As a fitting close to the pre-Christmas season it was nice to spend today with a good friend aboard Great Western 4575 Class No5542 at the Battlefield Line. Myself and JB were rostered to crew the Small Prairie on the 'Classic Service' which once again required a 6am arrival at Shackerstone. Moaning and groaning, we walked into the loco shed where the heat emanating from 5542 revealed she was still very hot from yesterdays efforts. After dumping our various kit in the real mess area we climbed aboard the engine to check the state of affairs: 1/2 a glass and just a touch of steam on the gauge. I removed the chimney cap and emptied the smokebox, checking the various fittings whilst I was in there - all was well...
Up on the footplate the grate was fairly clear but littered with clinker plates that would have to be removed with the paddle. Placing a barrow at the foot of the cab steps, I began paddling away with JB holding the torch. An almighty bang from the roof was followed by a plunge into complete darkness as the lights blew. A torrent of cursing like I've never heard before then took place whilst I fumbled around in the dark trying to get the lights back on. The lights did return briefly before giving up again so the remainder of the paddling took place in the dark. At least we had the torch! The coal in the bunker was a mixture of Welsh and slack so I decided to not bother with the usual coal bed and to add the rags first followed by a good mound of dry wood with coal added after. The amount of slack in the bunker would have no doubt blocked up the grate, reducing air flow and causing problems during steam raising...
With the wood starting to take I added a good pile of coal on top, almost dousing the flames. The doors were then closed and the engine left to get on with it whilst a lazy wisp of smoke carefully departed the chimney. We then settled down for a cuppa' in the real mess area - still in total darkness. Thankfully, though the lights had blown, a stiff talking to and a few punches had brought life to the savagely beaten tea boiler which JB had "encouraged" into action. Whilst we sat discussing locomotives in the dark (literally), Jamie arrived as Fireman to the other loco in use today - Hunslet Austerity "Cumbria". Jamie and I soon managed to bring light back to the shed and preparations continued. The Austerity was soon lit and crackled away quietly behind 5542...
Once Carl ("Cumbria"s Driver) had arrived the shed returned to its usual tea and banter filled atmosphere. I went underneath the Prairie to ash out and to oil the inside Stephenson's motion. JB meanwhile oiled the outside and did some cleaning whilst the fire steadily made us some steam. As 8:30am neared we were ready to steam outside and 42' gently eased forward expelling reams of white steam from the drain cocks. We then got washed and changed before taking the engine over onto the five coach 'Classic' stock which was waiting on Platform 2 road. The engine was coupled up and the steam heat started before water was taken at the column...
All trains today were fully booked and the two engines would be sharing the duties with "Cumbria" hauling the two 'Deluxe' workings. Right on time at 10am, 5542 wandered gently out of Shackerstone with her full train. We had a steady run to Market Bosworth before a 15-minute break and a cuppa'. The Prairie then wandered carefully to Shenton through the bleak winter countryside...
Having uncoupled, 5542 is seen in the Shenton headshunt...
The engine was soon back at the head of the train with the steam heat on...
I tend to keep a light, bright front end and a thicker back end in the firebox...
Having ordered ahead once again, the breakfast was kindly delivered to the footplate as we awaited departure from Shenton. JB was wise to my eating shots last time but did relent this morning for a cob shot...
Leaving Shenton we took it steady through Coton before another 5-minute stop at Market Bosworth. From there we ran at line speed back to Shackerstone with the Prairie trotting easily through the trees throwing white steam over her shoulder. I do like this engine - very nice indeed...
Rolling into Platform 2 at Shackerstone, "Cumbria" was already feathering away at the head of the train ready for departure. Once the stewards were on board, the red 0-6-0 left in a cloud of steam. 42' meanwhile hissed down to the coal pile to take a bucket of fresh coal before returning to Platform 2 road via the signalbox to take water and continue heating. I cleaned the fire thoroughly as the lack of draft would no doubt induce clinker if left too long. A fresh bed was then made up and the engine left to simmer whilst we had a cuppa'. She looked very nice in the harsh winter sunshine. Its been nice to be back on this old gal' again...
With pressure nearing the red line and a good water level, 5542 left Shackerstone behind as soon as "Cumbria" had returned...
The gloomy weather had cleared to reveal sunshine and a bright blue sky as we ticked through Hedleys on route to Bosworth...
5542 awaits departure from Shenton on the returning 1pm 'Classic'...
Barking up the line away from Bosworth Road Bridge towards Coton...
Waiting at Market Bosworth with the returning 1pm...
The fully booked 1pm train had a lot of children wanting to see Santa so an additional stop was made at Carlton Bridge near Hedleys. The engine sat feathering as we waited for the "Right Away" from the Guard...
Returning to Shackerstone, "Cumbria" (with lamps lit) was eagerly waiting to depart on the 'Deluxe'. 5542 was uncoupled before we pulled up in Platform 1 to allow passengers to visit the footplate and view the fire and controls. Unfortunately timings had slipped somewhat today resulting in the 4pm 'Classic' leaving at 5pm but the passengers seemed pleased with the rare opportunity to visit the footplate...
Once "Cumbria" had called in for 'line clear' at Shenton we were given the road to drop across onto the waiting stock for heating and watering purposes. In darkness, we awaited the return of the Austerity...
JB kindly fired the 4pm (5pm) so I could drive. Its a very nice machine to be in control of - very responsive and easy to operate. We had a steady wander down to Shenton before a line speed run back to Shackerstone. After a shunt move we were cleared to run back into the shed via No11 ground frame. Screwed down and scotched, 5542 rests in Shackerstone shed after another grand day out...
The usual disposal procedure then took place as the Prairie was bedded down for the night. The fire was raked through and the clinker freed, the boiler was filled, the chimney capped and the necessaries isolated. All in all, a very nice day out in good company aboard a good engine. I've done 5 turns on 5542 this Autumn/Winter and all have been most enjoyable. Thank you all for reading and thanks to JB for your company mate. Finally, of course, Merry Christmas...
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