a PA. He even had his "own" chair which nobody else was allowed to sit in. Got the right hump when he arrived one day and found me sat in it. Ignored me for most of the shift despite the fact I swapped seats soon after he arrived.

Did a day or two with the Picc controller, but after I queried a couple of his service reformations, he also got the hump and I had to go and sit back with the IA. And don't think you could cut away if they all had the hump. Tried that one day (slipped quietly away, but told one of the signalmen I was going) and returned the next day to find I had been booked. Nice ;D