"Sherwood Forester": A Passing Five...

This afternoon we were treated to the sight of another steamer passing by work. This time it was Jeremy Hoskings' LMS Black Five No45231 "Sherwood Forester", working ECS towards Southall ready for some Saphos jobs in the coming weeks. In persistent drizzle the Black Five slipped gracefully past us with her not so typical coaching stock, some of which was made up of Intercity-liveried Mk3s. An unusual consist but no doubt necessary. I hadn't seen 45231 for quite some years up to now, having ridden behind her a decade or two ago when she was still at the GCR. It was nice to see her again and on the main line too. Until next time then...

Please note that the above image was taken from land outside of the NR boundary fence.

Going Great Central: A Baby Standard...

In the second of two unexpected days on the footplate at the Great Central Railway, today I enjoyed three trips on Standard 2 No78018. I arrived just slightly before the 05:45 sign on time, expecting to do another cleaning/shed turn. However, driver Martyn and fireman Tony kindly invited me out with them for their morning turn. After less than a second I gratefully accepted and, between us, we prepared 78018 for service. Tony kindly let me light her up and having been out last night, she was soon singing away to herself with a plume of smoke rising steadily from the chimney...

A Standard class 2 is Riddles' take on the Ivatt LMS 2MTs and a total of 65 were produced. As a class they were the smallest in stature of the BR Standard range. With two 16.5" cylinders plumbed up to a 200psi boiler and driving 5ft wheels, they put out a tractive effort of 18,515lb. Four members of the class survive in preservation: one at the Worth Valley (which I rode behind last year), two at the Central and a fourth at the Bluebell. The first three have steamed in preservation, the latter has not. 78018 was built in 1954 and was initially preserved at Shackerstone of all places, though it never steamed there. She is also known for her part in the 1955 British Transport Film 'Snowdrift at Bleath Gill' where she is rescued by workmen having been caught in a deep snowdrift. That short film is well worth a watch...

Throughout the next few hours the three of us busied ourselves around the engine. Yesterday evening had seen persistent rain and so the class 2 was looking rather dirty when the day began. After a good wash and clean down, she was looking far smarter and a pleasant day was in promise as the sun climbed higher in the sky...

Behind us, fellow cleaner Dave was giving the bigger Standard 5 a wash down too. Note shed cat 'Jumble' chilling in a care free manner in the foreground...

Just before we left shed there was time to grab some coal. This was another different load and we left shed with a tender full of fresh Welsh...

Our morning turn would consist of three round trips to Leicester North and back with seven coaches on the hook. The Standard 5 meanwhile would be trotting around light engine on Drive-a-Loco before doing the shorter diner! Though more than capable of the job, seven coaches would certainly make 78018 bark. For the first trip, Tony fired whilst I got my head around the class 2. I hadn't been on one before (save for spooning a few around 78019 many years back) and although the controls are pretty much the same as the class 5 or the class 9 (just as Riddles intended), the firing technique would be different. Here, 78018 prepares to depart from Leicester North... 

The 5mph slack in both directions at Quorn didn't seem to slow us up much today, as long as station departures were kept to time. For the second trip, Tony was driving and I was firing, with Martyn keeping a watchful eye on us both. It was a pleasant morning all round really and it's always a nice atmosphere whilst awaiting departure from Loughborough. Here, 78018 awaits the road and departure time...

A quick capture of 78018 as the pressure needle nears the red line...

Once on the move, despite getting to know both the engine and this different batch of coal, everything seemed to go pretty well. Tony even kindly let me fire the third trip and here is the engine awaiting departure from Leicester on our last run...

What a lovely little thing this is. With seven coaches on she was having to work and you were having to think about your water and coal to prevent either going down the nick or blowing off all the time. Despite working hard the engine steamed an absolute treat and I really enjoyed my two trips firing her. All too soon however I was running the engine down ready for the layover and crew change. Job done...

Well folks, another great turn at Loughborough! Thanks to Martyn and Tony for their kind invitation and it was lovely to finally tick off 78018. What a lovely thing and another class to tick off the "I've crewed it" list. Cheers all, 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.

The National Railway Museum, York...

When an opportunity presents itself you should take it, that's my motto. Today I was working in York of all places and Leeman Road too, the home of the Royal Mail delivery office but also the National Railway Museum. Before I hit the road for home I couldn't help but spend an hour in the museum...it would have been rude not to! I managed to get a ticket for my timeslot online via the website (admission is still free but tickets are still 'sold' as it were). Soon enough I was in the Great Hall, home of the majority of the exhibits, most of which stand around the turntable. The other week I was firing a 9F and today I stood alongside the last of them all, No92220 "Evening Star". She was the last steam locomotive built by British Rail, having been completed at Swindon in 1960. Even after crewing 92214, 9Fs still look massive from floor level...

After "Flying Scotsman", the most famous steam locomotive in the world is surely the A4 pacific "Mallard". No4468 is still the world speed record holder for steam, having topped 126mph on July 3rd 1938. The shining garter blue beauty is seen here, standing under the footbridge in immaculate condition...

Alongside "Mallard" was another streamliner, this time the Stanier version: No6229 "Duchess of Hamilton". Though stunningly impressive in its looks, I do prefer the rebuilt version without the casing due to its muscular lines...

After the Great Hall I had a wander around the stores area before a quick visit to Station Hall and the impressive display of ex-Royal Train stock. The museum is very pleasant to walk around and is a massive bargain for free but I just can't help but feel that something is different about it these days. It seems to have lost something but I'm not sure what. Is it worth a visit? Absolutely. Is it as good as it was? I'm not sure. Time will tell. However, as a steam enthusiast and volunteer, I will always pop into the NRM when in York and long may it continue to be popular. Cheers all, Sam...

Statfold: Second Time "Sragi"...

Evening all. Today, in pleasant conditions, we took part in the Statfold Barn Railway's "Sweet Indian Steam" event. I was pleasantly surprised when the roster came out last week to see my name penned to the beautiful antique Krauss "Sragi No1", of 1899 vintage. Myself and Norfolk's well known sunrise denier 'Eddie the Late' had a great day on the brown beast back in 2016 and so, six years later, we were looking forward to the same again! Having picked Ed up from his campsite a few miles south of Statfold, we arrived at the SBR base a little before 06:30 and duly unloaded our kit from the car. The Krauss was soon spotted on the shed frontage, at the back of the engine queue. Having signed in and read the notices, I began the usual FTR of the engine before the two of us set to work on the fire. Grate cleaned and checks made, I lit up...

In past years Statfold has used Scottish coal but recently the load has been Shotton: a surface mine in Northumberland. It's great stuff in every regard except its smoke production. The engines steam well on it, there is little ash, little clinker and it lights well but my god does it smoke! The elderly Krauss caught us out last time we had her and so this time we elected to use more wood and get some heat in her before adding coal. Thankfully, this method worked! With the fire burning well, it was time to empty the ashpan. No rocker ashpan on this little old lady...it's a lie down on the floor swearing loudly job! The Krauss has a sliding plate which runs in two grooves. When pulled out, the ash falls neatly into the 2ft and covers the user in dust. The real enjoyment however comes when trying to slot it back in after the grooves become caked in ash! Oh well, we do it for the love and nobody said it would be easy! Whilst screaming obscenities at the Krauss' ashpan, I noticed the below shot from my position on the floor...

After heaving myself breathlessly to my feet, I returned to the cab to add more coal to the fire. The yard by now was a sea of black smoke from the dozen or so chimneys smoking away. As soon as we could get a touch of blower on the smoke cleared massively but it's no fun without some air! Following the traditional safety briefing and bacon bap on the lawn at 08:30, we returned to our engines to await the call from the yard master. Being right at the back, "Sragi" was the last to be called. Once I'd oiled her up and Ed had given her a wipe over, there was little to do but wait...

At around 10:00 the call came over the radio for the Krauss to "wait for the signal". An upper quadrant signal arm gives us permission to leave the shed (once the yard master has given us our orders). Signal off, I eased the Krauss gently forward whilst Ed steadied things up on the handbrake. The Krauss would benefit heavily from a steam brake but the handbrake is effective enough on a dry rail. Here she is resting outside the signalbox as we admire her from Micks bench...

Jon is our most regular signalman at Statfold and tends to mix the engine consists throughout the day to give the punters (and us) some variety. Whilst we waited for our first train, JB departed with his first run, driving a decorated "Alpha" (his favourite) and piloting "Howard" on the freight train. "Alpha" was one of the ex-Indian engines starring at the event, having worked at Ryam Sugar Mill in Bihar...

Our first train was the next arrival and was made up of the ex-Lynton coaches. These look great behind the old Krauss and have good brakes too! Ed kindly let me take the first train whilst he did the firing. After a steady run, the Krauss is pictured at Cogan Halt. The sun was shining down as we awaited departure...

I really like the Krauss and I don't often say that about engines built abroad. It's a very gentle but surprisingly powerful thing, which I think are the comments I made about it when we had it last time. This time was our first outing with her solo though, as last time we were joined by her Sragi sister No14, now named "Max". Arriving back into Statfold and steaming a treat, it wasn't long before we were shunt released and coupled onto the ex-Ryam Davenport for a freight run. The Davenport is also very gutsy but isn't a fan of stopping in a hurry and so the Krauss' stopping power would be useful...

Cogan Halt was also decorated for the event, doubling up as our version of Darjeeling. I think the Krauss must have felt a long way from home here, though the ex-Bihar American engine was only around 300 miles away from there in her working life. The Krauss meanwhile was more than 3000 miles away in Central Java!...

On the return of the second trip it was getting near to lunchtime and so the familiar scent of sausage rolls soon filled the cab! One trip at gas mark 40 normally does the trick. The exposed areas of hot metalwork are most welcome (sometimes)...

After our run with the Davenport we were uncoupled before being joined up again, this time to one of the bigger engines in the fleet: Brazil class "Howard". "Howard" will pull a house down and stops very well and so we had little to do but join in now and again, particularly as we were train engine. As we left the balloon loop though our sausage rolls were ready and so we enjoyed these on the effortless run back! I was now on the fireman's side and captured this image of the star visitor: DHR No778: arriving into Statfold with our next train. She was built by Sharp Stewart in 1889... 

Ed drove us neatly to the balloon loop on our fourth trip, hauling the Bredgars...

During the layovers at Statfold today we took the time to spin the Krauss a couple of times. It's much nicer going forwards, with any engine if I'm honest. Here, No1 sits on the turntable whilst the rain tries its hardest to start...

For our fifth and final return trip we were piloting JB and "Alpha", with myself back on the Krauss' regulator. It was a very pleasant (and spirited) run...

As the final move of the day, Ed drove us down to the Saturday evening cavalcade at Strawberry Park loop, coming to rest on top of "Alpha". The traditional whistle up then took place to the delight of onlookers. Always good fun...

Here, the old Krauss settles down on the shed after another great day. Lovely...

I've saved my final shot for one of the star visitor: No778. This old lady is a proper ex-Darjeeling B Class and is now based on a private railway in the UK. There are a few differences to her original shape: taller cab, the addition of a tender, no piston guides, no bunker extensions etc: but she is still a chunky and handsome looking thing. Does it look better than an original one? Not for me...but it has had sympathetic practical modifications and even has a GWR brake valve so what more could you want? It was lovely to see the Darj in action and hopefully it will visit again...

With that I had a date with Ed at the Appleby McDonalds as, even now, he can't seem to navigate a McDonalds purchase alone. Trying to tap his SBR Volunteer card to pay for his burger was a particular low point! Ed fed, it was time to drop him back and head for home. It had been another great day in great company on a great engine. You can't ask for more. Thanks to all who made it happen, thanks to Ed for his company and thanks to Alex for having us. Cheers all, Sam...

A Platinum Jubilee 9F...

A few extra days off work this weekend thanks to the Platinum Jubilee was just what the doctor ordered, especially with the Met Office promising good weather. I didn't waste my extra Thursday off and headed over to the Great Central for another cleaning turn. Arriving a little before 06:00, I found BR Standard 5 No73156 resting on No1 road in the morning sun. It's so much more pleasant starting early in the summer...

It wasn't long before I was invited out for the shift with driver Ian and fireman Jack aboard 9F No92214. After less than a second of thinking about the offer, I gratefully accepted. I had really enjoyed my turn on the Riddles bohemeth on New Years Day and so was really up for a second go. Whilst Ian and Jack prepared the engine, I set to with the cleaning gear and prepared to give the boiler barrel a wash...

The engine was rostered on two trips this morning before crew change, sharing services with not only 73156 but also a couple of diesel locomotives. Here, 92214 takes coal from the loader. The tender was soon topped up...

After leaving shed we took water at the column before slipping a coach from the set. Shunting complete, 92214 was backed down onto the waiting coaches in readiness for an 09:30 departure. Jack had decorated the engine with flags and a '70' head code. It's a very impressive beast this one, even against a platform...

Jack suggested he fired the first trip and me the second, which I gratefully accepted as this turn was really a bonus one for me! Right on time, we departed from Loughborough and 92214 was soon romping towards Quorn on the double track. The weather was gorgeous as we rumbled southward on the up line...

After a very pleasant first trip during which we thankfully managed to keep to time despite the lengthy 5mph TSR at Quorn, the 9F came to rest again at Loughborough. The cab is pictured here as we sit at the water tower awaiting the road to the down goods. It was certainly warm on the old 9F today...

As planned, Jack handed over the firing duties to me for the second trip. Due to the trains being mixed traction hauled today, the next working of our stock left behind a diesel. We would take over the next arriving train for our second departure...

92214 sits quietly in the down goods whilst awaiting her next move...

I was happy with my trip firing 92214. I managed to keep her quiet most of the way and the water level stayed strong. The hardest part with this engine is keeping the grate covered to keep everything warm whilst avoiding blowing off, particularly with the recent coals which have both been really good (in my humble opinion anyway). Jack snapped me firing 92214 along the Quorn straight towards Kinchley Lane...

"Firing 92214" (J.Shaw)

Soon enough, after a pleasant second trip, it was time to hand over...

I must thank Ian and Jack for their very kind offer of inviting me along with them today and for the chance to fire the mighty 9F again. I had a great morning. Sometimes the best turns are the unexpected ones! Cheers all, 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.