| 1955 was my GCE
(General Certificate of Education) O Level year, and the dreaded
examinations took place in June. I was taking seven subjects, and aiming
for six passes.
So throughout the spring, I studied hard. During the
examinations, on non examination days, I did not have to attend school, but used
the time for revision.
My parents encouraged me to approach each examination in a positive and relaxed frame of mind, and discouraged last minute revision. And so, with a blank day on 21st June 1955, they insisted that I had a day out, and thrust several one pound notes in my hand. I decided to head for the South East, and studied the timetables. The 8.30am two hour train from Birmingham New Street would get me into Euston with plenty of time to tube across London to Charing Cross, where there was a 11.15am service to Ashford, Dover, and Ramsgate. But where should I go. I worked out that if I went as far as Deal, I would have enough time there for a walk and a snack, before returning on the 2.42pm from Margate, a semi fast a service which ran up to Cannon Street via Dover, Tonbridge, and Redhill. I then worked out that if I changed trains at Ashford, I could catch the 5.10pm fast up to Charing Cross, which, as long as it was on time, would leave me time to cross over to Euston in time for the 6.55pm Birmingham, another "2 hour" service. |
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| And so, on a bright and sunny 21st June 1955, I walked from my home to the Quinton bus terminus, caught a "Quinton 9" bus into Birmingham. Jubilee 4-6-0 no 45647 Sturdee was on the 8.30am Euston, and gave me a splendid run. From Charing Cross, Bullied Battle of Britain class 4-6-2 no 34066 Spitfire took me down to Folkestone, where the load was reduced from 10 to 4 coaches, and round the coast to Deal. | ||||
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| At Deal, I had time to walk around the town, sit on the beach, have a light meal, and to make a drawing of Deal station, from which the above picture was produced. I always carried a sketch pad around with me on railway trips. Sadly this is the only drawing that has survived. | ||||
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The journey home was excellent. 30924 Haileybury gave me my first Schools run, though it was only around the coast to Ashford. From there up to Charing Cross, Bullied no 34083 named 605 Squadron, took me from Ashford to Charing Cross, and ran well. And to finish a superb day, Jubilee 4-6-0 no 45742 Connaught, took me back to Birmingham New Street in exactly two hours on the 6.55pm from Euston. |
