Hi, I am trying to find out a little about my father. He was a fireman on several steam locos namely the Scotsman, Mallard and Green Arrow I believe, the only one I know for certain was the Scotsman. He died several years ago and I remember him telling me about some of his stories. He mostly worked out of Kings Cross and did the east coast routes.
Hopefully this isn't a silly question and someone can point me in the right direction. I remember seeing several photos of him on some of the engines which my mother has lost. He left the job when steam sadly died and was replaced
His name was David Coulson, he lived in Cambridge, Walthamstow and Sawbridgeworth while working at Kings Cross.
Help required on a fireman
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Re: Help required on a fireman
I have searched through some of my digital copies of LNER Magazine, but found nothing so far, although I have not done them all yet. There are references to a number of Coulsons, but not a D Coulson.
However, it would be useful to know more details about your father, such as his date of birth, if you know it; and the age he was on leaving the railways in the 1960s.
The National Archives at Kew http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ have the old British Railways records, but I am not sure how much information they hold for individual staff members.
The National Railway Museum Archive http://www.nrm.org.uk/ResearchAndArchive.aspx may have some staff information, but again I don't have details on the precise nature of their records.
However, it would be useful to know more details about your father, such as his date of birth, if you know it; and the age he was on leaving the railways in the 1960s.
The National Archives at Kew http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ have the old British Railways records, but I am not sure how much information they hold for individual staff members.
The National Railway Museum Archive http://www.nrm.org.uk/ResearchAndArchive.aspx may have some staff information, but again I don't have details on the precise nature of their records.
John. My spotting log website is now at https://spottinglogs.co.uk/spotting-rec ... s-70s-80s/
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Re: Help required on a fireman
John, thank you for posting. My father was born on 5th February 1937 I think, certainly 5 Feb. He left the railway in 1963 or 4 not 100% sure. I remember on a Flying Scotsman day talking to the driver a Mr Wells also of Cambridge and he remembered my dad. I will check out the links you have kindly posted. My dad's middle name was Lawrence if that helped. I remember seeing a photo of the crew of the first diesel flying Scotsman a class 55 I think. That was his last engine. He left because the steam era was coming to an end. Any help is greatly received.
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Re: Help required on a fireman
I forgot to add that he would have been about 26-7 when he left.