2 Western's and A Jinty...
Hi all. Today, at 5:45am (well, actually 4:45am; stupid summer-time!), I pulled into Shackerstone and parked up ready for the day. Walking through the cold darkness, I could see the shed lights illuminating a resting 3803. As I walked into the shed, I passed the 38xx and then arrived at the 55xx (5542), which was due to be in steam today. The loco was already lit and was then prepared by myself, Andy, Carl and Trainee Danny. We all did various jobs but my main task was to go underneath, with the help of Carl, and oil up. Now, GWR designers were very clever, they created fantastic engines for exacting purposes and there were many very successful prototypes. However, the comfort and working conditions of the Enginemen and those who had to prepare them were completely overlooked. Many oiling points are underneath the engine and are very hard to get at, especially with heavy oil-pumping equipment. I clambered up inside the Valve Gear and managed to oil the Eccentrics and Reversing Shaft with the Feeder. There are then points on the Expansion Links and Lifting Links to do, as well as the Lever-system for the Piston Valves. This isn't forgetting the Axleboxes, 6 of which the engine has and four more which the two Pony-trucks possess. Many of these have to be drained off too, to protect against excess water that has built up in one fashion or another. Anyway, another good experience but, a day to day task nevertheless. 5542 was soon ready to go and, by 8am, she was ready to perform the two Driver Experience trips. Meanwhile, we had to use the 04 Shunter to get 3803 out of the way...
We took 3803 into Platform 1 and left her there whilst the 'Foot Ex' took place. She really is beautiful. She was built at Swindon in January 1939 at a cost of £4285. The 2884's, like the 28xx before them, were capable of pulling 2000 tons; a remarkable effort. 3803 herself spent alot of time around Tyseley in her early days, before plodding around various sheds on the GWR system; mainly hauling heavy freight. Severn Tunnel Junction was her last base before being withdrawn in July 1963 and sent to Barry. Leaving the yard in 1983, the loco resteamed in 2005 after an overhaul costing £350k! The beautiful '8F' 2-8-0 is visiting us from the SDR at Buckfastleigh. She will be at Shackerstone for the season so why not come along and see her? She is a beautiful Western relic. Below, the 'Eight-Legs' of 3803 can be seen... 
Up on the footplate, there is plenty of room. We can see the Regulator and huge Pole Reverser clearly. We can also see the Vacuum (right), Pressure (TL) and Steam Heat (CL) gauges. The loco has a Vacuum-only brake system with seperate Ejector valve as well as, of course, the natural GWR Vac-Pump. The loco also includes a Hydrostatic Lubricator and a 27ft-square grate area. Lovely cab and bags of space for swinging a shovel!... 
Meanwhile, whilst I took pictures of 3803 at Shack, the Prairie was working her way back. Clad in a hi-viz (yes, even I have to wear one sometimes!), I walked up the cutting and onto the embankment. Soon, 5542 arrived back, driven by the Foot.Ex participant; an RR Apprentice would you believe? Below, the loco coasts into the Shack Cutting under Barton Bridge; the Outer Home (No2) has already been pulled off... 
5542 passes my location, with Driver John Britt hanging from the cab...
Following the Foot.Ex, 5542 was ran round and readied for the day's 5 public services; the first departing at 11:15am. The crew was Driver Andy, Driver John, Fireman Carl and Trainee Danny. However, Pockets also did some driving during the day, and Eddie did some firing too. Throughout the day, we did various jobs. Myself, Eddie and Dave made a team effort of putting the 'guards' on the Grinnin' Idiot (TTTE); the Jinty in the shed. That engine always has something to smile about! Talking of which, we is out next weekend and the one after, with more of his friends from Sodor. Why not join us? Click HERE for details. Later, on the last trip, I got a footplate ride on the 55; nothing I haven't done before but still lots of fun (never turn a footplate ride down; ever!!). 5542 really is a beautiful machine and I'll be sad to see her leave for the 2nd time in a few weeks. Good luck to her and her support crew though; lovely machine. After the last trip we took 42' to bed and disposed of her, leaving all the engines together in slumber. Time for home now; we've bin here for 12 hours!! Evening All...
Hi all. Today, at 5:45am (well, actually 4:45am; stupid summer-time!), I pulled into Shackerstone and parked up ready for the day. Walking through the cold darkness, I could see the shed lights illuminating a resting 3803. As I walked into the shed, I passed the 38xx and then arrived at the 55xx (5542), which was due to be in steam today. The loco was already lit and was then prepared by myself, Andy, Carl and Trainee Danny. We all did various jobs but my main task was to go underneath, with the help of Carl, and oil up. Now, GWR designers were very clever, they created fantastic engines for exacting purposes and there were many very successful prototypes. However, the comfort and working conditions of the Enginemen and those who had to prepare them were completely overlooked. Many oiling points are underneath the engine and are very hard to get at, especially with heavy oil-pumping equipment. I clambered up inside the Valve Gear and managed to oil the Eccentrics and Reversing Shaft with the Feeder. There are then points on the Expansion Links and Lifting Links to do, as well as the Lever-system for the Piston Valves. This isn't forgetting the Axleboxes, 6 of which the engine has and four more which the two Pony-trucks possess. Many of these have to be drained off too, to protect against excess water that has built up in one fashion or another. Anyway, another good experience but, a day to day task nevertheless. 5542 was soon ready to go and, by 8am, she was ready to perform the two Driver Experience trips. Meanwhile, we had to use the 04 Shunter to get 3803 out of the way...
We took 3803 into Platform 1 and left her there whilst the 'Foot Ex' took place. She really is beautiful. She was built at Swindon in January 1939 at a cost of £4285. The 2884's, like the 28xx before them, were capable of pulling 2000 tons; a remarkable effort. 3803 herself spent alot of time around Tyseley in her early days, before plodding around various sheds on the GWR system; mainly hauling heavy freight. Severn Tunnel Junction was her last base before being withdrawn in July 1963 and sent to Barry. Leaving the yard in 1983, the loco resteamed in 2005 after an overhaul costing £350k! The beautiful '8F' 2-8-0 is visiting us from the SDR at Buckfastleigh. She will be at Shackerstone for the season so why not come along and see her? She is a beautiful Western relic. Below, the 'Eight-Legs' of 3803 can be seen... 
Up on the footplate, there is plenty of room. We can see the Regulator and huge Pole Reverser clearly. We can also see the Vacuum (right), Pressure (TL) and Steam Heat (CL) gauges. The loco has a Vacuum-only brake system with seperate Ejector valve as well as, of course, the natural GWR Vac-Pump. The loco also includes a Hydrostatic Lubricator and a 27ft-square grate area. Lovely cab and bags of space for swinging a shovel!... 
Meanwhile, whilst I took pictures of 3803 at Shack, the Prairie was working her way back. Clad in a hi-viz (yes, even I have to wear one sometimes!), I walked up the cutting and onto the embankment. Soon, 5542 arrived back, driven by the Foot.Ex participant; an RR Apprentice would you believe? Below, the loco coasts into the Shack Cutting under Barton Bridge; the Outer Home (No2) has already been pulled off... 
5542 passes my location, with Driver John Britt hanging from the cab...
Following the Foot.Ex, 5542 was ran round and readied for the day's 5 public services; the first departing at 11:15am. The crew was Driver Andy, Driver John, Fireman Carl and Trainee Danny. However, Pockets also did some driving during the day, and Eddie did some firing too. Throughout the day, we did various jobs. Myself, Eddie and Dave made a team effort of putting the 'guards' on the Grinnin' Idiot (TTTE); the Jinty in the shed. That engine always has something to smile about! Talking of which, we is out next weekend and the one after, with more of his friends from Sodor. Why not join us? Click HERE for details. Later, on the last trip, I got a footplate ride on the 55; nothing I haven't done before but still lots of fun (never turn a footplate ride down; ever!!). 5542 really is a beautiful machine and I'll be sad to see her leave for the 2nd time in a few weeks. Good luck to her and her support crew though; lovely machine. After the last trip we took 42' to bed and disposed of her, leaving all the engines together in slumber. Time for home now; we've bin here for 12 hours!! Evening All...
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