Thomas At Shackerstone Day 2: Driving "Fergus"...
Hi all. Well, after a day on the B1 the day before I had stayed over on site before signing on at a more modest 7:30am. Rather than the huge LNER 4-6-0 that I was crewing the day before, I had downsized quite alot for Sunday as I was to be crewing the quaint 2-2-0 Aveiling and Porter locomotive "The Blue Circle", dressed up as "Fergus". The Aveiling was built in 1926, even though her design was already around 80 years out of date by then! The single-geared steam engine was waiting on the Shed Road, behind the huge 4-6-0 "Henry" ("Mayflower"), when I arrived. With Driver & Owner Mic, along with cleaners Chris and Craig, I helped with the cleaning and "Fergus" was soon ready, leaving the shed on time at 9:20am, followed by "Thomas" himself. The 2-2-0 rattled down into the North End where Pockets' newly restored Southern Railway 25-ton Brake Van was waiting in the sidings. "Fergus" was coupled up whilst "Thomas" took up his place at the head of the main rake. "Henry" meanwhile was still being prepared on shed. Once "Thomas" had departed with the 10am train, Chris left me, Craig and Mic to begin "Fergus"' duties, firstly on the Brake Van Rides. After a few trips up and down to the Signalbox our time was up as the main train had to be given 'Line Clear' back from Shenton. This meant that we had to put the Brake Van back into the North End, uncouple it, and then proceed back into the station to clear Platform 2 for the main train. "Fergus" is seen at the end of Platform 1... 
The rest of the day was spent doing more brake van rides, participating in the stories, sing songs and games and just generally having a good time. The weather was also much better than the day before, not half as hot, thank goodness! During the day I was allowed to fire the loco and even have a couple of drives! I must admit it is a very unusual rail-loco to drive; much like a traction engine yet on rails. Its a single-cylinder and so, if its stuck dead-centre, you need a quick slam on the reverser into "Full Back" before quickly slamming it into "Full Forward" again to set off, Drain Cocks open. However, once you're going, its a delight(!), very responsive and comfortable. (Thanks Mic!). Once the last train had departed at 4:40pm, we had one last segment of Brake Van Rides to do, which were incidetally very well patronised(!) before we took "Fergus" back on shed. The locomotive was then filled with water and cooled down before we left 'him' for the night. In the meantime, "Mayflower" was already in the shed so the doors were closed as we left. "Thomas" arrived back at just before 6pm with the last train and we then all enjoyed a quick drink on "Jessie" (the Bar Coach) before we left for home after a good weekend. I had had it very good, enjoying a Little & Large selection of engines; made up of 1306 & "Fergus"! Thanks must go to the crew of 1306 from the day before and "Fergus"' owner Mic for a great weekend. Now, I must get home, clean up and watch Doctor Who from last night! Evening All...
Hi all. Well, after a day on the B1 the day before I had stayed over on site before signing on at a more modest 7:30am. Rather than the huge LNER 4-6-0 that I was crewing the day before, I had downsized quite alot for Sunday as I was to be crewing the quaint 2-2-0 Aveiling and Porter locomotive "The Blue Circle", dressed up as "Fergus". The Aveiling was built in 1926, even though her design was already around 80 years out of date by then! The single-geared steam engine was waiting on the Shed Road, behind the huge 4-6-0 "Henry" ("Mayflower"), when I arrived. With Driver & Owner Mic, along with cleaners Chris and Craig, I helped with the cleaning and "Fergus" was soon ready, leaving the shed on time at 9:20am, followed by "Thomas" himself. The 2-2-0 rattled down into the North End where Pockets' newly restored Southern Railway 25-ton Brake Van was waiting in the sidings. "Fergus" was coupled up whilst "Thomas" took up his place at the head of the main rake. "Henry" meanwhile was still being prepared on shed. Once "Thomas" had departed with the 10am train, Chris left me, Craig and Mic to begin "Fergus"' duties, firstly on the Brake Van Rides. After a few trips up and down to the Signalbox our time was up as the main train had to be given 'Line Clear' back from Shenton. This meant that we had to put the Brake Van back into the North End, uncouple it, and then proceed back into the station to clear Platform 2 for the main train. "Fergus" is seen at the end of Platform 1... 
The rest of the day was spent doing more brake van rides, participating in the stories, sing songs and games and just generally having a good time. The weather was also much better than the day before, not half as hot, thank goodness! During the day I was allowed to fire the loco and even have a couple of drives! I must admit it is a very unusual rail-loco to drive; much like a traction engine yet on rails. Its a single-cylinder and so, if its stuck dead-centre, you need a quick slam on the reverser into "Full Back" before quickly slamming it into "Full Forward" again to set off, Drain Cocks open. However, once you're going, its a delight(!), very responsive and comfortable. (Thanks Mic!). Once the last train had departed at 4:40pm, we had one last segment of Brake Van Rides to do, which were incidetally very well patronised(!) before we took "Fergus" back on shed. The locomotive was then filled with water and cooled down before we left 'him' for the night. In the meantime, "Mayflower" was already in the shed so the doors were closed as we left. "Thomas" arrived back at just before 6pm with the last train and we then all enjoyed a quick drink on "Jessie" (the Bar Coach) before we left for home after a good weekend. I had had it very good, enjoying a Little & Large selection of engines; made up of 1306 & "Fergus"! Thanks must go to the crew of 1306 from the day before and "Fergus"' owner Mic for a great weekend. Now, I must get home, clean up and watch Doctor Who from last night! Evening All...
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