Statfold Reborn...

Hi all. Today was a slightly impromptu visit to Statfold. Phil had rung earlier in the week and asked if there was any chance that I could nip over to help with one of their steam test days. Naturally, with over 15 engines to test, boiler testing at SBR takes a good week! 'Eddie the Late' was over there in the morning doing various tasks, and I arrived at just gone 1pm to relieve him. The afternoon was very pleasant, with what seemed to be my first encounter of steam engines and sun in the same place this year. There were six engines in steam today from the Statfold stable, all having safety valves checked, boilers looked at, gauges studied and so on. All the usual boiler test jobs were being carried out and each engine gradually passed with flying colours. The first SBR Open Day of 2015 arrives on March 28th and what a day it will be. The SBR continues to go from strength to strength and it is a truly awe-inspiring set-up that has been created from a brown-field site. My job this afternoon involved keeping fires going, boiler levels up and helping by driving engines around for shunts. Driving "Sybil Mary" or GP39 around in the sun on this calm winter afternoon bore no complaints from me in the slightest! Meanwhile, in the impressive Oak Tree storage shed, just some of the Statfold collection lies in wait...

"Just Some of the Statfold Collection"

I was at the SBR until gone 5pm when I had to head for home. All six of the days test engines had passed with flying colours and reports suggested that all of their previously tested sisters had too. Its amazing how long the SBR has been there now as "Trangkil No4" and Peckett "Harrogate" are now out of use following expiry of their 10-year tickets! How time has flown! I left the SBR today feeling much more enthused; my thirst for steam being quenched for a couple more weeks. Roll on the SBR Open Day! If you haven't visited Statfold before, well, you can't really call yourself a steam enthusiast...it is a MUST SEE! All the best, Sam...

Small Loco Maintenance...

Hi all. Since our last posts regarding "Achilles" and the Atlantic, there hasn't been much on the small steam front. "Achilles" in her last report steamed at Ryton for the near New Year do, and 'Maisie' went up there for the February running day. This post is a sort of stop-gap post about both of them. First comes "Achilles". The tank engine ran very well but the water pump was leaking badly. I've found over the years that if you don't use the engine for a few months and the PTFE packing has chance to dry out then the glands start leaking. Once the packing has dried out it won't seal properly anymore and no amount of adding water will change that: it just needs replacing. With this in mind I opted to do a service on the water pump which means, yes, the loco has to take a fall...

With the loco on her side it is much easier to access the water pump. The drive for the pump is via two eccentrics coupled to the leading axle. With these disconnected the rams can be easily reached. The next job is to remove the two gland nuts and the lowest pair of stainless steel balls, as well as the old packing. The cleaned up parts including new balls are spotted below...

As I put the water pump back together its time to fit the new packing. I use PTFE yarn which I soak in thick steam oil before packing it around the ram within the gland nut body. Then, with a liberal application of steam oil to all moving parts, just connect everything back up...

After a check-up and some cleaning, "Achilles" was put back onto her wheels and onto her storage trolley. The loco will now hopefully be fit and ready for a future outing yet to be decided. However, we are hoping to do some RPMR public running with her this year, all being well. Now, over to 'Maisie'. 4436 ran very well on her last outing to RPMR following her quiet winter, though the lubricator was proving troublesome. A few days ago I stripped the tender off and ran the engine up and down. Unusually, the lubricator worked faultlessly. Perhaps an air lock or the leg stuck in one tooth?...who knows! I'll have to keep an eye on that. I'll probably steam her at home next time just to watch it. It definitely uses oil, and in some volume too! With the steam chest now no doubt full of oil, the tender was put back on. I do like this engine...

The only other job now required on 'Maisie' is to replace a ball within the clack for the handpump. The handpump system has two separate clacks but the boiler end one is sticking open; reducing handpump efficiency by a strong degree and generally being a pain. Another small job that I'll get done soon. All the best guys, Sam...

Steam Shed Sunday at Shackerstone...

Hi all. Another visit to Shackerstone today for our weekly Sunday working. Todays update centres around "Dunlop No7". Myself & Jason were actually working on the paint job for GWR 3803 but naturally, as I've said, there isn't much to say until its finished and we can show it. Until then, other updates come first. "Dunlop No7"s boiler is todays subject. Having been fitted with a new steel inner firebox by contractors at the Great Central, the boiler is now being stayed. Over 300 stays hold the firebox for the W7 Peckett safely in position and each has had to be individually made and fitted. For those not in the know, stays are threaded at either end and screw through the outer firebox into the inner firebox. The non-threaded section of the stay then occupies what is known as the water-space. The stays act as added strength for the firebox which is under a lot of pressure from both sides. In the firebox, immense heat is suffered from the roaring fire. On the outside of the inner box, perhaps 140 pounds of steam and boiling water will be attempting to crush the box at every inch of its material. Therefore, the stays are used to hold the box inside the boiler and to stop it 'bowing': known in the steam world as quilting. The current stays are being fitted at the sides and backhead as the crown-stays (firebox crown/roof) are in and the foundation ring is fitted. The foundation ring is the term used for the section which holds the inner and outer together at the foot of the box & boiler, allowing the ashpan to be fitted and air to come in. Naturally boilers are open at the bottom for this purpose. Below, we see an example of a stay...

Here we see a shot of the backhead with the firehole ring prominent. A couple of stays can be seen fitted in some of the lower rows. The four plates are currently covering the orifices where the water gauge glasses are fitted, with the regulator linkage sitting central at the top...

Meanwhile, further up the shed was Class 02 D2867 "Diane". "Diane" was having the final touches made to her paintwork before completion of her winter overhaul. The engine will soon be returned to service, shunting in the shed yards. 3803 is coming along nicely and will be in service in fully finished BR plain black over our gala weekend of March 28th/29th: hope to see you there. Next Sunday?...its back to Shackerstone! All the best guys, Sam...

Shackerstone Sunday...

Hi all. Another day at Shackerstone today from 10am until 4:30pm, working away in the loco shed. My task, along with Jason, was once again GWR 3803. We have been working every weekend (apart from last weekend when I was ill) on 3803 for some weeks now and she is receiving some good old fashioned TLC. Still, unfortunately, no pictures to show of 3803 apart from her bufferbeam number above. Our project...well. You may have spotted on the Battlefield Line website that our Spring Steam Gala will be held over March 28th/29th. Our visitor is GWR Large Prairie No4141, courtesy of the Epping Ongar Railway. To join 4141, 3803 will of course be making an appearance but, perhaps a different one. We are currently working away on 3803's transformation from GWR to BR. Yes, 3803 is being out-shopped in full BR plain black livery for the first time in preservation. We are currently undertaking all of the work necessary to allow this to happen and therefore the locomotive is not being shown until the gala weekend. Want to see her finished and fit for action? Then why not visit our gala! Speaking of paint jobs, the little Class 02 diesel shunter is now pretty much finished and is looking very smart...

The 02 has been repainted by a small band of 3 or 4 volunteers and has also been fully serviced. After a coat of varnish, the locomotive will be ready to return to work shunting around the various sidings of Shackerstone. D2867 "Diane", as she is known, has always been a handy little tool and hopefully will be so again but perhaps looking quite a lot smarter...

"The White Walled Tyres of D2867"

So, there we go folks...a black 38! Naturally now that the news has spread to the railways own website I have no problems in saying that the job is being done but no pictures of the locomotive will be displayed until the gala weekend when she appears...its only fair. Suffice to say though, she'll look grand! All the best guys, until next week, Sam...

The Ryton AGM...

Hi all. An interesting evening out tonight, nattering and supping tea at Coventry club. The annual general meeting was upon us again and provided all the formals followed by a video presentation of the events of 2014. Featured in two different liveries was my tank engine "Achilles" with a glimmer of newly arrived C1 "Maisie" in the November section. A pleasant little evening out. All the best, Sam...

Coughs and Sneezes...

Hi all. Today it was the usual Shackerstone Sunday. However, due to the flu that had struck me down in the week I decided to play it safe ready for my early start for work tomorrow. With this in mind I simply nipped to Shack for a bit for a look around and to pick up my MTEW advertising bits & bobs. On the way home I called in at Shenton where I had a welcome cuppa' with Chris and Jo who then helped me put up the banner. I'm very pleased with this MTEW aid and it will be at Shenton from now up until the event. Hopefully I'll be better this week and back in action ready for next weekend. All the best guys, Sam...

Atlantic Report No5: Just About Cracked It...

"Atlantic Outing" (R.Mathieson)

Hi all. Well, here we are, Atlantic Report No5. In the last post we saw my 3.5" gauge LBSC Maisie resting up in the workshop whilst a boiler band was repaired. The band; which suffered a paint reaction a few months ago; was kindly repainted and lined by The Steam Workshop ready for refitting to the engine. Last week, whilst faced with a few free hours, I decided to look at the C1's tender. The tender had been dragging on the rail-head due to its overly long guard-irons. The irons were removed, shortened slightly and the axleboxes and springs were checked. The rear box on the right hand side was tight in the horns and was locking up so I removed the box and cleaned the faces before oiling them well. The tender now runs better and the irons clear the track. With the work done, I repainted the bolt heads that I disturbed and then gave the green livery a polish. The tender is seen in the late afternoon sun in the garden last Tuesday...

"The Tender In The Garden" (3/2/15)

Anyway, back to today. Whilst the locomotive was languishing in bits in the workshop awaiting her band, the tender was now fit and ready to go when required. Today was the monthly CMES Steam Up and "Achilles" was waiting in the wings to stand in for the stripped down Atlantic. However, at the last minute, the band turned up in this mornings post and so, after a quick rebuild and spit polish, No4436 made it to Ryton Pools by 1pm! To be honest, not only was the loco lucky to be there but so was I. I'd been off work ill during the last part of the week, full of flu. Thankfully I was feeling better today and could get out for some air as there is only so much daytime television one can stomach. 4436 is seen here steaming up...

One of our Shackerstone cleaners: Reece: was visiting the track today and sent in quite a few pics of No4436. Here she is having steamed up and sitting pretty, ready to go...

"4436 In Steam" (R.Mathieson)

With 80psi on the clock, a good fire in the box and the safety valve beginning to lift, the moment of truth had arrived for 'Maisie'. Opening the regulator gently in full forward gear, away she went. The loco ran freely ("hurrah"!) and steamed happily around the track, attacking the bank in fine style...

"4436 On The Bank" (R.Mathieson)

I made quite a few laps with No4436: probably 8 or 9 or so. She was steaming well, her axlepump was working at good capacity and the tender was running freely. She's a bit of a racehorse and will out-run a 5" gauge engine on a good length of straight track. The wheels are bigger than "Achilles" as she stands! 4436 is seen here during a photo stop on the tight curve at the foot of Ryton Bank...

It was pleasant to be out with a well performing No4436 at last. She did start to tighten up a bit towards the end of the run, later determined (so I believe) to be the mechanical lubricator not working. This isn't really surprising as the engine is still only on her third ever visit to a track, having only been steamed 5 times in total. The lubricator rachet isn't working correctly and will require some attention before something goes wrong. The 4-4-2 was given copious amounts of oil through the blast pipe to tide her over once the run had finished. The Atlantic gets away on a final run...

"Atlantic Success" (R.Mathieson)

So, there we have it...4436 runs! With some adjustment on the mechanical lubricator to make it work when we want it to and a new ball in the foundation ring clack the engine should be fit & happy, ready for service. When she'll run again now is anyone's guess at the minute as its only fair that "Achilles" should be next out. We'll see. Thanks for reading folks. All the best, Sam...

Shed Sunday at Shackerstone...

Hi everyone. Today was another Shed Sunday at Shackerstone. I arrived on this chilly morning at 11am and snapped some very uncaring sheep near the railway gates...

Down in the shed myself & Jason would be continuing to work on GWR 2-8-0 No3803. Behind 3803 currently stands "Sir Gomer" and, behind her, the Class 02 shunter. The Class 02, D2867 "Diane", a Yorkshire Engine Company product of 1961, is now nearing the end of its brief winter overhaul. The engine and gearbox has been serviced and the whole thing rewired. Richard was captured just putting the finishing touches to her refurbished electric lights...

I left the railway at around 4:30pm today for home. It was very chilly indeed and it sounds like there's more of a cold snap to come. I always enjoy winter right up until New Year and then after that these dark dreary months just drag on. Oh well, at least we're now half way through our 2-month closed season and trains will soon return to the Battle of Bosworth fields. You may well ask "Why No Pictures of 3803" - well, there will be, soon. All the best, Sam...

GCR: The Freeze To Death Gala...

Hi everyone. Today saw the annual jaunt to the Great Central Railway for their Winter Gala which was, undoubtedly, colder than ever. I arrived at the Edwardian gas-lit station of Rothley at around 9am, just before the first train. Upon my arrival a large snow storm had set in. The signalman was probably the only person in the warm...

The first departure of the day was the 9am Loughborough - Leicester service, leaving Rothley at around 9:18am. This service was double-headed by the two visiting engines: BR (W) Pannier No1501 and No7820 "Dinmore Manor". Through the snow they came...

The pair approach having shut-off for Rothley Station...

The two BR black liveried loco's looked great as they hissed in under the road bridge. 1501 was built in 1949 whilst the slightly older Manor dates from November 1950...

I boarded the sparsely steam heated stock behind the pair, though 1501 was duly detached in order to work another move. 7820 continued the working up through Rothley Brook and on to Leicester North. She sounded in good voice as she got the weight moving and hauled the train up the gradient away from the station. At Leicester North the adoring gaggle of enthusiasts poured from the coaches and trotted over to the usual vantage point of the bay platform...

7820 worked on the BR Western region and was retired at only 15 years old in 1965. She then became one of the many engines sent to Woodham's scrapyard in Barry. In 1979 the funds had been gathered by the Gwilli Railway to save the locomotive and she was duly purchased. Unfortunately the new owners simply could not restore the engine due to a lack of funds and undercover storage, resulting in a resale in 1983. The locomotive was then restored at Tyseley with the West Somerset Railway providing financial support in return for the locomotive operating there once complete. She made her WSR debut in 1995, working there regularly from then on. With the loco's ticket having run out in 2004, she was overhauled at Tyseley with the work being completed in April 2014. The locomotive is now based at the Gloucestershire & Warwickshire Railway and was on her first visit to the GCR. Here she is seen running round...

At this point my camera died so I opted to catch the train back to Loughborough in order to purchase some more batteries. The Manor gave a good run back passing many other locomotives on route. New batteries purchased, the first snap at Loughborough was of 1501. 1501 is based on the Severn Valley Railway and is the sole survivor of a class of only 10 outside cylindered pannier tanks that made up the 15XX class. When her BR life ended she worked at Coventry Colliery before being saved for preservation. I like this engine. It seems to have great advantages over the 57XX and is hugely powerful for its size...

Having snapped the wonderful 1501, I had to have a cup of tea. So frozen were my hands that I dropped half of my stuff all over the floor in the tea room: my fingers were numb! I don't understand how certain visitors much older than me were walking around as if it was a summers day: it was bloody freezing! Tea in hand, I wandered down to the locomotive shed where 1926-built Fowler 3F No47406 (a Jinty) was simmering away ready to perform a freight shunt...

Unusually, the locomotive shed was open for viewing. The GCR has had a spate of thefts over the years so the shed is now only open when railway members are available to staff it. Its a shame that it has come to this as certain ridiculous individuals spoil it for everyone else. Oh well, at least it was open today. The chassis of 1948-built Modified Hall "Witherslack Hall" is coming along...

One gem in the GCR fleet, though no longer operational unfortunately, is GCR 8K/LNER 04 Class 2-8-0 No63601; one of three NRM engines based on the GCR. The engine's 10-year ticket ran out not long ago but its nice to see her stored inside rather than outside like the operational engines. She's a lovely thing: lets hope she runs again one day...

Whilst meandering my way around the shed there were rumblings and whistles outside. The 3F had been shunting and the freight wagons she had moved were to become a train for 78019. Part of the BR Standard range, 2-6-0 Standard 2 Mogul No78019 was built in 1954...

Having made my way back onto the crowded platform of rivet counters, I enjoyed another cup of tea whilst awaiting a departure. The station was a hive of activity with engines coming in and out at regular intervals, as well as the trusty DMU. It was soon time for a defrost so I boarded the Midday departure behind another NRM engine: 4-6-0 N15 Class No777 "Sir Lamiel". This engine is quite a beast and, in the hands of regular driver Tom Tighe, put in a cracking performance on the run up to Quorn. The noise was fantastic and the pull on the drawbar from her acceleration is amazing considering the size of her wheels. I got a quick snap of her at Quorn before she roared away...

At Quorn it was, would you believe, even colder! The temperature was just above freezing I reckon, but the cross-wind and the chill in the air made things almost unbearable. After yet another cup of tea I watched the charming Ivatt Class 2 Mogul No46521 arrive from Loughborough...

In a positioning move came the huge bulk of the GCR's third NRM engine: BR Britannia Pacific No70013 "Oliver Cromwell". The locomotive was on her way to Swithland to collect waiting freight wagons...

The Pannier soon turned up again...

A capture of the Pannier showing her attractive BR Mixed Traffic livery...

Whilst waiting for the Pannier to pull away, a rather irate gentleman brandishing a camera was attempting to start a row with one of the crossing staff. The man was fretting that he would miss the train on the opposite platform, hauled by the 9F, and threatened to become "very annoyed" with the crossing keeper if he missed it. The moral here is, if you are aware of a 300-ton obstruction about to block the route to your waiting train, always ensure that you are the opposite side of it before the obstruction arrives. I don't care for people abusing volunteer staff. Anyway, 1501 looked nice...

1501 got away sharply, as did the 9F. Following the 9F to Loughborough was the N15 again. Lovely "Lamiel" is captured awaiting departure before almost blowing the bridge down...

By now it was gone 1pm and the cold had really set in. I could hardly take it anymore and I'd drank enough tea to sink a battleship. Across the way in Quorn's Platform 1 stood the DMU about to depart for Rothley. It looked so warm on there that the windows were steaming up and there were, did my eyes deceive me(?), seats free! I boarded the DMU and immediately settled into my seat. I think this has to be the first time I've ever not had to struggle to find a seat at a Winter Gala. Departing Quorn I was thankful for the brilliant under seat heating, a far cry from standing room only behind steam. The DMU is captured here in a 1950s scene, about to depart Rothley for Loughborough...

All in all, with eight locomotives in steam and an overly intensive timetable, the 2015 GCR Winter Gala was well worth a look, despite the cold. One thing I will say though is that it won't be to everyone's taste. Almost every train is standing room only and the Adult fare has now risen to £25 a ticket with no short journey tickets or single round trip tickets available. That's fine for the enthusiast but a bit dear on the families I feel. I only tend to do one round trip and then just dawdle around each station looking at various bits & bobs so £25 for a single round trip is a bit much, but that's just me. I do however appreciate how much this cracking event must cost to put on so its all in the view of steam preservation. Thanks for reading folks. As I write the fire is stoked up and the kettle is boiling and I'm still bloody cold! Best Regards, Sam...