Long trains arrived, which were the length of Whitley Bay station platform, to be met by boys with their bogies
Boys playing on a bogie
The Spanish City was always full during the summer months.
Locals seldom went, as we, apart from money, considered it for the ‘visitors’ or ‘trippers’. Visitors were on holiday and trippers lived within travelling distance and came for the day or evening.
We had electric trains, quiet and fast with up to twelve carriages. There were cheap fares after six o’clock and on weekends so complete families could afford to come to Whitley Bay. There were Glasgow, Edinburgh, Paisley and Wales weeks.
Long trains arrived, which were the length of Whitley Bay station platform, to be met by boys with their bogies. They charged 3d or 6d to take the visitors plus luggage to their lodgings. Rooms were booked with service, where the visitors brought their own food and the landladies cooked it for them.
Many a family lived for the rest of the year on money made during the summer months. I used to feel quite deprived as some of my fellow pupils slept in wash houses and some in the cupboard under the stairs as every room was let.
I really envied them but I also felt guilty at times as I did not go without at anytime. In fact, I had a very full and happy life but life changed for me, as it did for everyone, on 3rd September 1939. Another stage in our lives began that day.