Easter Sunday With Beautiful "Mayflower"...
Hi everyone. Well, what a day. Today, on Easter Sunday, I was reunited with the beautiful LNER B1 No1306 "Mayflower". The loco, having only returned from Birmingham on Wednesday; following a bottom-end overhaul; looked fabulous when I arrived at Shackerstone Shed at 5:45am. Unlocking the shed door, I found the lovely LNER lady simmering away inside, still with 40psi 'on the clock' from yesterday. After feeding the Railway Cat, myself and James prepared ourselves for some cleaning. Just then, the rest of the team; Steve and Neil; arrived. First, myself, James and Steve fetched and broke up some wood whilst Neil cleared the fire grate. Neil then shunted the loco outside before we piled the wood onto the footplate and Steve lit the fire. Once burning nicely, we all set to cleaning the engine. Even though she ran yesterday and during Friday's 'proving runs', 1306 wasn't that dirty but, nonetheless, alot more cleaning doesn't go a miss! With our great team working non-stop, we had the loco ready for action by 9:30am; 1 hour and 45 minutes BEFORE the first departure! This is unheard of really; we could have stayed in bed for another hour! Anyway, with 1306 ready, myself, Neil and Steve got changed before sitting with the engine and a few of her other helpers. Neil then took her around and onto the front of the waiting 4-coach train. We soon coupled her up and added a little more water to the tender before awaiting departure quietly. Below, 1306 is ready to go "off shed" at 9:25am, notice that she is wearing a Disk rather than a Lamp today... 
With so much time spare, there were a few moments to grab a few shots; unfortunately only on my phone as I didn't take my camera! The lovely Fireman's-side nameplate...
"Welcome Home"; 1306 prepares to depart Shackerstone with the first train of the day; the 11:15am...
The more observant of you will notice that 1306 is now Shackerstone-facing again. This, as well as being a nice change, allows the chimney to be poked out of the shed on rainy days, allowing the rest of the engine to be cleaned in a smoke-free environment; thus not allowing soot to stick to the paintwork in the wet conditions. Some may remember that 1306 was north-facing before her visits to the North Norfolk and Llangollen railways back in 2009, when she returned to Shackerstone south-facing. I must admit, she rides so much better facing this way, and the picture locations are much better too. Our first two trips of the day were fantastic and it was a pleasure to travel on 1306 again; particularly in the lovely morning light. At least it wasn't as hot as yesterday; thank goodness! Below, 1306 prepares to depart Shenton on the 1:05pm for Shackerstone, wearing two Disks...
"Wow"; 1306 awaits departure at Shenton...
On the third trip, half of my family (8 in total) joined us on the return run to Shackerstone; the 2:20pm. Mum even joined us on the footplate after an invite by Neil; thanks for that Neil! We had a good run back to Shackerstone with mum riding in the Fireman's seat. I think she enjoyed it; though I think she was in fact worried about catching fire! I do forget how unusual steamers are in terms of the heat when viewed by a 'footplate newby' as it were! Anyway, we managed to get mum to Shackerstone without catching light so a successful trip. The family then took a look around the station whilst we took 1306 around the train ready for the 3pm trip to Shenton, which the family also rode on, mum this time taking the 'safety' of the cushions! I really appreciate Neil giving mum a ride; now she might understand what I mean when I say "its pretty hot on there"! After dropping the family off, we returned to Shack before running round again and taking coal and water. We then left on the 4:15pm with a little bit of time to make up. Below, "Mayflower" roars away from Hedley's with black smoke poaring from the 'Western Wedge' blazing in the firebox!...
After a quick run-round at Shenton, we made it back to Shack 'right on time'. Now, you can't tell me thats not good time-catching! Earlier on, before the last trip, "Mayflower" is coaled at Shackerstone, on the loading ramp. This drew quite a big public crowd, mainly because seeing 1306 at 'floor level' gives an insight into her massive size, particularly her wheels. After all, when viewed from the platform she looks half the size! (C = D.Hanks)... 
Well, after our last trip, we took "Mayflower" to bed and disposed. We then locked up the shed for the night, with 1306 still simmering away quietly to herself. After a chat and a cooling drink with the others, I left Shack at 6:30pm (12 hours, 45 minutes after I arrived!). When I got home, I could hardly open my eyes; need an early night before tomorrow...when I'm on 1306 again!! Thanks all. Goodnight...
Hi everyone. Well, what a day. Today, on Easter Sunday, I was reunited with the beautiful LNER B1 No1306 "Mayflower". The loco, having only returned from Birmingham on Wednesday; following a bottom-end overhaul; looked fabulous when I arrived at Shackerstone Shed at 5:45am. Unlocking the shed door, I found the lovely LNER lady simmering away inside, still with 40psi 'on the clock' from yesterday. After feeding the Railway Cat, myself and James prepared ourselves for some cleaning. Just then, the rest of the team; Steve and Neil; arrived. First, myself, James and Steve fetched and broke up some wood whilst Neil cleared the fire grate. Neil then shunted the loco outside before we piled the wood onto the footplate and Steve lit the fire. Once burning nicely, we all set to cleaning the engine. Even though she ran yesterday and during Friday's 'proving runs', 1306 wasn't that dirty but, nonetheless, alot more cleaning doesn't go a miss! With our great team working non-stop, we had the loco ready for action by 9:30am; 1 hour and 45 minutes BEFORE the first departure! This is unheard of really; we could have stayed in bed for another hour! Anyway, with 1306 ready, myself, Neil and Steve got changed before sitting with the engine and a few of her other helpers. Neil then took her around and onto the front of the waiting 4-coach train. We soon coupled her up and added a little more water to the tender before awaiting departure quietly. Below, 1306 is ready to go "off shed" at 9:25am, notice that she is wearing a Disk rather than a Lamp today... 
With so much time spare, there were a few moments to grab a few shots; unfortunately only on my phone as I didn't take my camera! The lovely Fireman's-side nameplate...
"Welcome Home"; 1306 prepares to depart Shackerstone with the first train of the day; the 11:15am...
The more observant of you will notice that 1306 is now Shackerstone-facing again. This, as well as being a nice change, allows the chimney to be poked out of the shed on rainy days, allowing the rest of the engine to be cleaned in a smoke-free environment; thus not allowing soot to stick to the paintwork in the wet conditions. Some may remember that 1306 was north-facing before her visits to the North Norfolk and Llangollen railways back in 2009, when she returned to Shackerstone south-facing. I must admit, she rides so much better facing this way, and the picture locations are much better too. Our first two trips of the day were fantastic and it was a pleasure to travel on 1306 again; particularly in the lovely morning light. At least it wasn't as hot as yesterday; thank goodness! Below, 1306 prepares to depart Shenton on the 1:05pm for Shackerstone, wearing two Disks...
"Wow"; 1306 awaits departure at Shenton...
On the third trip, half of my family (8 in total) joined us on the return run to Shackerstone; the 2:20pm. Mum even joined us on the footplate after an invite by Neil; thanks for that Neil! We had a good run back to Shackerstone with mum riding in the Fireman's seat. I think she enjoyed it; though I think she was in fact worried about catching fire! I do forget how unusual steamers are in terms of the heat when viewed by a 'footplate newby' as it were! Anyway, we managed to get mum to Shackerstone without catching light so a successful trip. The family then took a look around the station whilst we took 1306 around the train ready for the 3pm trip to Shenton, which the family also rode on, mum this time taking the 'safety' of the cushions! I really appreciate Neil giving mum a ride; now she might understand what I mean when I say "its pretty hot on there"! After dropping the family off, we returned to Shack before running round again and taking coal and water. We then left on the 4:15pm with a little bit of time to make up. Below, "Mayflower" roars away from Hedley's with black smoke poaring from the 'Western Wedge' blazing in the firebox!...
After a quick run-round at Shenton, we made it back to Shack 'right on time'. Now, you can't tell me thats not good time-catching! Earlier on, before the last trip, "Mayflower" is coaled at Shackerstone, on the loading ramp. This drew quite a big public crowd, mainly because seeing 1306 at 'floor level' gives an insight into her massive size, particularly her wheels. After all, when viewed from the platform she looks half the size! (C = D.Hanks)... 
Well, after our last trip, we took "Mayflower" to bed and disposed. We then locked up the shed for the night, with 1306 still simmering away quietly to herself. After a chat and a cooling drink with the others, I left Shack at 6:30pm (12 hours, 45 minutes after I arrived!). When I got home, I could hardly open my eyes; need an early night before tomorrow...when I'm on 1306 again!! Thanks all. Goodnight...
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