"The Valley Rambler" Remembers The Fallen...

"Panniers at Highley" (Pic - K.Felstead)

Tyseley's Pannier trips are a popular addition to Vintage Trains' main line steam calendar and today would see "The Valley Rambler" steaming to Bridgnorth via Stratford. Bridgnorth is of course the terminus of the Severn Valley Railway, which we would join during the afternoon. Hauling the train today would be 84E's 1945-built 9600 and her larger Hawksworth cousin 9466. Following my now traditional McDonalds stop I arrived at Tyseley at around 6:30am. As is typical when preparing Panniers for the main line, the weather was bleak: wet and windy. Wandering down through the loco shed I discovered some of the lads already gathering around 9600 whilst the Class 08 diesel shunter rumbled away outside making up air. As the drizzle came down we moved the engine across to the usual prep road whilst Hall Class 4965 looked out longingly from the shed. Soon enough the fire was lit and 9600 was coming to life...

Down the site, 9466 was being prepared by her own Support Crew. The train would leave Tyseley top and tailed for the run to Stratford, with the larger Pannier at the head. 9600 is seen just before leaving shed for turning following oiling and watering...

Our departure time was scheduled for 9:15am and so 9600 was soon on the turntable being prepared for a bunker first departure from 84E...

The next task involved dragging all of the stock up the site to allow 9466 to assume her place at the other end of the train. The bank up the yard is a strong climb and yet 9600 just picked up the train with ease. 17.5" cylinders and a 200psi boiler gives these chunky 0-6-0s a massive amount of punch for a tank engine and you can really imagine them taking trains of 12 coaches or more up into Paddington from Old Oak Common. Having warmed herself up shunting the stock, 9600 simmered away quietly steam heating. The passengers would be glad of the warmth on this chilly day...

Right on time, 9600 barked out of Tyseley up the bank and onto Network Rail metals. Once the train was clear of the museum site, the road was given to proceed down through the loop to reach the main line. We were soon ticking happily down the North Warwick line towards Stratford. The Panniers are allowed to do up to 45mph and certainly seem to settle down once they're up there. A red signal up ahead heralded a short stop at Whitlocks End where 9600 proved popular...

"On Board 9600" (Pic - A.Endsor)

Once the signal had cleared, the Pannier duo got the train quickly up to speed again as they roared on towards Stratford. 9466 was doing the lions share...

"9466 Leads The Way" (Pic - D.Chandler)

Our arrival in Shakespeare's town was as always greeted by an army of excited onlookers. 9466 would run round whilst the hoses were quickly connected up to 9600 so that watering could begin. The Panniers can manage around 30 miles on average on a tank of water and so the rambler trips do tend to turn into a 'water stop express'. Once the Tyseley engine was watered, the Hawksworth was also filled up ready for the climb back towards Birmingham. At 11am a small service and a silence took place on the platform to remember the countless who lost their lives during the war years. 9600 was wearing a poppy wreath as a mark of respect. We left Stratford on time at 11:15am, climbing the bank towards Wilmcote in fine style...

"Pannier Power" (Pic - D.Chandler)

I don't think anyone could ever argue that Panniers aren't great fun on the main line - they sound a treat with their little wheels flying around. Once we reached Tyseley it was time for another water stop in the loop. Both Panniers also had their smokeboxes emptied after their efforts on the run back from Stratford. Leaving 84E behind for the second time we steamed down to Kidderminster via Snow Hill and Stourbridge Junction. At Kidderminster there was a brief operational stop in the main line platform before steaming over the cross-over onto the preserved metals of the SVR. As we came to a stop in the loop an adjacent Class 08 was rumbling away waiting to haul our train back into the platform at Kidderminster Town. Before this shunt could take place the SVR's Pannier 7714 had to come in and go out again...

Once our train was in the platform it was over to the SVR crew to water the Panniers prior to the departure to Bridgnorth. We meanwhile enjoyed a mountain of fish and chips that we'd ordered from Captain Cod's over the road from the station - they were delicious! The Pannier duo were removed from the train to be watered at the column...

"9600 & 9466 At Kidderminster Town" (Pic - D.Chandler)

2:40pm saw us depart Kidderminster Town for Bridgnorth. The steady run along the Severn Valley must have been a stroll for the two tank engines after rushing along the main line. The light was already fading as we dropped a few passengers off at Highley to visit the Engine House before proceeding to the terminus. The Pullman team kindly delivered a massive victoria sponge to the support coach as we approached Hampton Loade - that was also delicious! At Bridgnorth the two Panniers were removed from the stock to be watered and serviced on the yard. The less said about that whole experience the better I think. Our homeward departure time rolled around quickly and the Panniers prepared to leave Bridgnorth behind...

"Ready To Leave Bridgnorth" (Pic - D.Chandler)

After a steady wander back down the Severn Valley to Kidderminster, the GUV was reattached to the rake and the Panniers prepared to steam back onto the main line. They were well up to speed as we roared through Blakedown and on towards Stourbridge Junction. Having watered at Kidderminster Town the tank engines could easily get home without another stop. Here they are back at Tyseley...

The usual operation then took place as the Class 08 shunt released the locomotives. The engines then proceeded down the middle road for 9600 to be turned...

Once turned 9600 steamed back to the engine shed, passing 9466 on the lean to road. It wasn't long before she was back in the shed and settling down for the night. All in all it had been another great Pannier jaunt and it was nice to take in the preserved setting of the Severn Valley as well. I must thank Tyseley for another great day out and another enriching experience. Finally...

"They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them"

Robert Laurence Binyon - 1914