Bank Holiday with 3803...
Hello everyone. Today I was once again rostered out on GWR 2-8-0 No3803 at Shackerstone. The Great Western 'Class 8' was taking her usual role as the stalwart steam performer on the train services, calling at Market Bosworth and Shenton. I arrived at the railway at around 6:15am, at the same time as the Driver, Dave. The other Driver, Eddie, would arrive soon after. Once on site, we continued to the loco shed where we discovered the heavy freight locomotive inside and pouring out water from the tender. The hose had been left in overnight and it had overflowed; woo! With the hose turned off, we brushed most of the water out of the shed before clambering up onto the footplate of the 38'. I first checked the water level, which read 1/2 a glass. I then removed the deflector plate from inside the very hot firebox, though the fire had of course gone out. After checking the stays, tubes, flu's, side sheets and of course the fusible plugs, I raked the grate. I then used the 'Rocking Grate' section to remove the remaining ash from the fire-grate before laying a bed of coal down. I then added a mound of wood and a few parrafin-soaked rags. Next, I lit up. I continued to slowly add Coal to the fire; keeping as much a level bed as possible; throughout the morning. 3803 was later shunted outside by the 02, allowing 1306 "Mayflower" to be brought to the front of the shed ready for a light-up herself. 3803 meanwhile was placed on the Platform 1 road...
Throughout the morning we cleaned and prepped the 38', with the 2-8-0 leaving her resting position at 10:20am, before moving over onto the train. Once hooked up and with a quiet yet strong fire crackling in the box, we filled the boiler and awaited the first departure at 11:15am. We also took the opportunity to get changed at this point. After returning to the engine, Dave decided we should cook some of the breakfast he had brought with him, with Eddie taking centre stage as the chef...
Bacon on the shovel, by far the best way to cook it...
The two cobs each that Dave provided were very nice indeed; thank you, Dave! Meanwhile, up at the shed, "Mayflower" had shown herself as she steamed up ready for an examination following a boiler washout. I managed to get this quick shot from the tender of 3803 before we had to leave...
On the footplate, my very good crew; Eddie and Dave; prepare for departure to Shenton, in pensive mood...
In the box, the front was getting a little thin, so I coaled it somewhat. This engine doesn't like a thick front though, if anything it steams terribly with a thick front! However, you still need to keep it covered, as holes can let in cold air and reduce the level of efficient combustion...
Also up the shed, a pleasant sight; Peckett "Sir Gomer" out in the light, yet a little saddened by her recent boiler test failure. The Peckett was steamed on Wednesday and proved very tight in the boiler man's eyes. The injectors worked fine and the loco was proven to have a clean bill of health boiler-wise. However, unfortunately, new legislation says that loco's must move under the boiler inspector's supervision before they can be given a ticket. Sure enough, when the 1932-built 0-6-0ST tried to move, it proved somewhat difficult, as the regulator had seized shut! Damn! Mind you, it has been out of service for 3 years, no doubt all of the oil will have left the system by now. However, some slight freeing off will solve the issue, coupled with more and more use when the loco returns to service in the coming weeks. But, for now, she is at rest. Below, the little green Peckett rests in the spur at the side of the loco shed, still without her brass dome cover...
Back on 3803, the back-end has been coaled ready to depart for Shenton. The doors have been left open in order to give some 'secondary' or 'top' air to the fire, to improve combustion and to thin the smoke...
The first run was successful, with me firing and Dave on the regulator. For the 2nd trip, Driver Eddie took over. Below, we await departure from Shack with the 12:30, with 215psi on the clock and a roaring fire...
We were joined on the 2nd run by Reg; a fellow member of CMES, like myself and Eddie; who was once a Fireman on this line when it was still owned by BR. Reg remembers firing the route in the 50s, when freight traffic was still in regular action. He joined us for a round trip on a type of loco completely alien to him and Shackerstone; a Western! Below, we make a volcanic departure from Shackerstone's Platform 2...
2nd trip done, I was given a rest on the third, as Eddie fancied a go at firing, with Dave back on the handle. Very pleasant indeed! 3803 is a fantastic loco to be on; I just love it. After the 3rd run, I was back on the shovel and we departed Shack on time at 3pm. Down the line, the roving steam shed photographer; Dave; was out and about to capture some frivolity on the footplate (C = D.Hanks)...
The non-zoomed shot see's 3803 curving around towards Hedley's Crossing in the Shenton direction. Just look how open the tender is (C = D.Hanks)...
On the return run, 3803 approaches Hedley's Crossing with me looking out to check all is clear (C = D.Hanks)...
Dave even made it to Shenton where myself and Driver's Eddie and Dave are captured on the footplate of 3803 just prior to departure homeward (C = D.Hanks)...
Back at Hedley's, the beautiful 38' is captured on the 10mph slack, before opening up to climb the bank towards Congerstone and, eventually, Shackerstone (C = D.Hanks)...
After the 4th trip, we enjoyed a very pleasant final jaunt through the Leicestershire countryside, with a spirited performance from 3803 on the way back. When we got back, the fire was very thin, and the water and steam level's strong; just the way it should be! With "Mayflower" having already retreated to the back of the shed, we took 3803 straight in and disposed of her. By 5:40pm, we had signed off. Well, what a fantastic day again, in the company of a great crew and a great locomotive. I loved it. Thanks to Dave and Eddie for being my drivers, as well as to Mr Hanks for providing more photo's for both my and your interest. Finally, thanks for reading folks, good evening...
Hello everyone. Today I was once again rostered out on GWR 2-8-0 No3803 at Shackerstone. The Great Western 'Class 8' was taking her usual role as the stalwart steam performer on the train services, calling at Market Bosworth and Shenton. I arrived at the railway at around 6:15am, at the same time as the Driver, Dave. The other Driver, Eddie, would arrive soon after. Once on site, we continued to the loco shed where we discovered the heavy freight locomotive inside and pouring out water from the tender. The hose had been left in overnight and it had overflowed; woo! With the hose turned off, we brushed most of the water out of the shed before clambering up onto the footplate of the 38'. I first checked the water level, which read 1/2 a glass. I then removed the deflector plate from inside the very hot firebox, though the fire had of course gone out. After checking the stays, tubes, flu's, side sheets and of course the fusible plugs, I raked the grate. I then used the 'Rocking Grate' section to remove the remaining ash from the fire-grate before laying a bed of coal down. I then added a mound of wood and a few parrafin-soaked rags. Next, I lit up. I continued to slowly add Coal to the fire; keeping as much a level bed as possible; throughout the morning. 3803 was later shunted outside by the 02, allowing 1306 "Mayflower" to be brought to the front of the shed ready for a light-up herself. 3803 meanwhile was placed on the Platform 1 road...
Throughout the morning we cleaned and prepped the 38', with the 2-8-0 leaving her resting position at 10:20am, before moving over onto the train. Once hooked up and with a quiet yet strong fire crackling in the box, we filled the boiler and awaited the first departure at 11:15am. We also took the opportunity to get changed at this point. After returning to the engine, Dave decided we should cook some of the breakfast he had brought with him, with Eddie taking centre stage as the chef...
Bacon on the shovel, by far the best way to cook it...
The two cobs each that Dave provided were very nice indeed; thank you, Dave! Meanwhile, up at the shed, "Mayflower" had shown herself as she steamed up ready for an examination following a boiler washout. I managed to get this quick shot from the tender of 3803 before we had to leave...
On the footplate, my very good crew; Eddie and Dave; prepare for departure to Shenton, in pensive mood...
In the box, the front was getting a little thin, so I coaled it somewhat. This engine doesn't like a thick front though, if anything it steams terribly with a thick front! However, you still need to keep it covered, as holes can let in cold air and reduce the level of efficient combustion...
Also up the shed, a pleasant sight; Peckett "Sir Gomer" out in the light, yet a little saddened by her recent boiler test failure. The Peckett was steamed on Wednesday and proved very tight in the boiler man's eyes. The injectors worked fine and the loco was proven to have a clean bill of health boiler-wise. However, unfortunately, new legislation says that loco's must move under the boiler inspector's supervision before they can be given a ticket. Sure enough, when the 1932-built 0-6-0ST tried to move, it proved somewhat difficult, as the regulator had seized shut! Damn! Mind you, it has been out of service for 3 years, no doubt all of the oil will have left the system by now. However, some slight freeing off will solve the issue, coupled with more and more use when the loco returns to service in the coming weeks. But, for now, she is at rest. Below, the little green Peckett rests in the spur at the side of the loco shed, still without her brass dome cover...
Back on 3803, the back-end has been coaled ready to depart for Shenton. The doors have been left open in order to give some 'secondary' or 'top' air to the fire, to improve combustion and to thin the smoke...
The first run was successful, with me firing and Dave on the regulator. For the 2nd trip, Driver Eddie took over. Below, we await departure from Shack with the 12:30, with 215psi on the clock and a roaring fire...
We were joined on the 2nd run by Reg; a fellow member of CMES, like myself and Eddie; who was once a Fireman on this line when it was still owned by BR. Reg remembers firing the route in the 50s, when freight traffic was still in regular action. He joined us for a round trip on a type of loco completely alien to him and Shackerstone; a Western! Below, we make a volcanic departure from Shackerstone's Platform 2...
2nd trip done, I was given a rest on the third, as Eddie fancied a go at firing, with Dave back on the handle. Very pleasant indeed! 3803 is a fantastic loco to be on; I just love it. After the 3rd run, I was back on the shovel and we departed Shack on time at 3pm. Down the line, the roving steam shed photographer; Dave; was out and about to capture some frivolity on the footplate (C = D.Hanks)...
The non-zoomed shot see's 3803 curving around towards Hedley's Crossing in the Shenton direction. Just look how open the tender is (C = D.Hanks)...
1 comment:
Hi Sam,
looks like you on front cover of Engineering in Miniature current issue,have you seen it?
Good to see you having fun with hobby,hope you get your loco fixed soon, regards Simon
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