Hi all. I awoke this morning to some hideously cold conditions which included a wonderfully chilling mixture of sleet and drizzle. It took some serious self motivation to drag my sorry carcass out into the freezing morning air and defrost the car. Phil and the lads had already arranged a breakfast meet up at the Tyseley Corner Cafe (on route to the former 84E just a few streets away) and this is really what drove me to get out. Heading over to Tyseley the landscape was a picture of the usual British winter driving experience, with churned up grit and slush mess everywhere. After a hearty breakfast and a cuppa' at the cafe: and of course having put the preservation world to rights: we continued to a dormant Tyseley. There was plenty going on, with work surrounding "Clun Castle" indoors whilst jobs on one of the resident steam rollers continued in the elements outside. The engines were up to their usual tricks of hogging any semblance of heat that managed to claw its way into the shed. Winter frosts enjoyed in the comfort of any engine shed see you protected from the biting wind but do little to protect your bones from the inevitable ache. Its like a dead cold, coursing through you and providing a physical and emotional drain. Ahh well, onwards and upwards. The muscular Castle Class 4-6-0 No 5043 was resting at the foot of the shed as usual. She has lots to do this year...
The upcoming Tyseley trips are now fully released and can be found here. As well as the day excursions there is the popular "Shakespeare Express" which returns once again during the high summer months. If I could recommend a trip I reckon the Shropshire one to Chester and back in September is a great choice. This goes out via the WCML and returns via Chirk and Shrewsbury. I had a great time on that one last year. After a pleasant day at Tyseley talking steam engines and helping out once again with 7029, I headed for home at just before 5pm. The welcome revitalising warmth of the shower was appreciated beyond all belief! Many thanks all, Sam...
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