Railway workers to gather for reunion in Sprowston

Full steam ahead for the Oliver Cromwell in 1968. It was capable of speeds of over 100mph. It was almost the ultimate in British design for an express locomotive as it was reckoned to embody the best features of pre-nationalisation designs, with simplicity and infrequent servicing in mind. It cost £26,000 to build. (Image: Newsquest Archive)

Over the years these gatherings have become an important and popular event - discovering how colleagues and friends have been getting on in what can be a tough world.

The most recent reunion in 2022 for the railway workers who are meeting again on Friday and looking forward to seeing former colleagues and friends (Image: Chris Pearson)

The Norwich Loco Welfare Fund has kindly sponsored the reunion of Norwich footplate staff and colleagues from other grades and depots are also very welcome at Sprowston Sports & Leisure Club, Blue Boar Lane, Norwich, on Friday April 28 from 4.30pm onwards.

Organiser Chris Pearson says he hopes to see as many people as possible. There is also a free buffet and the bar will be open.

The long lost Victoria Station in Norwich (Image: Newsquest Archive)

For many years the “reunion man” was the late John Pipe, a great character and a true gentleman who I got to know as a good friend over many years.

Railway workers reunion at Arkwright's Social Club, Norwich in 2007. Left to Right: Len Sampher, Johnny Pipe, Leo Dugdale, Albert Rackham and Derek Bridges (Image: Newsquest Archive)

In his younger days John was a talented boxer and he spent most of his working life on the railways.

The way it was. Thorpe Station and the Eastern Counties Omnibus Station in Norwich many years ago (Image: Newsquest Archive)

He had been chairman of the Norwich branch of Aslef and a founder member of the Norwich Loco Welfare Fund.

“It’s a great way of keeping in touch and an opportunity to find out if anyone needs help,” he told me.

Railway workers reunion in 2007 (Image: Newsquest Archive)

When John, who lived at Hellesdon with his wife Jean, died at the age of 82, Chris Pearson, and others, stepped up to make sure the reunions kept going on.

Busy Thorpe Station in 1955 (Image: Newsquest Archive)

As with so many work places, large and small, there was a thriving social side among the workers and Paul Oxbury features photographs of the football team in his book The League of Forgotten Men about the Thursday Football League.

The Railway Social champions in the 1950s. Back row, left to right, D Peeke, J Webster, B Davis, Les King, B Bryant, B Taylor, J Metcalf, P Price, I Finch. Front row (L-R), J Sadler, P Thouless, C Thouless, S Barratt, V Hipperson. (Image: Les King Collection/The League of Forgotten Men by Paul Oxbury)

They also played in the Business Houses League between 1971 and 1981, mainly in the top division. When called Eastrail.

An anxious moment for Sprowston’s Thursday League Tommy Taylor during the 1987 Norfolk Thursday League Cup Final against British Rail (Image: Newsquest Archive)

From steam to diesel and then electric there have been so many changes over the years. Too many stations across Norfolk and Suffolk have closed but the bond of friendship between all those who worked for the railways remains.

The long lost Victoria Station in Norwich (Image: Newsquest Archive)

For more details about the reunion contact Chris Pearson on 01362 691045 or 07776 123206.