00 Gauge In The Garden: Summer Colours...

Hi all. Today, with the car out of action for some engine work, I decided to tick off one of the many items on my ever growing "To-Do List". The task in question was tidying up the shed and, once the job was done, I couldn't help but get a couple of trains on the move. The Garden Railway has only seen the light a couple of times this year and thus this is the first and possibly only post about it. For more recent readers, the Garden Railway started life in 2005 as a small oval of track set around the flowerbed at the top of the garden. In 2006, with the original circuit having proved very short with little chance of giving the engines a good run, we extended. The extension took the line down the edge of the fence towards the house before rounding a tight curve. A fairly stiff climb then ensued as the trains climbed back up the garden towards the shed. Its a basic set up: analogue control and with manual point-work. (We tried motors at one stage but they didn't last long). Today, a few engines made some steady laps of the garden, hauling varying loads...

I thought I'd get the camera out and record a few snaps of the goings on as, quite simply, you never know if or when there will be a "next time". When I was younger, I would spend every waking moment of free time out in the garden playing with the 00 gauge trains. Back then, in my school years, I had a paper round and the proceeds of that funded the slow growth of the collection of engines that traversed the garden. At present there are over 30 locomotives and many, many coaches and wagons. Some of the models are from my first train recollections, including the LNER rake of coaches which was in my first train-set at age 5, whilst other items are much more recent. One model I love is the Bachmann C1 Class which I bought a year or two ago just as "one to keep" (mainly for the reason it looks like the Maisie!)...

"GNR 251 of Ivatt's Large Boiler Atlantic Class"

My stalwart Bachmann 56xx heads down the garden with a colourful mixed freight...

I thought it would be nice to take a few pictures today as the garden has really, quite literally, blossomed in the recent weeks. We replanted a lot of the beds earlier in the Spring and dug out pretty much everything that was there before. The new Summer plants and flowers have now grown nicely and provide almost a jungle effect as the little trains make their way up and down. I haven't had any of my scenery bits and pieces out for a good long time but in some ways it doesn't really feel necessary as the flowers give the trains something to contrast with...

"Hornby 0-6-0 J94/Austerity No68075 On A Mixed Working"

The much photographed Sutherland Bank section has seen the repair of the once forlorn looking Windmill that used to be a regular sight in pictures of the model railway...

The line is quite undulating in places, with the wood laid down originally as the base having swollen and contracted over the years. There are some stiff gradients and, unlike with steam engines, the electric models just find their own way at their own pace. The climb away from the house towards the shed is particularly steep in both directions of the circuit. The Atlantic is seen below pulling through the Chilvers Loop (laid in 2007) where trains used to pass eachother or run round prior to a return trip. Its funny how the flowers seem to be overtaking the place as the little train climbs upgrade...

"Jungle Train With 251"

The Battle of Britain Class 4-6-2 hauls the little seen Pullman Dining Train Rake...

The varying garden ornaments have always provided animal apocalypse shots...

After an hour or two of running the little trains on the old 00 gauge metals I decided to call it a day. It was nice to see a few engines out and about, using the railway which I once used more often than I can remember. If anyone is interested in seeing more of the garden railway, back in its so called "heyday", there is plenty to read about it on this blog and also plenty to see on YouTube. You can see just how much the garden has grown-up lately by the shot below. That's the old turntable spur from the junction of the old Ashford Station. The electrically operated turntable was there very often once upon a time and the area was surrounded by two now removed conifers...

As always, many thanks for reading folks and I hope that the 00 gauge garden railway has provided a bit of interest, if any. The railway represents a different side to the hobby that I used to do so much with but it does just go to show how time and interests move on. My ambition (for want of a better word) one day is to make a small 00 layout so I can do something with the scenery bits I have stored away and perhaps reduce the currently high risk of these engines getting horribly smashed up in this outdoor environment. However, time is the key and time is not in abundance at the moment! Cheers all, Sam...

Tyseley: "Rood Ashton" Brews Up...

Hi all. Today saw me making another jaunt over to Tyseley to help with the preparation of GWR Hall Class 4-6-0 No4965 "Rood Ashton Hall". I arrived at the site of the former 84E shed at just before 10am, having stopped off on route to collect breakfast from the Tyseley Corner Cafe. This made a nice change from the increasingly regular McDonalds menu and I can heartily recommend this cafe if you're ever in the area! These sandwiches were just what I needed to start the day!...

"A Beautiful Breakfast"

Stomach satisfied, I changed into my overalls before wandering down to the Mess Room. The Hall was waiting patiently on her road when I arrived, with the 08' ticking over outside. The 4-6-0 was then dragged out into the warm morning air ready for preparation to begin. The engine had been cleaned out during the week and so a check-over was all that was necessary before lighting the fire. A traditional warming fire was laid in the box, rising up around the back corners in order to bring the engine around slowly. To my surprise, she was still warm from last Sunday's efforts: must be a well lagged boiler! With the engine now crackling away to herself, efforts turned to cleaning her and later shunting the stock...

The shunting again involved the Class 08 and the signalbox. In an effort to further increase my knowledge of the signalbox, I offered to work it during the shunting operations. There are a few things to remember, particularly when dealing with the motor points and FPL's, but the set-up generally allows you to succeed providing you do everything in the required order. I certainly felt more confident with the frame this week. Later in the day, with the stock shunted and waiting on No1 platform road behind the Class 08, 4965 was brewing up nicely on the shed. The engine doesn't move during the prep: the oiling, cleaning and checking is done whilst stationary. This provides a good opportunity to try and photograph the engine whilst she lazes around in the afternoon sun. I have said it before and I'll say it again - 4965 is a very photogenic engine...

"4965 Rood Ashton Hall" Brews Up On Shed

And this weeks "Boredom Corner" concludes with my rendition of the 4965 story. Built in 1929 at Swindon, 4965 was once thought to have been cut-up. (Gasps from the side lines!). The Tyseley team actually purchased what they thought was No4983 "Albert Hall" when they chose a Hall from Barry Scrapyard in 1970. When restoration of the so called '4983' began, the engineers involved came across plenty of reasons that led to her being dubbed an impostor. Many parts that were once stamped 65' were now stamped 83' and the Swindon works records revealed some unusual goings on. 4983 had revisited the works on a few regular occasions for undisclosed reasons and her boiler hadn't been more than 9 months fresh from a major overhaul when the switch is believed to have occurred. 4965 was marked as being condemned and cut up in 1962. However, what is obvious from the framing and the tender is that they are in fact from 4965. The boiler on the other hand is from 4983. 

The only conclusion that can be reached is that "Albert Hall" was either an unlucky engine which regularly came into bother or that she had a condemned bottom end, whilst 4965 had the better of the latter but needed a fresh boiler. What has essentially happened is that two poorly engines have been brought together to provide one good one. Its an interesting tale but one that, despite many debates, definitely shows that 4965 is the unlikely survivor, despite the notes that she was scrapped. Boiler swapping was by no means uncommon in steam days as they were swapped regularly during general works, hence the standardisation of parts. However, what is unusual is that the identity of the loco was swapped despite the only piece of 4983 being the boiler she last carried. Anyhow, that's the basic story. I'm sure there is more to be read about it online but I think it certainly provides some interest to the engine. Anyway, after a good day I returned home at just after 5pm. Many thanks for reading folks, Sam...

The Severn Valley Railway...

Hi all. Well, I guess this week at long last we can finally say summer is here. Luckily for us we had already planned a day out to the brilliant Severn Valley Railway and so good weather was merely a bonus. Myself, JB and well known late arrival Eddie the Late arrived at the SVR terminus of Kidderminster Town Station at a little after 11am. Our first spot was standing at the head of the 11:45am departure: 43106, otherwise known as "The Flying Pig". Having purchased our tickets and grabbed a cuppa' from the cafe, we wandered along the lengthy platform to survey the Mogul. 43106 is a Darlington product of 1951 and was one of the 162-strong class of Ivatt Class 4 Mogul's. 43106 is the only survivor of the type and has operated happily on the SVR for many years. The cab layout is seen below, sporting a number of LMS features but with a pull-out regulator...

"Cab of 43106 - Flying Pig"

You could easily argue that this class of engine were the forerunners of the BR Standard Mogul's that came next; they certainly have some strong similarities. JB was chatting to the Trainee Fireman about the pedigree of the engine...

The running boards on the Pig stand high above the valve gear, giving the engine an unusually tall look. The class was designed with ease of maintenance in mind and you can appreciate the relatively easy access to components and pipework. Employing 17.5" cylinders with 5ft 3" wheels sat underneath a 225psi boiler, the Ivatt Mogul's pumped out roughly 24,170lb's of tractive effort...

"Anatomy Of The Pig"

We boarded the GWR rake of coaches behind 43106 and duly departed on time towards Bridgnorth. The 'Flying Pig' got the train away easily and she was soon strolling through the sunlit countryside on route to Bewdley. There was a short wait at Bewdley as the down train had been delayed by some P-Way issues. Meanwhile, JB and Ed were putting the preservation world to rights...

The late running 4-6-0 No7812 "Erlestoke Manor" soon passed us, allowing us a path into the next section of the line towards Arley...

The plan was to break our journey to Bridgnorth at Highley for a spot of grub at the well appointed Engine House. We left the train and clambered over the footbridge, the air littered with the echoing chrous of 43106's efforts as she worked upgrade out of the station. In the Engine House, the two big brute's (48773 and "Gordon") stood shining but silent...

The Engine House, though we've visited before, is very much worth a look and its always nice to see out of ticket engines being displayed in such pleasant conditions rather than rusting in a siding somewhere. The cafe is upstairs and having aided Ed on the gruesome ascent we sat down for lunch. He was very keen on the idea of an impromptu "Three Course Challenge" but unfortunately there wasn't time today...

"Lunch Stop"

JB managed to have an accident with his tray and duly covered himself in gravy. His expression of "I've never liked trays" was more aggressive than I can convey. Having heard a whistle over the sound of lunch being devoured, I wandered outside to grab a quick snap of the Bullied Pacific No34027 "Taw Valley" heading away from Highley towards Arley...

Stomachs replenished, we wandered back down into the loco area. GWR Mogul No7325 has been done up for footplate access, with some plates explaining what some of the controls do. The regulator is surprisingly thrust right up into full main valve which I think is optimistic in the circumstances as the brake valve is set to full application! Jokes aside, its nice to see that, even with no boiler ticket, 7325 is still providing a useful service to the SVR and is still being appreciated by many visitors. She is one of only two such Mogul's that survive today...

"Cabbing A GWR Mogul"

Other locomotives in the Engine House included the well known Black Five No45110 (famous for her 1968 exploits) and the Ivatt Class 2...

Having enjoyed our lunch and a walk around the Engine House, we wandered back over to the platform to await the 1:49pm departure for Bridgnorth. Right on time, in rolled 7812 "Erlestoke Manor". The 4-6-0 was very much in Cambrian guise, having been done up with a liberal application of 'Dannys Bull'...

"7812 Arrives"

The climb out of Highley requires a "good chuff" and even 7812's Fireman wanted to record her efforts with her 8-coach train...

Having passed 43106 at Hampton Loade, the Manor continued on towards Bridgnorth after a good run up Eardington Bank. The shed area at Bridgnorth was, as usual, alive with locomotives of all types and sizes...

The Manor was swiftly uncoupled before running over for water. The level was checked and it was decided that she had enough on board to continue...

Small Prairie No4566 was clearly being warmed up for a fairly imminent duty. Steam was escaping well from her snifting valves as a plume of smoke rose gently skyward...

7812 meanwhile took up her place at the head of our train: the 2:57pm departure for Kidderminster via all stations...

I took a fairly sedate video of 7812 as she got the train away. Its a good climb out of Bridgnorth and with the front end pinned down by a well-loaded 8-coach train, 7812 did slip now & again as she got herself together...

With the weight now moving nicely, the Manor was away...

On our return journey we enjoyed a most welcome beer from the Buffet Car. The guy working the bar recommended this one - 2857...

We passed "Taw Valley" at Hampton Loade before we saw 43106 again at Bewdley. Surprisingly the Pig had the same crew aboard - I thought the SVR would specify a crew change. She was working another train to Bridgnorth...

On "The Rock" at Bewdley was 7812's sister engine No7802 "Bradley Manor". "Bradley" returned to service last November after a full overhaul and looked very smart as she relaxed in the afternoon sun. 7802 is owned by the same group that owns 7812, though the former carries the larger 4000-gallon Collett tender...

"7802 Bradley Manor"

Leaving Bewdley in good voice, 7812 did some real shifting as she climbed towards Foley Park Tunnel. The crew were certainly determined to clear the fire out as she stormed into the tunnel with sparks flying down past the windows. I'm glad we rode in the first compartment as the noise was amazing as the 1939-built engine roared along. All too soon however, the regulator was shut and drift position assumed for the run into Kidderminster. Having backed away from the stock, I finally managed to get a fairly unhindered picture of the Manor...

With that, it was time for home. Well, what a very pleasant little day out to the Severn Valley Railway. No matter when you come on a visit here you get a nice engine on a nice railway with nice rolling stock. A visit to the SVR doesn't dissapoint. My thanks to Ed and JB for an enjoyable day chuntering around the countryside behind some very nice steam engines. Cheers all, Sam...

The Shakespeare Express...

Morning all. Today's adventure started like most: at dawn. The destination was of course, following on from yesterdays post, Tyseley. The steam hobby has had me fumbling around the house at untold hours of the morning for longer than I care to remember now. I recollect a friend once saying to me that I shouldn't moan about getting up early for work as "you get up even earlier on your days off!". He was right. Anyway, into the motor I was and off for a jaunt along the M6 and the A45 into the heartland of industrial Birmingham. Naturally (I suppose it goes without saying) there was the traditional McDonalds stop on route. I can't seem to face knocking something up at home at this terribly early hour but a call in to the Golden Arches is always a prospect. Back with the job in hand, breakfast was devoured following arrival at Tyseley at not long before 7am...

Stomach satisfied, I changed into my overalls and wandered blurry eyed down through the shed. Tyseley Shed is just a typical dream scenario. You can't help sometimes but to be in awe of the many wonderful machines at arms reach. On arrival at the shed frontage, 4965 was on No1 road. Her fire was lit and she was simmering nicely, slowly coming up towards the boil. Alastair and Andrew were working away with the oil cans on and around the green 4-6-0, which carries the traditional Stephenson's valve gear. With a booked 09:35 departure towards Snow Hill with the "Shakespeare" ECS, there wasn't an overwhelming amount of time but the engine was already sparkling thanks to the efforts of the regular cleaning team. We watered the engine before she left shed and at just before 9am she was sitting pretty and was ready to pull out of the shed to take up her place at the head of the stock...

The impending movement of 4965 required the signalbox to come into play once again and, following my short stint in there yesterday, I fancied a bit more practise. The Hall would need to come out of the shed and onto the running line before the road was then changed, allowing her to drop down following clearance from the call-on arm. The sun was beaming through the windows of the signalbox this morning...

"A Signalbox Life"

Below we can see the yard diagram. The Hall was in the "Workshop Siding" (No1 road) and was signalled out before backing down onto the train...

"Yard Diagram of Tyseley Loco Works"

Having steamed up to the yard extremity to clear her steam circuit, the Hall dropped down onto the waiting Chocolate & Cream coaching stock. Under a fairly blue sky, the old engine looked beautiful as she awaited her departure slot onto Network Rail metals...

With everybody aboard the 8-coach rake, the engine got the stock away easily. We steamed triumphantly out of Tyseley before ticking gracefully through Small Heath and on towards Moor Street. Moor Street station, in the shadow of Selfridges, offers the first of the engine's great labours as she steams through with her morning ECS. Snow Hill Tunnel joins the two stations and provides 635 yards of darkness on a gradient as steep as 1 in 45. Dear me, the engine did some work climbing up there. Apparently it wasn't uncommon in steam days to "get one stuck" in the tunnel and the Fireman would have to walk for assistance from the Snow Hill Pilot. Luckily, these days, the tunnel is fairly dry and so, despite a deafening voice, the Hall stormed up the climb and into Snow Hill without fuss. There, she was uncoupled and duly run round as countless admirers boarded the train...

From Snow Hill, there are further passenger stops at both Moor Street and Tyseley before a final pick-up at Henley-In-Arden. The downward route takes the "Shakespeare Line" which runs from a junction at Tyseley right down to Stratford, via Danzey and Wilmcote. At Stratford, the engine runs round once again before the Support Crew gets to work on and about her. The coal is pulled down for the crew whilst the hoses are realed out across the car park to reach the water point and replenish the tender. As I still can't go lineside, I was happy to be helping with the watering, which I could do easily from the public areas around Stratford station...

I had to feel for the Pullman team today. On Train A (the way down) they serve a full english breakfast. At Stratford, they'll have to change the tables and set out all new cutlery as well as seating fresh guests as on Trains B & C they serve a 3-course Sunday roast. Finally, on Train D they serve Afternoon Tea's or High Tea's as required. Its a long day for them and my hat off to them for their efforts. The "Shakespeare": like most main line excursions: is a completely self contained unit. The engine is providing the power with the support crew looking after her, the Pullman team are serving meals, the stewards are helping passengers, the buffet staff are serving tea in Standard Class whilst other helpers sell souvenirs and answer questions - its all going on!

Leaving Stratford on the 1 in 75 gradient up and over the canal, "Rood Ashton Hall" made her presence known. She strode away with her 8-coach load, barking and shouting for all to hear. Usually the train goes home via the Claverdon line which takes it via Hatton and onto the main line through Solihull. However, due to engineering works, todays outings would go both ways via the North Warwick line. The climb up here is stiff most of the way, with the Hall remaining in good voice as she attacked the grades. We were soon flying along through the early afternoon sun and arrival at Snow Hill was upon us before we knew it. It was time to grab some lunch aboard the support coach as 4965 prepared to depart again...

"Lunch Stop"

Running to Stratford is done tender first, limiting the Hall to 45mph. The train slips easily through the ever changing landscape. The beautiful image below shows just what the "Shakespeare Express" is all about...

"Sunday Shakespeare Steam to Stratford" (Pic - D.Chandler)

Whilst the engine ticks merrily on towards Stratford, the support crew has little to do but discuss former exploits, put the preservation world to rights and of course slurp the occasional cup of tea. I was on the brewcan as we approached Bearley...

"Brews Up"

Once at Stratford the servicing operation resumed. 4965 ran round before coupling up and resting for an hour or so. A London Midland unit came and went before we were allowed a possession of the line to do the watering. I was again posted at the water point over the way, watching cars pass over the hoses to ensure nothing got torn apart by the odd careless motorist. Our departure was around 16:20 and this one was snapped not long before the brake was created ready for the off...

Again, we returned via the North Warwick line and 4965 was in good voice as she attacked the gradients. She is caught here on her way home...

"4965 Rood Ashton Hall" (Pic - D.Chandler)

We paused to set down passengers at both Tyseley and Moor Street before the final climb through the dark depths of Snow Hill Tunnel. From a standing start at Moor Street, the engine needs to "give it a good one" into the tunnel to get the weight moving ready for the 1 in 45. Bystanders took a lightning-fast leap backwards as she blasted away into the gloom. The noise in the tunnel is amazing - the Hall is amazing. Once secured in the platform, the train is left so that the Hall can run round again via Moor Street. Here she is doing so...

With the final passengers of the day getting their all important souvenir snapshots, 4965 slips away back into the tunnel with her 8-coach ECS. Its just over 10-minutes run back to Tyseley Loco Works and we arrived home at around 5:45pm. The engine was duly shunt released by the Class 08 before I signalled the diesel back into No1 platform with the ECS in readiness for stabling. The Hall meanwhile was signalled out of 'middle road' before chugging up the running line to access No1 road via the motor points. Soon enough, she was back on shed after a most successful main line day out...

"Days End - Back On Shed"

To see a video of today's outing...click here. It would be very easy for one to get poetic about such outings and turn a good old steam day out into fanciful mush. With this in mind, all I will say is that its a pleasure to be out with Tyseley and to see an engine like 4965 out and about doing what she was always supposed to do. It is particularly poignant as the Hall's were so numerous on the Birmingham districts of the Western region and so this 1929-built stalwart is flying the flag for what once was. I must thank the Tyseley team for their hospitality once again and of course gratefully thank those who have kindly sent in images for use in this post and others. If you wish to travel on the "Shakespeare" at any point this season, its running until September 4th. Click here for more details. With that, a beer is welcome...most, most welcome. Cheers all, Sam...