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Tepic · Joined: 14 Sep 2006 Posts: 51

From out staff newsletter. I've just typed it out. Any bad english is mine Smile

Dave Davis Train naming

Everubody who is anybody on c2c knows Dave Davis. He has recently retired as the company's senior Driver having served the industry for more than 41 years. A feat in itself, but even more amazing is that I am yet to meet anyone who ever saw him without a smile on his face.

Dave started on the railway back in July 1965 (even before England won the World Cup!) He has driven both freight & passenger trains, & worked at several depots throughout his career before finally settling at East Ham.

He made friend friends everywhere he went and talked to everyone regardless of their position in the company. I remember coming to LTS (as it was then) as a Drivers' Assistant. dave was one of the first Drivers to talk to me. He made me feel welcome and spoke to me as an equal. He didn't look down his nose at anyone. As the years ticked by, I was lucky enough to be promoted through to eventually become Dave's manager. He still talks to me thoday the way he did back then, when I was in awe of his grade and experience.

managers recognised Dave's professionalism & tried to recruit him on many occasions over several years. I even spent the law few months of his time with us trying to convince him to become a Driver Instructor, but he was content where he was.

Unfortunatly, Dave went sick from work in June this year (1996) & it was whilst he was off that he realised the attraction of early retirement. Once he made up his mind, there was no talking him around. He officially left us in August.

It didn't seem right to let someone like Dave leave us without marking the occasion in an appropriate manner. No deliberation was needed as there was only ever one thing we wanted to do for him. We secretly contacted his wife; Linda. She agreed that naming a train after him would be an honour he would truly appreciate.

The idea had to be sanctioned by several tiers of managment. Those who knew him agreed without hesitation. Those managers who have only recently joined us also appreciated the significance of naming a train after someone & wanted to know the justification. As they learned more about Dave, they also agreed with the same enthusiasm. The wheels were set in motion.

It was agreed with Linda to keep the whole thing secret from Dave. On a personal note, there was a dodgy moment for me when my wife found a test message on my phone which read "if you want to speak to me, call me on this number because dave won't find out. Linda xx."

Dave was to be brought to Southend on the 7th December 2006 under the impression that he was going to see a photographer for a family portrait. Dave's entire family knew of the event & did extreamly well to keep it from him.

It was very wet & windy morning when Dave arrived with four generations of his family. His surprise was obvious.

Several of Dave's old colleagues turned out to share the occasion with him. Paul Hrding (Operations Mnager) unveiled the plaque & gave a well-recieved speech. Three plaques were made bearing daves name - two were mounted on 357 208 & the last one was presented to him on a wooden plinth as a momento. Linda was also presented with a bouquet of flowers to thank her for her invaluable assistance in bringing Dave & his family along without spilling the beans.

Dave was one of a truly great breed of Drivers & I know I speak for everyone who worked with him when I say that he has left a hole in the depot which can never be filled. He has left us for a very long & well-deserved rest, but his name will continue to travel the route between Shoeburyness & Fenchurch Street for many, many years to come.

admin · Posted: Tue Feb 13, 2007 9:23 am Post subject:

That is an excellent tribute to what I consider a wonderful person as well. I wish there were a few more like him about and in other walks of life at that.

_________________
Once the misery line, but now passed on to another.

See www.bramleyline.org.uk where one day we just might see an Ex-LT&SR Standard 4 steaming along as a Guest loco.