Last Day of the Season, on 3803...
Hello everybody. Today was a lovely day indeed. The weather was much more pleasing than expected and the point of the day was very enjoyable. It was the last day of the season at Shackerstone, and I had been rostered on the Great Western No3803 with Jan and Eddie...
I arrived at the railway at around 6:50am and immediately proceeded down into the engine shed to check on 3803. The fire grate had been well cleared already and there was a full glass of water in the boiler. After doing all the necessary checks I carried out the final cleaning of the grate before rocking it to remove the clinker. I then lay a bed of coal 1-lump thick across the entire grate. Jan and Eddie duly arrived and we all set to breaking up some wood. Soon enough, I had the fire lit and, after some cleaning and alot of oiling, we had 3803 on the train 30 minutes before departure time at 10:45am. We had four trips to do today; 11:15, 12:30, 13:45 and 15:00; so a nice easy day really. Jan and Eddie shared the driving whilst I fired. Under the chilly blue skies, it was a very pleasant experience being out with 3803 again. On the first trip, things were a little hit and miss. The loco hadn't 'warmed up' fully yet and so pressure was a little up and down. On the return run, she'd settled in; as had I. We ambled back to Shack at the normal pace and ran round ready for the 12:30. Jan gave Eddie the regulator for this one and my grandad also joined us on the footplate for this trip. A fantastic photo now, borrowed from Jan's collection of photographs. Eddie is on the brake whilst I fire approaching Market Bosworth with the sun beaming down into the cab (Photo by Jan Ford)...
After a good 2nd run, Eddie and Jan swapped again. This time, Eddie took on the shovel as he likes to 'keep his hand in'. I actually welcomed the break and it was nice to take a trip surveying the line from the engine with 'nothing' (he says!) to worry about. But, for the 4th trip I was back on the shovel again (Photo by Jan Ford)...
Eddie drove us on the 4th trip, with Jan taking a break. We had a good run, with a little bit of hard running away from Hedley's on the return trip to 'clear the fire out' a bit. Arriving back at Shack we had 2/3 of a glass in the boiler and 180psi on the clock with a very thin fire. After uncoupling we proceeded to the shed to dispose. It had been a fantastic day and another lovely experience on 3803. Thanks to Jan & Eddie as well as to Adrian for letting my grandad come on for a ride. Well, thats it now folks; Shackerstone is over for the 2011 season BUT, do not fear, there are still the 'Santa's to do ;) . Thanks all - Goodnight. Sam...
I arrived at the railway at around 6:50am and immediately proceeded down into the engine shed to check on 3803. The fire grate had been well cleared already and there was a full glass of water in the boiler. After doing all the necessary checks I carried out the final cleaning of the grate before rocking it to remove the clinker. I then lay a bed of coal 1-lump thick across the entire grate. Jan and Eddie duly arrived and we all set to breaking up some wood. Soon enough, I had the fire lit and, after some cleaning and alot of oiling, we had 3803 on the train 30 minutes before departure time at 10:45am. We had four trips to do today; 11:15, 12:30, 13:45 and 15:00; so a nice easy day really. Jan and Eddie shared the driving whilst I fired. Under the chilly blue skies, it was a very pleasant experience being out with 3803 again. On the first trip, things were a little hit and miss. The loco hadn't 'warmed up' fully yet and so pressure was a little up and down. On the return run, she'd settled in; as had I. We ambled back to Shack at the normal pace and ran round ready for the 12:30. Jan gave Eddie the regulator for this one and my grandad also joined us on the footplate for this trip. A fantastic photo now, borrowed from Jan's collection of photographs. Eddie is on the brake whilst I fire approaching Market Bosworth with the sun beaming down into the cab (Photo by Jan Ford)...
After a good 2nd run, Eddie and Jan swapped again. This time, Eddie took on the shovel as he likes to 'keep his hand in'. I actually welcomed the break and it was nice to take a trip surveying the line from the engine with 'nothing' (he says!) to worry about. But, for the 4th trip I was back on the shovel again (Photo by Jan Ford)...
Eddie drove us on the 4th trip, with Jan taking a break. We had a good run, with a little bit of hard running away from Hedley's on the return trip to 'clear the fire out' a bit. Arriving back at Shack we had 2/3 of a glass in the boiler and 180psi on the clock with a very thin fire. After uncoupling we proceeded to the shed to dispose. It had been a fantastic day and another lovely experience on 3803. Thanks to Jan & Eddie as well as to Adrian for letting my grandad come on for a ride. Well, thats it now folks; Shackerstone is over for the 2011 season BUT, do not fear, there are still the 'Santa's to do ;) . Thanks all - Goodnight. Sam...
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