W CHESHIRE, of 9 Mendip Road, Bushey, writes on various nostalgia questions.

HAVING read your questions with reference to at least five of your listed items, my information is as follows:

Searching for information about the Watford/Rickmansworth Line. When I was a steam locomotive driver shedded at the Watford Loco Department, between platforms No9 the up-slow line and No10 the St Albans Bay branch line.

We drivers used to work this electrified line with materials for the Cape Universal Asbestos company, who manufactured all types of guttering, cold water tanks, soil pipes, corrugated sheets for roofing and prefabricated houses built after the war.

We also served the water company Brightwells with wagons of sheeted salt.

Likewise, the tyre company with their raw materials, and finally any of the coal merchants besides the single line sidings with their quota of coal and coke. Most of these trips were carried out at about 1.30am so that we arrived back at Watford shunting yard well before the first electric train left Watford at 4.50am.

This single line could only have one train on line at a time because it was controlled with a special token key.

Bushey Maternity Hospital was originally located in the newly-built BUPA complex, situated in Heath Bourne Road. This unit was, in fact, used all during the war and quite some time afterwards.

Cow Lane. Yes, again, as a driver on the lightweight diesel service having to wait at north Watford Halt until the cattle cleared the track. Another single line token key system, and always running to time. The good old days, all for £13-0-0 per week.

The old golf club halt, was again served by the electric trains, the station in fact was constructed of wood. The platforms were always tidy, and all the oil lamps were kept trimmed and clean. Glass smoke funnels never vandalised. What a change from this present day society.

October 30, 2001 15:30