Retired Engine Driver John Anthony has submitted a guest blog post, sharing his experience of working express services at night..

Hi folks,

Semaphores show you the way! There they are, high up on parallel girders, at night with tiny oil lit lamps, guttering in gales, soaring, like stars as you flash under them at speed.  From your little driving window, your sight of these mandatory commands is half blocked by the boiler, part blinded by steam, smoke and possibly fog, so, driving night expresses is no easy task! Hurtling along, the trick is knowing where the “distance” semaphores are and familiarity with your railway, in other words you know the route BLINDFOLDED!

John.

Many thanks to John for sending this in!  All of John’s contributions can be found on a dedicated web page (please click here.)