A Wet Welland With "Roger" The Wren...

Hi all. Today was our third annual jaunt to Welland Steam Rally, not far from Great Malvern. Each year Statfold sends its popular Erie Steam Shovel and one of the 2ft gauge fleet to be part of the show and the latter is usually crewed by myself & JB on the Sunday. We'd been booked for this job for a few months and in the recent weeks of seemingly unstoppable sunshine it looked like it was going to be a scorcher. How wrong we were! The event was battered by rain throughout Saturday night and it was just as well we took Britt's trusty Land Rover to cope with the muddy conditions. JB was already fuming when he picked me up, having missed the junction on the M6 and descended into a fit of rage blasting out every expletive under the sun (or cloud as it were!). Once on our way we had a good run down to Welland through the persistent rain and arrived a little before 08:00.

I'd lost our passes in the week due to an administration error at home (I think I binned them by mistake!) but thankfully we had a contact. Road Making display organiser Ken had kindly took pity on us and came to our rescue. Next year I won't lose the passes, Ken! Once successfully at our section, we discovered a very damp "Roger" the Wren with a very nice 'block of wood' chimney cap...

As the rain continued to fall it was a pretty miserable morning. The rally organisers did have a think I believe as to whether to continue but in the end the call came - "light the fires!". With any rally ('GMW' included) it's always a shame when such a massive amount of work is potentially ruined by the weather as its the one thing you just can't plan. All you can do is hope for the best...

Lighting "Roger"s fire was the next obstacle for us. There was some slack-ridden coal in the bunker but other non-sodden implements were slightly lacking. I did manage to find some wood which was a tad over-size for the Wren (you could have lit a standard gauge with it!) but needs must. I also managed to beg a lighter from the road making boys as well as the dirty remnants of a tea towel to get me going! Soon enough however, after plenty of effort, a very small but rewarding plume of smoke left the Kerr Stuart's chimney joined by a reassuring crackle from the firebox...

With the engine lit and warming gently, we wandered across to the nearby catering area to catch a Full English. We were one of the few on site that actually had our fire lit! After a stressful morning JB had calmed down at the sight of his snap...

Stomachs replenished, we trudged back through the mud to the engine. All around us there were various engines bogged down and the organisers did declare "no movements" for the bigger stuff until the ground could catch up. By now "Roger" was simmering nicely and the needle was just rising away from the stop. The warmth of the fire was very much appreciated on this bleak morning...

As "Roger" neared working pressure, John began testing the injectors. Unusually, the Kerr Stuart Wren's have the injectors mounted slightly forward of the cab. I can only think that they were designed with spending most of their time stationary in mind. With both injectors having picked up nicely, all was well...

The short 2ft demonstration line runs up through the road making display which is made up of all of the items you'd expect to see in such an area. The section gets busier with interesting exhibits every year and is a credit to Ken and his team. Once we had enough steam to drag our two loaded tipper wagons up the hill, we went for a trundle on "Roger". Without fuss, the little Wren steamed up the track...

After a few trips each on the regulator, JB elected that as the younger member of our duo I should fetch the "kin' tea". I don't know if that's a special brew? Anyway, on my way to the tea bar I couldn't help but stop by and take a look at the standard gauge engine this year: Hunslet Austerity "Wimblebury" of 1956...

I did see a bit of "Wimblebury" last year when I visited it's Foxfield home to oversee "Gomer" put in it's breathless performance at their gala. The Austerity had just returned from a 10-yearly overhaul that weekend but I think since then she's had even more work done. She's only recently been repainted and looked resplendent in her blue livery. She was delivered new to Cannock Wood colliery and I believe she spent her entire working life there before moving into preservation at Foxfield in 1973. The crew aboard "Wimblebury" kindly invited me aboard for a couple of trips on their fine steed. I like the Austerity's: powerful and workable machines that are capable of most of what preservation has to throw at them...

Starting away from the bottom of the bank at Welland with "Wimblebury"...

I really enjoyed my couple of trips on this blue beast. What a nice old thing...

Having thanked the Foxfield chaps for my ride, I quickly grabbed some "kin' tea" before returning to a gasping JB. Tea supped, we were asked to drop one tipper into the side road for unloading. The Welland lads have recently installed a small wagon turntable which allows this move to take place. The provided pickaxe was a bit infuriating to use, with the head sliding down onto your hands every time you swung it!...

Between the hours of 10:00 and 14:00 the rain did subside and a surprising amount of visitors came through the gate. Lucky we steamed up after all...

We later enjoyed a very nice Ice Cream from the nearby van, although JB seemed to have bathed in his rather than ate it! "Roger" meanwhile merrily trundled back and forth with little fuss. This 1918-built 0-4-0 is a very pleasant little thing to operate - unless you're ashing out, that's just awful. Just after 14:00 the heavens opened again and the threatening skies sent down some battering heavy rain. I took this shot from the small tin shed that acts as a tool store as "Roger" simmers in the pouring rain...

The downpour did go over slightly but was followed by persistent light rain and so disposal procedures very quickly began! Having removed the two tippers from the demo line using the wagon turntable, I took "Roger" up the line for one last run light engine. What a nice, if a bit damp, day we'd had...

Once back at the foot of the line we deadened the fire, filled the boiler and emptied that horrendous ashpan (you can't move in there between the frames!) before leaving "Roger" to simmer quietly with the chimney capped. She'll be heading home to Statfold tomorrow and will no doubt be glad of the cosy shelter of the Roundhouse...

By just gone 15:00 we were queuing out of the gate with a variety of other rain-soaked exhibitors before rumbling back along the M5 and M42 homeward...

All in all we'd had a very nice day that nearly didn't happen at all. Welland is always an enjoyable experience and it's always pleasant to crew "Roger" the Wren. Thanks to Statfold for asking us again, thanks to Ken for getting us in and thanks to JB for his usual comical company. I'm off to ring my cap out now, cheers all, Sam...

Tyseley: A Pannier & A Peckett...

Hi all. Today was a busy volunteer Saturday at Tyseley Loco Works in Birmingham. During the morning I was put to work with the lovely Pannier Tank 9600 on a clean out job: firebox and smokebox. After her efforts at the open weekend the other week it was time for a thorough clean out and so, wearing a pair of fresh white disposable overalls and a mask, I headed into the firebox with my lead lamp and brush...

Cleaning out the firebox involves removing each fire bar in turn, making your way across the grate. With the bars out you can clean the carriers before replacing them one by one. Whilst you're in there it's always worth brushing down the plate work and the stay nuts, especially the crown stays. Any accumulated muck on the stay nuts doesn't do them any favours so it's always best to keep them as clean as possible. I was absolutely filthy when I came out and no doubt I'll find myself coughing up smuts for a week - this is the romance of steam!...

Once the firebox was clean it was time to do the same in the smokebox - another filthy job that has to be done. After lunch I was put to work on Peckett No1 - Works number 2004 of 1941. The engine is beginning her 10-yearly overhaul and so I was put to work in the smokebox removing the floor ready for the blast pipe to come out. This is another dirty job and it's fair to say that I went home in a filthy state tonight, although it had been a rewarding day with plenty of good work done on the fine fleet of engines. Another good day at 84E. Until next time, Sam...

An Exmoor Sunday: "St Egwin" of Evesham...

Hi all. In the continuing hot and sunny weather it was a relief this morning to find that my Evesham turn was rostered to the large Exmoor 0-4-0 "St Egwin". I don't think I could have survived a day on "Monty" in this heat! I arrived at the Twyford base of the EVLR at just gone 08:00, in plenty of time for the 08:30 sign on. Having met up with owners Adrian & Sandra, we unlocked the engine shed and rolled the green tender engine outside. With England's recent World Cup defeat, a lot more passengers than originally planned were expected during the afternoon. "Egwin" had been used yesterday and so was still nice and warm...

With the compressed air line attached in readiness, I made all of my usual checks before lighting up some rags on the shovel...

With the rags blazing away on the grate, I added a good pile of dry wood on top before a bed of coal. I then closed the large 'pizza oven' style door and left the engine to get on with it with help from the air line. With an engine as hot as this you only need enough draft to keep the smoke from coming back...

There's always a nice atmosphere on shed at Evesham on sunny mornings like this. The occasional "Good morning" from a passing dog walker is all that breaks the sound of birdsong and the crackling of the fire as you make your way around performing your preparation tasks. As the fire begins to catch, the chimney exhaust briefly turns a lot darker as the open cast Welsh coal starts to take...

With the fire going well it's time to start cleaning: Peek for the brasses, Pledge for the paint. It's a good half hour with the rags to get around the loco...

"Egwin" has a very rigorous cleaning procedure, right down to the little brass padlocks which lock the safety valve adjusters. She always comes up lovely...

With "St Egwin" nearing immaculate condition, Adrian & Sandra appeared with a tray of tea which we enjoyed in the breezy shade of the trees on the picnic bench. Tea supped, I returned to the engine to grease the main bearings and fill the motion oil points and pots. With the lubrication tasks complete all you have to do is charge the air reservoir to full pressure before leaving shed. The engine was shining in the sun as we pulled up at the mouth of the yard to blow down the boiler. The blow-down procedure violently expels steam and water at the foundation ring, hopefully taking with it any harmful deposits which leave the water during evaporation into steam...

Job done, I dropped the engine down the line a little further before assuming reverse and hissing backwards with the drain cocks open. This is really your first proper use of the regulator and any accumulated water in the exhaust passages and blast pipe will leave the chimney any second. If you're going backwards the buffer beam tends to receive the black smuts rather than your nice clean boiler barrel - it doesn't always work but it did today! We then slowly backed down onto the articulated open coaches for the 10:30 departure for Evesham Vale...

Leaving Twyford following a "Right Away" from the Guard, "St Egwin" easily got the weight moving and we had a very nice circuit. This is a very strong engine and the rebuild she received last year has brought her back to as new condition. Here, the 0-4-0 waits for departure from Evesham Vale with the returning 11:00 trip...

Simmering in the sun prior to the departure of the 12:30 train...

The "Road Ahead" at Evesham Vale on the returning 12:30...

"St Egwin" was named after Egwin of Evesham, a Benedictine monk who died in December 717. He founded Evesham Abbey and was at one time the third Bishop of Worcester. The locomotive was built by the Exmoor Steam Railway for owner Steve Bell in 2003 as works number 312 to run at Evesham...

The 14:00 train was a birthday special for Toby. The afternoon workings were strengthened to four coaches and it was advisable to take "Egwin" steady on the banks with the massive abundance of dry grass. A large patch of ash at the foot of Fishers Bank was a tell-tale giveaway to a large lineside fire that took place a few weeks ago. Thankfully we had no fires today despite the hot weather...

 A look at the pleasant workable cab aboard "St Egwin"...

Waiting in the sun at Evesham Vale with the returning 15:30 trip...

A steady fire in the box of "St Egwin". The Welsh coal had provided a constant heat all day long despite being run fairly thin to prevent blowing off...

My last trip with "St Egwin" was the 16:00, with the 16:30 being taken by diesel "Cromwell" to give us a head start on disposal. The Exmoor is off to Fairbourne for a gala next week and so we had a few more jobs to do...

On shed after a pleasant last trip, "St Egwin" had her fire thinned, ashpan emptied, boiler filled, tubes swept, smokebox emptied and coal space cleaned. It was then time for a final buff up of the paint and brasses prior to putting her back in the shed. After a day in this sweltering heat, the tubes nearly finished me off...

Well that's it: another great day at Evesham. Thank you to Adrian & Sandra for their continued hospitality and thanks to Steve for providing me a great engine to drive. My next EVLR turn is August Bank Holiday Sunday. Until next time, Sam...

Tyseley's Summer Steam Weekend...

Each year Tyseley Locomotive Works holds two open weekends: one in the Summer, one in the Autumn. This weekends June event was dubbed "Tyseley at Home" and was a slightly smaller affair than usual with only three of the fleet in steam. After a good day shunting with the lads on the Friday making things ready, I spent both days of the weekend at 84E helping on various jobs. On Saturday morning I spent a few hours with 9600 getting her ready for her day on the passenger shuttle with Batesy. When we arrived at the loco at 7am she had plenty of steam on the clock and, apart from finishing the oiling, there wasn't much to do before preparation was complete. Here, Phil uses the oil pump to fill the top pot on the rear drivers axlebox with motion oil. In this case the pot lubricates the cheeks and the boss face...

It was a beautiful sunny Saturday morning at Tyseley, although it was already baking when the gates were opened to the public at 10am. The cloudless blue sky made for a lovely sight from our shining BR Black steed as we awaited the board on Platform 1 road. The shuttle train is made up of two of the MK II coaches we use for excursions but unusually we had to turn one of them this morning before we coupled them together. 9600 would take the coach down for turning and then be turned herself... 

9600 is a lovely thing to drive. With the road given, a pip on the whistle followed by a tug on the regulator got her on the move. Considering she is quickly nearing the end of her 10-year ticket, she is still like a new un'. We were soon waiting at the top of the yard for the road to the turntable once the Class 08 was clear...

With the coach turned and positioned on the coal road, I took 9600 onto the table for turning. After spinning 180 degrees, we dropped back onto the coach and then hissed away towards No20 disk signal. The passenger train was soon coupled together and it was then time for 9600 to draw clear and return to the middle road so that the 08' could bring out the stock for us to get on the right end. There's always plenty of shunting at Tyseley! Later on, 9600 basks in the warm sunshine on this sweltering day...

I drove and fired 9600 up and down with Batesy on a few trips during the morning before handing over to celebrated main line driver Ray Churchill. Two of the big engines: "Rood Ashton Hall" and "Clun Castle": were in steam for the weekend, with 5043 taking a break from proceedings due to overrunning maintenance...

It was a steady day really. There were quite a few visitors and 9600's trains seemed fairly full as she trotted back and forth but on the whole it was a relaxed event. Later, 9600 rests on the level crossing after the termination of passenger services...

Before I washed up and headed for home on Saturday night, I grabbed this shot of the lovely Jubilee "Bahamas" that is very quickly nearing completion now. She'd been dragged forward from her resting place at the back of the erecting shop for display. I have distant memories as a child seeing this double chimney Jubilee in steam at Shack way back when but only just. I can't wait to see her going...

Sunday morning quickly rolled around and I arrived at Tyseley at 06:30...you get no sleep with steam engines! I was asked to start preparing 9600 again and was told I'd probably spend the afternoon shift on her. The first thing to do, as usual, was to have a good check around the engine. I cleaned the grate and the smokebox before lighting the embryo fire. Craig & Tony kindly provided a good pile of wood for me...

With pressure gently rising I grabbed my feeders and performed another act of contortionism to get back inside the frames of 9600. I knew most of the pots and oiling points wouldn't need any oil but it never hurts to check. The worst thing about oiling a Pannier tank is that once you're in there you tend to forget how you got in and have to turn yourself into a split-pin to get yourself back out! Once oiled, 9600 was nearing full pressure and with Craig aboard I drove her gently back via No20 disk to reach the running line. After receiving the shunt signal to drop forward towards the station, we stopped to refill the 1200-gallon tanks with water...

Waiting in the platform for the first shuttle train of the day...

A hazy view of the lovely light cab on Pannier Tank 9600...

Before passenger trains could begin, "Clun Castle" had to drop back for water. She is quite a sight when she's outside in the sun. What a lovely machine...

A turntable view: 4965, 7029, 5043, 5080 and Small Prairie 4588...

After 9600's morning shift, crewed by Ray and Stuart, she returned to the shed road for stabling whilst the two big engines completed their cavalcade...

For the afternoon myself, Stuart and Batesy crewed the engine and had a very pleasant time. It's nice ticking back and forward with this fine Pannier, built at Swindon in 1945. I particularly like the lined black livery...

9600 rests at the end of the day before the put-away shunting began...

Once free and turned, the Pannier waits for the road to the shed for disposal...

Finally, 9600 simmers quietly after a great weekend on the shuttle train...

Well that's it folks, another Tyseley open weekend is at an end. The next one is in September and by all accounts that sounds like it's going to be a big one, celebrating 50 years of Tyseley Locomotive Works. Thank you to the Tyseley lads for their continued hospitality - I had a great time. Proud to be involved. Cheers then, Sam...