Aslef Farnham Branch 252

Brownie Chucks in his Whistle

After many years working on the railway, Guard Dave Brown has retired. Bringing another railway era to an end.

At the Woking Staff Club on Sat 11th October, many of David's railway mates attended a grand party to wish him well.

During the evening David was presented with a card and a cheque by John Parisi the RMT Staff Rep of Farnham.,John gave a brief history of David's career.
In 1970 at the age of 21, David arrived at Farnham Station in his school uniform to which he promptly changed for a Railmans uniform for duties on the platform. This included cleaning the station, checking tickets and maintaining the oil lamps on the signals buffer blocks and crossing gates.

December 1970 saw David training as a Guard at Woking and by March 1971 he was  responsible for ballast, goods and passenger trains.
Part of the Guard’s job when working a goods train is being responsible for stopping the train with the hand brake on the guards van. This was a very challenging job, especially in a hilly line like the Reading Redhill Line.
David transferred to Farnham in 1972, a little nearer home to work electric passenger trains.

David moved to Liverpool for a short career break in 1973 ...................I believe he joined a boy band.


1974 saw David back working on the railway as a Guard at Farnham, but he then transferred to Waterloo as a Chargeman with promotion to Group-Chargeman in charge of platform one to eleven.

David returned to Farnham in 1982 to become a Guard, a position he held until his retirement.
He served on the L.D.C and was also the Guards Health & Safety Rep,
He was at one time the secretary of  Woking Staff Club.

John Parisi presents David with a gift and card