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| courtesy Philip Fry Collection |
The Passport to the Works: "Before the first whistle blew at the Carriage Works, the day began on the platform. This 1948 Third Class Workman’s return ticket—popularly known as a pass for the 'Lancing Belle'—was the daily companion for thousands of workers commuting from Brighton. At a cost of 11½d, it was more than just a fare; it was the entry requirement for the 'Steel Ring' community. For many, the camaraderie of the Works didn't start at the factory gates, but in the shared carriages of the morning train."
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| The Philip Fry Collection: Paint Shop Staff c. 1910 featuring Foreman Mr Leppard in the bowler hat. |
The Philip Fry Collection: Industrial Pride (c. 1910)
This rare photograph captures the workforce at a pivotal moment. By 1910, the mission had expanded from wagon stock to the complex construction of railway carriages.
- The Foreman: Standing on the far left is Mr Leppard.
- The Crew: Pictured outside the Paint Shop, these men established the high standards of finish Lancing became famous for.
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| courtesy Philip Fry collection - The Wheel Shop: Engineering Precision c. 1910 |
The men of the Wheel Shop were responsible for the high-stakes task of machining wheels between centres on massive wheel-turning lathes.
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| courtesy Philip Fry collection - Wood-block wheels: A steel outer rim with a wooden interior. |
A Fire in the Works: Faster speeds and frequent braking on electric trains caused the steel rings to heat up so dramatically that they began to char the wooden blocks, forcing a transition to all-steel wheels.
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| courtesy Philip Fry collectio - Southern Railway Payment Tin No. 2446 |
The Friday Exchange: "This 1950 Pay Ticket belongs to Derek Fry (Works No. 2381). Derek would hand in his slip and receive this brass Payment Tin. Inside would be his wages, minus deductions for 'Railway Convalescent Homes'—the community looked after its own."
| Item | Focus | Key Figure |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 Payslip | Mechanical Engineer’s Dept | Derek Fry (No. 2381) |
| Payment Tin | The Physical Reward | Works No. 2446 |
See Also: Part 9: The Social Heart of South Street - Inside the Green Turtle.
Series Links: Lancing Village Memories
Bibliography: The Philip Fry Collection
Delve deeper into Lancing’s history with these essential titles by Philip Fry:
- Lancing & Sompting (ISBN 0-7509-0940-4)
- Lancing & Sompting: A Second Selection (ISBN 0-7509-1363-0)
- Lancing: A Photographic History (ISBN 978-1-3999-7048-8)
Special thanks to Philip Fry for his dedication to preserving our village history.
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