RMweb Gold Popular Post PaulRhB Posted June 7, 2023 RMweb Gold Popular Post Share Posted June 7, 2023 My friend and fellow Signalman John Say signed off his last shift on Monday 5th June after a career spanning 53 years. He joined the railway in 1970, doing his Signalling training while still only 17, he went into his first box at Wylye at 18. John moved to Salisbury West and then in 1981 was there for the opening day of Salisbury ASC NX panel. John retired on Monday after 42 years in the panel and I’m lucky to have shared half that with him, it’s been a lot of fun 😁 He actually completes 53 years by his retirement date but this was his last shift as his holiday and special leave take him up to his official date. We surprised him a couple of hours before he finished and had a little celebration outside the box with around 50 current and retired staff including three retired Salisbury Signalmen, one of whom came down from Gloucester for it! We presented him with a block shelf repeater and a copy of the plaque I had made to celebrate 40 years of the Signalbox. Signing off the final time. Here’s to an equally long and happy retirement! (One interesting fact is other sources have the box opening on the 19th August but John and Garry who were both there are certain it was Monday 17th it actually started operating albeit only a very small area so that’s the official date). 14 16 1 17 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Mallard60022 Posted June 7, 2023 RMweb Premium Share Posted June 7, 2023 Congratulations to your pal. Thanks for haring that. Lovely Farewell. Phil 5 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodenhead Posted June 7, 2023 Share Posted June 7, 2023 If you can spend 42 years working in the same location, it must have been a good team to work with. A happy and long retirement to him. 7 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold The Stationmaster Posted June 7, 2023 RMweb Gold Share Posted June 7, 2023 (edited) Notice 63 SWD confirms that Salisbury Panel was planned to first come into operation on Monday 17 August 1981 taking over control of Tunnel Jcn on that day, During the week it was planned to be gradually extended westwards taking over Salisbury East on the 19th and Salisbury West on the 21st.Salisbury West. Laverstock Loop was planned to be commissioned on the 28th So John and Gary are absolutely right assuming the planned commissioning dates were actually achoeved (which they probably were back in those days). Edited June 8, 2023 by The Stationmaster Salisbury East date corrected from18th to 19th ans d year typo 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium 30368 Posted June 7, 2023 RMweb Premium Share Posted June 7, 2023 4 hours ago, PaulRhB said: My friend and fellow Signalman John Say signed off his last shift on Monday 5th June Good luck and a very happy retirement John Say. As a regular users of Salisbury Station (One of my favourites) Janet and I thank John for helping to make every journey safe. We lived out at Fovant for 12 years, moving there following my retirement after fifty odd years on the railway. Kind regards, and thanks, Richard B 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold russ p Posted June 7, 2023 RMweb Gold Share Posted June 7, 2023 Congratulations John, hope you have a long and happy retirement Wasn't there a lad from there who had his car restored on car sos 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold PaulRhB Posted June 7, 2023 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted June 7, 2023 18 minutes ago, The Stationmaster said: So John and Garry are absolutely right assuming the planned commissioning dates were actually achoeved (which they probably were back in those days). Thanks Mike, yes I trusted their memories as they could both reel off what happened when independently. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Oldddudders Posted June 7, 2023 RMweb Gold Share Posted June 7, 2023 Two names I associate with early careers at Salisbury are David Franks and Mark Stanistreet. Ring any bells? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold PaulRhB Posted June 7, 2023 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted June 7, 2023 4 minutes ago, russ p said: Congratulations John, hope you have a long and happy retirement Wasn't there a lad from there who had his car restored on car sos Yep, Adrian had his RS1600 restored just before he had to retire due to MS. 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold PaulRhB Posted June 7, 2023 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted June 7, 2023 Just now, Oldddudders said: Two names I associate with early careers at Salisbury are David Franks and Mark Stanistreet. Ring any bells? I’ve heard the names but before my time Ian. Quite a few of the old boys pop in to say hello on their way to the ‘Thursday Club’ meetings so I know a few I’ve never actually worked with. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold PaulRhB Posted June 7, 2023 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted June 7, 2023 25 minutes ago, The Stationmaster said: Monday 17 August 1982 1981 😉 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium 30368 Posted June 7, 2023 RMweb Premium Share Posted June 7, 2023 14 minutes ago, Oldddudders said: Two names I associate with early careers at Salisbury are David Franks and Mark Stanistreet. Yes Ian - David Franks was Depot Engineer at Reading in the 1980/90s when I met him. Lost touch now though. Kind regards, Richard B 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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