22nd April 2024: Nothing Stays the Same by Mike Corbett
Mike was a graduate entrant to a career in Engineering with BR. Having grown up close to the railway at Northwich and witnessing 8Fs and 04s on freights heading to the several ICI plants in the area, it was perhaps only natural that he would pursue his new skills on the railways. His illustrated talk gave us insights into various BR workshops and depots as his career progressed. Starting at the top (for London Midland fans!) he began at Crewe and one highlight was the annual dinner in London where he was the guest speaker on one occasion and president of the Society at the next.. This event was begun under Francis Webb of the LNWR for "Premium apprentices", those whose fathers paid for their apprenticeships.
A move took him to head Finsbury Park Depot, then the southern home of the Deltics. After rectification of faults, he had to ride in the engine compartment to check all was well. Such rides were interesting, always risking the odd crank being thrown and high pressure pipes blowing. He went onto Liverpool St., and one unusual task was to arrange for a Class 47 to help the CEGB at one of their power stations after an exciter went down. Mike subsequently moved to Norwich Carrow Road, where he oversaw the construction and running of Crown Point Depot. Later he moved to Southern territory, managing Chart Leacon depot which had an efficiently run bogie swap maintenance programme for the various EMUs. He appeared to have discovered a real railway family atmosphere there, with the workforce joining in with open days and celebrating 150 years of Ashford’s works. This which included visits by a number of Southern steam engines, with Mike commenting that such an event just wouldn’t happen today.
Mike then came our way by managing Wolverton Works into privatisation, a role that also oversaw the overall management of the Royal Train. After privatisation he held a position with Angel Trains, returning, ironically, to Wolverton as a customer, bringing a contract to refurbish the Wessex Class 442s. He achieved a lot in his career, but did reflect that he was chasing a declining railway, as the amount of rolling stock was diminishing, impacting on the throughput of the various works and depots he was responsible for. Familiar terms I can recall from reading the railway press in the 80s and 90s was “Managing Decline” and Sir Peter Parker’s “Crumbling Edge”.
Again it was a thoroughly enjoyable meeting and it's always good to hear a speaker with hands on experience of running a part of the railway system.
Richard Deacon
Chairman/Secretary