Liverpool Overhead Railway

**shytalk** · 08-21-2006

I remember the last day it ran. I worked for Blakes the Ford dealer in Hardman St. The boss there a Mr. Stanley Blake Reece was a train enthusiast and he hired buses to transport the whole company, all branches and closed up shop to take us on the last ride.
We went the full length and back. Can't imagine todays businessmen doing a thing like that.

**john** · 08-21-2006

I am too young for the overhead,

but I do remember Blakes in Hardman street

FKoE · 08-21-2006

I remember the stumps

**lindylou** · 08-22-2006

Originally Posted by FKoE

I remember the stumps

What are the stumps FKoE ??

**lindylou** · 08-22-2006

I remember Blakes very well.

Not the 'Overhead' tho' .. (thank God there's at least something I'm not old enough to remember !!) Ha!

**bobbymac** · 08-22-2006

Oh tep, I remember the overhead, I remember Blakes in hardman St. and also Bold St. and me dad did his aprentiship (?) in Blakes, Safety Lane. So there! Lol. Nowt wrong with Blakes there watership down.

Wouldn't be ya heavy foot and lack of oil that caused ya meltdown would it?

**bobbymac** · 08-22-2006

Shy, when did you work for Blakes?

**shytalk** · 08-22-2006

bobbymac,
1954-1959, I was at Hardman St. didn't know many people from Safety Lane. I think whoever ran that place had a screw loose though, Safety Lane were distributers for "Cyclemaster" it was a little engine built into a wheel to put on a push bike. Why would a car company this big sell a piece of c r a p like that
I did know the manager who was there at one time because he came to Hardman St. Percy Gooding was his name.

**bobbymac** · 08-25-2006

Omg Shy, I remember the 'Cyclemaster' all those old guys who couldn't pedal any more had them.

Used to see lots of them at Newsham Pk. gate and Tuebrook when the Automatic knocked off.

My girl friend worked in the office of Blakes in Bold St. starting around 58.'till sometime in the mid 60's.

**shytalk** · 08-25-2006

What was her name I might know her.

**Waterways** · 08-25-2006

Originally Posted by bobbymac

Oh tep, I remember the overhead, I remember Blakes in hardman St. and also Bold St. and me dad did his aprentiship (?) in Blakes, Safety Lane. So there! Lol. Nowt wrong with Blakes there watership down.

Wouldn't be ya heavy foot and lack of oil that caused ya meltdown would it?

Blakes a good company? Read what I wrote. They were cowboys. No idea of customer service and once they had your money they couln't give a hoot. They epitomised everything that was wrong with British service and industry. Cowboys, Sharks. Your Dad din't deal with them from my angle. People will tell themselves lies when it comes to their weekly pack packet.

What is with this Watershipdown? Have you become more senile

FKoE · 08-25-2006

Did you ever think Watership, that only you recieved bad customer service, because you maybe were an obnoxious customer

?

FKoE · 08-25-2006

Originally Posted by lindylou

What are the stumps FKoE ??

.. the stumps were what was left of the supports years after the Overhead was demolished.

**shytalk** · 08-25-2006

I'm not getting into a slanging match about a company I worked for almost 50 years ago. Just to say that if it was a new car as you say, the manufacturer is responsible for accepting warranty claims. If it broke down in France why would you go back to Blakes with it, must have been hundreds of dealerships nearer?.

**Waterways** · 08-26-2006

Originally Posted by shytalk

I'm not getting into a slanging match about a company I worked for almost 50 years ago. Just to say that if it was a new car as you say, the manufacturer is responsible for accepting warranty claims. If it broke down in France why would you go back to Blakes with it, must have been hundreds of dealerships nearer?.

The dealer is responsible, not the maker. Any problems you deal with who sold you the product - any product.

The big ends went at 2,000 miles. The French Ford dealer could not repair the engine and sent it back with the engine in peices in the boot. The AA took it back and dropped it off at Blakes with the front smashed in.

Blakes said they would repair the engine and I would have to claim off my insurance to fix the grill. I said you can **** off. I would have been OK with new engine and grill at the time. I went to lawyers who said they could get my money back. I said go for it. Blakes said they would charge parking fees. Ford did nothing as it was not their problem. I was in contact and they just wanted to know what was going on. I asked for the report from Ford of Europe. They never sent it after many requests. I again asked and the man I was dealing with was on hols. His replacement sent it. The engine was used (in a new car) and the crank was down to maximim turning. The French could not fix the engine at all as the crank was scrap..

I gave my lawyers the report. They said we have them by the goolies now. The case date was set and then Blakes settled out of court with the cost of the car and more on top and my lawyers fees. They took me to the courts doorstep, knowing the big man could do that and the small man may not be able to afford it - how many did they screw and got away with it?. I stuck out.

They were amateur arseholes who once they had your money coudn't give a hoot. I'm glad they went under. COWBOYS. Everything that was wrong with British service and industry they were it.

One company I was with were going to get 12 fleet cars. Ford and GM were the choices. I convinced them to go GM. One other guy I knew was in the process of signing a fleet deal, Ford were in the lead - just, I convinced him not to - 200 cars.

What goes around comes around.