Sunday, 4 April 2010

Easter at Shackerstone Post 1...

Hi all! Well, its Saturday afternoon and I'm back at Shackerstone, all packed with bits and bobs ready for the weekend. I would be staying over until Monday evening and, when I arrived at around 3:45pm, the Main Train, hauled today by the Class 25, was still out on the line. Only the petite 2-2-0 Aveiling Porter "The Blue Circle" stood in the platform, surrounding by some enthusiastic onlookers...depsite the biting spring breeze! Also on the site were some very nice examples of MG Motor Vehicles, provided by a local branch of the MG Owners Club. I dropped my things into the Sleeper Coach, now reopened for the new season, and, after grabbing my overalls, proceeded down to the South Yard (steam department). As soon as I turned the corner I found the beautiful B1 4-6-0 No1306 "Mayflower", spotted with black smoke bellowing from her chimney. The engine's Warming Fire; ready for the next day; had already been lit and much cleaning had also gone on during the week. The "Eastern Lady" shone brightly in the afternoon sun and was slowly warming through all the time. Myself and Danny busied ourselves with breaking up "lighting wood" for the following 2 days of steam operation, whilst the last train of the day arrived and departed again behind the "Rat". Soon, the Class 02 shunter was started and noisily pushed "Mayflower" back into the confines of the shed. With a little shunting, Peckett "Sir Gomer" (still the same) and "Blue Circle" followed before the shed was locked up for night. We cleaned ourselves up before heading off for dinner...Evening All, up at 5:20am tomorrow!...

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