Permanent Way at Shackerstone...
Hi all! During winter time, when trains aren't running, the Permanent Way on the Battlefield Line Railway (my standard gauge concern), has to maintained, repaired and sometimes, even renewed. Today, most of us who turned up from the Steam Department were on the P-Way case! Arriving at around 9:45am, I joined the P-Way train, consisting of 0-6-0 Class 04 (110), a box van (full of tools) and a normal wagon (carrying a generator and packing-stones). Once we were all in the cab, off we went! Our destination was the "Three Bridges" near Far Coton (about 3.5 miles from Shackerstone) where a few joints needed attention.
Throughout the day we made good progress, jacking, packing and then re-lowering a total of 7 pairs of joints. This may sound a small number to some(!) but its a long, repetitive and heavy job! However, it really makes a difference and improves the riding quality of the locomotives no end! At about 3:30pm, with the light failing fast and persistant rain falling, we decided to call it a day. After putting away the tools and reboarding 04 110, we set off for Shenton, just over a mile away. Here, we ran round the tiny train before departing again for Shackerstone. The shot above shows 04 110 chugging along happily (from the cab) towards Far Coton cutting. Below, the 04 approaches the location of the joints we "packed". I must admit, the loco did ride fantastically over the new-improved joints! It really makes a difference!...
For your interest, our "steed" for the day, 110, is a member of the 04 class and is preserved in BR Blue. They were a simple 0-6-0 diesel shunting locomotive which evolved from the well known "Class 03". A total of 142 Class 04's were built by BR between 1952 & 1962. Surprisingly, the locomotives had a top speed of around 27mph (a little brisk for such a short wheelbase I feel!). For their size, they were powerful machines, producing a tractive effort of over 15,000lbs! 110 was withdrawn from BR service in January 1969 and, after much moving around, arrived at Shackerstone in September 2001. She spent a good while out of service before returning to work in 2007, wearing a new livery of BR Blue with Wasp Stripes, the livery she wears today! Once back at Shackerstone, 04 110 was 'shut-down' whilst our team parted company: some went home, some went into the station, BUT I personally went into the cafe! It was definately time for a Coffee! I remained at Shackerstone until just before 5pm when I received my lift home! I'll be at Shackerstone again in 2 weeks time for a full weekend of cleaning LNER B1 "Mayflower", which will be in steam on Santa Duties, all being well! Thanks for reading folks. Evening All...
Throughout the day we made good progress, jacking, packing and then re-lowering a total of 7 pairs of joints. This may sound a small number to some(!) but its a long, repetitive and heavy job! However, it really makes a difference and improves the riding quality of the locomotives no end! At about 3:30pm, with the light failing fast and persistant rain falling, we decided to call it a day. After putting away the tools and reboarding 04 110, we set off for Shenton, just over a mile away. Here, we ran round the tiny train before departing again for Shackerstone. The shot above shows 04 110 chugging along happily (from the cab) towards Far Coton cutting. Below, the 04 approaches the location of the joints we "packed". I must admit, the loco did ride fantastically over the new-improved joints! It really makes a difference!...
For your interest, our "steed" for the day, 110, is a member of the 04 class and is preserved in BR Blue. They were a simple 0-6-0 diesel shunting locomotive which evolved from the well known "Class 03". A total of 142 Class 04's were built by BR between 1952 & 1962. Surprisingly, the locomotives had a top speed of around 27mph (a little brisk for such a short wheelbase I feel!). For their size, they were powerful machines, producing a tractive effort of over 15,000lbs! 110 was withdrawn from BR service in January 1969 and, after much moving around, arrived at Shackerstone in September 2001. She spent a good while out of service before returning to work in 2007, wearing a new livery of BR Blue with Wasp Stripes, the livery she wears today! Once back at Shackerstone, 04 110 was 'shut-down' whilst our team parted company: some went home, some went into the station, BUT I personally went into the cafe! It was definately time for a Coffee! I remained at Shackerstone until just before 5pm when I received my lift home! I'll be at Shackerstone again in 2 weeks time for a full weekend of cleaning LNER B1 "Mayflower", which will be in steam on Santa Duties, all being well! Thanks for reading folks. Evening All...
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