"Rosyth" At Chasewater & A Footplate Ride...

Hi all. Today, whilst at a very rare loose end with nothing planned, I had a ride out in the motor and soon found myself at the Chasewater Railway. The reason for nipping over to the Brownhills-based steam line was to catch some shots of the visiting Andrew Barclay 0-4-0ST "Rosyth No1". The immaculate green industrial is currently visiting from her Pontypool home and as Chasewater is a lot easier for me to get to than the former I decided to see the engine whilst she was nearby. The engine has been on loan through the summer and, I believe, is staying until next year. Having purchased my ticket from the Booking Office I proceeded out onto the breezy platform and spotted "Rosyth" taking water at the column...

When I went to Pontypool with "Gomer" in 2011, "Rosyth" wasn't on the roster as her overhaul only concluded in 2014. The job has been done to a high standard and the lining in particular is most impressive. The 14" Barclay was shining...

Once coupled up to the 3-coach train, "Rosyth" was ready to leave on the 11am run...

Right on time, having received the "Right Away" from the Guard, the 0-4-0 steamed out of Brownhills West station and off towards Chasewater Heaths. The Chasewater Railway is 2-miles long and runs through the scenery of Chasewater Country Park. "The Colliery Line", as it likes to be known, offers the well meaning preserved industrial engines a good home and I think I've mentioned before how refreshing it is to see them being utilised. A lot of the larger preserved railways used industrials initially before their main line alternatives were restored. Soon enough, after a gentle meander along the waters edge of Chasewater, "Rosyth" was arriving at Chasewater Heaths station...

There was a short break at the Heaths station to allow passengers to look at the engine before continuing the rest of the journey on to Chasetown...

"Rosyth" was built as Works Number 1385 and, so I believe, was planned to be used by the Admiralty at Rosyth Dockyard in Fife initially. However, this soon changed to the Royal Dockyard in Pembroke, South Wales and the Barclay worked there for many years. In 1955 she was moved to the Air Ministry in South Glamorgan to shunt in the sidings. In February 1973 however she was removed for preservation and after many years both in steam and in storage at various locations in Wales was most recently overhauled by the PBR in 2014; 100 years after she was originally built. The visit to Chasewater is the first time that the locomotive has ever steamed outside of Wales. The footplate of the 1914-built 0-4-0 Andrew Barclay Saddle Tank...

During the stop at the Heaths I got chatting to the crew of "Rosyth" who both seemed pretty impressed with their machine for the day. She seems to be in very good condition both cosmetically and mechanically and this is a testament to the lads at Pontypool who restored her. The engine must be finding it easy going at Chasewater, having been used to having to attack the fearsome gradient into her home station of Furnace Sidings at the PBR! The crew kindly invited me onto the footplate of "Rosyth" for the run up to Chasetown and then the return journey back to Brownhills West. I was of course most pleased at this and grateful for the offer! With another "Right Away" from the Guard, "Rosyth" chugged out of the Heaths station and on towards the terminus...

"Through The Round Window"

The 14" Barclay got the weight of the 3-coach train moving very easily and barked happily upgrade out of Chasewater Heaths Station...

"On The Footplate of 'Rosyth No1' at Chasewater"

Chasetown is only around the corner really from the Heaths and completes the 2-mile journey from Brownhills. "Rosyth" was looking pretty at the head of the train as I took the snap below...

Having been uncoupled from the stock, "Rosyth" duly ran round the train...

Once in the loop, the crew can set back before drawing up to set the road...

With the engine ran round, the crew drew her forward up to the stock...

The 0-4-0 was then coupled on for a prompt departure back towards Brownhills...

During her preservation life, the engine has been fitted with vacuum brakes for use with passenger stock, otherwise the steam & handbrakes are the only methods of stopping available. Andrew Barclay Sons & Co was founded in 1892 in Kilmarnock and created a reputation for building simple but robust locomotives. Barclay's are often noted for their squared-off tanks, as is evident on this example. At least 100 of their railway products survive in preservation in one form or another. Back with us, "Rosyth" was soon steaming out of Chasetown Station with the coaches following behind...

After a brief stop at Chasewater Heaths, we proceeded homeward bunker first...

The sun was trying to come out as we neared Brownhills with the returning first train...

The pressure needle on "Rosyth" was hugging the red line most of the way, though the Fireman did comment that Barclay's are best at making steam stationary! I think a lot of industrials can feel that way at times. Their large cylinders and power reserves often outdo the steam creation possible due to grate area. "Rosyth" however seemed to have no trouble, apart from the traditional industrial waddle which causes a to and fro in the coaches. The crew dubbed the movement The Barclay Bounce...quite apt I thought! Also interesting on 1385 is the right-angled steam brake handle which looks much easier to use than a hand wheel type...

I was most enjoying my unexpected footplate ride on the Chasewater Railway but all too soon the distant signal for Brownhills West came into sight and "Rosyth" was being slowed for the token exchange. Having pulled up neatly in the platform, I thanked the crew for their invitation and hospitality. I had most enjoyed my trip on the 0-4-0...

"1385 'Rosyth No1' Back At Brownhills West"

One thing that the Chasewater Railway have that always impresses me is the Heritage Centre. Inside was the huge bulk of "Nechells No4", the RSH 0-6-0 that we came to see bow out of her ticket last February. Click here for that post. "Nechells" is currently awaiting her place in the restoration queue, though there are 10 other steamers at Chasewater either in operation or awaiting overhaul or restoration...

Having had a quick wander around the Heritage Centre I walked a little way along the path towards Norton Lakeside Station and snapped "Rosyth" getting away from Brownhills with the 12:15pm run to Chasetown...

"A Final Look at 'Rosyth No1' at Chasewater"

Well, for another week folks, that's all for now. I think a day of rest is in order tomorrow before next Saturday's outing to Evesham for another driving turn on the EVLR. Many thanks indeed for reading guys and again many thanks to the crew on "Rosyth No1" today for their kind invitation. That's another railway done on the footplate...its always a pleasure to add to that list! Cheers, Sam...