GCR Firing Course: Completed It Mate...

GCR Firing Course? Completed it mate! That's it then folks! Today I was officially passed out as a fireman on the Great Central Railway having completed both the practical and theoretical elements of the firing course. I am so grateful to everyone at the GCR that was involved in helping me reach the grade and I look forward to more turns out on the footplate as and when required. Today I arrived at the GCRs base of Loughborough station at 12:00, ready to take some theory tests: one on route knowledge and one on rules. As I wandered through the shed area, the bulk of 9F No92214 was standing cold on No1 road under blue skies...

Having signed in and read the notices, I noted that our crew were rostered to 8F No48305 which was currently out working the service train. I was booked on with a driver and a fireman for today's turn but was later told that, should I pass my firing practical, I would be out solo as the fireman on the night diner this evening. No pressure then! Theory tests passed (that was a relief), we changed into our overalls ready to take over the engine in readiness to haul the 16:00 passenger train. The weather was stunning and was, if anything, too warm! The up inner home signals at Swithland are seen below in the on position as we are held to allow the Mountsorrel service to clear the Rothley section before continuing on towards Leicester North...

Returning to Loughborough with the passenger train, we uncoupled the locomotive and ran round. The train was then shunted into the up through siding and the stock stabled as it wouldn't be required until tomorrow. The 8F was then returned to No1 road pit on the shed apron for a partial disposal. The partial part of the term denotes that we're trying to do jobs now that will otherwise need doing late at night when the engine returns after the diner job. I cleaned the fire before checking the smokebox and ashpan, both of which are emptied at this point when required. The big 2-8-0 was then left to simmer on the shed for a while until we were required...

Once the partial disposal work was completed, driver and assessor Ken shook my hand and said that I had completed the firing course and would be out solo this evening. What a great feeling. I'm very grateful to Ken and the other instructors for their time and effort in putting on the firing course. It was a valuable experience that I wish I'd had access to years ago. It's so much more relaxing being taught this stuff in a classroom setting rather than having to teach yourself. The system has its own curriculum which can take either a person who has some experience or a complete beginner from cleaner to fireman through its various classes and teachings. I'd heartily recommend this way of learning to any railway. I'm lucky to have had my previous experience from Tyseley which I've built on at the GCR. Tyseley gave me a real shot in the arm when I crewed with them and I thankfully moved away from the bad habits I'd learnt in a previous existence. Building on the experiences from Tyseley, with the support of the GCR instructors, has resulted in me achieving this grade and I'm so thankful to all involved. Here, 1943-built No48305 stands at the head of the 19:00 diner...

The diners at the GCR are very popular and provide a lucrative and welcome income to the railway. There are various different trains which operate throughout the month but this one: the Charnwood Forester: runs on Saturday evenings and performs two round trips of the line. Also out this evening was the Fish & Chip special which on this occasion was hauled by the Class 37 diesel. (The railway is trying to encourage diesel fans onto the catered trains by running the occasional service with this traction). Our train left Loughborough a few minutes down but we were soon cruising along on the old 8F. Our first stop was Swithland viaduct where we paused for ten minutes or so so that the diners could survey the views across the reservoir...

The clear blue skies tonight certainly provided some picturesque views from the cab. The reservoir was incredibly calm as 48305 simmered above...

The 8F steamed beautifully throughout the evening and was no trouble. Here she awaits departure from Loughborough with our second round trip...

On the final run back from Leicester the locomotive paused once again, this time on the down line at the beautiful Rothley station. These short breaks ensure that everyone has time to leisurely enjoy their four course meal without being rushed...

From Rothley we had a steady run back home none-stop to Loughborough. The engine was then swiftly uncoupled before slinking quietly back down to the shed where we began the disposal procedure. Ken first went under the engine to check her over before I began the fireman's disposal once he was clear. The fire was raked through and quietened, the boiler filled and any necessary fittings isolated. The 8F then sat simmering quietly over No1 road pit as we prepared for departure around 23:00. Being out this late was certainly a shock for me these days!...

And that, as they say, is that. The GCR firing course has been completed. Once again (I can't say it enough) thank you to everyone that helped me achieve the grade. I look forward to future outings on the footplate at the railway as and when they come along. I must thank Ken for his company this evening and Ashley for coming out with me as fireman on the first trip. What a pleasure to pass my firing ticket on board the mighty 8F as well. What a fine machine (even if it's not GWR!). 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.

Ryton: Battery Boxes And Sunshine...

Evening all. This afternoon saw me taking part in the first of my three rostered Sunday turns as crew on the Ryton Pools Miniature Railway for 2023. As a CMES member, we all have to take it in turns to run the railway for the public on Sunday afternoons during the season. It's a fairly laid back affair, with three hours of running taking place between 13:00 and 16:00. The roster has changed in the last five years or so to include extra staff which allows two trains to be comfortably operated throughout the session. Back when the railway was fairly new, one train was sufficient but loadings are greater these days. Traction for the day was provided by the powerful battery electric trio, consisting of three Compass House motored chassis' with bodies. I'm loathe to call them by the names of the full size locomotives that they're meant to represent because they just aren't in the same ball park. A few car batteries on a rolling chassis has never done it for me...I'll be a steam man until there's no more steam. However, I understand that the electrics are easy and they do their job admirably and reliably. Here, the Class 31 bodied electric waits at Ryton Halt for service to begin...

We started the afternoon with the 31 and 37 lookalikes in action but the latter later developed a fault (a little win for steam there) so the 47 lookalike was called upon to replace it. Passenger numbers were strong all afternoon, with little let up between the queues. I did a bit of everything: driving, guarding, loading and of course selling tickets. These days I think I find the latter the most interesting duty when battery stuff is pulling the trains. It was a pleasant and worthwhile afternoon however, with over 300 passengers (and that doesn't include the Under 3s who travel free) taking a ride. It's certainly worthwhile income for the club. Thanks to everyone on the roster today for a leisurely afternoon trundling around Ryton Pools. Cheers, Sam...

Statfold: Driving The "Coronation Express"...

"Driver Sam and Fireman Ben with Peckett 2050"

You couldn't move in the UK this weekend without coming across a union jack flag or three as the nation celebrated the coronation of King Charles III. Coincidentally, Statfold were holding the annual miniature do which was lengthened to three days this year in order to take account of the additional bank holiday. I was rostered to drive on the Sunday of the event and was pleased to see my name penned to the powerful Peckett "Harrogate" (No2050 of 1944). Suitably decorated for the occasion, wearing bunting and a specially made headboard, the engine was one of five in steam on the 2ft railway for the weekend. Our book on time this morning was the usual 06:30 and I arrived in good time in order to sign in and read the notices. "Harrogate" was on No3 road at the shed. Alongside her was the Hudswell Clarke "Fiji", of 1912...

My fireman Ben duly arrived and together we set about preparing the Peckett for service. She was still nice and hot from yesterdays efforts and wouldn't take long to come into steam. Ben soon had a blaze going on the fire grate and smoke rose steadily from the chimney up into the hazy morning skies...

Oiling up "Harrogate" is just like oiling most other Pecketts to be honest, just on a different scale. It's no different to Tyseley's W7 No2004 or poor old former friend "Sir Gomer" which rusts away not far from here. Most of the Pecketts have a similar valve gear arrangement with the inside Stephenson's motion so it's fairly simple to find your way around them. "Harrogate" has an additional large Wakefield lubricator mounted on the fireman's side which feeds a variety of points including the axleboxes, cylinders and slide bars. Whilst I fumbled around the engine with the oil cans, Ben was busy giving her a polish between tending to the fire. The headboard for today was specially made by Matt Acton and was a pretty addition to the engine...

Our first move of the day included the usual token working, with three engines being marshalled in Platform 2 at Statfold Junction station with a rake of ECS. Bagnall "Isaac" would be unhooked at the balloon loop before proceeding across onto the high level line ready for a day of driver for a fiver. The Brazil class "Howard" meanwhile would stay with us back to Oak Tree where she would be uncoupled and return light engine with the train staff whilst we took water and had a cuppa'...

By the time we'd reached Oak Tree and had said goodbye to "Howard", the sun had broken through the clouds to reveal some lovely blue skies. I grabbed this sunlit shot of the Peckett as Ben woke the fire up ready for our imminent departure to Statfold. A good day of weather was certainly in promise as we awaited the next down train...

At this point we decided to grab the crew shot which has formed the title image for this post. It's not often that you get to drive on a Coronation weekend so it was nice to record it for the memory box! "Fiji" duly passed us by with a down train, allowing us permission to travel back up to Statfold. Once there, "Harrogate" was turned on the table before coming to rest in Platform 1 whilst "Howard" prepared to haul the next down departure. What a nice morning to be on an engine...

From then on we went into the usual cycle of one engine in, one engine out. Visitor numbers weren't brilliant to be honest so we only needed the two coaching sets, passing at Oak Tree and swapping engines at the top. It's always a gamble doing events on weekends like this as people have so many other things that they could possibly do, from organising a street party to heading off to the seaside! We had a good day though, as did our passengers who joined us...

"Harrogate" was her usual free steaming and powerful self and offered us no trouble throughout the day. It's a lovely thing this and just shows how nice a well restored Peckett can be, much like No2004 that I mentioned earlier on in this post...

I drove a few round trips before swapping with fireman Ben who then did a couple on the regulator whilst I did the firing. With a full working pressure of 160psi, "Harrogate" can be mortgaged easily at around 120-130psi and will do everything you want with ease without the fear of blowing off. She's a great engine...

After seven or eight round trips of the railway, I drove "Harrogate" back up onto the shed for disposal and we were there and parked up on No1 road well before 16:30...which is never a hardship for us! The fire had been run down nicely and the boiler only needed topping up before we left her for the evening after a good day...

With my loco report filled in and us both signed out, it was time to head to the bar for a quick pint before heading for home. I must thank Ben for his firing efforts today and of course Alex for rostering us on a fine engine once again. "Harrogate" is one of those engines that you're never disappointed to get rostered onto! A lovely old gal'. Thanks all for reading this drivel once again. It is appreciated...