A Castle And A Pannier On "The Melton Rambler"...

Hi all. Its been a few months since I last did a Tyseley trip, not only because efforts have recently been focussed on the popular "Shakespeare Express" season, but also because the mighty Duchess hauled the two July excursions. Today we would be out in Leicestershire with the "Melton Rambler"...

"Arrival at Melton Mowbray" (Pic - Alan P, Flickr)

This gentle Saturday stroll would see the unusual pairing of Pannier Tank 9600 and the much larger Castle Class 5043 joining forces for an outing to Melton Mowbray - the Pork Pie capital of the world. Our route would take in Nuneaton and Leicester before arriving at Melton around lunchtime. The train would then perform a round trip to Corby and back: crossing the impressive Harringworth Viaduct in the process: before heading back to Tyseley later on in the afternoon. An early morning McDonalds stop was followed by the devouring of breakfast upon arrival at the former 84E. Wandering down through the loco shed, the two engines were just being readied to go outside. 5043 duly hissed into life, propelling 9600 out into the morning breeze. The Pannier was duly lit up and sat happily crackling away in front of her express shed mate...

As usual with the day trips, most of the preparation had been carried out the day before in order to minimise the jobs to do this morning. I was given an oil feeder and was asked to top up the gland packing boxes and trunnions on 5043. As the two engines gradually came around, tensions steadily rose for departure. There always seems to be an exciting atmosphere on shed on trip days as a big adventure lies ahead of us. The locomotives were taken over to the waiting stock a good hour before departure. 9600 led the way, hissing off shed with her ashpan having been freshly emptied...

With the Pannier clear, 5043 duly followed. The yard was alive with a mist of condensation as the 4-6-0 summoned her strength to climb steadily off the shed frontage and onto the running line...

"Leaving Shed Aboard 5043"

Once clear of the points the road was set for the Castle to drop back, followed by the tank engine. The pair were soon coupled to the front of the train as passengers began to board the stock behind them. A Pannier-Castle combo is nothing short of unusual, let alone on the main line. The 64xx No6435 double-headed with 7029 "Clun Castle" for a run to Bristol on October 17th 1965 but apart from that we believe that this is only the second time its been done! Needless to say the pair made an impressive sight as our 7:52am departure neared. 9600 was no doubt muttering to 5043..."Now, Earl, when we get out there you keep up, alright?"...

Right on time, the pair whistled up and made an easy departure up the gradient out of the yard. Our first stop was Coleshill Parkway and so we settled into our seats aboard the Support Coach to listen to the pair getting us away from Birmingham over a cuppa'. The smaller 4ft 7.5" driving wheels of the Pannier were evidently motoring around a lot quicker than the larger ones set under the Castle; she was barely jogging as we ticked along at 45mph - the maximum allowed for the tank engine...

"Water Orton" (Pic - G.Gifford)

After further passenger pick-ups at Coleshill and Nuneaton, the pair were soon attacking the climb towards Hinckley. The Pullman team kindly delivered some 'supplies' (bacon, sausage, black pudding - you name it!) to the Support Coach as we neared Wigston and so it would have been rude to refuse a plate full as our first water stop at Humberstone Road beckoned...

Meanwhile, 9600 & 5043 were approaching Leicester station. Peter Leigh captured this impressive shot of the duo, as well as the attractive station building...

"A Picture From The Past" (Pic - P.Leigh)

Humberstone Road is located just the other side of Leicester station, pretty much opposite the now redundant power box. The old station building was relocated brick by brick to Shenton in the 1990s. We pulled up behind Toys 'R' Us to take water...I hear its a magical place with toys in their millions all under one roof? Tanks and tender full, the pair departed for Melton, crossing the main line onto the slow through Syston. The route then goes off to the right, through Rearsby and on towards Melton Mowbray...

"Storming Towards Melton" (Pic - S.Kerry)

Sailing easily into Melton Mowbray, the pair came to a stand in the station as the assembled hoards practically fell over each other to take their souvenir snaps. The train would be emptied before we ran as ECS into the nearby loop, adjacent to an absolutely foul smelling pet food factory. The drifting haze would have certainly aroused the nostrils of any nearby canine but did little for us except put you off your snap! At this point 9600 had her smokebox emptied as the gathering char would by now be creeping up the door. She was then uncoupled from 5043 before running light engine around the stock and back through the station to reach a siding where she would be watered. The tanker had arrived in the car park and the hoses were duly connected up to replenish the 1200-gallon tank. Thirst quenched, 9600 ticked neatly back to the loop, this time assuming her place at the rear of the train. On time, the Pannier created the brake before the train set back to pick-up the passengers. The "Earl" would then lead us to Corby with 9600 hanging on for the ride...

"Earl of Mount Edgcumbe" (Pic - S.Kerry)

Once atop the 82 arches of Harringworth Viaduct - otherwise known as Welland Viaduct - the top and tailed train came to a halt for passengers to admire the views...

"Through The Support Coach Window"

The viaduct is 1,275 yards long and was completed in 1878. A Grade II listed building, the viaduct is the longest masonry viaduct across a valley in Britain. There were plenty of people gathering in the fields below the arches to photograph the dynamic duo atop the big bridge. The nearby village of Welland is behind the trees...

Leaving Welland Viaduct, the train was Corby-bound. 5043 did the work as the ensemble approached the former industrial town, once home to the famous Stewarts & Lloyds steelworks. Upon arrival the lamps were switched before a swift departure back towards Melton, with 9600 in charge. There is a saying which stalks this area..."they hang em' at Langham and poke em' at Oakham" - I don't pretend to know what it means! Anyway, the 0-6-0 was certainly in good voice as she climbed back towards our water stop at Manton. The tanker had moved to the lineside yard to top up the tank engine before the same procedure as before was repeated at Melton Mowbray. With the Pannier recoupled for a final time, the stock was drawn into the platform prior to our departure homeward for Tyseley. The Pannier would lead as far as Wigston on the return run, so here she is at Frisby...

"A Homeward Pannier" (Pic - S.Kerry)

The horses in the above shot remind me of a song by The Osmonds. Looking back along the train from 9600, you could see in the distance the large legs of the Castle gently cycling around in a very relaxed fashion, unlike the flying rods of the tank engine! What a fun engine these are on the main line. As we rounded the corner onto the Midland main line at Syston, I was amazed to see the road set for the fast line to Leicester. I never ever thought I'd stand on a Pannier Tank flying down the fast line of the Midland main line, not ever, let alone in 2017: wonderful...

"Fast Line Pannier" (Pic - J.Chapman)

Barking happily along towards Humberstone Road, the regulator was soon closed to slow for the loop line; where water would be taken a final time. From here, the engine chuffed through Leicester station, much to the delight and amazement of surprised onlookers. The roar of the chimney echoed around the platforms as 9600 got to grips with the weight of the train as we left Leicester behind. The short but energetic run to Wigston South was a pleasure to listen to as the engine rocketed along. The triangle at Wigston allowed the train to reverse once again, putting the Castle in charge for the return to 84E via Nuneaton and Coleshill Parkway. 9600 meanwhile would rest on the back, holding her own where necessary. After two set-down stops and a stroll back into the Birmingham suburbs, we arrived back at base at Tyseley...

The two engines were later turned on the table before disposal on the shed. Both loco's had done Tyseley proud once again and the Pannier in particular had again shown that little engines can do big things. Built in 1945 and rescued after a hard second life in NCB service, 9600 received a full nut & bolt overhaul at 84E. Its a top-notch loco which still handles like a new one after a good few miles in service. Whenever I've been on her at the open days, 9600 feels like a new Pannier...

"9600 - Home At Last"

Well, as the engines rested on the shed, it was time for me to head for home after another great day out. Thank you to the Tyseley team for another unforgettable experience, thank you to all of the photographers who kindly let me use their images in this post and of course thank you to all of you who have been reading. The Sunday "Shakespeare" is out again tomorrow (although I won't be on it) and our next trip is the one to Chester in late September - that's a really nice one. The Vintage Trains website can be found here. Until next time, Sam...