It was always said that when you joined the railway you were either there for 3 months or you stayed for life. The latter is most certainly true in my case!
I do not know about any other industry but the railway is like one big family, yes we have our disagreements but they are soon pushed out of the way for the benefit of the whole railway community but likewise there are lots of good times. a lot of people probably do not realise it but we run our own old peoples home as well as convalescent homes- all paid for by voluntary contributions from the staff. At one stage we even had our own orphanage! The vast majority of staff also make contributions to organisations such as Dr Barnardos and here on Southeastern staff choose two charities each year for the company to support.
All this is very worthwhile but what makes a true family atmosphere is the staff themselves and we will always do our best to support each other. Also I suppose its almost a requirement to have a weird sense of humour. An example of this is how we change place names to literal wording eg Canterbury becomes fast funerals and Catford become pussycar! This sense of humour is contagious, years ago I worked with someone who liked there toast rather well done and one day we popped into a cafe for breakfast and when the chap behind the counter saw George he called out to the kitchen 'two slices of burnt and buggered please'.
All in all it has been a very happy 42 years in the industry as I hope my ramblings show and will continue to do so.
Andy
5 comments:
Sounds like a great industry to work in. You are very lucky.
It is wonderful when folks really enjoy their work and it shows in the comradere between one another..It would be my wish that all would enjoy such good relationships.. I think that perhpas you were lucky to live through such a period..Not so many seem to enjoy their work nowadays..which is very sad.
Love Sybil xx
Times have certainly changed Andy. I think most staff nowadays would like to have what you had back then. The companionship and the good laughs.
Everything is high speed now in most industries.
I enjoyed your jokes.
Thanks for the memories and the laughs.
Jeanie
I really enjoyed this Andy, I love the wordplay on the place names, you could have so much fun with that! Its so important to enjoy your job, after all, you spend a lot of time there. I like the way charities are chosen for the staff to support, more companies should do the same I think. :o)
Sandra x
Andy sounds like you had a great Second Family ~ and what a wonderful crowd they were ~ you were so Lucky to be part of it ~ Ally x
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