The Eight Freight: Round Two...

This morning I was rostered for another early 'third man' turn at Loughborough, this time with LMS 8F No48305 of 1943. I was pleased to see our names penned to the 8F as I thoroughly enjoyed our one trip with her on the Christmas diner last December. Having donned my prep coat, signed in and read the notices, I met up with fireman David and we headed out to the engine as she waited on No2 road. The first job, having checked the water level, was to check and clear out the smokebox. Here, David brushes the ash back towards the door whilst I await the next bucket for my wheelbarrow. This is never a pleasant job at 06:00 in the morning...

With the smokebox checked and clean, our efforts turned to the firebox. Last nights fire bed was clearly quite substantial and it took some heavy clearing with the irons to achieve a clean grate. However, after much sweating on this warm Sunday morning, we had a clean enough grate to light up. With the absence of the Welsh coal, the Loughborough engines are now lit up on two barrows of the manmade ovoids as these also don't produce much smoke. Having shovelled two barrows worth up onto the footplate, I spread the ovoids evenly around the grate, under the watchful eye of David. Then, with a liberal application of paraffin-soaked rags, I lit our new fire. A good helping of pallet wood was then added and the firehole doors closed. 48305 still had 40psi on the clock from the night before and so we would be in no rush this morning. With the fire now burning nicely, it was time to head underneath to empty the pan. Unlike my last charge: the Riddles Standard 5: the 8F has the more common fixed pan and so the hosepipe and the rake were soon flailing around between the frames...

I must admit, though I really like the 8F, the easy to prep and dispose Standard 5 certainly seemed a more attractive proposition as we left the pit half soaked in an oily mix of water and dust! The next job was to do some cleaning. Fellow cleaner Dave is spotted cleaning the boiler barrel whilst fireman David cleans the windows...

Whilst the three of us cleaned, driver Andy was making his way around the engine with a variety of oil jugs and feeders to lubricate the many points. As our off shed time neared, the 8F was coming around nicely. The cab is seen here...

Once we were off shed it turned into quite a busy morning. Having left Loughborough fifteen minutes behind time on our first train due to an operational issue, we ended up remaining late for the rest of the shift. We made up some minutes here and there but a lengthy 5mph slack in both directions through Quorn made it impossible to keep fully to time. We did our best though and had a great day. David fired the first trip whilst I did the second and the third. The third trip saw David driving under Andy's supervision. The 8F steamed beautifully on (I believe) a different Russian coal. It was noticeably different to fire with than the Columbian stuff we had on 73156 the other week. The new stuff was also very hot but needed a few minutes to get the heat there, unlike the seemingly rapid Columbian coal. Interesting. Anyway, after a great morning I managed to snap 48305 very quickly as we changed over crews at the water tower...

I must thank Andy and David for their hospitality on the footplate of 48305 and for letting me do the majority of the firing. I had a great time and it was a pleasure to spend another shift with the 8F. I must also thank David for the sausage rolls he brought along for us all: they were just the job! Talking about 8Fs always makes me think of Dave Goulder's 'Eight Freight Blues': the song about a fireman struggling with a worn out 8F in the days of steam. Luckily we had no such issues today!:

Smoke in my eyes

Soot in my hair

Cinders in my shoes

I'm watching a needle falling away

And singing the Eight Freight Blues

Lyrics by Dave Goulder

As usual, thank you all for reading this garbage. I appreciate it. Cheers, 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.

Statfold: Out And About With "Howard"...

Another day, another footplate! Today's turn saw me penned to Hunslet Brazil Class "Howard" at the Statfold Barn Railway for the returning Giant Miniature Weekend (or whatever it's called these days). The fireman for the day was none other than old mate and roller man Batesy and our trio was completed with recently joined cleaner TJ. I arrived at the SBR base a little before 06:30 and, having signed in and read the notices, discovered "Howard" standing on the shed frontage with the rest of the six rostered locomotives. After years of experience I know that there is a substantial time difference between Batesy time and the commonly used Greenwich Mean Time and therefore elected to check "Howard" over and light the fire to get us started...

With the fire now burning, TJ soon arrived and got to work cleaning the outside of the engine. Shortly after, a sniveling Batesy turned up, red nosed and full of a cold. This was nothing that a day of the smoky Shotton coal wouldn't sort out! Phil duly clambered up into the cab and began cleaning the fittings. I meanwhile started the oiling process which is no real hardship with "Howard". Almost everything is easily accessible, except maybe the eccentrics for the Stephenson's motion...

After the usual 08:30 safety briefing on the lawn, we returned to the loco with our tasty bacon rolls. We were the last of the pile to leave shed today and this allowed us time for a quick cuppa' before the off. Our first train was made up of the ex-Lynton coaches which always seem to look a bit out of scale with the big Brazils...

Around 10:15 we departed with our first round trip of the day. The operating procedure was the same as the model railway show last month. We departed Statfold before calling at Strawberry Park in the down direction. We then continued around the railway and proceeded none stop through Cogan Halt and back to Oak Tree, where we awaited the next down train to pass. "Howard" was her usual willing and free steaming self. Ever since this engine arrived in 2013 (as side tank "Josephine") it has always been a strong and capable engine. To be honest, these Brazils are masters of the job. Both "Howard" and younger sister "Trangkil" are brilliant service locos. Here, the 1936-built 0-4-2 waits in the platform at Oak Tree for the section to be cleared...

We had a good laugh today. I've known Phil for many years and we always have a good time out together with plenty of banter. TJ made up the gang and was also good company. I've always been one for footplate camaraderie which is why I always found it a little unusual when single manning anything. You can have a good engine and good weather but it's the people you spend your day with that make up that final piece of the triangle. Here, Phil climbs up onto "Howard" as "Isibutu" arrives from Oak Tree...

Our fourth trip saw us back on the ex-Lynton coaches again, with "Howard" spotted here awaiting the road to depart platform 1 at Statfold junction...

For our last two trips I swapped with Phil, who took over the regulator whilst I supervised TJ doing the firing. In between those trips we had to water "Howard" at the high level platform at Statfold which crossed off another piece of track for me. Whilst Phil sorted the operational side of the move out with the signalman, I got to drive "Howard" from the turntable to the high level line. I don't think I've ever driven an engine over that piece of track. Small things amuse small minds I guess...

After our sixth and final trip we returned the hard working "Howard" back to the shed after another very pleasant day on SBR metals. The engine is seen here basking in the evening sun following disposal, as the lovely "Isaac" stands behind...

Thanks as usual go to Alex for rostering me and to old Batesy and TJ for their help and company aboard "Howard" today. She's a good all-rounder this one and always does her best. That's it until next time folks, cheers, Sam...

A Quiet Few Hours At Loughborough...

Afternoon all. Just a short one from today. After a stressful week at work I was shattered this weekend and very nearly decided to stay in and chill out rather than go anywhere. However, after much deliberation I did manage to get myself motivated enough to spend a few hours at Loughborough shed cleaning their version of the Forth bridge: the mighty 9F 2-10-0 No92214. Scrubbing this impressive beast is a seemingly never ending task but, as with all engines, she always looks better for it afterwards! As it was the GCR diesel gala this weekend, no steamers were running on the Saturday and Sunday. The Bank Holiday Monday however was advertised as a mixed traffic day and so 92214, 46521 and 73156 were rostered to join in the fun. All three engines were being prepared today and had their respective warming fires put in. Myself and fellow cleaner Dave set to work with the big 9F, which was quite grubby it had to be said. Over the next few hours we white spirited her boiler casing and smokebox before giving her a full body polish. Our efforts on the driver's side were quite rewarding...

As the hours wore on the engine became cleaner and our pile of soiled cloths gradually grew. 92214's warming fire was crackling away nicely as she began to slowly warm through, sending a plume of smoke steadily skyward. She's a big engine this one. It's only when you work on and around her that you appreciate it...

Around mid-afternoon I decided to call it a day after a worthwhile effort cleaning the 9F with Dave. I'm sure she'll look lovely now when she goes out tomorrow. Hopefully the shining barrel will last a few weeks! That's all folks, cheers, 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.

Going Great Central: Setting The Standard...

Evening all. Well, what a pleasant outing this was! Today I was booked for another third man turn at the Great Central Railway. Originally our steed was going to be immaculate GWR 6959 Class No6990 "Witherslack Hall", which we've spent the last few weeks polishing for the occasion. Sadly the Hall suffered a failure during Friday and was removed from service. The replacement was none other than the trusty Standard 5 No73156 which, although I've cleaned her plenty of times, I hadn't yet been out on. Well, what a thing. Norfolk-based late riser 'Eddie the Late' would have been green with envy over this one as these are his favourite engines. Designed by R.A.Riddles as one of the twelve BR standard classes, the Standard 5 4-6-0s eventually numbered 172 examples. Building on the success of Stanier's Black Fives, the new 5MTs were built with usability in mind. 73156: one of five preserved examples: was built at Doncaster in 1956. At 05:45 this morning she stands ready on the shed frontage with a barrow full of wood alongside in readiness for lighting the fire...

Fireman Paul had arrived a little earlier and had already cleared the grate and emptied the ashpan, no doubt aided by the rocking grate and hopper doors. Together we prepared the new fire bed and Paul kindly allowed me to light the engine up. With a covering of coal across the grate and plenty of wood on top, the smoke was soon rising steadily skyward from the chimney as the clock read 06:10...

Driver Martyn duly arrived and we greeted each other. Martyn has been a GCR driver for many years and is also one of the steam crew examiners at Statfold. Whilst the fire slowly came to life, the three of us busied ourselves around the engine. Martyn commented that he didn't need much time to lubricate the 5MT as it took around 15 minutes to do the whole thing! The addition of roller bearings certainly speeds up the oiling process. I meanwhile got to work cleaning the boiler barrel as the sun climbed higher in the sky. 73156 is seen here simmering in the yard...

Below is a footplate view I snapped of 73156s cab. The designers clearly thought about the ergonomics here as everything is right where you want it. Both injectors for example are on the fireman's side and everything on the driver's side is right under your hand. The driver can work all of the controls from the comfort of his/her seat...

Our first train was the 09:45 off Loughborough and so we were at the platform in good time. The stock was lightly heated to take the chill off, although the outside temperature was already rising nicely with a pleasant day in prospect...

For the first outward leg I stood behind Martyn and took in the sights and sounds of the Standard 5. Our turn today included two trips and so Paul suggested that I fired back from Leicester North and then outward again from Loughborough on the second trip. Paul would then bring 73156 back on our final leg in readiness for crew handover. I was very happy with that plan as it's always nice to have a go! The current coal is Columbian and it's like rocket fuel. It's hard to keep the grate covered (although we must) without having the valves lifting, particularly on 73156 which seemed to be one of the most free steaming engines I'd ever been on. The GCR was a high speed raceway in its heyday and so the gradients aren't excessive (1 in 176 for the most part) but you still need a good covering across the grate. The run back is mainly downgrade and so it's a battle to keep the 5MT quiet. Todays service was operated by mixed traction and so we laid over at Loughborough for an hour after our first run...

73156 steamed just as well on our second trip and I handed her back to Paul at Leicester North without having gone 'down the nick'! After the pleasant final leg back to Loughborough we handed the 5MT over to the afternoon crew before they took the engine for a splash of water at the tower. And that was that...

Today was just great. In honesty, I didn't want to get off and could have happily done another trip or two with the Standard 5. It was my second experience on an engine from the standard range (after the 9F) and I must say that once again I wasn't disappointed. Everything about this engine is nice. It was a shame to miss out on the lovely Hall but 73156 is a fine substitute. I must thank Martyn and Paul for their hospitality and company aboard the 5MT today: I had a great time. Also thanks to Paul for the lovely sausage rolls he brought along which went down a treat! 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.

Doctor Busker Returns To Quorn...

Last year, in the weeks following the end of lockdown, the Great Central Railway held a fabulous beer festival at its Quorn and Woodhouse Station. The event featured steam rally favourite Doctor Busker and a great (and drunken) night was had by all. The post for that evening can be found here. As it was such a good do last year, we welcomed the return of Doctor Busker for this years Easter Vintage Festival. Knowing that Batesy would be there with his engine and no doubt several other acquaintances, I decided to have a ride over for a pint and some Doctor Busker this evening. I arrived at around 18:00 and discovered Phil's immaculate Aveling & Porter F-type steam roller No11240 "Louise" (of 1925) simmering in the yard. I love the headstock registration...

It was another pleasant and humorous evening spent in good company with Doctor Busker playing in the background. Occasionally we were treated to the sight of some railway locomotives as there were four passes in either direction this evening. Here, Standard Class 5 No73156 rolls through Quorn on the up line with a 'Fish and Chip Special'. The diner was hauled by the Standard 2 No78018...

As the light began to fade, Phil gave "Louise" an oil around and lit her lamps in readiness for some time outside the beer tent. He loves all that kind of thing...

As the night drew in we chatted about all things steam, with 73156 and 78018 occasionally making an appearance on the railway, breaking up the bawdy music. "Louise" meanwhile ticked over quietly under clear skies...

I left the railway at around 23:00 tonight, just after Busker's performance. It had been another lovely evening and hats off to the Great Central once again for a sterling event. Thanks to Phil, Caroline and the rest of our friends for their much welcome hospitality and comical company this evening. Cheers all, Sam...

Driving "Isibutu" For Statfold Model Railway Show...

Evening all. Regular readers will know that I am a big fan of, to me, the pride of Statfold: Bagnall 2820 "Isibutu", of 1945. It is always a pleasure to be booked to "Isibutu" and so when the roster for today came out last week I was overjoyed to see my name against her as her driver. Today was the first day of Statfold's inaugural Model Railway Show and what a fantastic event it was. Statfold, in my opinion, has been screaming out for an event like this for years as it's simply the perfect venue. You've got plenty of covered space, a fabulous museum, all the facilities you could want and the award winning narrow gauge railway too. What could be more appropriate? I arrived at the SBR base at around 06:00 this morning and my word was it a chilly start...

After signing in and reading the notices I found "Isibutu" out on the shed frontage, coupled up to "Howard". The engine had been warmed yesterday and wouldn't take long to start making steam. Needless to say, I was excited...

I was soon joined by fireman Dan and trainee Charles and between the three of us we began preparing the big Bagnall for service. Dan wasted no time in lighting the fire and 2820 is seen here with "Fiji" warming up alongside...

Over the next hour or two the Bagnall was brought into steam and, thanks to Dan and Charles, went out in very clean condition. With ticket sales already strong across the weekend without considering any additional 'on the gate' traffic, we had to be ready in good time to get the train service into full swing. Our first move, coupled to "Howard", was the line inspection and token working. Here, 2820 waits at the balloon loop for Ian to switch on the point lighting. The sky was stunning...

By the time we arrived at Oak Tree to uncouple from "Howard", the initially frosty morning had opened up into sunny blue skies. "Fiji" was waiting in the high level platform to begin her 'Driver for a Fiver' duties...

From Oak Tree I took "Isibutu" light engine back to Statfold where we were brought to a stand at the signalbox whilst the first train departed. With platform 1 now clear, we were given the road to set back onto the next set of coaches which were waiting at the top of the platform. The Bagnall is seen here sporting her Hornby headboard...

I must say that the job was very well executed today. By 10:00 we were stood at Oak Tree with our first return passenger working. Two trips down by 10:00...

The rest of the day went on pretty much like that. With five locomotive consists on the low level railway today we only missed one trip before going back out again. Once you'd been shunt released you were placed on the next incoming set. I think we managed seven trips in total in the end, two of which Dan drove whilst I oversaw Charles doing the firing. We had a great day if truth be told...

In the early afternoon we returned "Isibutu" briefly to the shed to ash her out. Though the marine firebox offers brilliant steaming capability, it also has a very small ashpan in comparison to the size of the locomotive and it needs emptying half way through the day to protect the fire bars. It's a messy job that's for sure...

Pan done, we were straight back into action. I couldn't fault today at all: it was just a lovely experience. It's never a chore to crew "Isibutu". Here, 2820 awaits departure from a busy Strawberry Park at some time during the afternoon...

Awaiting departure from Statfold on an afternoon working...

I think what was really nice about today was the feeling of running a proper train service. Passengers were alighting at the stations to see the model railway displays in the various buildings and it really gave the railway a purpose. Train loadings were certainly strong today too, with most trips being full to standing. Well done to Joey, Tony and everybody else involved in putting this event on. It was great to be a small part of it. If this doesn't become an annual thing then it'll be a crime! After a very busy day, beautiful "Isibutu" beds down on the shed for the night at around 17:00...

Having filled in her paperwork and signed out, there was little more to do but wash up and head for home. Thank you to Alex for rostering me and for giving me such a fine steed and thanks to Dan and Charles for their help and company today. "Isibutu" was her usual lovely self. This was the first time I'd driven her since her recent overhaul and the repaired regulator is certainly far better than before and much more pleasant to use. I wonder when I'll drive her again? Cheers all, Sam...

Achilles Report No79: Back In Business...

Evening all. Today "Achilles" returned to CMES' Ryton Pools track for her test run on the recently installed new piston rings. As we always say, she had two chances! Sheringham-based dawn chorus denier 'Eddie the Late' was joining me today, all the way from coastal Norfolk. Ed was bringing along his handbag engine, otherwise known as his 3.5" gauge Juliet. Between us we agreed to arrive at the CMES base at around 12:30 although, thanks to some bad luck over a set of keys, we didn't get in until Derek turned up to rescue us! Once safely unloaded on the steaming bays, the two engines were prepared side by side. "Achilles" had been heavily polished in recent days following her rebuild, in readiness for another public appearance...

With pressure rising nicely the electric blower was removed and the engine came around gradually under her own steam. Ed meanwhile was having a little battle with his tank engine, which seemed reluctant to raise steam...

With the valves lifting on "Achilles", it was time to head out onto the track. We'd already prepared a two-car rake for her to ensure there was some weight on the back. Cautiously, I opened the regulator. The drains leaked their usual dribbles of condensate before the engine inched steadily forwards. Clearly it was going to work of some description! Once out on the track I took the engine for half a lap empty, walking alongside her to make sure nothing dropped off and that everything looked OK. With all well, I climbed aboard and we set off for the station. "Achilles" certainly had more go in her than last time and the blow at the chimney was vastly reduced...

Returning to the steaming bay, Ed and Reg had narrowed the issue with Juliet down to the valves not being seated on the faces. After some tinkering, they seated and the engine came back to life. Meanwhile, "Achilles" simmered on the running line as Derek passed by in the background on his vertical boiler loco...

With a variety of engines now out on the track in the spring sunshine, we pottered around following each other for the next hour or two. You're forever chasing signals once a few locos join in but it is good fun. "Achilles" did me proud today: no bother at all. The rings seem to have improved things and the engine steamed well with the water pumps performing reliably too. To be honest, for an old gal', I couldn't fault her today. If Ken was looking down, I'm sure he'd be happy with this performance...

After what must have been a dozen or so laps, the engine returned to her steaming bay for blowing down. Nothing fell off so that's a big plus...

Later on, "Achilles" rests peacefully back in the workshop at home after a very pleasant afternoon out. She now needs a good clean after a job well done...

I have no idea at the current time when the engine will go out again but we keep promising a visit to the Sutton Coldfield club with Batesy so we ought to really arrange that. That's all folks. Cheers then, Sam...