Theddingworth Crossing

One of the most frightening experiences I ever had on the footplate was one winter's evening when I went as passenger with my driver, Arthur Champion and two diesel fitters to fetch a Sulzer diesel back from Market Harborough.

Everything was fine and Arthur was chatting to the two fitters who stood behind him in the cab. He looked at the distant for Theddingworth Crossing and it was off, so he carried on chatting as we trundled along at about 40 mph. I kept my eye on the road, peering ahead into the darkness when suddenly I saw a red light!

"Hey, mate, the home is ON!", I yelled. Arthur looked and said something to the effect of, "Bloody hell, so it is!". We all agreed that the distant was off!

Arthur slammed the brake on, but anyone who has been on a Sulzer knows you might as well dangle your feet on the rails, because it would have about as much effect! I started winding the handbrake on at the front and Arthur sent one of the fitters to the other end to put that handbrake on.

We hit the closed gates with an almighty wallop! Those gates are probably the strongest and heaviest gates ever made, but bits went flying in every direction! I think it was about a quarter of a mile after the crossing where we finally came to a standstill. We all got out and ran back to the crossing where the keeper was beside himself!

"I didn't know you were in the section", he blurted out, "I closed them to let a car across!"

I think he got suspended for that, but the engine nor anyone else suffered any damage, thank goodness!

Jack (Big) Pratt