Blue Pullman - again!

I have looked at the pictures on Google (of the real thing) and of the

Reagrds

Peter A

People didn't need any visual warning of approaching trains in those days.

The station announcer would come on the Tannoy and say, "Would passengers standing on Platform 3 please stand well back from the edge as the Birmingham express passes through."

Anyone remember the performer who could simulate all this with his voice and a special microphone?

Perhaps you're thinking of Reginald Gardiner.

Stuart

Have had a quick look through Keith Robertson's book "Blue Pullman" (but not the supplement, which I don't have) and all photogrpahs show the ends to be either blue with the Pullman crest (as originally introduced) or all over yellow; I cannot recall ever seeing a photograph of any with the small warning panels. I accept this doesn't mean that small panels were never carried and - as ever - am content to be proved wrong.

David Costigan

No, it wasn't him, although I do remember this record. Uncle Mac used to play it on Children's Favourites, along with The Laughing Policeman and that song about Christopher Robin and Alice visiting Buckingham Palace.

You're showing your age.

Derek MacCulloch - Uncle Mac.

I was on Regional Round when I was a kid, and this included being shown round Broadcasting House. It was Uncle Mac's program, he was the question master and we were introduced to him.

I liked Reginald Gardener, but couldn't stand the Laughing policeman. "Christopher Robin went down with Alice" sounded like a disease.

The yellow ends where introduced for the benefit of track workers.

After they gave them hearing protectors and goggles?

"Chris" wrote

They were introduced in 1963 also to warn pedestrians at level crossings (those without barriers, I assume) of the approach of what were very dark coloured trains.

John.

Not sure what you are getting at. It is strange that LT don't have yellow ends or for that matter a lot of other railways around the world. I did hear that yellow ends were added so that if the headlights failed the train could still run in service, daylight obviously, rather than the train being failed. Headlights are much better for track workers to see approaching trains than yellow ends.

Steam trains didn't have either, and the driver's forward vision was often obstructed, but they were generally noisier, slower and more conspicuous from a distance with their smoke and steam.

In steam days the people working on the track had a lookout who would blow a horn to warn of an approaching train. There were also temporary speed restriction signs well in advance which the train crew had been notified of.

- which would prevent them seeing or hearing approaching trains as well?

So, are you saying that in steam days there was no need for headlights or yellow panels to give visual approach warning because track gang working practices were safer?

Am I?

If I'd meant that I would have said that.

What I DID say waqs thay used lookout men.

And they don't now?

(I'm just pulling your chain, BTW)

"Christopher A. Lee" wrote

Could have been worse he could have gone down 'on' Alice.

Alice, Alice, who the flippin'-heck is Alice?

Sorry.

John.

"Chris" wrote

Nah, headlights at that time were little better than the oil lamps on steam locos.

John.

The nanny.

Lookouts are still used.