Ken Harrison
Ken Harrison was born in October 1933 and, apart from National Service, he worked most of his life on the Settle Carlisle Railway.
Part A: Started work on the Railways as a Junior Porter at age 15 at Horton Station. Then progressed to being a Grade 2 Porter at Settle. He relates his duties and describes a typical working day.
Part B: Called up for National Service in 1952 -
After the Army went to work in the Docks at Belfast. Then came back to Settle Station for a couple of years, also worked as Relief Porter at Long Preston, and Dent. Describes the handling of various types of rail traffic. He then got a signalling job at Helwith Bridge.
Part C: After working at Helwith Bridge he started as Relief Signalman at Horton and at many other boxes on the Settle Carlisle line, travelling to remote boxes with a motorised cycle then got a motorbike. Relates some accidents that he experienced.
Part D: Flexible working.with extra pay and responsibilities as a Pilotman. Tales of the busy working day at Long Preston Box and of the single line working at Ribblehead. The line was blocked by snow in hard winters. Party-
Part E: How Ken got water installed at Blea Moor Signal Box. A hard life for the railway men and their wives living at Blea Moor with no running water for the cottages and a sad tale of a suicide there.
Part F: More tales of incidents, including a crash at Watershed Mill, frozen roads and the burning of Dent Signal Box. Relates how the work had to carry on at Dent Head box when a signalman died on duty.
Part G: About signalling bell codes, cattle truck at Selside and the Hoffman Kiln.
Part H: Final Footnote about his last week and being a NUR delegate -
Recorded: August 2009