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Episode 2: Backstreet Mecnanic

dukesTT

352,017 views

Fred always described himself as a 'back street mechanic' and the workshop in his garden where he did his 'mechanicing' was a one-off. It was all assembled from scrap and the cast offs from old mills and factories but it was probably the finest working example of a steam powered engineering workshop in the country. Fred takes us on a tour of the garden, shows us how everything works and demonstrates some of the jobs he can do in it.

20 Comments

@kevdadd1976 6 years ago

A true historian
Not only did he learn all he could
He lived it as well

@toddcott9510 1 year ago

Speaking as an old backstreet mechanic myself. We never sew the mental health problems with hands on people, that is now such a problem among today's youngsters.

@indyzzr 12 years ago

Never forget you fred r.i.p. grew up fascinated with his programme s on tv .
A legend

@ShevillMathers 3 years ago

Fred & I would have got on very well-came out of a similar mould over the Pennines in Leeds in January 1938. Now 85 I have added wood turning to my many interests. My first model steam engine and boiler took me a year to build to exacting standards, a medical career did not leave me too much time for my diverse interests & skills. Lovely man, Fred, sadly he left this mortal coil far too early. R.I.P Legend.

@garyc5483 11 years ago

A great loss to the mechanicing trade. I met him once, a really nice man with time for everyone.

@mrnice88x 3 years ago

I like the term Backstreet mechanic. I've always thought of myself as a field mechanic. When plowing snow, no ones going to save you at 2 AM in a blizzard.

@paulp96275 4 years ago

How many folks did Fred inspire to get off their backsides and do something who are now passing on what they learned 👍👨🏻‍🏭

@DorsetGuy 4 years ago

Fred was a wonderful bloke. A “man’s man” really. I often go to Tonge cemetery to pay my respects when in the area. His former home is still resplendent with its woody glade but all of his workshops and kit are now gone. Bloody heartbreaking.

@grahamwood156 7 years ago

I wish my father was still alive so I could show him this he did his apprenticeship in the shipyards Stockton on tees he would have loved this

@robertparkes4982 10 years ago

Dear Fred, would have loved to have met him.......

@andymandyandsheba4571 12 years ago

this is one great guy R.I.P fred

@casper1240 9 years ago

Thers got to be other men like Dear old Fred out there ,go and find them TV

@gregcollins3404 12 years ago

All the guys like Fred and the guys that preceded him, did more to change the world though their hands-on skills developing metal machines and the industrial age than we appreciate. All the people in the world complaining about the 1st world leaving the 2nd and 3rd worlds behind would be better off learning from Fred.

@geoffm9944 4 years ago

A very hard working and unique man, who was a courageous and skilled steeplejack, as well as being someone who became an accomplished self taught engineer. Fred was a remarkable character, whose enthusiasm for engineering launched an incredibly successful TV series. RIP

@michaelwatson4822 8 years ago

will never forget when I met fred at a steam rally when I was a young lad , he was a larger than life character , love watching him on you tube , your passion for the industrial age has passed on a lot of knowledge to many , thank you for the work you did , a real friendly , warm person with lots of character , sadly taken from us far too early

@NiallWilliamsCymru 4 months ago

Can't be ignored lucky 30 y old who luckily got passed the tradition as an engineer xxx

@Waveluth 4 years ago

Gosh I miss that man so very much. He was one of my hero’s. I wrote him a letter once with a question I had about forging a piece for a custom Harp I was building. I never heard back from Fred but I never figured I would with how busy a man he was. What a brilliant engineer he was and he had balls of brass to climb those chimneys. I get shaky just watching the videos of him up on them. God bless Him he was a good man.
✌🏻🇺🇸👍🏻

@billconnor103 3 years ago

Remarkable man sadly missed ❤️

@colinmoore7460 3 years ago

I think that if Fred couldn't get what he needed, he'd make something, use that to make something else, then use THAT to make what he wanted in the first place!