(Copyright Coxhoe Local History Group)
Memories of Michael Peacock
Michael Peacock worked for two years as a level crossing assistant gatekeeper based at Coxhoe WH Station on the Clarence Railway which was a link between Steetley’s Basic Works and Ferryhill and beyond in Michael’s time.
Senior Crossing Gatekeeper was Bob Scott from Duncombe Terrace, Ferryhill. Bob walked to work each day for an 8am start and walked home after the last train in the afternoon. Bob interviewed Michael and offered him the job which paid about £8 a week. British Rail owned the railway at the time. Michael commenced work at 8 am, worked for 5 full days and mornings only on Saturdays and Sundays. They kept a cat as there was always vermin in the goods station.
The first daily job for Michael and Bob was to ensure that the track was in good condition between Coxhoe and West Cornforth, checking that signal levers on the line were in good working order. There was a siding on the line not far from Coxhoe Crossing in the Cornforth direction where empty trucks were often stored. Padlocks on the crossing were unlocked.
There were two trains a day at that time, one at 10am and one at about 1 pm. Only steam trains ran on the section between Ferryhill Station and Coxhoe. When the early morning train left Ferryhill they telephoned the goods station at Coxhoe so they could prepare for its arrival which was about 15 or 20 minutes after the phone call. Trucks were empty leaving Ferryhill.
The train sounded its whistle as it approached the crossing and would stop about 50 yards distant. Bob and Michael would check the trucks and ensure everything was OK.
Even in the 60’s there was a fair amount of traffic between Coxhoe and Durham and a good number of buses passed that way including G & B, Scarlet Band, United (double deckers), T.M.S., A.B.C – later D.D.S. There was keen rivalry between buses and they wanted to be on time so they could collect their allocation of passengers intended for them.
While every care was taken not to close the gates when motor vehicles were progressing through Coxhoe Michael says he was particularly careful to have a good look up the bank knowing that if he delayed the buses he would incur the driver’s wrath. This did happen on a few occasions.
Michael looks back on his time at ‘WH’ with affection. ‘it was a good job and only 80 yards distant from my home in Long Row’.
Coxhoe Local History Group 