"Sir Gomer" On Loaded Test...

Hi everybody. Today, as expected, steam locomotive "Sir Gomer" received a loaded test run at Shackerstone to check for any disturbances in her recently refitted eccentrics. The 0-6-0ST has had two days of chugging around the platform but required a loaded run before we were satisfied. Myself and Carl were on site from 6:30am and Andy arrived not long after. The three of us prepared the locomotive with myself doing the oiling and some cleaning. Having had a good warming fire yesterday, the Peckett was soon in steam and we left the shed early. As normal, todays services on the railway were to operate to the 'Green Timetable', meaning 5 round trips from Shackerstone, departing every 75 minutes from 11:15am. The train was made up of 4 coaches and we were coupled up and ready by 11am. This gave me some time to take a few pics. "Sir Gomer" stands in Platform 2: shining and ready to go...
Powerful Peckett...
For the first trip Andy drove and Carl fired, with me enjoying the ride. "Got The Board"...
We left Shackerstone on time at 11:15 for Shenton. The loco steamed away easily with her 4-coach train. The video below was shot by Mr.C.Simmons and shows the Peckett leaving Shack and then returning after the first run...

Out on the line for the first time since late November, the Peckett steamed and pulled well. Driver Andy Guest was cautious with the regulator, attempting to keep the eccentrics in their place by not going too rough. The loco made it to Shenton in good time and we ran round quickly. The fire settled down whilst we coupled up again...
"Sir Gomer" at Shenton with the 11:50 run to Shackerstone: Change here for the Battlefield...
The green Peckett gets ready to go. The large regulator handle can be seen in the cab...
The loco returned the 11:50 to Shackerstone in good time, and with a healthy bark leaving the chimney. However, after an inspection, it was discovered that the shims were moving under the sheaths. We did however realise that they may have now settled where they were so did the 2nd round trip. The shims were still there when we got back with the loco having put in another impressive performance, with Carl driving and me firing. The 1:45pm train left on time but at Shenton we realised that the shims were on their way out. After another inspection we decided that the loco would be fit to return cautiously to Shackerstone with the train but would then be failed so as to prevent any damage in case the shims came out. Below, "Sir Gomer" slips back down into Shackerstone with me driving (pic by D.Hanks)...
After uncoupling we failed "Sir Gomer" and the Class 73 was duly started. Carl & Andy took the Peckett off to the shed but I had another job to do. The Driver of the 73 needed a Secondman, and guess who got the call?! Below, off we go with the 3pm (pic by D.Hanks).
The 73 hauled the last 2 trips whilst the Shed Team checked "Sir Gomer". They decided that the eccentrics could be refitted again in a different manner and this would definately secure successful running in the future. The loco will be fixed during the next 2-3 days. Tomorrow I'm back at Shackerstone on 3803. At 5:30pm, I left Shackerstone for home, still dressed in my steam overalls. It is pleasant being on a diesel but is so boring! ;) . Evening all. Sam...