This ones going to be a long one kids, so sit down and grab a brew and read. Unfortuntley its a sad tale, let's give it a happy ending for the future generations.
Please read the attached statement because it's really, really important.
Sorry for the delay folks but I had to think about my words carefully.
Please take the time read my statement in response the open letter by the
@eastlancsrly
Railways Chair,
@elrchairman
, its important.
From the very first to the very last turn.
13 March 2013 - 04 April 2023
🧵Thank you to everyone for all their good wishes in my shortlisting for the
@WomeninRail
award,I still can't believe I'm seeing my name amongst such amazing people, me, Joanne Crompton, volunteer in the heritage rail,named amongst many inspirational women in the mainline sector
I know tensions are high, but I've just been told that I'm only 'playing' trains in heritage at 25mph.
Nah mate, I'm managing many cubit feet of white hot fire and managing a pressured bomb that's pulling 200 passengers, I ain't 'playing' at anything.
Jog on kitty 😅👍
In amongst the sad events going on, we mustn't lose sight that
#volunteering
as a whole is a joyous and rewarding experience for many, the young and not so young.
We must remember that there are heritage railways out there trying their best to be better, trying hard to change.
I have to say I'm disappointed with a recent railway themed magazine for publishing an image of a scantily clad woman in front of a steam loco whilst men are portrayed in full working gear.
This is what women featured should be wearing and holding.
Representation is everything.
One of my most favourite photos taken while I was training before I was removed from Driver Training.
It was a wet day and under the watchful instruction of
@jonnybury
, a very experienced mentor I prepped, and drove all day, 5 coaches and then 9. Great day with lots of praise.
I was hoping to remain dignified & respectful in my current situation, I have been made aware of an individual insinuating that I have been untruthful
As a result I am now forced to defend myself & will be making the all the facts known for people to make their own judgement.
Now the cats out of the bag, a new chapter begins in my Footplate journey.
I won't lie, I got pretty emotional when I was handed this, grateful for the opportunity given from the training team, grateful to have made it this far, feeling apprehensive but excited.
My youngest son is 29 today. I had him when I was just barely 18 & not long out of the care system. I managed to keep him out of the care system & now he has grown into an independent, strong man, doing well. I'm very proud of him
Proof you can break the cycle
Happy birthday 🎂
A couple more from Saturdays firing turn at
@LlangollenRail
. It was one of those very satisfying days, one of those days where you always busy, lots of things to do, places to go and plenty of people to speak to, volunteers & passengers alike.
It was nice to be a happy Joanne 😁
3 years ago today I made the grade of Passed Cleaner at Llangollen Railway, only 6 months after having majornsurgery and several organs removed to save my life. This is the face of determination and joy at the same time👍
I needed a 'professional headshot' for the
@wr_awards
, the only photos I have involve a mucky face & steam locos 🙈 After being messed about, a good friend came to the rescue, this is the result. Thank goodness for friends with cameras!
I much prefer a mucky face though! 😅
4 years ago today, thanks to Facebook memories.
1 cancer v 12 weeks & 1 determined woman.
Time moves on, I move on, still here, still fighting, still moving forwards albeit slowly at the moment 😁👍
A very hot, sweaty and dirty day yesterday but a good one none the less. Got to fire my first train onto the new station at Corwen on a gorgeous day. Brought a bit of a lump in the throat for all that hard work that everyones put in. Felt very proud of them all.
10 years ago today, my first ever visit to a heritage railway. Here I am, clutching my membership papers, you have no idea how hard I was holding onto those papers. Little did I know that 10 years later I'd be where I am today...
So today was an all clear, CT scan no reoccurnce of cancer, everything looks as it should. I've passed my FTR and I'm fit for traffic as they say. Oncologists are over the moon at my progress and physical fitness & will be updating the studies at Liverpool Womens Hospital 👍👍
I've almost finished working my way through the 100s of messages I've received privately over the last few days across all platforms, its been overwhelming at times, every message, bar a few were positive & supportive.
I just cannot thank you all enough. I just can't
Thank you❤
Pottering around on shed a year ago helping new cleaners bed in and turned to see Beefy staring back at me from the depths of the shed. Just had to snap the moment.
Absolutely stunned to have been shortlisted for the Inspirational Woman of the Year Award at this years
@wr_awards
, the first ever nomination from the heritage rail industry.
Thank you so much to those who have nominated me for this amazing award, I am truly humbled
@WomeninRail
Today I was released from the oncologists care. They are happy that all existing lumps are benign. Very few people with Leiomyosarcoma survive & I've made it to 5 years clear.
I'm celebrating in the most appropriate way, with
@Greenhalghs
butter pie and a Scooby Doo gingerbread.
Face ache throwing put some great memories today!
5 years ago I got to fire two pacifics in one day, 6233 on the gala services and 34092 on the evening diner. It was a brilliant day!
Echoing many other sentiments expressed today, its sad news regarding the retirement of No 09, my heart goes out to those who have been through thick & thin with her since the 60s. I've had some great turns with her & some great memories made, with some great people...
Dreams..never ever let then go.
05/10/2012 & 20/10/2018
This is what hard work & determination looks like. Unknown to the people around me I was in excruciating pain with cancer but this didnt stop me from living my ultimate dream, firing my grandads favourite engine.👍
12 years ago yesterday, my 1st ever rostered cleaning turn at a heritage railway.
12 years and lots of turns and many, many engines later, firing a Pannier tank up and down the gorgeous Dee Valley.
Simply wonderful.
You glow differently when you are truly happy 🤩
No win for me tonight, congrats to the winner, well deserved! Everyone of those women nominated are inspirational ❤
There were over 100 nominations & I made it to the top 8, that's enough for me
A great night in a historic roundhouse & a 3 course meal, meeting heroes,champion👍
First time firing a Jinty today, 47298 out on a light engine test run today. I can see why they are popular!
Of course we all had to ignore the sneering shunter on the next road, the rudeness coming out of it was obscene.
Today a huge weight was lifted from my weary shoulders. 2 weeks ago a lump was discovered in my abdomen, 2 days later I had full body CT scan, today I got the total all clear, no cancer, I've almost made it to my 44th birthday, I've made it to another Xmas. Today I am grateful.
Well, I've made it to another birthday, one non of us thought I'd make it to, yet here I am, still here & I'm so grateful for that👍
5 years ago today I got to take 80097 out on a test run,best birthday present ever,2 days later I found out I had
#leiomyosarcoma
#sarcomasurvivor
I love this photo taken Oct 2018, taken on the way back to Bury from Heywood, passing over the M66, I remember just looking out and smiling.
Heritage traction passing over modern traction...
Taken by Hobo Tom Photography
Memory box time, 3 years ago today the diesel lot convinced me to try a 37 on for size....my favourite diesels are 37s and 40s..although I do like a 33 and quite partial to a 14...maybe I'll drive these one day..... 😂😂👍🚂
This is what blood,sweat,tears,sheer determination & vision can achieve when harnessed & driven forwards
It will be a proud moment for everyone involved when this is going up & down the valley.
It's not just another loco fresh out of overhaul,its a token of hope, passion & belief
3 years ago today. 12 weeks between those two photos.
1 cancer v 12 weeks & 1 determined woman. Theres been a few set backs along the way with more to come but I'm still fighting to stay healthy, I've got so much to do yet👍
Up, fed, dressed and out the door for 04.30, engine disposed and lit by 06.15. Birds tweeting and the suns threatening to make an appearance, hopefully the makings of a good day 🤞👍
It's great to see my name back on the firing roster, I decided to take a break in December as my head wasn't in the right place, but it's back where it belongs now and I'm ready to go👍🚂
Fireman Crompton is back baby 👍
Just this❤
There is nothing else to say.
This is such a wonderful image featuring 2 steams locos passing each other on the wonderful Settle - Carlisle line.
@foscl
@60163_Tornado
@westcoastrail
#settleCarlisle
Photo taken by Kall Chels Buckley Evans
Happy 100th Birthday
#FlyingScotsman
.
No matter what your thoughts are on this iconic locomotive, it has and still is inspiring many people to be involved in heritage railways in every way, from membership to volunteering.
I've been lucky enough to have fired it.
It's been a rather tough day today, another photo from the archives to cheer me up and remind me of happier times.
A day out with 46115 in summer of 2017, taken at Carlisle, I'm a hot, sweaty mess, but a happy, hot sweaty mess! 🤣
Felt a bit glum today after receiving some negative comments. That soon faded into comparison as I overhead a family in the next comp saying how amazing it was to meet a lady Fireman after I'd been introduced to them by the TTI.Proves that everything I'm doing is so worth while👍
I'd go as far as to say its been hotter firing that engine than it has been in the kitchen of Satans hellhole but it's been a good day as always. Another new Cleaner given a taste of the footplate & lots of full trains. Cracking!
4 years ago today I made the grade of Passed Cleaner at Llangollen, just 6 months after major surgery for cancer too. 4 years, it seems like only yesterday!
So if you can't see who ♥️ or 'Likes' your tweets, and you can't see who's liked or ♥️ other peoples tweets, then what's the point 'Likes' or ♥️ at all?
Am I missing a point here?
#BringBackLIKES
@ccwild79
This was me, a child in care, drinking, smoking and taking drugs from 11 years of age. No hope, no future. Disposable, cast out by the care system at 16 on a path to no where. At 17, homeless and pregnant I made a decision to change my life and I did. Children deserve better.
8 years ago, I'd only been passed out 3 months and was firing the Santas, captured eyeing something up by Richard Harnetty.
Its one of my favourite photos, theres just something about it. Little me, big engine.
The first of many hospital visits started today, it's been nice to have a month or two off.
Back to the reality of living with cancer. This one was a good followup to the scan of the old noggin. No nasty interlopers in there, there was a brain spotted though 👍👍
@JaneyGodley
After my hysterectomy I was very ill and vomited for 15 hours, through the night. A nurse came and lifted my head & kept changing my sick bowl as I couldnt move and just rubbed my shoulder as I dry heaved and cried in pain. That simple act of the shoulder rub was so reassuring.
5,283 views
I will not 'put up & shut up'.
I will not be silenced & will continue to encourage others not to be silenced. When a culture of 'put up & shut' is promoted,positive change cannot happen
I will continue to be a splash of colour in a grey world.
11 February 2019 to 05 May 2019.
1 cancer v 12 weeks & 1 determined woman. Nothing and no one will ever hold me back from doing what I love, what I was meant to do. Any problem big or small, bring it all. ❤🚂👍
What an absolutely fantastic day firing at
@LlangollenRail
. Glorious weather, packed trains & lots of happy people. It's been a bloody hot day and I've e lost a few crumpets in sweat but a brilliant day with brilliant company 👍👍
Thanks everyone.
Unfortunately, I've let the world change my smile, and I need to step away from things for a little while, so I'll not be tweeting or answering DMs until I'm ready.
Take care everyone, remember, there's only one you, try and be the best you can be xx
An engine slowly waking up this morning.
Took 5 minutes out to just stand and listen to her tick, click and generally chit chat away to herself. These things are definitely alive with a fire in thier belly. They make all kinds of sounds. Amazing inventions.
Lets send some positive messages out about
#volunteering
Young people can benefit from volunteering when looking to get into employment.
Volunteering can:
💭Promote positive self awareness
🏅Develops life skills
☺Improve mental health
🔈Be great work great experience for CVs
10 years ago today, at the start of my journey in the heritage railway world cleaning one of the first locos I ever fired. It's been an eventful 10 years to say the least & at this point I'm not sure what the next 10 years will bring. Still smiling though 👍
This was how I got to say goodbye to my dying father, an unanswered text message, while No 10 partied.
Sorry for the downbeat tweets today folks, with every scandal and double standard that reveals itself, I fear that this country is at rock bottom under this government.
Trying to organise an AGM for another organisation and I've just found out 2nd hand that the Chair has actually banned me from ALL ELR property including pubs, public areas and stations. Wow.
Just wow.
Anyone would think I was a dangerous criminal or danger to Society... 🤔
Today has been the most liberating day I've had for a long time. A huge weight lifted from my weary shoulders. A heavy burden gone.
Thank to all you amazing people for your support on this. I am forever indebted.
This weekend I turned off all my notifications & emails, put the bad situations out of my head & did what I enjoy doing & it's what I needed. Total focus on my role for that day, enjoying & doing what I love without fear.
You glow differently when you are happy, I certainly did🌞
Tonight my father lost his courageous fight against this horrific illness, he fought long and hard, no matter how tough and determined a character he was, he just couldn't overcome it. My heart is broken, my soul is hurting. God speed ❤
Had a brilliant day being Secondman, what a well organised gala, it was just brilliant to see lots of passengers, lots of cracking diesel locos, the place had a buzz about it that it's not had for a while due to Covid. Well done to all who organised it!
Here are 3 Cromptons.
5 years ago today, a very poignant day. The last day of firing for my mate
@PaulGre36302095
. I had cancer & this was to be my last firing turn before going g off to try & get better. We didn't know if it was to be our last day ever so we made it a belter, Paul let me drive too👍
Just when I was seriously considering chucking it all in & giving up the fight, I received a wonderful message today off a female heritage rail volunteer who had reached a low point, after making contact & watching my video she has been enable to re-adjust & refocus.
So have I.
And they say it's all about the romance of steam! A grim wet morning in
#Bury
this morning, 80097 prepped and coming round gently ready for todays services
@eastlancsrly
It was heart warming and encouraging to see a locomotive in steam today, to just stand and see a beautiful black 5 ticking and whispering away to herself in the sunshine filled me with hope.
Sadly, this is true, along with other texts & incidents, all evidence supplied to the investigator.
The majority of people whom I've worked with have been professional at all times, these people are being let down & the hard work they have done & continue to do is being eroded.
Inconclusive?!
She received a text from a very senior manager saying “how about you and me in a hotel room?”
How ‘inconclusive’ or ambiguous is that?!
Unbelievable.
Jo has put up with this for years.