Evening all. This was one of those days where things turned out unexpectedly good. It was the Saturday of the 2023 Winter Steam Gala at the Great Central and myself and Batesy arrived a little before 06:00 in order to complete a shed turn. Walking across the yard to sign in, I was immediately met with the sight of one of the visiting engines: BR Standard Class 5 No73082 "Camelot", of 1955 vintage...
Having admired the named Five, I walked up with Batesy to see the other visitor: Urie S15 No506 from the Mid Hants Railway. 506 was being prepared by Martyn and Simon and so we duly offered to lend a hand for a few hours...
Below is a view of the cab of the lovely 506 as she brewed up on shed this morning. It is typical 'old Southern', not unlike the T9 and "Sir Lamiel"...
506 was built under the LSWR in 1920 as part of Urie's S15 class of fast freight engines. Following the 1923 grouping, the class continued to be built (in a modified form) by the Southern's CME Maunsell. Eventually the S15 class numbered 45 examples and 7 of them survive in preservation: two Urie types and five Maunsell's. I believe that 506 is the only Urie S15 to have steamed in preservation (so far). Affectionately known as 'Goods Arthurs' due to their similarity to their N15 cousins, the S15 was a successful design that lasted in BR service right up until January 1966. I like 'old Southern' stuff. They're always handsome machines...
As the other engines gradually moved off, 506 completed prep over the No1 road pit. Here, the engine stands ready for action as Simon climbs aboard...
Once the S15 had departed shed in a cloud of condensate, the gaggle of cleaners could join forces to empty the three pits of ash. Here, well known 'King of the Pits' Batesy gets to work removing the ash from the No1 road pit. Contrary to popular rumour, anyone who is anyone starts out on the pits: that's how you get on!...
Once the S15 had completed its first round trip, we were surprised to be invited onto the footplate for a run to Leicester and back, following kind permission from both the crew and the engine rep from the MHR. This is an unusual honour, as visiting engines tend to be off limits to cleaners. Batesy would ride up to Leicester on 506, whilst I rode in the coaches, before swapping with me for the return journey. We were both very pleased to get a ride on this fine 'old Southern' machine, particularly such an unexpected one! During my ride on the engine, driver Simon awaits time at Rothley...
Having left Rothley in good voice, 506 was held for a few minutes at the Swithland down starter signal. Below is a rushed snap along the parallel boiler...
Whilst leaving Quorn towards Quorn's down starter signal, I grabbed this rushed snap of freshly repainted 9F No92214 as she arrived on the up line with a mixed freight. The engine has just completed a two week repaint into prototypical BR unlined black after many years in lined Brunswick green. She looks miles better...
All too soon my brief run aboard the lovely Urie S15 came to an end as we came to a stand at the north end of Loughborough's platform one. What a fine old thing...
One thing I always notice about the 'old Southern' stuff is how well made it seems. The S15 for example is built like a warship! Every component appears to have been made to be very strong. The whole engine appears to be sturdy. I observed this on a Maunsell example at the Bluebell some years ago. I must thank Martyn, Simon and of course the MHR minder for letting us have a ride on the beautiful 506. It's a pleasure to have ticked off an S15's footplate! If you'd like to support 506 in any way, please visit the owning group's website. Many thanks all for reading. Cheers then, 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.
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