YOUR Flashback picture of the old Tolladine goods yard with all its locomotives (Letters, Monday, July 18) vividly recalls my only visit to the site.

Like many youngsters of my age, I had ideas about becoming an engine driver, and placed my name on a waiting list. In due course, I received notification that vacancies had arisen for two greasers and I was invited to attend for interview.

Among about 60 other applicants, I found myself sitting a written examination. First came a paper on maths which included questions on the Pythagoras theorem and Archimedes principle. There followed a colour blindness test in which I had to sort out different coloured wools.

Next came dictation and that was by no means easy. Strangely enough, I knew perfectly well how to spell the word "guard" but a momentary aberration caused me to transpose two of the letters and the word was repeated several times. Finally came the interview. "Recite the last piece of poetry you learnt at school," I was told. Dutifully I recited the first 10 lines of Milton's "On his blindness" when the interviewer signalled me to stop. Faultlessly he completed the poem then told me I had failed by reason of my spelling of the word "guard." If these were the standards required of a greaser it was fortunate I had not applied for something more intellectual like a porter or messenger boy. By the way, your flashback picture of Wednesday, July 20, looks like the Vinegar Works Express on its branch line crossing Shrub Hill near Holy Trinity Church and Heenan and Froude.

I recollect there were two large railway signals here to warn road traffic, always supplemented by the guard with his flag.

JOHN HINTON, Worcester.