RMweb Premium Andy Kirkham Posted January 29, 2020 RMweb Premium Share Posted January 29, 2020 (edited) I've just been looking through my new copy of The Atmospheric Western https://ttpublishing.co.uk/product/the-atmospheric-western-george-heirons-evocative-photographs-described-by-leslie-price/ Image 68 is a view of Gloucester Central station in which is visible a sign reading GENTLEMEN WASH & BRUSH UP. I seem to remember from my youth signs offering Wash and Brush-Up, but I have no idea what this entailed. Was it a service undertaken by an attendant or was it self-administered? What was it that was brushed? - one's hair, one's shoes, one's clothes? There is a British Transport Film entitled Wash and Brush Up, but it's not pertinent to this query except to highlight that it must have been an expression in common use at the time. Edited January 29, 2020 by Andy Kirkham Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold The Johnster Posted January 29, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 29, 2020 The BTC film is well worth the watching, and entitles those who have watched to buy another 20% more locos, as if your locos are out of service every 10 working days you need 20% more of them to maintain the timetable... That’s my excuse and I’m sticking to it! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Free At Last Posted January 29, 2020 Share Posted January 29, 2020 I remember in Lime Street Station, in the toilets there was a coin operated machine that brushed and polished your shoes. Any colour you wanted as long as it was brown or black. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
slilley Posted January 29, 2020 Share Posted January 29, 2020 The attached page is from Sir John Elliot's autobiography and relates to his time as the Chief Regional Officer on the LMR around 1949. It may give some indication of what sort of thing was involved. 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Andy Kirkham Posted January 29, 2020 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted January 29, 2020 29 minutes ago, slilley said: The attached page is from Sir John Elliot's autobiography and relates to his time as the Chief Regional Officer on the LMR around 1949. It may give some indication of what sort of thing was involved. Yes, that sounds as if it might be the sort of thing. Is that book "on and Off the Rails"? It's one I've had on my to-read list for a while. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Enterprisingwestern Posted January 29, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 29, 2020 Sounds like job for Julian and Sandy! Mike. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LBRJ Posted January 29, 2020 Share Posted January 29, 2020 The term reminds me of an old cartoon A chap is at the sink doing his thing and behind him is the toilet attendant advancing meaningfully with a mop held in the fashion of a knight with a lance...... But as the name suggests it is access to a private washroom, for more attentive washing than the sink in the public domain would allow. There was such a facility on offer in the attended public toilets at Sheffield Town Hall until quite recently. There was also a barber half way down the steps to the Gentlemens at Manchester Piccadilly until the turn of this centuries station renovations..... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Enterprisingwestern Posted January 30, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 30, 2020 11 hours ago, LBRJ said: There was also a barber half way down the steps to the Gentlemens at Manchester Piccadilly until the turn of this centuries station renovations..... How did he keep the chair level? Mike. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium rab Posted January 30, 2020 RMweb Premium Share Posted January 30, 2020 56 minutes ago, Enterprisingwestern said: How did he keep the chair level? Mike. He shaved off two of the legs 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
slilley Posted January 30, 2020 Share Posted January 30, 2020 23 hours ago, Andy Kirkham said: Yes, that sounds as if it might be the sort of thing. Is that book "on and Off the Rails"? It's one I've had on my to-read list for a while. Andy Yes it is. Bought it about 30 years in South Kensington and enjoyed it greatly. Simon Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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