Driving Sunday Afternoon Steam at RPMR...
Hello all. Today I was part of the rostered crew for my 5" gauge concern's Sunday public running. There were 4 of us rostered plus Ken and newly-passed driver Emma as extra's. We arrived at around 12:15pm, with running due to start at 1pm. The electric locomotive (Compass House Class 37) was soon pressed into service before shunting the stock for the afternoon's trains. Whilst the other crew members began to set out signals and check the track, I headed in the opposite direction to prep 0-4-0 Sweet Pea Class No499 "John H Owen" for service. After filling the boiler and oiling round, I lit the fire using the usual parrafin wood. It was then time to start cleaning the engine, using the dirty rag provided(!). At just before 1pm the railway opened with the Class 37 heading the 3-car rake. A few round trips were made whilst "John H Owen" slowly "came round" on the steaming bay. A little later, when No499 was ready, myself & another member lifted the 0-4-0 onto the track before I took her 'light engine' to the station, where water was taken at the column. We then proceeded 'light' to the bendy-beam where 499 awaited the Class 37 and the ECS. When the 37 arrived it was uncoupled and taken into the siding before "John H Owen" backed down onto the stock. I coupled the engine up before taking my seat as the driver. (This first 1/2 lap would be ECS only however).
As we approached the station with the ECS the queue's were forming and after two successful, but very well-filled, journeys the 2nd train rake was called upon, hauled by the Class 37. (We couldn't manage without it!). Newly-passed driver Emma then took up driving the diesel whilst I continued driving the steamer. After a good few laps (6 or 7) with No499 holding 65psi or more all the way around the track, I swapped with Emma to be Guard on the train. This was Emma's first 'real' go at driving a steam-hauled passenger train following her test. I must admit, it was quite pleasant sitting on the back without having to worry about water level's or steam pressure's! Mind you, I wouldn't swap my job for the world! Whilst Emma was driving we did a 'running service' on No499 by cleaning out the smokebox and behind the firebox ("oh the beauty of the Marine Boiler!"). After Emma had managed a few successful laps she asked if I would like to drive again and, you've guessed it, the answer was "yes"! After taking water I set off again with a relatively light train, followed by a somewhat heavier one! However, No499 seemed unstoppable and was steaming, as well as performing, very well. It's a pleasure to drive these engine's when everything works out!
After a couple more successful laps I arrived back at Ryton Halt with the safety valve's feathering again. However, it was now 3:45pm (we close at 4pm) and we still had 2 trains operating the service, one of them being steam to boot. Therefore, the decision was taken to make 499's next run another ECS move to drop the coaches off before running 'light' back to the steaming bay. Meanwhile, the Class 37 would stay on the track and work the last handfull of services. After taking water, Emma boarded the ECS and called "don't spare the horses!". (This was to get out of the way of the Class 37 without holding it up). So, we certainly didn't! No499 'flew' out of Ryton Halt and rattled & rocked along the track before crossing the bridge. (For legal reasons, it wasn't doing over the 6mph speed limit!!). Arriving at the bendy beam the engine was quickly uncoupled before the stock was shunted into the siding by Emma. 499 then continued light, with me running alongside(!), around the track towards the steaming bay...just keeping ahead of the 37! Emma soon caught up with us and we then lifted 499 back onto the steaming bay, clearing the line for the passenger train(s). The quick operation had been a sucess and "John H Owen" was then blown down, filled with water, cleaned and put to bed. We carried just over 180 people today, not bad going for 2 little trains and only 3 hours running! Another great day! Thanks for reading folks!
Hello all. Today I was part of the rostered crew for my 5" gauge concern's Sunday public running. There were 4 of us rostered plus Ken and newly-passed driver Emma as extra's. We arrived at around 12:15pm, with running due to start at 1pm. The electric locomotive (Compass House Class 37) was soon pressed into service before shunting the stock for the afternoon's trains. Whilst the other crew members began to set out signals and check the track, I headed in the opposite direction to prep 0-4-0 Sweet Pea Class No499 "John H Owen" for service. After filling the boiler and oiling round, I lit the fire using the usual parrafin wood. It was then time to start cleaning the engine, using the dirty rag provided(!). At just before 1pm the railway opened with the Class 37 heading the 3-car rake. A few round trips were made whilst "John H Owen" slowly "came round" on the steaming bay. A little later, when No499 was ready, myself & another member lifted the 0-4-0 onto the track before I took her 'light engine' to the station, where water was taken at the column. We then proceeded 'light' to the bendy-beam where 499 awaited the Class 37 and the ECS. When the 37 arrived it was uncoupled and taken into the siding before "John H Owen" backed down onto the stock. I coupled the engine up before taking my seat as the driver. (This first 1/2 lap would be ECS only however).
As we approached the station with the ECS the queue's were forming and after two successful, but very well-filled, journeys the 2nd train rake was called upon, hauled by the Class 37. (We couldn't manage without it!). Newly-passed driver Emma then took up driving the diesel whilst I continued driving the steamer. After a good few laps (6 or 7) with No499 holding 65psi or more all the way around the track, I swapped with Emma to be Guard on the train. This was Emma's first 'real' go at driving a steam-hauled passenger train following her test. I must admit, it was quite pleasant sitting on the back without having to worry about water level's or steam pressure's! Mind you, I wouldn't swap my job for the world! Whilst Emma was driving we did a 'running service' on No499 by cleaning out the smokebox and behind the firebox ("oh the beauty of the Marine Boiler!"). After Emma had managed a few successful laps she asked if I would like to drive again and, you've guessed it, the answer was "yes"! After taking water I set off again with a relatively light train, followed by a somewhat heavier one! However, No499 seemed unstoppable and was steaming, as well as performing, very well. It's a pleasure to drive these engine's when everything works out!
After a couple more successful laps I arrived back at Ryton Halt with the safety valve's feathering again. However, it was now 3:45pm (we close at 4pm) and we still had 2 trains operating the service, one of them being steam to boot. Therefore, the decision was taken to make 499's next run another ECS move to drop the coaches off before running 'light' back to the steaming bay. Meanwhile, the Class 37 would stay on the track and work the last handfull of services. After taking water, Emma boarded the ECS and called "don't spare the horses!". (This was to get out of the way of the Class 37 without holding it up). So, we certainly didn't! No499 'flew' out of Ryton Halt and rattled & rocked along the track before crossing the bridge. (For legal reasons, it wasn't doing over the 6mph speed limit!!). Arriving at the bendy beam the engine was quickly uncoupled before the stock was shunted into the siding by Emma. 499 then continued light, with me running alongside(!), around the track towards the steaming bay...just keeping ahead of the 37! Emma soon caught up with us and we then lifted 499 back onto the steaming bay, clearing the line for the passenger train(s). The quick operation had been a sucess and "John H Owen" was then blown down, filled with water, cleaned and put to bed. We carried just over 180 people today, not bad going for 2 little trains and only 3 hours running! Another great day! Thanks for reading folks!
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