Hi everyone. Today was the last normal steam running day of the 2013 season on the Battlefield Line. I was booked as Fireman along with David, and Eddie as the Driver. As we had a Footplate Experience course to do in the morning myself and Dave were on site at 6am. The locomotive was still warm from last night's 'Bonfire Express' which kept the old girl out til' late. I lit 3803's fire with some seemingly fire-proof wood after doing all of the usual checks, whilst Dave got going with the oiling. Driver Eddie soon arrived and we enjoyed a cuppa' whilst 3803 sang away to herself. It was a very pleasant day all told, with the 'Foot Ex' going off fine with a very pleased, and very pleasant, participant. There were then 4 public round trips to do which all went well, with duties being shared around on the footplate. The Great Western 2-8-0 was in her usual fine form and steamed brilliantly throughout the day. The engine was later captured in an unusual shot at Shenton during the run-round...
"Come on Dave, Get Your Head In!"
All in all a very enjoyable day spent in very good company indeed. That's it now folks...the season is over. The Battlefield Line is still operating a reduced timetable every Sunday but the service will be the 'Heartlander' diesel railcar stock (the Bubblecar DMU). Steam will return to the ex-ANJR metals at the end of November as we begin our 'Santa Special' services. We will then be steaming through the Leicestershire countryside until the New Year with our 'Mince Pie' Trains. After that...we're shut until March! How quick the season's do go...it only seems like two minutes since we were rattling along on the Beattie or the T9...and that was March!! As usual, thank you to David and Eddie for a cracking day on the GWR 2-8-0 No3803. Cheers guys - Sam...
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