Hi again all. Well, its 7am, and I'm up again with Carl and Craig to crew "Fergus", the Traction Rail-Loco. After 3-overnight stays on site, I'm very tired and ready for home but there is just one more day of the mammoth Spring "Thomas Event"; today! Arriving at the shed, we found "Fergus" but also found that "Henry" had no cleaner. This meant that Driver Neil Boden and Fireman 'Pockets' were cleaning the huge 4-6-0 alone. Therefore, I offered my services as "Fergus" is much easier to clean than the massive B1. Neil was very grateful of the help and set me to work at once on the bottom-end, along with Pockets. Meanwhile, Driver Jan Ford and Trainee Fireman Dave were preparing "Thomas" up on the Outside Pit. By 9:20am, "Fergus" had departed with Carl and Craig and I headed off to change into my smart overalls, shirt and tie for one last time. However, just as I was leaving, Neil & Pockets asked me if I would like to go out for the day on the 'Eastern Lady' instead. I was torn between the two loco's but, on asking Carl's permission, he said that I would be of good help to the "Mayflower" crew and so I set off for the B1! (A change of engine's just like that!). Once "Thomas" had departed on the 10am train, 1306 was ready. We soon set off through No11 (Ground Frame) and rolled into Platform 1 where the loco was "screwed down". I must admit, my voice was terrible today. The bad smoke from Saturday morning had affected my throat and my voice was just about gone when we came off shed...I was squeaking all over the place!...
Our first run was at 11:20am and this was completed on time, with Pockets firing. It was nice and sunny until we got to Shenton, where it was raining! It certainly was unsettled! However, through the driving rain shower, we returned to Shackerstone, arriving on time. Once ran round, our next run was at 12:50pm. This time, I was on the shovel. Pockets guided me through the firing and we made Shenton with steam to spare and a 3/4 of a glass in the boiler. Once ran round again, we were told to go slow back to Shackerstone due to it being so busy that an extra coach (the FK) was being dug out of the South Yard to accomodate all of the standing-room-only passengers! It was hectic! Therefore, with me on the shovel again we returned to Shack' at a steady pace. Held at the Outer Home Signal (No2), we soon noticed some confusion when we saw the Spare Coach, "Thomas" and "Daisy" all blocking the main line! However, it was soon moved and we chugged down into Platform 2 before uncoupling. There was now a 1 hour 45-minute overlay so that the Class 25, "Boco", could take a train out, allowing "Henry" to take part in a few select races. We lost however due to the wet rails! The Jinty ("Thomas"), with its small wheels, certainly got the better of us today! Oh well, we won on all of the other days! For our 3rd and final run, Neil was asked to 'make up time' as trains were running 20 minutes late. So, he did so, in some style. "Mayflower" sounded beautifully, accelerated harshly away from the 5mph and 10mph slacks. Below, she is seen tearing away from the 5mph slack at Hedley's (soon to be tamped and put back to 25mph)... 
The above shot certainly shows the good visibility that is afforded from the B1. Once at Shenton we ran round unbelievably quickly and before I knew it we were barking back up Shenton Bank going back to Shackerstone with the train! It certainly was a fast run. Back at Shackerstone we were, unusually, held at the Signalbox. When we asked why, the reply came; "COWS". "Cows?", we said. "COWS", came the reply again. Apparently, a herd of 8 cows had escaped from a field at the back of the North End Sidings where all of the diesels are kept. Anyway, having escaped, they had made their way through the lines of stored diesels before approaching the Foot Crossing at the end of the platforms; at which point they were spotted...though there was alot of eye-rubbing beforehand! Just as they were about to make their way onto Platform 2(!) the cows were stopped by 'Mr Conductor' and Chris before being shewed back down to their field and blocked in. With the line now clear again, "Mayflower" was given the Dolly to proceed into the platform and uncouple. It certainly was a strange experience! (No pics though, sorry!). After this, "Thomas" was coupled up to the days final train, the 4:40pm, before departing some 27 minutes late! (Waiting for families for the 'Tea on Thomas' service I bet!). "Mayflower" was then put back into the shed and disposed of, followed by "Fergus".I thanked Neil and Pockets very much for yet another good day before we retired to the Bar Coach, "Jessie", for another free drink each, courtesy of Sam, the Event Organiser; to thank us for our success. The railway had been unbelievably busy again today; you couldn't move for people. We just couldn't cope, despite the weather. It was fantastic to see! After a drink, I returned home, thanks to a lift from Danny, very tired, worn and dirty. However, after a shower, my bed awaited; thank goodness! Below are some selective pictures of today...
1) The Fat Controller gives me a pose with "Thomas"...
2) The Class 25 ('The Rat') makes an appearance as "Boco"...
3) The 2-car DMU (face at other end for "Daisy") departs Shackerstone over the crossover outside the Signalbox. "Thomas", driven by Jan, is on the rear...
4) Driver Jan, as the final powered stock, collects the token for the run to Hedley's Crossing and back...
5) "Mayflower"s owner is spotted on the footplate of his beautiful locomotive...
Thank you all very much for reading the 6 posts which describe this HUGE "Thomas Event" at the Battlefield Line Railway. Also thanks to all who visited on any of the 5 days and all those who helped crew the engines, staff the event and put everything away on Tuesday & Wednesday! We've all worked so hard to achieve the success of this 5-day extravaganza, especially the "65th Anniversary Party" on May 1st. Thanks for reading folks. Good Evening All, I've had enough now, I'm going to bed!The above video shows a footplate ride on our 3rd (final) run of the day with the B1. Turn up your speakers and have a good listen, "Mayflower" was WORKING HARD!! Next outing is next Saturday when I'm off to Harrogate with my good 7.25" gauge-operating friends, the Brown Family. Thank You...
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