Lincoln By Steam for Christmas...

"4965 Rood Ashton Hall at Barwell" (by S.Lathlane)

Hi all. Well, the Christmas season is once again upon us. The Christmas markets are cropping up all over the place, the festive classics are on the radio and the Santa's have begun on the railways. On the main line, the festive season services have begun and today we were riding aboard one. A few months ago I decided that a Christmas outing would be very pleasant and so chose Vintage Trains' excursion to Lincoln behind their immaculate 4900 Hall Class. Beginning at Tyseley, 4965 "Rood Ashton Hall" would take the route outward via Coleshill Parkway, Nuneaton, Leicester and East Midlands Parkway, bound for the beautiful city of Lincoln. The train was running in aid of a visit to the Lindum Christmas Fayre, held in and around the Castle grounds. We had booked a table for two aboard Pullman Class and stood freezing on the platform at Coleshill at 8am this morning. There was a thick frost last night and the air was more than crisp. Right on cue, the wonderfully turned out 4-6-0 arrived with her chocolate & cream coaches. Aboard our warm (thank goodness) Pullman Car, the table was set for breakfast...

Once underway, 4965 got to work with the upward gradient towards Nuneaton. These 49's really can shift and they sound wonderful. The menu for the day was at our table and we were pleased with what was in store...

The train ran easily through the morning frost, with the sun coming out just after Nuneaton. The Hall was putting in some great performances, and tore through Hinckley and Narborough bound for Leicester. Shortly after Leicester Station, whilst tucking into what would probably be our third course of breakfast: a sumptuous Full English, the train pulled into the old Humberstone Road loop for water. 4965 carries the smaller GWR tender and thus watering is done more often than with something like the Castle, particularly with steam heat on. After a 30 minute or so stop in the loop, the Hall got back down to business, putting in some more audible running. Following a final passenger pick up at East Midlands Parkway: whilst we enjoyed our coffee: the Hall continued into Newark and across the bridge that I always remember from this route...

"4965 near Newark" (by S.Lathlane)

You may notice that the title image and the image above were taken by Mr Simon Lathlane. Simon has kindly allowed me to use these two images for this post as there was little or no chance to take pictures as a passenger. Simon has two great railway photography sites: his Flickr, for which click here, or his Zenfolio site, for which click here. I am very thankful to Simon for allowing me to use his two impressive images: cheers. Back to the trip, the Hall ran easily into Lincoln, getting stuck behind a few service trains at a few points. Lincoln would be very busy today, as the Christmas fair apparently attracts 250,000 visitors! As a result, even the trains were reorganised as there were more service trains, as well as two steam specials. The other steam special would be arriving from London behind A4 "Union of South Africa" shortly after us. We didn't see the green snow-plough but we are led to believe that it managed to haul its lengthy train all the way to Lincoln, which should put Eddie's mind at rest. Back with good old Great Western, the Hall arrived into Lincoln bang on time. Immediately we were detrained so that the loco could take the ECS away for stabling, though I did manage to catch this quick image of the shining Hall before the several gaggles of enthusiasts managed to negotiate the icy platform...

From the station, which is ideally located in the main shopping area, we walked up the aptly named Steep Hill to the Cathedral. Needless to say...it was busy! Pushed and pulled from pillar to post we were, by several thousand fair goers. We had a look around the fair which had a great atmosphere, though unless you wanted to buy German Sausages or Mulled Wine you were pretty much out of luck. Sellers were hollering to the hoards to try and sell the loosely described "Novelty Christmas Hats" which, regardless of your tastes, were pretty hideous but no matter, its Christmas! Lincoln's jewel in the crown has to be the impressive Cathedral, which has origins which head right back to the beginning of its construction in 1088. It is a wonderful building...

We even took the opportunity for a look inside the Cathedral and, as I've said the last few times we've been inside, it was quite emotional in a way. The beauty and grandeur of these buildings blows me away some times; the architecture of a bygone age. Away from the Cathedral we wandered around the streets and went into most of the high street shops. You were better off inside due to the bitter cold outside! We had arrived with 4965 at around 11:45am and our departure of 4:15pm came around quickly. We had been advised to get back nice & early due to the madness at the station. The gaggle of enthusiasts were allowed back onto the platform around 10 minutes before booked departure and 4965 turned up with her LED lamp shining right on time. This is a lovely looking machine...

Having rejoined our Pullman Car, the impressive Cathedral stood proudly atop Steep Hill...

And our table was reset for the 4-course dinner, with Maisie obviously loving my chats about the evolution of GWR steam...

The run back was very pleasant and the meal was great: very filling too! Though we couldn't see a lot, the performance from the Hall was once again very audible. We arrived back at Coleshill right on time at 7:50pm, having took water again just outside Leicester for 40 minutes or so. The warmth of the Pullman car and the size of the meal made me drop off for a few miles I must admit! Having left the train, 4965 swiftly departed, leaving only a trail of steam and the echoes of her voice. The driver was certainly giving her some stick as we must have heard her for at least a mile or two! Then it was time for the drive home after an enjoyable day out. I must take my hat off to Vintage Trains for this one. It was a lovely day: great service, great food and great performances by the lovely 4965. Finally, to see a nice Youtube video of todays events, why not check out this link. Thanks for reading guys, Sam...

Atlantic Report No4: A Quiet Christmas...

Hi there all. A little report from the last few days of working with two of my model engines, the bigger two anyway. "Maisie" last ran a few weeks ago, as seen in the report known as 'Only The Mad'. Unfortunately one of her boiler bands reacted with something so that was taken off earlier this week for repainting and relining. I'm not going to go mad with marks and dinks as it gets them, but a boiler band almost half stripped of paint I do draw the line at so that'll be redone and refitted over the next few weeks: no rush. The removal of the band did of course require the removal of the cab and both running boards in order to access the underside of the barrel. No matter though, the job was done in less than an hour and the Atlantic is now in 'sick bay' waiting for the band to be done. Otherwise she is in full running condition and is still waiting for another turn out. I do need to do some mods to the tender in order to slightly raise the guard-irons to stop them dragging on the rail but that can be done whenever now. Meanwhile, later this week, though its not enough to justify a full report, "Achilles" was finally cleaned up after its hard working visit to the GEC for their Halloween event five weeks ago. She's now been polished and cleaned up ready for her next outing, though the certificate is nearly up on the boiler so it'll need a steam test in the near future when that expires...

I think you can all guess that this was a quiet week on afternoons at work, giving me time to tidy the workshop and strip down 4436 as well as cleaning the tank engine during the daytime. I am hoping to have the Atlantic out again early in the new year but time will tell. All the best guys, Sam...

Return to the Footplate...

Hi there everyone. Here we are again, as quick as a flash, its the Santa Trains! This morning I was rostered as Fireman aboard GWR 3803 at Shackerstone. Naturally, this meant a fairly horrific out the door time of about 5:30am, to make the railway for 6am. I always find getting in early is the best way to ensure that you get out on time, as the chances of something being wrong with the engine if you come in late seems to (sods law) always double. Arriving at around 6am, I started by grabbing all of my kit from the car: everything but the kitchen sink. It was then time for the 'terror walk'. This walk, undertaken mostly in darkness, takes you up to the loco shed but due to the overwhelming weight of all of your kit you just sort of moan & groan your way there, dragging and heaving, huffing and puffing. Falling into the engine shed and switching on the lights, the bulk of 3803 stood in front of me...

Having checked the engine for water and condition, the next important job is to feed the cat...

As can be seen, the process of feeding the cat is soon followed by the appropriate measure of being stared out by the cat until you feed the cat again...

The cat has featured on the blog a few times. It has more names than the Ian Allen book but the most popular of its several alias' seems to be Morris. Morris is perhaps an unusual name for a female cat but nevertheless it has been dubbed so. We think its well over 15 years old but nobody seems to know, she just turned up one day about 5 years ago and has been a railway resident ever since. Leaving the cat by the stove, it was up onto the footplate to start messing about with the fire-irons. Driver Brian and Trainee Richard soon arrived before I made my way into the hot firebox to clear the grate and check the condition of everything. Grate cleared and firebox & tubes dry, the engine was lit up. Our first train was at 10am which I fired, with Richard firing for the remaining Midday and 2pm departures. Here the shining 38' is spotted waiting for the Midday train...

All in all this was an easy day on the footplate but a busy day on the train with some great passenger loadings for the first Santa weekend. The loco steamed well, pulled well and looked well and I'm sure the three of us had a pleasant day. I'm next on the 38' next Sunday so, all being well, that'll be good too. All the best guys, Sam...

Polish & Buff...

Hi there guys. Another short post from today, with Shackerstone being the destination once more. Today it was cleaning day and so, after work, I headed over to the railway where I met David & James. Together we set to cleaning and polishing GWR 3803: Autoglym for the green, Brasso for the brass and a liberally applied paraffin & oil mix for the bottom end. After around 2 hours of cleaning the engine was looking brilliant and is now surely ready for tomorrows first Santa Trains of 2014. I am crewing the engine on Sunday, filling in for another fireman, so a report will appear about that day I'm sure. Best Regards, Sam...

Shunting at Shack, Post 100...

Hi there everyone. A short and sweet day today at Shackerstone, doing some shunting with the Class 02 and Class 04 diesels in order to reorder the loco shed. Following the shunt we moved on down to the Rising Sun pub for a pint before home. I must admit, the pub is much warmer than the engine shed! Meanwhile, out on Battlefield Line metals, David had been let loose with the Bubblecar. He is now, allas, slowly converting to the dark side of heated cabs, comfy seats and push button starts. The Bubble is seen here departing Shackerstone for Shenton with former steam nut David at the helm!...

So, a short and sweet post but a Post 100 nonetheless. I don't know whether to be disappointed or not but this year is the first that I haven't beaten myself, with No100 of 2013 arriving in early October. Mind you, last year was a particularly mad year and this year has been mad enough as it is! I have been trying to consolidate certain posts which have little to say and this has probably reduced the number somewhat. Ahh well, there is still plenty to come in 2014 and you can read it all here! Best Regards, Sam...

A4 In The Night...

Good evening everyone. Tonight we took a trip out, only down to Nuneaton, to see A4 Pacific No4464 "Bittern". The garter blue pacific was hauling a Cathedrals Express to London Euston, and had worked the northbound leg this morning. Its been a good day for steam on the main in our area as the Duchess was working a Euston excursion both ways on the Coventry line too, though we were at Warley this morning so didn't see her pass. 4464 arrived bang on time in Nuneaton's Platform 5 and was immediately struck by the melee of enthusiasts and the general public. One person even climbed up onto the cladding and walked the running boards on the A4, much to the annoyance of many people there. I inadvertently captured the start of this odd act in the picture below, where the 4-6-2 is pictured being photographed for all she's worth...

Once the loco was cleared of unsightly running board riders, the engine pulled away into the night with a clear whistle of her traditional chime. The 3-cylinder Gresley beat echoed into the night as the A4 quickly disappeared, hauling a lengthy well filled train. The boiler ticket on the respected A4 is soon to end and I believe she will be pulled apart for overhaul in January. Good luck to her, and we wish her a speedy return to use. All the best, Sam...

A Warley Wander...

Hi all. Today we took a wander around the annual Warley National Model Railway Exhibition, held traditionally in Hall 5 at the NEC. It was a really good show this year, and we spent over three hours meandering around the avenues and alleyways through the gaggle of model railway enthusiasts. A really good show with some great layouts to see in all gauges and scales, some great stuff: very impressed. All the best, Sam...

Its Beginning To Look Alot Like Christmas...

Hi there everyone. Today I spent a few hours at a chilly Shackerstone, working in the shed with Jason. Jase was working away on the Class 73 electro diesel whilst I put the Brasso to good use on GWR 3803. With the stove lit and roaring away, the shed was at least semi-workable, with the aptly named Mess Area being fairly cosy. The cab brasses were polished up on the 1939-built 2-8-0, along with the brass bonnet atop the barrel, and of course the two whistles. Talking of whistles, the 38 is still brandishing what can only be described as an item of whistle extravagance!...

"Whistle While You Work"

Yes, allas, for several Great Western fans out there who are now crying into their Swindon handkerchiefs, the 38' still has the Brit' whistle on. Ahh well, it does sound good and it certainly clears the herds of elephants. Jokes aside the big chime does give the public some variety, and makes you feel like Casey Jones when you're on the regulator! But, yes, I must admit, the two normal GWR's do make more sense. Ahh well, it looks nice polished up! The loco is still waiting for springs but these will be fitted very shortly and the engine can then haul our 'Santa Special's with pride, although the odd enthusiast may well be disappointed when "Oliver Cromwell" doesn't show up pulling the train! All the best guys, Sam...

Rosetta & A Memorial...

Hi all. Today, whilst on my way to Shackerstone I popped into the village to see a steam roller. "Rosetta", Aveling & Porter 9024 of 1919, has recently changed ownership and now lives not far from the railway. My mate Phil, who has his own A & P roller ("Louise"), said I should pop in and meet the new owner as the engine and crew are interested in coming to MB MTEW 2015. After a natter and a good look around "Rosetta", I think we can safely say she will be joining us in April, along with "Louise" and another big un' from another nearby stable. Looking forward to it! From the pub, I drove around to the railway for a special afternoon.

Recently, the Shackerstone Railway Society President: Mr John C Jacques MBE: sadly passed away. John was a railway man through and through and knew just about everything there was to know. He founded the wonderful Shackerstone Museum and had volunteered within it since the early preservation days of the railway. He was a very committed man and was always happy to chat about his various relics from the railways of old. He even wrote a book: "Railway Tales": about his experiences as a BR Signalman and track man. I remember John from my early days at Shack in late 2006 and slightly later, seeing him around there in his museum until ill health stopped him coming in the last few years. Everyone on the railway was very sad to hear of John's passing and I'm sad to say that a lot of knowledge and commitment to the railway has been lost there. However, we must remember John's efforts and look to the fantastic museum that we see today. Today on the railway there was a special train, operated in memory of John and the railway staff did themselves proud today. I attended and, like many others, had a drink in John's memory. RIP John, you will be sadly missed and I think the railway will be forever thankful for your efforts...

Shackerstone Society AGM...

Hi all. Tonight was the night of the Shackerstone Railway Society AGM and, over a pint, we got down to the whys and wherefores of operating a railway with every stone turned over. A pleasant evening nattering and chuntering about all things railway. Cheers guys, Sam...