Statfold: Out And About With "Howard"...

Another day, another footplate! Today's turn saw me penned to Hunslet Brazil Class "Howard" at the Statfold Barn Railway for the returning Giant Miniature Weekend (or whatever it's called these days). The fireman for the day was none other than old mate and roller man Batesy and our trio was completed with recently joined cleaner TJ. I arrived at the SBR base a little before 06:30 and, having signed in and read the notices, discovered "Howard" standing on the shed frontage with the rest of the six rostered locomotives. After years of experience I know that there is a substantial time difference between Batesy time and the commonly used Greenwich Mean Time and therefore elected to check "Howard" over and light the fire to get us started...

With the fire now burning, TJ soon arrived and got to work cleaning the outside of the engine. Shortly after, a sniveling Batesy turned up, red nosed and full of a cold. This was nothing that a day of the smoky Shotton coal wouldn't sort out! Phil duly clambered up into the cab and began cleaning the fittings. I meanwhile started the oiling process which is no real hardship with "Howard". Almost everything is easily accessible, except maybe the eccentrics for the Stephenson's motion...

After the usual 08:30 safety briefing on the lawn, we returned to the loco with our tasty bacon rolls. We were the last of the pile to leave shed today and this allowed us time for a quick cuppa' before the off. Our first train was made up of the ex-Lynton coaches which always seem to look a bit out of scale with the big Brazils...

Around 10:15 we departed with our first round trip of the day. The operating procedure was the same as the model railway show last month. We departed Statfold before calling at Strawberry Park in the down direction. We then continued around the railway and proceeded none stop through Cogan Halt and back to Oak Tree, where we awaited the next down train to pass. "Howard" was her usual willing and free steaming self. Ever since this engine arrived in 2013 (as side tank "Josephine") it has always been a strong and capable engine. To be honest, these Brazils are masters of the job. Both "Howard" and younger sister "Trangkil" are brilliant service locos. Here, the 1936-built 0-4-2 waits in the platform at Oak Tree for the section to be cleared...

We had a good laugh today. I've known Phil for many years and we always have a good time out together with plenty of banter. TJ made up the gang and was also good company. I've always been one for footplate camaraderie which is why I always found it a little unusual when single manning anything. You can have a good engine and good weather but it's the people you spend your day with that make up that final piece of the triangle. Here, Phil climbs up onto "Howard" as "Isibutu" arrives from Oak Tree...

Our fourth trip saw us back on the ex-Lynton coaches again, with "Howard" spotted here awaiting the road to depart platform 1 at Statfold junction...

For our last two trips I swapped with Phil, who took over the regulator whilst I supervised TJ doing the firing. In between those trips we had to water "Howard" at the high level platform at Statfold which crossed off another piece of track for me. Whilst Phil sorted the operational side of the move out with the signalman, I got to drive "Howard" from the turntable to the high level line. I don't think I've ever driven an engine over that piece of track. Small things amuse small minds I guess...

After our sixth and final trip we returned the hard working "Howard" back to the shed after another very pleasant day on SBR metals. The engine is seen here basking in the evening sun following disposal, as the lovely "Isaac" stands behind...

Thanks as usual go to Alex for rostering me and to old Batesy and TJ for their help and company aboard "Howard" today. She's a good all-rounder this one and always does her best. That's it until next time folks, cheers, Sam...