Firing A Perfect Western...
Hi everyone. A fabulous day today, firing GWR 3803 at Shackerstone under the watchful eyes of Driver's John and Pockets. I was today under an Assessment to see if I was ready for a real Assessment. Fortunately, I managed to keep the engine and the crew happy throughout the day, and we had a good time. Therefore, I passed! So, coming up in the next few weeks, I would hope that I would be given a proper exam. The exam involves firing completely 'alone', taking on all the responsibility of a passed Fireman. The exam is undertaken over 3 days; probably resulting in around 150 miles worth of firing on average. I have already completed the written exam so thats sorted; he says! I will post progress on the exam as it happens; keep your eyes pealed. Anyway, I arrived at Shackerstone at 5:45am, ready to light 3803 for a Foot-Ex, requiring the engine to be off shed by 9:15. After the 2-trip experience, the 2-8-0 was rostered for four normal services: which I would be firing throughout. The four trips went well, with me not dropping below 180psi of pressure or 1/2 a glass of water at all. I was pretty pleased with that. Naturally, we had our ups and downs. One trip I was fighting a little with the engine to keep the 180 but, it stayed. The fighting was the result of holes in the fire which, when you're struggling, seem to be harder and harder to find! But, we got there...
In between todays passenger services, there was a Freight train in operation. Today, it was hauled by the Class 25 (067), known as the "Rat". Yesterday, 3803 pulled it. The 11 wagons and 2 brakevan's have always been on the railway. However, this week, 5 of them have been repainted by a stalwart team from the shed, working all the hours god sent each evening...often until the early hours! I must admit, it looked very good! It was a mixed freight. There were two tankers, a few dog-fish wagons and a pair of flats to name but a few. One of the flats; the Lowmac; was carrying a Tractor: very nice! Yesterday, my roving photographer friend Dave was out and about on the line. He has sent in the two images below for your interest. Below, 3803 drifts into Market Bosworth hauling the 13-wagon train...
On the mid-Saturday returning freight, 3803 approaches the home signal at Shackerstone; what a lovely train!...
Back to me...After our four services, in between the three rostered freights, I disposed of the engine. There wasn't much fire left after our last spirited run; just right. I then filled the boiler before isolating the relevant controls. We then, as a crew, left the loco and headed back up to the station for a quick drink on "Jessie". A very good day all told. Thanks very much to John and Pockets for my preliminary exam; I enjoyed it alot, and hope that I can continue to fire just as well during the real exam - fingers crossed! Another lovely day on 3803. Thanks for reading everyone. Next post? Well, hopefully, "Achilles" will be back in steam next Saturday at CMES. But, we'll see...
Hi everyone. A fabulous day today, firing GWR 3803 at Shackerstone under the watchful eyes of Driver's John and Pockets. I was today under an Assessment to see if I was ready for a real Assessment. Fortunately, I managed to keep the engine and the crew happy throughout the day, and we had a good time. Therefore, I passed! So, coming up in the next few weeks, I would hope that I would be given a proper exam. The exam involves firing completely 'alone', taking on all the responsibility of a passed Fireman. The exam is undertaken over 3 days; probably resulting in around 150 miles worth of firing on average. I have already completed the written exam so thats sorted; he says! I will post progress on the exam as it happens; keep your eyes pealed. Anyway, I arrived at Shackerstone at 5:45am, ready to light 3803 for a Foot-Ex, requiring the engine to be off shed by 9:15. After the 2-trip experience, the 2-8-0 was rostered for four normal services: which I would be firing throughout. The four trips went well, with me not dropping below 180psi of pressure or 1/2 a glass of water at all. I was pretty pleased with that. Naturally, we had our ups and downs. One trip I was fighting a little with the engine to keep the 180 but, it stayed. The fighting was the result of holes in the fire which, when you're struggling, seem to be harder and harder to find! But, we got there...
In between todays passenger services, there was a Freight train in operation. Today, it was hauled by the Class 25 (067), known as the "Rat". Yesterday, 3803 pulled it. The 11 wagons and 2 brakevan's have always been on the railway. However, this week, 5 of them have been repainted by a stalwart team from the shed, working all the hours god sent each evening...often until the early hours! I must admit, it looked very good! It was a mixed freight. There were two tankers, a few dog-fish wagons and a pair of flats to name but a few. One of the flats; the Lowmac; was carrying a Tractor: very nice! Yesterday, my roving photographer friend Dave was out and about on the line. He has sent in the two images below for your interest. Below, 3803 drifts into Market Bosworth hauling the 13-wagon train...
On the mid-Saturday returning freight, 3803 approaches the home signal at Shackerstone; what a lovely train!...
Back to me...After our four services, in between the three rostered freights, I disposed of the engine. There wasn't much fire left after our last spirited run; just right. I then filled the boiler before isolating the relevant controls. We then, as a crew, left the loco and headed back up to the station for a quick drink on "Jessie". A very good day all told. Thanks very much to John and Pockets for my preliminary exam; I enjoyed it alot, and hope that I can continue to fire just as well during the real exam - fingers crossed! Another lovely day on 3803. Thanks for reading everyone. Next post? Well, hopefully, "Achilles" will be back in steam next Saturday at CMES. But, we'll see...
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