Merry Christmas 2021...

Well, here we are again everybody: the Merry Christmas post! It's been a funny old year but nowhere near as bad as the last. We're still getting used to the 'new normal' and living under the threat of restrictions returning at any given moment but at least we've managed to experience a lot more elements of freedom during the last twelve months. Thank you as always to the readers who keep reading this drivel and thank you to everyone that has been involved in this years steam journey. There is still quite a lot of content from this year missing but I will attempt to correct this during the dark and gloomy months before the new season begins. I hope this Christmas finds you all safe and well. As I always say: eat, drink and be merry! Just after Christmas I'll be turning 30 (god willing) and it's quite sobering to think that I've been adding to this blog for 14 years now! Quoting her majesty, "I wish you all a very happy Christmas". Thank you all, stay safe and I hope you'll keep reading in 2022. Cheers all, Sam...

An 8F On The Christmas "Elizabethan"...

Throughout my years in steam preservation, I've always enjoyed what many of us know as 'steam heat season'. These are the dark winter months where locomotives are used to heat the trains as well as to pull them! This isn't because I enjoy connecting the bags up or indeed driving to and from a railway in total darkness but winter time just seems to bring even more atmosphere to the job. Today I was booked for the third of my 'Third Man' turns at the Great Central Railway in Loughborough. Reading through the roster last month, I was surprised to see an extremely acceptable sign on time of 08:15, with the locomotive due off shed at 11:30. I arrived a little after 07:30 because it never hurts to have time on your side! Having signed in and read through the various notices, I waited for booked driver Andy and fireman Tony to arrive. Our steed for the shift: LMS 8F No48305: was waiting patiently under the floodlights of Empress Road bridge. This would be another engine to tick off my list...

Our working today was a single round trip hauling the Christmas version of the popular Sunday lunch dining train: the 'Elizabethan'. On Santa and Winter Wonderlights duty today was the Standard 5 No73156. The crew for the 4-6-0 had had to arrive far earlier than us and she was already brewing up nicely alongside the cold bulk of Peppercorn A1 Pacific No60163 "Tornado". The A1 is at Loughborough for a few weeks to allow for testing of new ETCS equipment for main line running. I believe she will then leave the railway to begin her upcoming overhaul...

Fireman Tony duly arrived and after a quick chinwag we set to work inspecting 48305. Having confirmed a good boiler water level and inspected the firebox, it was time to move on to the smokebox. Tony kindly volunteered to empty the ashes whilst I worked the wheelbarrow from ground level...

With all checks made, we began clearing the grate of last nights ashes. The engine had been out on last nights dining train and was still showing a respectable 20psi on the gauge. After an energetic thrash about with the various irons, Tony kindly allowed me to do the light up. Having spread a bed of coal one-lump thick across the grate, I started to throw some pallet wood in before adding some flaming paraffin-soaked rags. More pallet wood was added on top and the warmth of the engine meant she was already providing a good draft. 48305 started singing almost instantly as the fire took hold. She is seen here with a reassuring plume of smoke rising from the chimney...

A cab view of 48305, with coal now added and pressure rising nicely...

On our way for a cup of tea, I snapped the new build "Tornado" standing impressively outside the shed. It isn't my thing I must admit, but it looks nice...

As the morning wore on the three of us busied ourselves with various jobs around the engine. As the sun climbed higher into the blue sky, it was clear that the dreary morning had opened up into a fabulous wintry afternoon. At around 11:30, we left shed with the 8F and took water on the column before proceeding around into platform 2 ready to pick up our waiting stock. The train: headed by the 'Arrowvale Belle' saloon: needed to be pushed back slightly before passengers began to board. With the job done, diners began boarding for their three course festive lunch. 48305 meanwhile sat steam heating the stock in readiness for a 13:00 departure...

To my surprise, Tony kindly allowed me to fire the round trip. I wasn't expecting to do much today as we only had the one booked run but he kindly let me do pretty much everything. As departure time neared I built up a strong back end and made sure that the fire was fit to go. We had six coaches behind us but this would no doubt provide no issue for the powerful 2-8-0. Here, we see another view of 48305s cab...

Pretty much on time, the engine summoned her strength as driver Andy took us out of Loughborough and onward towards Quorn. We were due to be none stop to Leicester North but ended up stopping at both Quorn and Rothley for operational reasons. The biggest issue here was keeping 48305 quiet at the valves as once she was hot she just wanted to blow! Whilst changing the lamps at Leicester North I managed to grab a shot of the engine feathering to herself prior to a northward departure...

The run back was most enjoyable and I was beginning to settle into the 8F. The smaller 4ft 8.5" wheels make you feel like you're going much faster than you are which is quite exhilarating! We had a brief stop at Swithland Reservoir on the return trip, no doubt to allow diners to be served their desserts. Having set off from the picturesque stopping point, the 8F trundled happily back to Loughborough where we uncoupled before returning to shed for disposal. By now the fire had been run down nicely and a quick flick with the irons to check for clinker was all that was required. Boiler filled, ashpan checked and cab cleaned and washed down, we left the 1943-built 48305 to simmer away to herself. What a lovely engine she is...

I must heartily thank Andy and Tony for a cracking day on 48305. What a powerful and versatile machine these engines are. Before this I'd only known the Great Western version! Having filled in my cleaners paperwork and signed out, it was time to head for home. Merry Christmas one and all! Cheers, Sam...

Please note any views or opinions expressed in this blog are merely personal and do not in any way represent the views or opinions of any other person, group or organisation.

Statfold: A Festive Peckett On "The Santa Express"...

"We wish you a Merry Christmas, we wish you a Merry Christmas, we wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year". Following on from last Sunday's enjoyable morning turn on the 'Santa Express' at Statfold, today we were in for the same again but on the afternoon shift. My charge for the turn was not the big red engine on this occasion but the chunky and trusty Peckett "Harrogate" (No2050 of 1944). The afternoon turns involve a very pleasant sign on time of 13:00, with a view to taking the engine over at around 13:50, just in time for the 14:00 departure. Mileage on both turns is the same (eight trips from Strawberry Park to Cogan Halt and back) with the added preparation or disposal, depending on which shift you get! I arrived at the SBR in good time for my 13:00 sign on and found my Fireman: Jon: in the mess room with "Fiji"s afternoon crew: Phil and Caroline. The train: top and tailed with the two engines: could be heard steaming up and down outside the workshop door whilst we chatted over a hot cuppa. As crew change time neared, we grabbed our bags and wandered down to Oak Tree where the returning 13:30 train was waiting to depart...

When departure time came myself and Jon joined the first empty coach behind the Peckett and rode the short distance back to Strawberry Park before taking over the engine. Steve: driver for the morning turn: gave me the lowdown on No2050 as we changed over and no problems were reported. Once aboard the engine we made our usual checks (the water, the steam, the fire etc) before I stepped off to grab the token from Phil ready for departure. As per Statfold rules, the rearmost engine carries the train staff at all times. There was just enough time to grab a brew from our recently installed tea cans on the warming tray before we set off in reverse behind "Fiji"...

The weather this afternoon was breezy with a hint of damp whilst the evening forecast promised persistent drizzle. As usual, I gave "Harrogate" a breath of steam to hold her weight as we made our way around the railway. Once stopped safely at Oak Tree, I took my first opportunity to go around with the oil can. Everything seemed shipshape and Bristol fashion, if you'll pardon the Peckett pun...

Leaving Oak Tree right on time, "Fiji" hauled us neatly into Strawberry Park where another train load of excited passengers awaited us. Jon climbed down to deliver the train staff to Phil whilst I took a few snaps before we left on the 14:30...

With passengers boarded, "Harrogate" awaits departure time...

With a "Right Away" from our Guard I opened the regulator and the Peckett hissed into life. Expelling condensate from her large cylinders she barked out of Strawberry Park and towards Oak Tree, with the five coaches and "Fiji" following neatly behind her. The engine was her usual sure-footed self as we climbed around the balloon loop before settling down for the gradually quickening trundle back to Oak Tree via the short but sharp bank. I like to keep power on from the balloon loop to the shut off point at Oak Tree, adjusting regulator and cut-off where necessary to avoid constantly shutting and reopening the regulator. Despite hitting the bank at a fair trot (but below permitted line speed) you can crawl over the top and the bank will slow you without needing the brake once you've shut off steam. You can then gently steam into Oak Tree. Passengers set down, we steam back to Strawberry Park with the ECS before repeating the process. Here, No2050 waits with the 15:30 departure...

Same spot, different engine: "Fiji" prepares for the 16:00 departure...

Jon and I swapped sides of the cab for the 16:30 trip. By now the last of the days light was failing and "Harrogate" was illuminated by the fairy lights and one of her paraffin headlamps (fitted to the top bracket to denote a stopping service)...

Thankfully I didn't end up down the nick for steam or water and we arrived safely back at Oak Tree for our 10-minute or so layover. Our pre-ordered food duly arrived at the cab and was gratefully received. A hot turkey baguette with roast potatoes and cranberry sauce was just what the doctor ordered...

Once we had the road, Jon took us gently out of Oak Tree for another dramatic arrival into Strawberry Park in readiness for the 17:00 trip. It must look quite impressive from the platform as we pull around the corner with the illuminated coaches! Half an hour later, "Harrogate" is pictured on the tail of the train at Oak Tree again during a final oil up and check over. She looked quite festive I'll admit...

Our final passenger departure was the 17:30 ex-Strawberry Park. By now it was very dark and I had to rely on both route knowledge (not so hard on a short railway) and the sound of the engine to judge location and speed. With "Fiji" providing a breath of steam on the tail, the run provided no issues at all despite the arrival of the pesky drizzle. Having set down our final passengers at Oak Tree we were surprised to be asked to take one final trip to the balloon loop only for a late family who had missed their train ride due to Sat Nav issues (not uncommon around these parts!). Phil and "Fiji" led us back to the balloon loop before "Harrogate" worked the train back to Oak Tree again: all part of our customer service! Job done, I took the engine and train back to Strawberry Park where we arrived in readiness for disposal...

The lights were soon switched off (not a disappointment for me!) and the engine uncoupled. Once Jon was clear I pulled the engine forward from the loop towards Statfold and the road was reset behind us. We then drifted back into the passing road whilst "Fiji" cleared the way. The tender engine goes on shed first, followed by the Peckett. With the Hudswell Clarke stabled outside the roundhouse, we were called on with "Harrogate". The trick here is to get the regulator to seat correctly, using the same method as you would with say a 5700 Pannier tank. A good breath of steam (so you know you'll get to where you want to) is followed by a firm close of the regulator and a refusal to reopen it. You need to clear the steam circuit. If you stop with the system full of steam then the regulator won't seat properly and it will pass. With regulator closed, "Harrogate" settles down for the night on the shed road...

As per usual, despite coming on shed after Phil, we were disposed well before him as he was chatting away! A final snap of "Fiji" here after a great afternoon...

After a very pleasant eight and a bit trips around the railway it was time to wash up, fill in the paperwork and sign out before heading for home. I must thank Jon for his firing efforts, Phil & Caroline for their company and banter and of course Alex for rostering me. That's another two very enjoyable Santa turns completed at Statfold: thank you. Finally, of course, Seasons greetings one and all...