Hi all. On this bleak Easter Monday I had nipped over to David's in Austrey to pick up a book and on the way back decided to nip into Shack to see Mr Simmons. Chris brings his layout to "GMW" at Statfold and so always kindly gives out some event leaflets for me. The rain was falling as I arrived at a gloomy Shackerstone. Up on the loading ramp stood the recent stalwart of Battlefield Line steam services: 1953-built Hunslet Austerity "Cumbria". It really was a miserable day, with the dampness congealing the mass of coal dust, ash and ballast so that the yard gave off some very much NCB vibes. As "Cumbria" was coaled for the days passenger services, a couple of chaps in wax coats and mining helmets would have completed the scene...
Wandering down towards the station, I signed in (just in case) and then stood on Platform 2 road awaiting the Austerity. As the rain continued to fall, the red saddle tank drifted cautiously down onto the waiting stock before taking water at the column. It was certainly not a "nice day for it" in these conditions...
Watered and hooked on, "Cumbria" departed Shackerstone on time with the 11am train. After many years the 11:15 has become the 11:00, allowing a lunch break of 15-minutes after the second round trip: luxury. As I chatted to Mark on the pretty much empty train, the Hunslet plodded through the saturated Leicestershire countryside. What a miserable year it's been so far weather-wise: we could do with some sun! It was chilly and depressing as the train slipped past muddy fields, leafless trees and the flooded fen lanes on route to Shenton. Once at the terminus, "Cumbria" ran round and assumed her place at the head of the train ready for the 11:35 departure...
I was glad to have seen "Cumbria" in use for a final time as I believe she only has a week or two left at Shack following a 2.5 year hire period. Whenever I've been on it I've found her a useful and willing engine, perfectly capable of anything Shack can throw at it. These 18" industrials have always been popular in preservation, simply because of their strength and versatility. Equally at home on passenger trains or slogging up and down with mineral wagons in a colliery, the Hunslet Austerity is a marvellous tool and Shack would certainly do well to own one in the future. After a ride back to Shack on the train and a cuppa' with Chris in the shop, I headed for home through the filthy lanes. Maybe we'll do a few Shack jobs this year? - we'll see. Cheers, Sam...
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