Steam Trains Return to Shackerstone...
Hi everyone. Today was the first steam day of the 2011 season and therefore the Small Prairie No5542 was in steam to haul the four sheduled services to Shenton and back. I arrived at Shackerstone at 8:30am and discovered the Great Western engine still in the shed. The loco was just about to move out; drain cocks open; into the morning light. Then, with a quick whistle and a large hiss of steam, the engine moved outside. I then clambered up on top and cleaned the safety valve bonnet and the two Western whistles. Meanwhile, the loco was warming up nicely and by 10am she was already off shed. This gave plenty of time to Steam Heat the 4-coach train ready for passengers to board for the first run at 11:15am. Below, steaming away nicely, 5542 gets the first public steam train of 2011 underway, under the control of Driver Adrian Aylward, Fireman Bruce Murray and Trainee Fireman Dan Hone...
5542 chugs away nicely up the gradient towards the Signalbox as Bruce looks out from the cab...
Back in the Mess Room, "BC" Owner Mic had arrived with one of "Sir Gomer"s freshly painted nameplates. These plates were purchased by the railway a few years back and have been waiting in the wings as it were, for the Peckett's return to action. Compared to the old aluminium plates, these really are something; they're massive!...
Today, whilst 5542 operated the four services, we were still busy in the shed. The main job was more shunting with the Class 02 Diesel "Diane". One of the box van wagons, which contains a few spare parts, had been suffering terrible weather damage. Therefore, we had to get it inside the shed. But first, the Peckett, the B1 tender and "BC" all had to come outside. Therefore, we fired up the 02 and, once air was made, off we went. Before long, we had "Sir Gomer" outside. Still without a chimney, she looks a bit odd but, nevertheless, she is getting there, very quickly!...
The back of the Peckett, showing the need for new windows and a good clean up! (oh, and a draw-hook!)...
Later on, with the shed shunted, work began with "Sir Gomer" and the clearing out of the Box Van. It was full of water; what a mess! By 4pm, the Prairie had done her four turns and was ready to come back in the shed. She will be running again next Sunday (13th) and of course during our Gala Weekend on March 19th/20th, when she will steam alongside 38xx 2-8-0 No3803, also from the SDR. What a Western line-up! I will back at Shack again next Sunday before our appearance with the LEGO Railway at the 2011 Large Scale Model Rail show in Leamington the following weekend. Thank you for reading folks. Goodnight...
Hi everyone. Today was the first steam day of the 2011 season and therefore the Small Prairie No5542 was in steam to haul the four sheduled services to Shenton and back. I arrived at Shackerstone at 8:30am and discovered the Great Western engine still in the shed. The loco was just about to move out; drain cocks open; into the morning light. Then, with a quick whistle and a large hiss of steam, the engine moved outside. I then clambered up on top and cleaned the safety valve bonnet and the two Western whistles. Meanwhile, the loco was warming up nicely and by 10am she was already off shed. This gave plenty of time to Steam Heat the 4-coach train ready for passengers to board for the first run at 11:15am. Below, steaming away nicely, 5542 gets the first public steam train of 2011 underway, under the control of Driver Adrian Aylward, Fireman Bruce Murray and Trainee Fireman Dan Hone...
5542 chugs away nicely up the gradient towards the Signalbox as Bruce looks out from the cab...
Back in the Mess Room, "BC" Owner Mic had arrived with one of "Sir Gomer"s freshly painted nameplates. These plates were purchased by the railway a few years back and have been waiting in the wings as it were, for the Peckett's return to action. Compared to the old aluminium plates, these really are something; they're massive!...
Today, whilst 5542 operated the four services, we were still busy in the shed. The main job was more shunting with the Class 02 Diesel "Diane". One of the box van wagons, which contains a few spare parts, had been suffering terrible weather damage. Therefore, we had to get it inside the shed. But first, the Peckett, the B1 tender and "BC" all had to come outside. Therefore, we fired up the 02 and, once air was made, off we went. Before long, we had "Sir Gomer" outside. Still without a chimney, she looks a bit odd but, nevertheless, she is getting there, very quickly!... 
The back of the Peckett, showing the need for new windows and a good clean up! (oh, and a draw-hook!)...
Later on, with the shed shunted, work began with "Sir Gomer" and the clearing out of the Box Van. It was full of water; what a mess! By 4pm, the Prairie had done her four turns and was ready to come back in the shed. She will be running again next Sunday (13th) and of course during our Gala Weekend on March 19th/20th, when she will steam alongside 38xx 2-8-0 No3803, also from the SDR. What a Western line-up! I will back at Shack again next Sunday before our appearance with the LEGO Railway at the 2011 Large Scale Model Rail show in Leamington the following weekend. Thank you for reading folks. Goodnight...
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