What is the Caley Association?

We are a club for people who used to work on the railways.
We meet every Monday to have a cup of tea, a biscuit and a chat. We also regularly go on visits to museums.

Most recently we have been to Springburn Local History Centre and Crieff.

We go on a tour of the museum, have a bite to eat, then return home.
We have also published two books about the railways – End of the Line and Off the Rails.

When did you start working on the railways?

I started off in 1941 working my apprenticeship at Cowlairs.
At that time people were leaving to work on railways all over the world. My next job was at St Rollox.

There was only one job going and I got it. It was meant to be a temporary job, but I ended up working on the railways for 45 years. I also worked on the Strathspey Railway in Aviemore for many years.

What did your job consist of?

I worked around all the parts of the engines during my career and ended up knowing them all like the back of my hand.

I did lots of different jobs, including stripping the engines down and rebuilding them, break-testing the engines to the higher standards introduced, and converting the engines to diesel-electric.

There were a lot of changes in my career – from steam-power, through diesel-electric to high-speed.

Each time the engines changed you had to completely re-learn everything about your job! Also, when the charge hand or inspector was off I did their jobs.

Was it hard work?

We would work from 7.45am until 5.30pm and then would work overtime from 6pm right through to 9pm.

Once you had finished you really only had time to have something to eat and go to bed. At that time you had no other choice really.

Back then there were about 5,000 men working on the railways around here, but now there are only around 300.

I don't think young men these days would be willing to work the way we did back then.

Was it dangerous work?

It was very dangerous as you were working with such heavy machinery.

One of our inspectors was killed when we were moving a set of wheels.
The opening we were moving it through was too narrow and he was trapped and crushed to death.

Sometimes the drivers would come in with engines for repairs and would forget to put the handbrake on. The engines would roll away until they hit something.

We didn't have all the health and safety that you get nowadays – it's really amazing more people weren't killed.

Did you enjoy your job?

I enjoyed pretty much everything I did although stripping the engines down was very tiring, dirty work. There was a great camaraderie between all the workers and I'm still in touch with many of them, young and old, through the Caley Association.

What hobbies do you enjoy now you are retired?

I like to do lots of jobs around the home. I still do them all myself.
I also repair machinery like lawn mowers and hedge trimmers, but I never charge money – I just do it for charity.

My children and grandchildren keep me busy as well.

Getting to know you

First car: Rover
First record: White Christmas by Bing Crosby
Book currently reading: A biography of Cardinal Winning
Favourite TV programme: Emmerdale
Favourite holiday destination: Anywhere on the coast

* If you are interested in joining the Caley Association call 0141 552 5413 and ask for Willie.