Evesham Vale: A Day with "St Egwin"...

Hi everyone. Today I was rostered to drive at the Evesham Vale Light Railway. Having enjoyed a pleasant run along the A46 through the Warwickshire countryside, I arrived at the nearby McDonalds at just before 8am. The obligatory breakfast was then devoured whilst listening to the news on Radio 4. Stomach replenished, I drove the last couple of miles to Evesham Country Park and the EVLR's base of Twyford Station. Having said "hello" to owners Adrian & Sandra, I signed in before heading to the shed frontage. On the roster for today was "St Egwin": Exmoor No312 of 2003. This large 0-4-0 tender engine has been featured on the blog many times in the past and I was pleased that I would be driving her today. Having rolled No312 out of the shed and into the morning air, I immediately set to preparing the engine. The smokebox, firebox and gauge glasses were all checked before the grate was cleaned and a fresh fire lit...

Evesham engines come round with the aid of a compressed air line. With the fire just beginning to take, you simply connect the airline to a fitting attached to the smokebox and set the air to the desired feed. It is normally set so that it just keeps the smoke out of the cab, thus gently drawing the heat from the embryo fire through the tubes via the vacuum being created. "St Egwin" is a pretty engine; beautifully proportioned I feel...

With the fire lit and taking nicely, it wasn't long before "St Egwin" began to sing away to herself. I meanwhile set to with the cleaning tasks: Peek for the Brasses, Pledge for the Paintwork. Just before 10am, the engine was shining and looked a picture in the morning sunlight. I couldn't believe my luck with todays weather! The final task was to oil up. Exmoor engines are simple beasts in this regard: the bearings are all roller bearings and require a light greasing only, whilst half a dozen trimming pots and a few dotted oiling points are all she needs to keep her moving on the bearing oil side. With a blob of steam oil on each die block too, the oiling/greasing was soon over. When Exmoor built these engines, they certainly knew how to make them easy to look after! With a pip on her whistle and the hissing of steam escaping from her drain cocks, No312 moved gently off shed as the groaning yard points squealed beneath her. Leaving shed on the EVLR, you steam out to the mouth of the yard before halting for a blow-down. The blowing down process is carried out each morning before the first train and loses roughly 1/2 a glass of water, expelling harmful lime deposits which may otherwise settle inside the boiler. The engine is seen here prior to blowing down...

Soon enough, "St Egwin" was ready and waiting with the 10:30am departure from Twyford...

Slightly late (as we thought we'd have no passengers until some turned up at the last minute), "St Egwin" steamed triumphantly out of Twyford on the first run of the day. There isn't a big requirement to leave the drains open for too long as the engine is a saturated type, doing away with the hideously long steam circuit often found on superheated engines - once the condensate is expelled, shut the drains and carry on. "Egwin" steamed easily to the summit of the first climb, before dropping down gently towards Evesham Vale. The engine is seen there, awaiting departure on the 11:30 trip...

Once back at Twyford, the engine is uncoupled and then turned in readiness for the next trip. Trainee Guard Graham - "Yam Yam" (another ex-Shack man) - takes the strain of No312 as he turns her ready for the Midday train...

The weather really was beautiful today. The EVLR is a very pretty little railway and on days like today views from Evesham Vale can stretch out for miles. Here, a Drivers view from No312 as the engine climbs Twyford Bank with the returning Midday train...

I felt that prior to the departure of the 1pm train it was time for a cuppa' and a spot of lunch. This was enjoyed in the warmth of "St Egwin"s cab...

The road ahead in readiness for the 1pm departure...

Passenger loadings today were surprisingly strong, with some of the trains being full to capacity with even 4 coaches behind "St Egwin". On those runs, the engine was working quite hard, particularly when climbing Fishers Bank on the main climb to Evesham Vale - she sounded a treat! She is seen at Evesham Vale on a mid-afternoon working...

The winter service at the EVLR sees the final departure at 4pm, by which time of course the light has already pretty much failed. "St Egwin" was still performing very well as we awaited departure with the 3:30pm trip - she just did what you wanted...

I was having a lovely time driving "St Egwin" today. When leaving Evesham Vale; having given your acknowledgement to the Guard after leaving the trailing points; you could just sit back and listen to No312 taking Twyford Bank in her stride. She'd just soldier up there with ease, throwing white steam over her shoulder. Soon enough, the final departure of the day (the 4pm) beckoned and the fire was made up carefully in readiness to run the engine down on the return leg. This Welsh coal has the engines steaming very well with very little on the grate and so a light, bright fire is the order of the day...

Having enjoyed a lightly loaded final train of the day, "St Egwin" marched back up to Twyford with the fire bed having been thinned out. The locomotive was uncoupled and turned one final time in the dim light before steaming gingerly back onto the shed road for disposal. The point-work groaned under the weight of the Exmoor 0-4-0 - its surprising to note just how heavy these engines are! The shed lights are seen beaming down on No312...

Disposing of the engine requires the usual: thin the fire, empty the ashpan and fill the boiler to settle the steam. Additionally it was "Egwin"s tube cleaning night and so I cleaned the tubes with the usual cumbersome brush before scooping out the contents of the smokebox floor. The engine then enjoyed another good clean before I drove her gently backwards into the shed after a successful day out. The EVLR engines are kept immaculately and its a pleasure to see engines being treated this way. I'd had a lovely day aboard "St Egwin" and it had been a pleasure to once again volunteer on the EVLR. If you still haven't visited (despite all of my ramblings!) then please do go along and see them - their website is here. Its a very pretty little railway with lovely loco's hauling neat carriages in a pleasant setting with (if you get the weather) excellent views. All in all, another lovely day out with steam. My thanks go to Adrian & Sandra for their continued hospitality and to Graham for putting up with me on the regulator whilst he did his Guard's training. All the best all, Sam...

Great Central Railway: A Boxing Day 9F...

Hello all. I hope you had a very Merry Christmas and that you ate and drank until you dropped yesterday: we had a lovely time. This morning in blustery weather I was making my way over to the Great Central Railway for a little Boxing Day steam before another family party this afternoon. I arrived at the GCR's Quorn & Woodhouse station at around 10:45am and was immediately joined by fellow ex-Shack man 'Pockets'. We wandered over the foot crossing and up onto the windy island platform. The NAAFI Tearoom, set underneath the road bridge, was just opening and already had a warming fire crackling away in the grate as we settled down for a hot cuppa'...

Services on the 8-mile long GCR would today feature two locomotives, as part of the railways Christmas Holiday trains. Whilst enjoying our tea, we were joined by Phil (SBR) and his daughter Louise. It wasn't long before the all too familiar rumbling of an arriving train shook the café and we ventured out to board the train. At the head was the seemingly overweight bulk of BR Standard 9F No92214. This engine is a regular GCR performer, having been purchased for use on the railway in early 2014. We came to see her back then at the 2014 Winter Gala, where she wore the lined Mixed Traffic BR Black. Unfortunately, the lovely but inauthentic black didn't remain and the '9' now wears BR Green in a kind of 'Evening Star' style: you can't beat a Black 9F. Anyway, 92214 was in good voice as she got the weight of the five coach train away from Quorn with ease. Soon enough she was throwing white steam over her shoulder, effortlessly making her way towards Rothley. Big engines are at home on the GCR but the flat route with lightly loaded trains is really childs play for them. The 9F soon arrived at the terminus station: Leicester North: and many passengers, including myself, jumped out to capture her running round...

92214 was built at Swindon in 1959, being withdrawn only six years later in 1965. The working lives of these popular engines, with their numbers eventually totalling 251 examples, was painfully short and most were 'like new' when the scrapyard beckoned. Happily, this one was rescued in 1980 to begin a new life in preservation, returning to steam in 2013 on the NYMR. Here, the engine runs round at Leicester North...

Having rejoined the train, a whistle from the Guard heralded a prompt departure. The 9F sailed easily towards Loughborough whilst we enjoyed some lovely grub from the Griddle Car. A piping hot sausage, bacon & egg cob is always welcome on these Winter mornings! We arrived at Loughborough in good time and spotted the pretty sight of Black Five No45305 sat steam heating the Dining Train. Unfortunately the bright sunlight did little to help my photography and so the image below is poor quality...

In order to reach my family appointment in good time, less than 20 minutes later I was riding out behind 92214 on the next departure, leaving the Black Five behind...

Its only a short jog up the double track for the 9F to reach Quorn and she is spotted at the end of the platform awaiting the 'Right Away' to continue on to Rothley...

A final look at the shining bulk of 9F No92214...

A short but sweet visit to the unique Great Central Railway and its big engines working short trains on double track. Its a very pleasant railway: lots of atmosphere and things generally looking right - long may it continue. Right, with that, I'm off to my family do - "lets have a beer". Merry Extended Christmas! Best Regards all, Sam...

Merry Christmas...

A quick note to wish a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all of my readers. The years activities will no doubt be reviewed in the New Years Eve post as normal but for now, thank you all for reading once again over the last 12 months. This years Christmas photo is a memory from the Santa trains of 2011 aboard 3803 at Shackerstone, storming along between Bosworth and Shack. The shot belongs to local photographer Rick Eborall who kindly let me use it in the post from back then. Happier times of Shackerstone - allas, no more. Best wishes to all. Have yourselves a merry little Christmas and please read again in 2016...

Achilles Report No71: An Engine Again...

Hi there all. Here is another "Achilles" report; No71 to be exact. Regular readers will recall that the locomotive last operated way back in June, at a CMES public steam day. The engine did alright that day but I'd already decided to attempt repairs to the two water pumps which sit between the frames. Being well over 25 years old, the pumps were life expired and needed work. Two days after running at Ryton Pools, the engine was without her boiler...

Two new pumps were made up from Reeves castings, whilst retaining the original hardened steel rams. The new pumps were ready in July but, having had a very busy summer, work on the engine got pushed back and back. That's the main trouble with having two engines to take out: having one running will always slow the rush down to repair the other and thus 'Maisie' has often been the engine of choice when running...

The engine spent the summer months in the workshop, frowning at me from afar. I kept arguing with myself to get her sorted but other things have continually got in the way. However, at last, I can honestly say she's now back in one piece. The undressed (without cladding) boiler is seen below...

The cladding was removed to assess the damage to it. Its never been much good to be honest - its work tired and very dented. During last years repaint of the engine I had decided to keep the old cladding simply to keep the engine original as it were but, having looked at it again, it needed to be changed. Enter well known late arrival and owner of the rights to the legendary 'Three Course Challenge': "Eddie the Late". Ed kindly showed me, having not so long ago gained experience whilst building his LMS 2P, how to roll boiler cladding. The brass was sourced from Kennions and, during November, we were at Ed's workshop making the new cladding. Thankfully "Achilles" only has a round-top firebox but the cladding was still very tough to make fit, particularly with its healthy ability to force itself flat again!...

Cladding successfully made, it was trial fitted to the boiler and banded up...

Having got it to fit (of a fashion) the engine entered my most dreaded and hated stage: the paint stage. The removal of the protective plastic from the brass revealed quite a shine!...

The cladding was first etch-primed...

And later it was painted into the engine's traditional blue...

Having had a few days to dry (in the house I may add - too cold in the workshop for that!) the cladding was fairly well ready for final fitting. So, today, the engine was my prime concern, having started working on it before 9am. Here, the new water pumps are fitted and piped up in readiness for the boiler to return to the frames...

Brand new water pumps in place and packed ready for use...

Later in the day, after much swearing and gnashing of teeth, the engine's boiler was lowered gently into the frames and piped up...

The boiler was neatly followed by the RH tank, the clacks, the cab fittings, the whistle, the tank tops, the cab/bunker and of course the ever clean dome cover. The engine was looking the part as the days light began to fade...

By tea-time, "Achilles" was pretty much finished and was returned to her rightful place alongside the Atlantic. There's a great deal of work that is unseen with these repair jobs. The new cladding and water pumps have required a full strip down to make happen as well as machining, painting and sealing tasks. The air around the workshop is as blue as the engine during these times, particularly when the household authorities realise that the electric heater has been on all day - anyone would think we'd drained the grid! But, thankfully, after all the work, the engine is back together and awaiting a test. I hope it goes now...the chances are it won't, but we can live in hope...

In terms of a test the main thing will be to ensure that the new water pumps work. We tried them in the sink whilst off the engine and they work pretty well. Hopefully the increased momentum of being back under the engine at track speed won't bring out anymore issues. I must thank well known "I thought we said 8 o'clock" enthusiast 'Eddie the Late' for his help and guidance once again on the matter of the cladding - that's another job learnt. All the best everyone, "Achilles" is back together for Christmas. Merry Christmas to you all. Best Regards, Sam...

A Castle to Lincoln For Christmas...

"A Lindum Gale" (Pic - A.Southwell)

Good evening all. Today was a long one: a trip out with Tyseley to Lincoln. The Castle Class No5043 "Earl of Mount Edgcumbe" would today be hauling the 'Lindum Christmas Fair' railtour, departing her home shed at 07:40. I was in McDonalds at 5am this morning, before heading along the M6 and the A45 to Tyseley. This time in the morning always provides some unusual sights at McDonalds as ill-looking party goers return home from one of those nights out that seemed like a good idea at the time: they look rough! Having driven through the gales to reach the former 84E just before 6am, I unloaded my goods from the car before proceeding to the engine shed. There, 5043 was just pulling outside. Almost all of the Castle's prep had been carried out yesterday and so there was little to do but raise steam before the 4-6-0 hissed over onto the departure road to steam heat the stock. By 7am, the stock was warming up nicely and the "Earl" was feathering away and raring to go...

With the engine in place and all systems go, we joined the Support Coach at the rear of the 7-coach rake. With a 'Right Away' from the Guard and the road given, 5043 strode noisily out of Tyseley and onto Network Rail metals. Seven coaches is hardly a stiff load for a Castle and so the "Earl" soon had the weight moving and making good progress. The route would take us out through the Birmingham suburbs, before joining the Coleshill line for a pick up at the Parkway station. We would climb through Arley and up to Nuneaton where we would cross the flyover above the WCML before another pick-up at Platform No7. 5043 was in good voice as she threw white steam over her shoulder on the climb up through Arley...

"5043 at Arley" (Pic - A.Edkins)

During our Nuneaton pick up, in strong winds, the blue Class 86 "Les Ross" tore through on the fast line for Crewe, hauling another excursion train. 5043 got away from Nuneaton smartly, attacking the grade towards Hinckley with good acceleration. We reached Leicester on time and watered in Humberstone Road loop, with our job being to pass tools down from the sanctuary of the Support Coach. From Leicester, the Castle steamed easily along the Midland Main Line with a final stop at Loughborough. After Loughborough the Castle was well on her way to Lincoln and is snapped here in the Nottingham Area...

"5043 In The Nottingham Area" (Pic - J.Freebury)

Meanwhile, whilst 5043 made good progress, the tea was flowing in the Support Coach. Its always interesting to hear the stories about previous Tyseley exploits and the restoration tasks at hand. Between water stops, there isn't a lot for the support crew to do other than to enjoy the sights and sounds of main line steam in action. In the Pullman Cars, the chefs and waitress' will be busy serving full breakfasts to their 140 diners whilst the Stewards will be answering questions and selling souvenirs throughout the train: there's more to these excursions than meets the eye! The Castle was photographed in various places along her winding route through the East Midlands and a favourite location of many is where the line crosses the River Trent...

"Over The Trent" (Pic - D.Chandler)

Having crossed the Newark 'Flat Crossing' over the ECML, the Castle had it easy going all the way to Lincoln. In the distance, the glory of the fabulous Cathedral could be spotted atop the hill as speed reduced on the approach to the station. The Christmas Market in Lincoln is always a busy time. I often think that the city actually struggles to cope with the shear number of visitors that attend the fair, particularly on the Saturday! The streets were rammed as 5043 triumphantly steamed in from Birmingham. The passengers detrained happily after a pleasant run, prior to a no doubt chilly shopping spree in the city. With all passengers off, 5043 whistled up before pulling out again and drifting cautiously into a nearby stabling yard. There, the engine was uncoupled before steaming away for turning on a nearby triangle junction...

The "Earl" wasn't gone for long and was soon coupled up to the stock for watering and coal shifting. Not long after a screaming hooter was heard on the wind and there, in the distance, was the bulk of the beautiful Princess Coronation Class No46233 "Duchess of Sutherland". The Duchess had worked the other Lincoln Christmas Fair railtour from Kings Cross via the ECML with a good load on the drawbar. The passengers on her trip quickly grabbed for their cameras as the simmering Castle came into view! Soon enough, the two engines were stabled together in the siding for the afternoon, a rare treat for local enthusiasts...

"Lincoln In Steam" (Pic - D.Chandler)

By mid-afternoon both engines were serviced and there was little else to do but wait. The Castle would be away first, steaming out of the station on a 16:53 path. The Duchess would leave slightly later and, as darkness fell, she was simmering happily in the yard alongside our ECS. This engine is immaculately kept and a real tribute to the engineering skill of Sir William Stanier. It was a pleasure to see her again...

Eventually, with the road given to depart the yard, 5043 gave a shrill whistle before hauling the ECS into the platform. The hoards of waiting passengers gladly returned to the steam heated train after a pleasant but chilly afternoon. Driver Ray Poole would be on the handle as far as Nottingham and was poised for departure as 'right time' drew near...

With all aboard, 5043 departed Lincoln in a cloud of steam, roaring out proudly across the level crossing in front of countless onlookers. The Castle was in good voice as she got into her stride, echoing her Great Western voice through the Lincoln suburbs. It was a good run home with the Castle ticking away happily at speed for mile after mile. The support coach was again good for a cuppa' and we had a good chat and a laugh whilst 5043 kept us moving. We watered again at Humberstone Road before a drop off and operational stop at Leicester. Our final two drop offs were at Nuneaton and Coleshill Parkway before rolling triumphantly back into the Tyseley Works site at around 9:20pm. The usual shunt release move was performed with the rudely awakened Class 08 shunter before 5043 was turned on the table and returned to the shed. The 1936-built 4-6-0 was then disposed after a most enjoyable outing. It had been another long but very enjoyable day out with Tyseley and my hat off to 5043: she's a stunner. Its a completely different experience being involved with main line steam. The expressions on the faces of onlookers as an engine like 5043 rolls unexpectedly and without fuss into a busy main line station is something to behold. The questions like "Is this a real train?" amaze you but one gent did comment that it was a "wonderful surprise" to see the engine - always nice.

My thanks go to the Tyseley lads for their hospitality, and to the very kind photographers who have sent in images for use in this post: it couldn't be done without you! To see a nice video of 5043 in action, click here or here. This is literally steam paying its way in the modern world, mixing with twenty first century traction. My hat off to preserved railways that can provide all the realism of days gone by but working with an engine that's doing a real job at real speeds to different destinations is a wonderful thing to be involved with. All the best guys and as they say in Looney Tunes, "That's All Folks", Sam...

Tyseley: Cleaning The Castle...

Hi everyone. Today I left work as normal on our half day Friday before threading my way through the various roadworks of Coventry to reach Tyseley Loco Works just before Noon. Having changed into my prep overalls and wandered down through the engine shed, I found the beautiful Castle Class 4-6-0 No5043 standing elegantly on the shed frontage. The double chimney beauty was built by the Great Western in 1936 as "Barbury Castle", though in 1937 she was renamed "Earl of Mount Edgcumbe"; the name she still carries today. 5043 received her double chimney in 1958, being withdrawn only 5 years later in December 1963. Tyseley took on the painstaking restoration of the Castle in the mid 1990s, with the engine eventually returning to steam in 2008. Since then 5043 has gone on to become one of main line steam's most impeccable performers and has shown her might on various routes across the country, from the West Country to Scotland. I spent this afternoon cleaning around the frames and wheels of the Castle, in preparation for tomorrows run along the main line to Lincoln. The Castle buffs up beautifully, having been immaculately kept since her triumphant return. Later in the day, 5043 moved gracefully down for coal, filling the yard of the former 84E with clouds of drifting smoke and steam. The engine would also receive her full FTR: a 'Fitness to Run' exam which is carried out on all locomotives prior to operation. No stone can be left unturned now with main line steam: all engines have to be on top of their game. I left Tyseley at around 5pm, heading home to prepare my things for tomorrows trip. All the best everyone, Sam...

NEC Show: Wandering Around Warley...

Hi all. A short one from today. This was our annual little outing to the NEC for the Warley National Model Railway Exhibition. We go every year and we've exhibited there four times with the LEGO railway over the years. Once again it was a great show with countless stands and some wonderful layouts. One thing I always think when walking around is "how does anyone afford this hobby?" and its always interesting to see one of those engines which makes you think "I can find you a ride on one for half that price!". But, nevertheless, the hobby is thriving at the minute, with more locomotives and gauges available than ever before. I'd love to have the time to knock up a model railway of some description but, allas, so many railways so little time! The veteran LNWR Coal Tank of 1888 had made the short journey to the NEC from Tyseley, where I worked alongside her the other week with 7752. The lovely old engine was being photographed from all angles by countless bobble-hatted model railway enthusiasts, and quite right too. We had a good walk round, saw some lovely layouts and had a pint in the Wetherspoons before heading for home. I'm sure we'll be back again next year. All the best all, Sam...

The 'Severn Valley Limited' Dining Train...

Good day everyone. Today we were fine dining again, this time on the Severn Valley Railway at Kidderminster. I've always had alot of time for this railway; its just beautiful. When we arrived the sight that greeted us at Kidderminster was quite something: not one, not two but three Great Western Manor types all together in the station area. At the head of our steam hauled dining train ready for our Sunday Lunch was 1939-built 4-6-0 No7812 "Erlestoke Manor". Alongside was her recently overhauled sister No7802 "Bradley Manor" and standing not far away was 7820 "Dinmore Manor". Our Manor was decked out with a compliment of 'Dannys Bull'; an affectionate name given to the white paint used to mark up the buffers and smokebox hinges ready for an appearance on the 'Cambrian Coast Express' back in the day. If she'd been wearing the Cambrian headboard she'd have been perfect! We walked down the pathway to the delightful passenger area of the station, under the glass roof. The station had been well decorated in preparation for the popular Santa Special's which begin next weekend...

Having checked in at the Diner Reception, we were shown to our table on board the Great Western coach. The table was set for lunch and we settled down, grateful for the steam heater alongside our shoes. Maisie was looking forward to the meal, and no doubt my explanations as to why the Manors were designed for life on the old metals of the Cambrian Coast...

With a blast on her whistle and right on time, 7812 got the 'Severn Valley Limited' underway on the 16-mile run to Bridgnorth. The Starter was served on route to Bewdley where we passed 2857 (a brief glimpse of which I saw last night as we roared through Kidderminster with 4965, returning from Oxford). The train made its steady way along the picturesque setting of the Severn Valley, rattling and rolling. The main course was soon served and, well, it was just lovely (I could have eaten it twice!)...

After our lovely main course, we settled back into our seats watching the scenary gradually pass by the window. 7812 was in good voice, climbing out of Highley with ease whilst echoing her Great Western bark across the valley. The idea behind the Manors was to create a powerful, compact 4-6-0 for routes which didn't allow big engines like the Halls, Castles and Kings to travel over them. 30 examples were built, with a total of 9 finding a home in preservation. Pulling gradually into Bridgnorth, we spotted a whisp of steam drifting over from the shed area, even though 7812's sister (7802) had just departed for Kidderminster. The drifting steam was escaping slowly from Hawksworth Pannier No1501, built in 1949 as an unusual varient of the Pannier Tank. The engine found a home after BR withdrawal in 1961 at Keresley Colliery, working trains for the NCB not far from where I live. This 'extra life' allowed 1501 to survive until 1970 when she was purchased by the Severn Valley Railway. She's a lovely old thing...

We walked over the footbridge to watch 7812 head onto the shed and noticed that Bridgnorth yard was alive with engines, from the 'Flying Pig' to the famous "Royal Scot": what a fleet...

I tell you what, the wind was biting today. The sanctuary of our steam heated Great Western coach was very welcome as we boarded ready for Dessert and Coffee on the return run. 1501 would be in charge for the Bridgnorth departure, showing her might on the 6-coach train. The run back was very pleasant, as was the dessert. I will always highly recommend the 'Severn Valley Limited'. Once back at Kidderminster, we wandered (clutching our full stomachs in shame) back along the pathway to the car park, spotting 7802 waiting to leave with the final outward departure of the day. 1501 was spotted in a rushed shot alongside 7802, taken from the car as we were just pulling out...

The last thing to do was to drive home, back along the M42 and the M6 in failing light. It had been a very pleasant day and a lovely meal on the SVR. Its a beautiful railway in a lovely setting with impressive locomotives and wonderfully kept rolling stock: its just great. Many thanks for reading guys - I appreciate it. All the best, Sam...