"James" and "Trojan" Take Rugby!...
Hello everybody. Well, it's Post No42, and another 'first'; a driving turn at Rugby MES' "Rainsbrook Valley Railway". My friend James, who's Romulus I drive sometimes at the GEC, invited me along today as he was taking his engine for her bi-annual Rugby visit. The Rainsbrook Valley Railway has a raised 3.5"/5" line and also a ground-level 7.25" gauge line; the latter being the one which we would use today. The two tracks are based on a scenic site set just off Onley Lane on the outskirts of Rugby. The supporting society; Rugby Model Engineering; looks after the entire site and has a wide variety of members and visiting locomotives. Trains run for the public every 3rd Sunday in the month, from April - October (2pm - 5pm). Rides on both tracks are priced at a very reasonable £1 each; particularly for the 7.25" which is a lovely 7-minute or so ride. Today, we pulled up at Rugby in the Defender at around Midday, with "James" the Romulus in tow...
Many engines were already being readied for steaming up. The RVR has good facilities for locomotives. The steaming bays are equipped with pits for the operatives to stand in; bringing the loco up to a good working height. As well as this, the bays have water and electricity. There is also ample space to ash-out/blow-down. The loading ramp is equipped with a hydraulic 'Lifting Table'. I must admit, these things are fantastic! The trailer is reversed up to the ramp, the table rises, the loco goes on, the table descends and the loco is pushed up to the turntable..."Easy!". Below, "James" is half way onto Rugby territory, on 'his' way to the bays...
Up on the bays, the locomotives were already being prepared; some having arrived alot earlier. One engine that I know well is the Brown family's 0-4-0 Freelance tendered Saddle Tank No10 "Trojan". Based at the Brown's own private 7.25" railway, "Trojan" used to be a regular GEC engine; and I have driven her a few times up there (see previous posts). The loco is now a regular at Echills Wood and I hope to take at least one trip up there with her this year. Below, the loco stands on her bay awaiting steaming; on the left you can see another Kingsbury regular...the 0-4-2 Tinkerbell "Douval"...
A view of the bays can be seen below. Closest, "James" is receiving boiler treatment and water through the filler mounted in the dome. Next, "Trojan"; proudly displaying 'EMR' on the tender. The third engine is "Douval". She is a ride-in locomotive and is pretty big for 7.25". This explains why Tinkerbell's are often known as 'track bashers'...look at the size of it! Next, another engine I have seen before; "Romburg". Regular readers will know that I took at a ride behind this lovely 0-6-0 Romulus variation at a friends private line last September (see post). Fifth and final steamer today was "Colsyn"; a little, blue, small-boiler Romulus. Impressive bays ay?! Mind you, a roof like the one at Kingsbury wouldn't go a miss!...
Below, "James" fills with water as her owner checks out lunch...
By 2pm, "James" was in steam and on the track, along with the other 4 steamers. Each loco was given two green RVR coaches; minus "Douval" which had three very small brown ones. First trip, I was driven around on the train by "James" so that I could 'route learn' as it were. I'd never driven here before but had been a passenger back in 2006 I believe. It was a lovely line then, and it still is. Following the first trip, James drove again on the 2nd with me packing away some of the preparation tools. Just then, the loco returned with a problem...
The mechanical lubricator cap, which is meant to be flat, jumped off the lubricator and into the valve gear. Unusually, rather than knock off and into the ballast, the cap became jammed and ended up stopping the loco dead. The cap became tangled between the crosshead and the end of the slidebar at the cab-end of the piston stroke. With the cab removed, the loco struggled back to the station where steam was low. I took the cap away and straightened it a little before returning. "James" then struggled in after another low-pressure trip. We removed the loco from the track and checked her over. The fire was good, the smokebox was clean, the ashpan was clean and the injectors worked fine. The loco was also pulling well. However, on the run, she wouldn't keep pressure or make it back. Upon further examination we found that a leaf spring had become disconnected from its compensator bar. This would mean that the loco could potentially lose proper valve timing and steaming would be impared. Therefore, we reconnected the spring, made up a good fire and tried again. The railway was by now very busy so we had to get "James" back on asap. Soon however, she was roaring along again. Below, "James" barks through the cutting on the steepest part of the line...
She seemed to steam better, holding pressure easier. However, she still wasn't up to her usual standard. Very unusual! Meanwhile, I ended up driving "Trojan" on quite a few laps. She is a lovely machine. Injectors are a dream, steaming is a dream, the bark is very crisp and the strength is considerable. She really is a proper driver's machine. She took one look at the severe incline on the return run and just chugged up like it wasn't even there! Below, "Douval" crosses the entrance to the steaming area with another train...
At the busy station, Kevin prepares his engine ("Trojan") for departure whilst the huge Tinkerbell takes water. When I say busy, I mean busy! The railway took 1034 passengers(!) today in only 3 hours!...
The journey? Well, the line leaves the busy station before crossing two crossings; a foot crossing and a road crossing. Both crossings are manned for safety reasons but it is still a good idea to whistle. The train then crosses a bridge before turning 90-degrees and a crossing another. The line then climbs past the 5" station before crossing another foot-crossing; also manned and lit. The track then heads through a wooded section, upgrade past the carriage sheds. The 5" line then comes into view and 3-tracks immerge; the 5", the down-line and the up-line. We are currently on the down-line if you follow me! The tracks then seperate again as the line heads heavily downgrade. A signal can be seen at the bottom of the bank and this will tell us if a train is in the approaching 'blind bend'. If the signal is clear, the train curves to the left 90-degrees. Below, the image shows two bridges. From my current location in the description, the train will be approaching from the top-right corner, and will pass under this bridge. This over-bridge is the 2nd of the two bridges described at the beginning!...
Once under the first bridge, the train curves 240-degrees heavily upgrade, also passing under the 2nd over-bridge which in turn is the first bridge on the line. Still following me?! Out of the curve, the train continues to climb in a straight line, with views over the Rugby countryside. At the top of the bank, the train is now on the up-line of course, and reaches the 3-track formation again, now on the left rather than in the centre. Soon, the line splits off again and climbs neatly towards the station signal. The train is then allocated a platform and given a signal when required. There are two platforms; arrival and departure; in two bays (1 & 2). Its a great set-up and a lovely run. And, they hope to extend! My goodness it will be long; but not as long as Kingsbury! I must admit though, it is a lovely drive; really nice and lovely sights to see. "Trojan" performed very well and I loved driving her again; thanks Kevin! "James" meanwhile was having great fun, hauling her own trains again. Soon however, with 1034 passengers carried, closing time arrived and the loco's went back on shed. "James" was then discovered to have lost a compensator bar; thereby sending the springing "out" again. No wonder she wasn't at her best! Oh well, these things happen. However, a very good day out. Sorry about the phone pics but I didn't think I'd have time to take my proper camera. Thanks all for reading and thanks to James, Kevin and Rugby MES for a great day out. "Another one done!". Evening all...
Hello everybody. Well, it's Post No42, and another 'first'; a driving turn at Rugby MES' "Rainsbrook Valley Railway". My friend James, who's Romulus I drive sometimes at the GEC, invited me along today as he was taking his engine for her bi-annual Rugby visit. The Rainsbrook Valley Railway has a raised 3.5"/5" line and also a ground-level 7.25" gauge line; the latter being the one which we would use today. The two tracks are based on a scenic site set just off Onley Lane on the outskirts of Rugby. The supporting society; Rugby Model Engineering; looks after the entire site and has a wide variety of members and visiting locomotives. Trains run for the public every 3rd Sunday in the month, from April - October (2pm - 5pm). Rides on both tracks are priced at a very reasonable £1 each; particularly for the 7.25" which is a lovely 7-minute or so ride. Today, we pulled up at Rugby in the Defender at around Midday, with "James" the Romulus in tow...
Many engines were already being readied for steaming up. The RVR has good facilities for locomotives. The steaming bays are equipped with pits for the operatives to stand in; bringing the loco up to a good working height. As well as this, the bays have water and electricity. There is also ample space to ash-out/blow-down. The loading ramp is equipped with a hydraulic 'Lifting Table'. I must admit, these things are fantastic! The trailer is reversed up to the ramp, the table rises, the loco goes on, the table descends and the loco is pushed up to the turntable..."Easy!". Below, "James" is half way onto Rugby territory, on 'his' way to the bays...
Up on the bays, the locomotives were already being prepared; some having arrived alot earlier. One engine that I know well is the Brown family's 0-4-0 Freelance tendered Saddle Tank No10 "Trojan". Based at the Brown's own private 7.25" railway, "Trojan" used to be a regular GEC engine; and I have driven her a few times up there (see previous posts). The loco is now a regular at Echills Wood and I hope to take at least one trip up there with her this year. Below, the loco stands on her bay awaiting steaming; on the left you can see another Kingsbury regular...the 0-4-2 Tinkerbell "Douval"...
A view of the bays can be seen below. Closest, "James" is receiving boiler treatment and water through the filler mounted in the dome. Next, "Trojan"; proudly displaying 'EMR' on the tender. The third engine is "Douval". She is a ride-in locomotive and is pretty big for 7.25". This explains why Tinkerbell's are often known as 'track bashers'...look at the size of it! Next, another engine I have seen before; "Romburg". Regular readers will know that I took at a ride behind this lovely 0-6-0 Romulus variation at a friends private line last September (see post). Fifth and final steamer today was "Colsyn"; a little, blue, small-boiler Romulus. Impressive bays ay?! Mind you, a roof like the one at Kingsbury wouldn't go a miss!...
Below, "James" fills with water as her owner checks out lunch...
By 2pm, "James" was in steam and on the track, along with the other 4 steamers. Each loco was given two green RVR coaches; minus "Douval" which had three very small brown ones. First trip, I was driven around on the train by "James" so that I could 'route learn' as it were. I'd never driven here before but had been a passenger back in 2006 I believe. It was a lovely line then, and it still is. Following the first trip, James drove again on the 2nd with me packing away some of the preparation tools. Just then, the loco returned with a problem...
The mechanical lubricator cap, which is meant to be flat, jumped off the lubricator and into the valve gear. Unusually, rather than knock off and into the ballast, the cap became jammed and ended up stopping the loco dead. The cap became tangled between the crosshead and the end of the slidebar at the cab-end of the piston stroke. With the cab removed, the loco struggled back to the station where steam was low. I took the cap away and straightened it a little before returning. "James" then struggled in after another low-pressure trip. We removed the loco from the track and checked her over. The fire was good, the smokebox was clean, the ashpan was clean and the injectors worked fine. The loco was also pulling well. However, on the run, she wouldn't keep pressure or make it back. Upon further examination we found that a leaf spring had become disconnected from its compensator bar. This would mean that the loco could potentially lose proper valve timing and steaming would be impared. Therefore, we reconnected the spring, made up a good fire and tried again. The railway was by now very busy so we had to get "James" back on asap. Soon however, she was roaring along again. Below, "James" barks through the cutting on the steepest part of the line...
She seemed to steam better, holding pressure easier. However, she still wasn't up to her usual standard. Very unusual! Meanwhile, I ended up driving "Trojan" on quite a few laps. She is a lovely machine. Injectors are a dream, steaming is a dream, the bark is very crisp and the strength is considerable. She really is a proper driver's machine. She took one look at the severe incline on the return run and just chugged up like it wasn't even there! Below, "Douval" crosses the entrance to the steaming area with another train...
At the busy station, Kevin prepares his engine ("Trojan") for departure whilst the huge Tinkerbell takes water. When I say busy, I mean busy! The railway took 1034 passengers(!) today in only 3 hours!...
The journey? Well, the line leaves the busy station before crossing two crossings; a foot crossing and a road crossing. Both crossings are manned for safety reasons but it is still a good idea to whistle. The train then crosses a bridge before turning 90-degrees and a crossing another. The line then climbs past the 5" station before crossing another foot-crossing; also manned and lit. The track then heads through a wooded section, upgrade past the carriage sheds. The 5" line then comes into view and 3-tracks immerge; the 5", the down-line and the up-line. We are currently on the down-line if you follow me! The tracks then seperate again as the line heads heavily downgrade. A signal can be seen at the bottom of the bank and this will tell us if a train is in the approaching 'blind bend'. If the signal is clear, the train curves to the left 90-degrees. Below, the image shows two bridges. From my current location in the description, the train will be approaching from the top-right corner, and will pass under this bridge. This over-bridge is the 2nd of the two bridges described at the beginning!...
Once under the first bridge, the train curves 240-degrees heavily upgrade, also passing under the 2nd over-bridge which in turn is the first bridge on the line. Still following me?! Out of the curve, the train continues to climb in a straight line, with views over the Rugby countryside. At the top of the bank, the train is now on the up-line of course, and reaches the 3-track formation again, now on the left rather than in the centre. Soon, the line splits off again and climbs neatly towards the station signal. The train is then allocated a platform and given a signal when required. There are two platforms; arrival and departure; in two bays (1 & 2). Its a great set-up and a lovely run. And, they hope to extend! My goodness it will be long; but not as long as Kingsbury! I must admit though, it is a lovely drive; really nice and lovely sights to see. "Trojan" performed very well and I loved driving her again; thanks Kevin! "James" meanwhile was having great fun, hauling her own trains again. Soon however, with 1034 passengers carried, closing time arrived and the loco's went back on shed. "James" was then discovered to have lost a compensator bar; thereby sending the springing "out" again. No wonder she wasn't at her best! Oh well, these things happen. However, a very good day out. Sorry about the phone pics but I didn't think I'd have time to take my proper camera. Thanks all for reading and thanks to James, Kevin and Rugby MES for a great day out. "Another one done!". Evening all...
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