phill.d.2
Leeds Bridgefield pub - Paddy train
See the full size, and whole collection of Leeds aerial photos here
This photo shows the bottom part of Neville Hill train depot at East End Park This is a bit of a rarity as far as photos go. The rarely documented 'Paddy train' railway line can be seen running past the allotments. The Paddy train used to cross the road near to The Bridgefield pub where a man in a little wooden hut used to come out and stop the traffic with a red flag when the train came.
The flagman’s name was Sam Bowden who was a well know character in East Leeds. He was a very likable man and would pass the time of day with the locals. Sometimes he would invite them into his cosy shed in the winter, which would by warmed with a constantly fuelled stove. There was always the chance of a pot of tea to be had whilst having a chat. I think Stan's job sounds perfect, wooden hut complete with stove and kettle. You provide your own newspaper and smokes, and a pub only 20 yards away. What more could a not very hard working man want? Sadly those kind of jobs and old characters have long since gone.
The Paddy train ran from Waterloo Pit at Temple Newsam to the coal staith at the junction of Easy Road and Cross Green Lane. This train brought coal from the colliery to be unloaded at the staith at Easy Road. From there the coal was taken by coal merchants for distribution to local households and business's across the City. The Paddy train was also used to transport colliery workers to and from the pit at the beginning and end of their shift. The Paddy train last ran in 1968.
On early mornings you could hear the echo of miners pit boots walking on the cobbled streets as they went to catch the train for their shift at the pit. The first train left Cross Green Lane at 5.05 a.m taking the daily shift to the pit. The train returned at 6.50 a.m bringing back the night shift. The Paddy train would repeat this return trip twice more for the afternoon and night shifts. A ‘knocker-upper’ would probably have been used to wake up the early morning shift workers. This would normally be someone who lived in the area. He would carry a pole, perhaps a clothes prop, with this he would tap on the bedroom window until the light came on and the occupant drew back the curtains and showed his face.
If you would like to talk to me about these aerial images, then please contact me on my main flickr account here
Leeds Bridgefield pub - Paddy train
See the full size, and whole collection of Leeds aerial photos here
This photo shows the bottom part of Neville Hill train depot at East End Park This is a bit of a rarity as far as photos go. The rarely documented 'Paddy train' railway line can be seen running past the allotments. The Paddy train used to cross the road near to The Bridgefield pub where a man in a little wooden hut used to come out and stop the traffic with a red flag when the train came.
The flagman’s name was Sam Bowden who was a well know character in East Leeds. He was a very likable man and would pass the time of day with the locals. Sometimes he would invite them into his cosy shed in the winter, which would by warmed with a constantly fuelled stove. There was always the chance of a pot of tea to be had whilst having a chat. I think Stan's job sounds perfect, wooden hut complete with stove and kettle. You provide your own newspaper and smokes, and a pub only 20 yards away. What more could a not very hard working man want? Sadly those kind of jobs and old characters have long since gone.
The Paddy train ran from Waterloo Pit at Temple Newsam to the coal staith at the junction of Easy Road and Cross Green Lane. This train brought coal from the colliery to be unloaded at the staith at Easy Road. From there the coal was taken by coal merchants for distribution to local households and business's across the City. The Paddy train was also used to transport colliery workers to and from the pit at the beginning and end of their shift. The Paddy train last ran in 1968.
On early mornings you could hear the echo of miners pit boots walking on the cobbled streets as they went to catch the train for their shift at the pit. The first train left Cross Green Lane at 5.05 a.m taking the daily shift to the pit. The train returned at 6.50 a.m bringing back the night shift. The Paddy train would repeat this return trip twice more for the afternoon and night shifts. A ‘knocker-upper’ would probably have been used to wake up the early morning shift workers. This would normally be someone who lived in the area. He would carry a pole, perhaps a clothes prop, with this he would tap on the bedroom window until the light came on and the occupant drew back the curtains and showed his face.
If you would like to talk to me about these aerial images, then please contact me on my main flickr account here