The A2 "Blue Peter" Returns In Blue...

Today we were treated to the sight of the beautiful A2 Pacific No60532 "Blue Peter" making its first run to the smoke in many a year. The 4-6-2, wearing the short lived but striking BR express blue livery, passed by us at Northampton today, working her support coach to Southall. The A2, which is part of the Saphos stable, has only recently returned to the main line following a multi-million pound overhaul at Crewe. Peppercorn's 15-strong class of A2s were built over 1947-48, with "Blue Peter" being the only survivor. A 250psi boiler plumbed up to three 19" cylinders coupled to 6ft 2" wheels gave them a very respectable tractive effort of 40,430lbs. This puts them above even the Coronations and the Kings for tractive effort, at least on paper. The larger wheeled (6ft 8") Peppercorn A1s: represented today by the replica "Tornado": came in around the 37,000lb mark. Today, the blue "Blue Peter" was having a steady run to the capital, ready to be formally launched into service tomorrow with a special charter of invited guests from Kings Cross to York. Good luck to her.

According to my memory (and my records) I can't recall ever seeing "Blue Peter" in the metal before, let alone in steam. I must say I have massive respect for LSL at Crewe for getting this fine old engine going again and seemingly sparing no expense. Hopefully we'll see her again in the not too distant future. Cheers all...

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

Going Great Central: Return To The Footplate...

Afternoon all. Today I was back on steam traction at the Great Central Railway, working the A4 turn with driver Richard aboard the repaired Standard 5 No73156. Following repairs to her superheater elements, the 4-6-0 was back in action this weekend alongside stalwart Standard 2 No78019. I signed in at the rostered book on time of 13:00, before meeting up with Rich at the engineering cabin. When the engine returned from Leicester, we took over from driver James and fireman Michael. The tender was filled at this point before we ran round to the southern end of the waiting stock in platform one. I took this rushed snap of the engine awaiting departure with the 14:20 after clambering out from coupling us onto the train...

We left Loughborough on time with the six-coach train. 1956-built No73156 was her usual free steaming self as we wandered southward towards Quorn on the up line. At Leicester there was the now common extra time added for footplate visits. Therefore, myself and the two engine reps from the Bolton group left the footplate to give Rich some space with the admiring punters... 

Returning to Loughborough, No73156 continued to perform well with a light, bright fire. Resisting the temptation to over-fire with this powerful engine is paramount: she steams so well on so little. However, the issue really is making sure you keep the grate well covered in order to protect the firebox. It's a balancing act. Below, No73156 leaves Rothley on the down line with the return of the 14:20 ex-Loughborough... 

With grateful thanks to Rich, upon our return to Loughborough I was offered the driving seat on the 16:15 to Leicester North. Who could say no?...

I duly drove us to Leicester, with Rich doing the firing. It was pleasant to be back in the driving seat of the powerful No73156. A six-coach train really is no effort for her and she chugs along neatly with very little in the chests. At Leicester, having run round, we swapped back over and I fired back to Loughborough, running the fire down in readiness for disposal. After a final top up at the water column, No73156 was soon back on the shed above No1 road pit in the evening sunshine...

It was great to be back out with No73156 again today and it was a pleasure to spend the turn with Rich, who was so instrumental in the firing course we all completed last February. It was also great to see No73156 back in action after a short spell under repair with superheater issues. For those not in the know, superheater elements carry saturated steam (in a superheated engine) from the header and return it back through larger tubes in the boiler, known as flues. The action of the hot gases from the firebox being drawn across the element superheats the steam within before it reaches the cylinders, increasing its thermodynamic efficiency. Cheers all...

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.