Brake shoe linings? Asbestos?

[306Puggy]

It won't be asbestos, it was phased out before the 306 was even built.

And for what it is worth, asbestos causes long term health problems, suggest looking up how because it is a lot of suffering for anyone with asbestosis. You wouldn't be coughing now from anything other than dust.

It's rife in my industry of power gen, because it was used to insulate anything and everything in the 60s, 70s and early 80s

Yes I have seen videos of the old "working class" type men with the farmer hats working in clouds of it in factories. Just thought I should confirm that it was not what was in my brake shoes! Even though it didn't look like it. Quite a cruel fate, all it takes is one puff then you know in 15-20 years you would succumb.

I used to have black boggies most nights after work at the garage...

am I going to die??

Heh, that just means you have been inhaling too much coal, no need to worry my son