Tony Miller, archivist at the Welsh Railways Research Circle sent me a copy of the minutes of the Hereford Engine Drivers and Firemen’s United Society (the predecessor of ASLEF). The interesting bit is a record of the meeting with J Armstrong Esq, who was Superintendent of Locomotive Engines to the Great Western Railway from 1864 to 1877. The deputation came from quite a number of locomotive depots on the GWR including and concerns the grouse that enginemen were paid on booked time whereas actual time was often a great deal longer and hence they were working for free. What the outcome was is not known. I gather the original of this is in the Hereford Record Office.

from-the-archives

from-the-archives-2

Courtesy of Welsh Railways Research Circle