Tales of the Rails

Influenced by his uncle, Bob Fletcher who drove steam locomotives for a living, John Fletcher became an avid trainspotter and from then on his life's ambition was to follow in his uncle's footsteps and work on the footplate. This book is inspired by his life working with trains. 'In February 1962 my five years of dreaming became reality when I began my railway career at 24C Lostock Hall on the bottom rung of the ladder as an engine cleaner with clock number 287. We were the last generation of BR steam footplate men and during those 6 ½ years it was steam all the way for most of the time, which saw me accumulate over 1,600 footplate turns and graduate to become one of the senior firemen. With name changes to protect the innocent, or guilty, some of these men feature prominently in this book.' Author, John Fletcher.