The Ryton AGM...

Hi all. An interesting evening out tonight, nattering and supping tea at Coventry club. The annual general meeting was upon us again and provided all the formals followed by a video presentation of the events of 2014. Featured in two different liveries was my tank engine "Achilles" with a glimmer of newly arrived C1 "Maisie" in the November section. A pleasant little evening out. All the best, Sam...

Coughs and Sneezes...

Hi all. Today it was the usual Shackerstone Sunday. However, due to the flu that had struck me down in the week I decided to play it safe ready for my early start for work tomorrow. With this in mind I simply nipped to Shack for a bit for a look around and to pick up my MTEW advertising bits & bobs. On the way home I called in at Shenton where I had a welcome cuppa' with Chris and Jo who then helped me put up the banner. I'm very pleased with this MTEW aid and it will be at Shenton from now up until the event. Hopefully I'll be better this week and back in action ready for next weekend. All the best guys, Sam...

Atlantic Report No5: Just About Cracked It...

"Atlantic Outing" (R.Mathieson)

Hi all. Well, here we are, Atlantic Report No5. In the last post we saw my 3.5" gauge LBSC Maisie resting up in the workshop whilst a boiler band was repaired. The band; which suffered a paint reaction a few months ago; was kindly repainted and lined by The Steam Workshop ready for refitting to the engine. Last week, whilst faced with a few free hours, I decided to look at the C1's tender. The tender had been dragging on the rail-head due to its overly long guard-irons. The irons were removed, shortened slightly and the axleboxes and springs were checked. The rear box on the right hand side was tight in the horns and was locking up so I removed the box and cleaned the faces before oiling them well. The tender now runs better and the irons clear the track. With the work done, I repainted the bolt heads that I disturbed and then gave the green livery a polish. The tender is seen in the late afternoon sun in the garden last Tuesday...

"The Tender In The Garden" (3/2/15)

Anyway, back to today. Whilst the locomotive was languishing in bits in the workshop awaiting her band, the tender was now fit and ready to go when required. Today was the monthly CMES Steam Up and "Achilles" was waiting in the wings to stand in for the stripped down Atlantic. However, at the last minute, the band turned up in this mornings post and so, after a quick rebuild and spit polish, No4436 made it to Ryton Pools by 1pm! To be honest, not only was the loco lucky to be there but so was I. I'd been off work ill during the last part of the week, full of flu. Thankfully I was feeling better today and could get out for some air as there is only so much daytime television one can stomach. 4436 is seen here steaming up...

One of our Shackerstone cleaners: Reece: was visiting the track today and sent in quite a few pics of No4436. Here she is having steamed up and sitting pretty, ready to go...

"4436 In Steam" (R.Mathieson)

With 80psi on the clock, a good fire in the box and the safety valve beginning to lift, the moment of truth had arrived for 'Maisie'. Opening the regulator gently in full forward gear, away she went. The loco ran freely ("hurrah"!) and steamed happily around the track, attacking the bank in fine style...

"4436 On The Bank" (R.Mathieson)

I made quite a few laps with No4436: probably 8 or 9 or so. She was steaming well, her axlepump was working at good capacity and the tender was running freely. She's a bit of a racehorse and will out-run a 5" gauge engine on a good length of straight track. The wheels are bigger than "Achilles" as she stands! 4436 is seen here during a photo stop on the tight curve at the foot of Ryton Bank...

It was pleasant to be out with a well performing No4436 at last. She did start to tighten up a bit towards the end of the run, later determined (so I believe) to be the mechanical lubricator not working. This isn't really surprising as the engine is still only on her third ever visit to a track, having only been steamed 5 times in total. The lubricator rachet isn't working correctly and will require some attention before something goes wrong. The 4-4-2 was given copious amounts of oil through the blast pipe to tide her over once the run had finished. The Atlantic gets away on a final run...

"Atlantic Success" (R.Mathieson)

So, there we have it...4436 runs! With some adjustment on the mechanical lubricator to make it work when we want it to and a new ball in the foundation ring clack the engine should be fit & happy, ready for service. When she'll run again now is anyone's guess at the minute as its only fair that "Achilles" should be next out. We'll see. Thanks for reading folks. All the best, Sam...

Shed Sunday at Shackerstone...

Hi everyone. Today was another Shed Sunday at Shackerstone. I arrived on this chilly morning at 11am and snapped some very uncaring sheep near the railway gates...

Down in the shed myself & Jason would be continuing to work on GWR 2-8-0 No3803. Behind 3803 currently stands "Sir Gomer" and, behind her, the Class 02 shunter. The Class 02, D2867 "Diane", a Yorkshire Engine Company product of 1961, is now nearing the end of its brief winter overhaul. The engine and gearbox has been serviced and the whole thing rewired. Richard was captured just putting the finishing touches to her refurbished electric lights...

I left the railway at around 4:30pm today for home. It was very chilly indeed and it sounds like there's more of a cold snap to come. I always enjoy winter right up until New Year and then after that these dark dreary months just drag on. Oh well, at least we're now half way through our 2-month closed season and trains will soon return to the Battle of Bosworth fields. You may well ask "Why No Pictures of 3803" - well, there will be, soon. All the best, Sam...

GCR: The Freeze To Death Gala...

Hi everyone. Today saw the annual jaunt to the Great Central Railway for their Winter Gala which was, undoubtedly, colder than ever. I arrived at the Edwardian gas-lit station of Rothley at around 9am, just before the first train. Upon my arrival a large snow storm had set in. The signalman was probably the only person in the warm...

The first departure of the day was the 9am Loughborough - Leicester service, leaving Rothley at around 9:18am. This service was double-headed by the two visiting engines: BR (W) Pannier No1501 and No7820 "Dinmore Manor". Through the snow they came...

The pair approach having shut-off for Rothley Station...

The two BR black liveried loco's looked great as they hissed in under the road bridge. 1501 was built in 1949 whilst the slightly older Manor dates from November 1950...

I boarded the sparsely steam heated stock behind the pair, though 1501 was duly detached in order to work another move. 7820 continued the working up through Rothley Brook and on to Leicester North. She sounded in good voice as she got the weight moving and hauled the train up the gradient away from the station. At Leicester North the adoring gaggle of enthusiasts poured from the coaches and trotted over to the usual vantage point of the bay platform...

7820 worked on the BR Western region and was retired at only 15 years old in 1965. She then became one of the many engines sent to Woodham's scrapyard in Barry. In 1979 the funds had been gathered by the Gwilli Railway to save the locomotive and she was duly purchased. Unfortunately the new owners simply could not restore the engine due to a lack of funds and undercover storage, resulting in a resale in 1983. The locomotive was then restored at Tyseley with the West Somerset Railway providing financial support in return for the locomotive operating there once complete. She made her WSR debut in 1995, working there regularly from then on. With the loco's ticket having run out in 2004, she was overhauled at Tyseley with the work being completed in April 2014. The locomotive is now based at the Gloucestershire & Warwickshire Railway and was on her first visit to the GCR. Here she is seen running round...

At this point my camera died so I opted to catch the train back to Loughborough in order to purchase some more batteries. The Manor gave a good run back passing many other locomotives on route. New batteries purchased, the first snap at Loughborough was of 1501. 1501 is based on the Severn Valley Railway and is the sole survivor of a class of only 10 outside cylindered pannier tanks that made up the 15XX class. When her BR life ended she worked at Coventry Colliery before being saved for preservation. I like this engine. It seems to have great advantages over the 57XX and is hugely powerful for its size...

Having snapped the wonderful 1501, I had to have a cup of tea. So frozen were my hands that I dropped half of my stuff all over the floor in the tea room: my fingers were numb! I don't understand how certain visitors much older than me were walking around as if it was a summers day: it was bloody freezing! Tea in hand, I wandered down to the locomotive shed where 1926-built Fowler 3F No47406 (a Jinty) was simmering away ready to perform a freight shunt...

Unusually, the locomotive shed was open for viewing. The GCR has had a spate of thefts over the years so the shed is now only open when railway members are available to staff it. Its a shame that it has come to this as certain ridiculous individuals spoil it for everyone else. Oh well, at least it was open today. The chassis of 1948-built Modified Hall "Witherslack Hall" is coming along...

One gem in the GCR fleet, though no longer operational unfortunately, is GCR 8K/LNER 04 Class 2-8-0 No63601; one of three NRM engines based on the GCR. The engine's 10-year ticket ran out not long ago but its nice to see her stored inside rather than outside like the operational engines. She's a lovely thing: lets hope she runs again one day...

Whilst meandering my way around the shed there were rumblings and whistles outside. The 3F had been shunting and the freight wagons she had moved were to become a train for 78019. Part of the BR Standard range, 2-6-0 Standard 2 Mogul No78019 was built in 1954...

Having made my way back onto the crowded platform of rivet counters, I enjoyed another cup of tea whilst awaiting a departure. The station was a hive of activity with engines coming in and out at regular intervals, as well as the trusty DMU. It was soon time for a defrost so I boarded the Midday departure behind another NRM engine: 4-6-0 N15 Class No777 "Sir Lamiel". This engine is quite a beast and, in the hands of regular driver Tom Tighe, put in a cracking performance on the run up to Quorn. The noise was fantastic and the pull on the drawbar from her acceleration is amazing considering the size of her wheels. I got a quick snap of her at Quorn before she roared away...

At Quorn it was, would you believe, even colder! The temperature was just above freezing I reckon, but the cross-wind and the chill in the air made things almost unbearable. After yet another cup of tea I watched the charming Ivatt Class 2 Mogul No46521 arrive from Loughborough...

In a positioning move came the huge bulk of the GCR's third NRM engine: BR Britannia Pacific No70013 "Oliver Cromwell". The locomotive was on her way to Swithland to collect waiting freight wagons...

The Pannier soon turned up again...

A capture of the Pannier showing her attractive BR Mixed Traffic livery...

Whilst waiting for the Pannier to pull away, a rather irate gentleman brandishing a camera was attempting to start a row with one of the crossing staff. The man was fretting that he would miss the train on the opposite platform, hauled by the 9F, and threatened to become "very annoyed" with the crossing keeper if he missed it. The moral here is, if you are aware of a 300-ton obstruction about to block the route to your waiting train, always ensure that you are the opposite side of it before the obstruction arrives. I don't care for people abusing volunteer staff. Anyway, 1501 looked nice...

1501 got away sharply, as did the 9F. Following the 9F to Loughborough was the N15 again. Lovely "Lamiel" is captured awaiting departure before almost blowing the bridge down...

By now it was gone 1pm and the cold had really set in. I could hardly take it anymore and I'd drank enough tea to sink a battleship. Across the way in Quorn's Platform 1 stood the DMU about to depart for Rothley. It looked so warm on there that the windows were steaming up and there were, did my eyes deceive me(?), seats free! I boarded the DMU and immediately settled into my seat. I think this has to be the first time I've ever not had to struggle to find a seat at a Winter Gala. Departing Quorn I was thankful for the brilliant under seat heating, a far cry from standing room only behind steam. The DMU is captured here in a 1950s scene, about to depart Rothley for Loughborough...

All in all, with eight locomotives in steam and an overly intensive timetable, the 2015 GCR Winter Gala was well worth a look, despite the cold. One thing I will say though is that it won't be to everyone's taste. Almost every train is standing room only and the Adult fare has now risen to £25 a ticket with no short journey tickets or single round trip tickets available. That's fine for the enthusiast but a bit dear on the families I feel. I only tend to do one round trip and then just dawdle around each station looking at various bits & bobs so £25 for a single round trip is a bit much, but that's just me. I do however appreciate how much this cracking event must cost to put on so its all in the view of steam preservation. Thanks for reading folks. As I write the fire is stoked up and the kettle is boiling and I'm still bloody cold! Best Regards, Sam...

38' Day...

Hi everyone. Another Shackerstone working party today, this time working with GWR 3803. The locomotive is just starting her winter maintenance program and is also having some other bits done. More on that as we progress. Best Regards, Sam...

Miniature Traction Engine Weekend 2015 Plug...

"Saturday Line Up" (M.Ranieri)

Hi everyone. So, here we are, the annual plug for Miniature Traction Engine Weekend! The event will take place over April 25th/26th at Market Bosworth Station on the Battlefield Line. Join us for a steam filled weekend with around 50 miniature traction engines and steam lorries in steam. Engines range through 1.5" - 6" scales and from manufacturers such as Fowler, Burrell, Foster, Savage and many others. The engines will be steaming around freely on the old Goods Yard at Market Bosworth and the event will be open from 10am until 5pm both days. I have been particularly lucky this year with the amount of exhibitors that have asked for a space and thus the huge number of 50 engines arose! 2015 will be the events third year and in this short time it has grown to be one of the largest gatherings of miniature steam in the area and even has a bigger attendance than some large rallies. I am so pleased that the event has been so well received and long may it continue. I have just included a few shots on this post of last years event to give you an idea of what goes on. Its a great atmosphere down at Market Bosworth...

"Four Inch" (M.Ranieri)

As well as the miniatures, we also have a notable full size invasion over the weekend. The big engines are brought along in order to show a comparison between full size and miniature, as well as showing off the history of road steam in their own way. Having been offered a few big engines for this years event, I've managed to cap it at three. The three big engines include a wonderfully kept pair of Aveling & Porter Steam Roller's and a beautiful elderly Allchin General Purpose Traction Engine of 1903 vintage. Last year the big traction engines were represented by Statfold's immaculate "Mary Marshall"...

"Mary Marshall" (M.Ranieri)

As well as the miniatures we have a 5" gauge miniature railway, awning displays, a traditional organ and a miniature working area including wood sawing and flour milling. Also in the working area we will have one or two petrol stationary engines in action. In the historic Goods Shed we will have displays of toy steam, model engineering, 16mm live steam and of course the trusty refreshment stand. Here, a wonderful pair of Burrell single cranks return to Bosworth having been up into the village... 

"Perfect Pair" (M.Ranieri)

One of the awning displays present includes Mr Seaton's wonderful Meccano Engines: well worth a look and a chat...

Steaming up in the damp on Saturday morning...

"Gathering" (M.Ranieri)

To get the most from your experience why not join us at 2pm where you can see as many of the engines together at once and whistling loudly against our full size railway engine. Talking of the railway engine, in 2015 it is likely to be the huge GWR 2-8-0 No3803. Fares are FROZEN at the norm for the weekend so why not travel to the event by steam and see the event for FREE?! There is no better day to visit the Battlefield Line than on a normal fare event day! For more information see our website www.battlefieldline.co.uk or pick up one of our leaflets. I hope to see some of you there for what promises to be a great weekend. All the very best, Sam...

Diesels In The Shed...

Hi all. A short post from Shackerstone today. I was there from 11am until 3:30pm working with Richard and team on the Class 02 diesel shunter. The 02 is having a full service at present and is having some repainting done. A pleasant and simple day. All the best, Sam...

Garden Railway Running...

Hi everyone. A quiet afternoon today doing a few little jobs in the garden including wiring and a bit of track work. With the tasks complete I decided to have a bit of a run with some of the engines from the collection. My Hornby "Derwent Grange" is seen pulling out of the shed with the Great Western stock, crossing over the access path. Below, on one of its very rare outings, my Autotank (1436) drops down towards the house with its Autocoach...

The trains were running up and down in all sorts of weather, from sun to sleet. The new track has bedded in well now and the trains are running smoothly. There is still a lot more wiring to do but I'm just doing little bits at a time. Here, the Austerity tank drops down the bank with one of the freight train rakes...

Here, Great Western 0-6-2 No6600 pulls a rake of LMS coaches around onto the formation for the 2006 extension...

The locomotives ran around the garden for an hour or two in various different combinations until I decided to pack up. When the weather gets a little warmer I can start running some of the older stock and begin finishing up the wiring. Maybe we'll even see some buildings and scenery back out in the garden again! All the best guys, Sam...

Diesel Domain at Shackerstone...

Hi everyone. Having carried out a site visit to Market Bosworth this morning on behalf of my MTEW event, I headed up to Shackerstone for around 11:30am. I only had a couple of hours to hand as we had a family do in the afternoon. Even so I was soon put to work on the Class 02 diesel hydraulic, which is currently in the shed for a tidy up and service. I was drilling out the rusty bolts which carry its lamp holders. Having exhausted half a box of drills the job was done, and I began angle grinding in the cab, cleaning the panels. Meanwhile, "Sir Gomer" stands cold and quiet in the single road area...

I left the railway at just before 3pm after a quiet but enjoyable day. I'll be back there next Sunday for more shed jobs. All the best, Sam...