When Romford Had Steam Trains

This children's address was found in a November 1949 copy of Progress, the monthly magazine for the Romford Congregational Church. It is interesting to see what things they discussed in the post-war years in comparison to now.

Dear Children,
I am afraid you will have to put up with me again this month. 

The other night as I came down in the train I thought about the new electric trains that have started to run to and from Romford, and I had a feeling of regret that the steam engine may one day be a thing of the past. I think the boys will be sorry to see them go because I have never yet come across a real boy who did not, at some time of his life, want to be an engine driver.

When I was your size we used to have lots of different coloured engines - some were blue, some black, green ones, red ones, light brown, as each Railway Company thought fit; and all had a different tone of whistle. I remember one was very deep and another very shrill. That was so the men in the signal boxes knew which trains were coming along. 

A lot of the engines had names. There were those called after castles, racehorses, Kings, Knights of the Round Table, famous people and it always seemed so interesting to know the name of the engine that had pulled your train on a long journey. The drivers and firemen although rather grimy also seemed such nice people as a rule and often would wave back or have a cheery word from the footplate - as they call the little platform where they stand - when we passed them.

Have you ever heard a big engine pant as it comes to rest at the platform after a long run, just as if it was out of breath? Of course, it is not that really. It is the water being pumped into the boiler. 

But that pumping reminds me of a story I heard ever so many years ago. It was about an engine that had a very long train behind it, and as there was a big slope (or incline) to go up the fireman was rather afraid the old girl (as he called her) would not be able to do it and said so to the driver. He was a much older man and replied "You keep the steam up and listen to what she says." And do you know, it sounded just as if the engine was saying
I think I can do it
I THINK I can do it
I  THINK  I can do it
I    THINK    I can do it.
Just then the top of the slope was reached and the driver smiled at the fireman and said, as the train gathered speed, "What did I tell you. Now listen to her."

And sure enough, as they were going down the other side it seemed as if she laughed and said
I   thought   I could do it
I thought I could do it
IthoughtIcoulddoit
IthoughtIcoulddoit.

Yes, for some things I shall be quite sorry if we cease to have the big steam engines, won't you?

Cheerio,
The Editor [Mr T. J. Dove]

A Steam Train at Romford Station