It was during the summer months of 1960 or 1961. I went to Northampton on the train to look at a ‘Gordon’ three-wheel car which this chap had for sale for £25.00. (And that is another story!) I said I would have it and we arranged that I would bring the money and pick up the car after I had arranged insurance, etc. 

I made my way back to the station to get a train back to Rugby, and it must have been around 9:30 at night. I know I had just missed one and I was dog tired seeing as I was on early mornings, around 5:00. I asked a porter when the next one for Rugby was due in and he said in about an hour. I told him I was going to get my head down and would he wake me when the train came in.

 I nodded off on the seat on the platform and was woken by the sound of a train coming in. People got off and on and I shouted to the porter, “Is this the one?” and he put his thumbs up and nodded. I climbed on and stood near the window and we were soon under way.

 I watched as the goods sidings came and went and then I thought, “Hang on, that’s the Rugby line over there (to the left)”. We were heading for Market Harborough!

 I made my way to the Guard’s van and he told me that our first stop was Leicester! I explained the predicament I was in and he said, “Well, we have to slow down going through Market Harborough, all I can suggest is that you get your feet running like hell and JUMP!”

Anyway, I managed to jump and stay upright, and wandered around the platform to find someone to ask. Nothing! No trains to Rugby! So I made my way up to the signal box and asked the Bobby if he could help. He suggested that a goods train would be coming through at around 11:00 and he would tell the driver to give me a chance to get in the guard’s van.

That’s how it happened, I accompanied the guard back to Rugby, got off the goods train, got on my push bike and made my way home to Kilsby where I had a couple of hours before going back to work.

The things we did when we were young! LOL