The first Cat loader I worked on.

[bigkit]

Is that you front row 3rd from the left Martyn?

[martyn williams]

Yes

[bigkit]

you haven't changed a bit!

[v64paul]

That's quite a co-incidence Martyn, the first CAT loader i worked on was a 951a too. Probably around the same time. It was driven by a guy named Paul who had suffered polio as a child which left him with a caliper supporting his right leg. How he managed to climb in and out of the machine on a daily basis was a mystery. Of course, no-one called him by his first name, always either tin-leg or just leggit. One of our tasks was to repair the aforementioned leg caliper fairly frequently.... Of course boys will be boys and one day in the workshop he was helping the welder fit a new cutting edge to the 4 in 1 on his machine. He had turned his back on the welder to avoid the flash of the arc while i passed the welder a piece of scrap angle iron. A quick couple of runs later saw him firmly welded to the bucket while we went off for a brew. Somehow he reached the gas-axe and released himself ! Without doubt, you couldn't do any of that now, but i firmly believe it did me no harm. I respected the tradesmen around me fitters and operators alike. It was most of the wagon drivers i had a problem with (sorry Alan ) as the majority were'nt half the guys the plantmen were. The craic was mighty and i still miss those days.

[martyn williams]

Yes Paul
Good times,not the same these days. I could write a book on things we did. I enjoyed my days at the plant depot.It was a strange place as the Plasser ontrack machine maintenance boys would sell their granny to get overtime.The rest of the fitters were very good, no backstabbing at all.
Some of the guys held me down on a wagon and nailed my overalls to the wooden bed.
Clive,I was like a rake in those days, 11 stone. A bit heavier now
Martyn