The "Christmas White Rose": A Castle To York...

"A Christmas Castle" (Pic - K.Snowdon)

A steam tour is often not just an adventure but also a test of endurance. The days are long and the work is hard but the pride and enjoyment which comes with being part of Tyseley's Support Crew has made it all worthwhile. Early this morning, well before dawn, I arrived at a frosty 84E in bleak midwinter weather. I'd stopped at McDonalds on route to grab a breakfast - an absolute must on these early jobs - and duly devoured this before strolling into the site with my kit. Down at the mess hut the first members of the team were gathering and after a quick chat we wandered down to the simmering Castle as she waited near the shed door. A cold 4965 & 7029 sat on the same road behind her as she hissed into life and gracefully pulled forward into the chilly morning air. I was asked to check some of the oil boxes and pots around the 4-6-0 and to top them up where necessary. Meanwhile, the other lads were busy on various jobs around the yard. 5043 meanwhile brewed up quietly under the bright lights of the adjacent fuel depot, awaiting her move off-shed...

Our departure time was scheduled for 7:50am and the Castle was on the train well over an hour before this to begin steam heating. As she waited under the dark morning sky, you could almost sense the "Earl" patiently anticipating the off...

Departing Tyseley on time, the "Earl" barked out onto the main line and on towards Coleshill Parkway for a passenger pick-up. The rising of the sun revealed a bleak December landscape with a chill wind biting through the cab. However, as the morning rays slowly broke through, the beauty and peace of the frosty countryside was a wonderful sight as the 4-6-0 marched onward...

"5043 Steams Through The Frost" (Pic - R.Lynm)

We steamed steadily on to Tamworth before a cracking run to Burton. Here the Castle is seen passing Nemesis Rail, picking up speed and getting well on the move as she threw white steam over her shoulder...

"The Castle Roars Past Nemesis Rail" (Pic - C.Baker)

Leaving Burton behind, the 1936-built express engine made good progress into Derbyshire and was snapped by John Whitehouse near Ratcliffe...

"Crossing The River" (Pic - J.Whitehouse)

From our final passenger pick-up at Ilkeston we roared past the Ironville branch which leads to the Midland Railway Centre at Butterley. Sure enough, as we steamed by, the visiting 56XX tank - Telford's 5619 - was stood proudly on the triangle whistling frantically. 5043 duly replied as we left them in a cloud of steam. The next stop was Chesterfield for a brief operational stop...

"The Shining Castle Calls At Chesterfield" (Pic - M.Hardy)

More fast running was in prospect north of Chesterfield as 5043 prepared to run on to her water stop and service point at Pontefract Baghill...

"On The Footplate of 5043 at Chesterfield" (Pic - M.Hardy)

After a cracking run, I alighted the footplate at Pontefract and was put to work with the rest of the team shifting countless coal bags. By now the "Earl"s tender was down in the well and had to be replenished by the addition of the bagged coal. An adjacent road tanker meanwhile filled the tender and the GUV (water carrier) with water whilst the supreme coal lugging trials continued...

Leaving Pontefract behind, we settled down in the Support Coach whilst the Castle made her voice heard on the final few miles to York. The sun was out but the air still very chilly as we arrived in the historic station. With all passengers having alighted, 5043 later propelled the ECS backwards into Holgate sidings, adjacent to the East Coast Main Line. We'd barely been stationary a couple of minutes when 60009 - currently the only operational Gresley A4 pacific - appeared alongside us. The green pacific was due to work another excursion back down the Midland main line on its return run, the outward leg having been hauled by 6100 "Royal Scot"...

"A4 Pacific 'Union of South Africa' Stables Alongside 5043"

In a bizarre twist of steam enthusiasts luck, just as the A4 pulled up we noticed a plume of steam rising from the south and "Royal Scot" came into view with her lengthy train. A chorus of whistles then took place as the three-cylinder machine strolled past us towards the platforms. The "Earl" and the GUV were duly detached from our train and we left the A4 in the sidings and steamed away from York station towards the turntable. Once there, the Castle was detached from the GUV and turned on the modern table. There was a real abundance of warning posts...

Having turned, 5043 was watered and oiled before being coupled back up to the GUV and awaiting the road back to Holgate sidings. "Royal Scot" had appeared in view and was next to turn once we had cleared the area. 5043 slipped easily back to Holgate with her light load, passing a smart little SECR 'P' Class 0-6-0 working train rides in the south yard of the National Railway Museum. I thought - "been on one of them!". Those 'P' class engines are cracking. Anyway, back at Holgate we finished preparing the "Earl" for her return trip and she began steam heating the ECS ready for our departure later in the evening. We were soon passed by the green East Coast Racehorse as she accelerated her long train out of York station heading south. This would have been such a familiar sight in steam days in York. The striking chime whistle was soon blasting as 5043 whistled in reply. Eddie would be pleased to know that the trailing diesel wasn't helping and the Gresley beat carried on the wind as the streamliner disappeared into the distance and the Castle was left alone.

Later on, right on time, we departed the historic York station into the darkness for a storming run back to Tyseley via Doncaster. A water stop on route was carried out by the road tanker once again before the united forces of the "Earl" and the GUV took us home without further need to service. The chat aboard the Support Coach was the usual: all things steam and a general round of putting the world to rights. I tell you what we ate some junk - it was like a Christmas party - everything from chocolates to sweets, hot dogs, mince pies, pasties and even a full Turkey dinner with all the trimmings on the last leg home...we were stuffed! We eat like Kings! Meanwhile, the passengers were returned to their respective joining stations after a most pleasant day out with main line steam behind the stunning 5043...

"Arriving Back at Burton" (Pic - J.Whitehouse)

A few hours later we were back at Tyseley and as usual I darted from the train to quickly grab the "we've just got back" shot. The engine had been wearing "The Legend" headboard since York and for anyone who wondered why...the chap firing is nicknamed amongst us "The Legend" but also 5043 is also arguably a legend in her own right! I must admit it was a humorous addition to the Castle...

After the usual shunt release procedure courtesy of the trusty Class 08, the "Earl" was turned before returning to the shed for the final time in 2017. What a year its been: we've done some great trips, seen some great performances and I have learnt untold amounts of great stuff from the Tyseley team. Its been a pleasure and a privilege to be involved. I never thought I'd get to experience the footplate at 75mph but now I have, multiple times, and it has been absolutely unforgettable. Amazing. Thank you for reading and thank you to the photographers who kindly allowed their images to be used in this post. Cheers all and, of course, Merry Christmas...