Tyseley at 50: The Saturday...

Here we go again: another Tyseley Open Weekend post! I did try to consolidate this into one post but there were just so many pictures that I've spread it across two: Saturday & Sunday. So here we are: 50 Years of Tyseley. The event was held to celebrate 50 years since flagship locomotive "Clun Castle" moved to the site to begin the preservation rebirth. It was cold when I left the house this morning with temperatures arguably on the edge of a frost as I made my way along the M6 and A45 to reach Tyseley for around 06:30. Wandering across the quiet car park I found Guss and Andrew sitting in the Mess Hut. After a quick chat and a catch up Alastair arrived and we walked down through the engine shed as the dim light slowly gave way to sunrise. The two double chimney Castle's were stationed on 'Three Road' and it wasn't long before "Clun" was warming her cylinders in preparation to move off...

I was asked to light up and prepare 7752 which I'd warming fired the day before. The engine was up on the King Shed road around the turntable. There was some heat emanating from her as I walked past the smokebox to reach the footplate steps but she was still a little way off steam. Clambering up into the cab I opened the gauge glass which read an acceptable 1/2 a glass of water; a level confirmed by opening the test cock at the bottom of the glass to drain and refill. It was then time to look in the firebox and have a good check around the stays and fusible plugs. With all well, I set off in search of a fire iron to clear the grate. As the Pannier has only just returned from her summer jaunt to the Dartmouth Steam Railway she was still lacking all of her kit which usually includes irons, oil bottles, feeders and tools. This was all in storage in the works so I'd collect it once she was lit up. 

Over by the coal pile I managed to find an iron with which to clear the bars but it was quite literally the longest iron I'd ever seen. You could have cleared a Lord Nelson's grate with it with a few feet to spare but it would do. Grate cleared and all checks made, I lit the embryo fire using Stuart's lighter. I'd already destroyed Guss' lighter - much to his annoyance. I only flicked the little wheel once and it ejected violently skywards before hitting the cab roof and coming back down. God only knows where that ended up but I don't think Guss will ever lend me a lighter again...

With the rags blazing away on the grate amongst my layer of coal, I added a good mound of wood on top. The wood was sourced from all areas of the turntable roads and was quite an assortment. As soon as the wood had taken hold I added a good helping of coal on top before leaving 7752 to get on with it. The darkened exhaust at the chimney and the tell-tale crackling confirmed that all was well...

With the engine lit and warming nicely I wandered back down to the shed to collect her assortment of oil bottles and the feeder. Having topped them up at the oil store I walked back to the engine to begin oiling round. It was a beautiful cool morning: sunshine and bright blue skies; a real contrast to the horrid rain of last Saturday. The first item to oil up is the hydrostatic lubricator. With the lubricator off you can drain the previous remnants of oil & water away before undoing the filler cap and filling with cylinder oil. Most saturated and basic superheat engines use a 680-grade oil whereas higher superheat applications such as the double chimney Castle's and probably engines such as the Duchess would use a 1000-grade. With the lubricator done I could move onto the various motion oil points dotted around the engine.

I've explained before about oiling up Pannier tanks and to be honest it never gets anymore fun. The number of expletives used when completing the process only ever seems to increase! Their Stephenson's motion and cranks are situated between the frames and really, in my opinion, you need to be in there to access everything properly. Therefore, despite my growing inability to do so, I always like to drop in if I can. Once inside (which requires the skill of a practised contortionist) I tend to forget how I got in so struggle to get out but I do manage to get to everything. By the time I'd oiled up the engine was making steam nicely and 5043 had been brought down for turning and stabling. The pair were face to face...

The "Earl" was turned before gracefully dropping back alongside single chimney sister No5080 "Defiant". She would rest up until the cavalcade later on...

When the steam allowed I added a little blower to keep the smoke from coming back into 52's cab. The needle was rising gently as the hose topped up the tanks...

It was then time for "Bahamas" to steadily drop down and cross the turntable to sit on the coal road next to sister Jubilee "Kolhapur". Once she was clear, the table was set for 52' and I was asked to draw her forward for turning. Having made all of the usual checks, I warmed the steam brake in readiness for moving off. One thing we always do with a combi-brake engine is run with the bag off when light engine. If you don't, the GWR vacuum pump will create a reservoir and the steam brake will then only operate when that reservoir is destroyed, thereby creating a delay in braking and then coming in like a steam hammer. The steam brake goes from very controllable to all or nothing very quickly in these situations, hence why you may see light engines running with the bag off. Vacuum braked engines are different.

Steadily, I dropped 7752 off the table and down towards No20 disc signal with the drain cocks hissing. Once clear of the annex road the route was set for "Clun Castle" to drop down to the table alongside her Castle sisters. The Class 08 then drew the three-coach shuttle train clear so that I could take 52' out onto the back and couple up. Soon enough, with coaches attached, we dropped down to the signalbox to make some final checks before continuing into the platform in readiness for service...

With all ready we ticked down into the platform where a few passengers were already gathered, with services commencing at around 10:30. The train staff was delivered to the engine by Tim and, with the engine steaming well on Stuart's fire, all we had to do was await the "Right Away" from the Guard. Tyseley is set up to allow bi-directional working, with the signals set to the 'off' position in both directions on the running line. The train staff includes keys for the crossing gates and the 'King Lever' in the signalbox, ensuring that all is safe for the moves back and forth. With this lever out of the frame the other levers become locked and inoperable. Once you get the flag from the Guard you can set off and propel the train past the signalbox and towards the yard limit. The stop boards near the yard gates mark the end of museum operations before you reach Network Rail metals.

7752 is great fun to chuff up and down with and three coaches really is no issue. However, the addition of Pullman Car 'Eagle' in the usually two coach rake made for an extra (and quite noticeable) 40 tons train weight. 52', for some reason, is louder at the chimney than 9600 by some degree: it must be something in the exhaust passages that's different. After a few runs back and forth with good passenger numbers, the platform began to look packed near lunchtime as 'Eagle' was formally rededicated after restoration. An almost royal train of dignitaries from the railway world would join the Pullman for a buffet lunch which put no pressure at all on my inadequate driving skills. Suffice to say I was doing my smoothest braking for fear of later rebuke...

We breathed a sigh of relief once the VIP's left the train: I didn't want to spill Lady McAlpine's lunch! 7752 meanwhile was having an easy day...

Built by North British in 1930 (along with Tyseley shed-mate 7760), 7752 was one of thirteen 5700 Class Panniers bought by London Transport for use on P-Way trains after their BR careers had ended. 52' (numbered L94 as she carries today) has the claim to fame of being the 'Last Steam Train On The Underground' as she pulled the last working in 1971. I believe six of the LT Pannier's survive and I've been on two: this one and 5786. It's amazing though how many people still think the livery is for show. "They didn't really use these on the Underground did they?" is a common question. At around 13:00 we were relieved of the train staff and ordered to "Obey All Signals" for the ECS working to 'Five Road' via the motor points. Once safely inside, the four-locomotive cavalcade of big engines (comprising 5043, 7029, 4965 and 45596) could move out onto the demo line; and quite a sight they were too...

We were given free luncheon vouchers today (it's always nice to have a staff perk) but due to the surprising popularity of the catering van they had sold out by the time we had stabled 7752. Stuart therefore kindly wandered over to the chippy on the Warwick Road and returned with two stunning Mini Fish & Chips: cheers mate!...

Fish & Chips absolutely demolished, we enjoyed some of the fabulous "Clun Castle" celebration cake: we got some tender each! Fed and watered, we returned to 52' to clean the fire and splash some more oil round ready for the afternoon shift. Fireman Phil Allison and celebrated main line driver Ray Churchill would be our relief crew for the PM shift and we swapped over once I'd returned 52' to the platform, now with 9600 on the tail. We spent the afternoon relaxing, chatting and generally enjoying the atmosphere of the event. Thanks to Statfold chum 'Nice Guy James' I got a drive on the visiting 15" Atlantic "Count Louis". What a lovely thing, built by Bassett-Lowke in 1924 for namesake Count Louis Zborowski: the English racing driver who co-founded the Romney Hythe & Dymchurch Railway. A very responsive, strong and graceful machine that I was pleased to be let loose with on the 15" demo line...

Over the way stood Fowler Showmans Engine "Repulse" with her Organ...

Later in the day, 9600 rests after the termination of passenger services. She, along with 5043, was on her final weekend in service prior to withdrawal for overhaul...

At around 18:00 I decided it was time to head for home after a fantastic day crewing at and enjoying the 'Tyseley at 50' event. I can't wait until tomorrow for more of the same. Thanks to all who contributed to a great day...

Tyseley at 50: The Friday...

The Friday of any Tyseley open weekend is always busy but today in particular, preparing for the big 'Tyseley at 50' event, was something else. Having booked a day off work I arrived at the former 84E at just before 09:00. There were already a number of attractions being constructed in the car park, including the steam gallopers and the 15" gauge miniature railway. Wandering down towards the works I found Nicky & Batesy having their tea break. After a quick chat I was put to work with Stuart who was just starting up the trusty Ruston diesel shunter. Our first job was to grab recently returned Pannier Tank 7752 (L94) and take her across for coaling. It was a lovely sunny morning as we settled 7752 on the coal road...

Having caused a huge dust storm during the coaling process, we returned 52' to the King Shed road ready for lighting up later in the day. Whilst Stuart stopped for break at 10:00, I wandered across to complete the favour Batesy had requested: lighting up his steam roller. The Aveling & Porter "Louise" was stood behind the station platforms and would need some steam during the afternoon to move herself into the car park. Having lit the fire on wood before adding some coal, "Louise" began crackling away to herself happily as a steady plume of smoke drifted skyward from the tall chimney. I kept returning now and again to check on her but for the most part she was left to her own devices whilst we shunted the turntable. Tyseley is like a big board game on event weekends: there is a place for everything but you just need to get it there! Therefore we spend our afternoons shunting anything and everything from locomotives to wagons and wheelsets. There is a significant amount of shunting to do!

As the day wore on I was asked to light up 7752. The red Pannier arrived back from her summer holidays at the Dartmouth Steam Railway during the week and would see use during both days of the event on the popular shuttle trains...

Once we'd cleared the required turntable roads we could start receiving items from the lads shunting at the other end of the site. The top bank shunting had been completed so we could drop down with the Ruston and grab 5080 "Defiant". Once she was on the turntable she was shunted back to rest alongside fellow single chimney Castle 7027 "Thornbury Castle". "Thornbury" is now at Tyseley for restoration to main line running condition and, as many of you will know, "Defiant" is also subject to a restoration appeal. Hopefully we'll see them both in steam again one day...

Once 5080 was in position we could trundle back and fetch the chunky Jubilee "Kolhapur" and station her on her road alongside the 'Fruit D' van. Operations were then halted for a couple of hours whilst Jubilee "Bahamas": freshly returned to steam: took over the demo line to impress the assembled crowds invited for her 'Roll Out Day'. 45596 is freshly out-shopped after a painstaking restoration at Tyseley and looks fabulous: I'll try to photograph her during the weekend. I left Tyseley today at around 17:30 and the lads were still very much on with the shunting. I'll be back at 84E at around 06:30 tomorrow morning. Roll on tomorrow! Cheers all, Sam...

Tyseley: A PTS Renewal...

Hi all. Following the recent weeks of pleasant weather, today's mixture of heavy rain and wind really brought home the fact that Autumn is well and truly here. It was pouring down as I drove along the A45 towards Tyseley, arriving there at around 9:30am. Thankfully the inclement weather wouldn't affect us too much today as we would be in a warm classroom taking our new PTS (Personal Track Safety) course. All of us who operate out on the main line with the Support Crew must have a PTS and a Medical to show we are competent to carry out our duties. My original PTS was completed at the base of West Coast railways in Carnforth in 2016 but the new one we completed today is for the Vintage Trains TOC. The lads were no doubt hesitant at giving me another as it meant they'd have to endure many more months of "Sam Brandist here: main line registered PTS and Medical!". The course was enjoyable to be honest and it's always nice to receive another qualification. The PTS allows us to perform duties within Network Rail boundaries when required; for example, when out on a tour with the engine as Support Crew. It is an integral part of what we do. I can't wait to get back out there again with our great team...

Tyseley: Polishing A Thoroughbred...

Hi all. Today involved another productive volunteer Saturday at Tyseley, once again featuring the wonderful Castle Class 4-6-0 No5043 "Earl of Mount Edgcumbe". The "Earl" standing out of steam at the June open weekend caused much speculation amongst the admiring public but eventually it was announced that she'd participate in the September event to celebrate 50 years of Tyseley. This would be her final public appearance in steam on her current ticket. Today the 1936-built thoroughbred was dragged from her slumbers by the growling Class 08 diesel shunter. Once outside under the blue sky, her fire was lit and the small band of volunteers began their various tasks. Myself & Jake were put to work cleaning her up for a series of appearances over the next couple of days. I was on polishing duties up on the barrel whilst Jake pushed a few rags around her 6ft 8.5" driving wheels...

5043 was purchased from Barry Scrapyard in 1973, predominately to offer a spare boiler to Tyseley flagship 7029 "Clun Castle". After many years of storage it was announced in 1996 that the engine would be restored for use on the main line, in 1950s condition with Hawksworth tender and double chimney. The "Earl" eventually moved under her own steam in 2008. I wonder if the chaps who bought her in 1973 even dared to dream what a formidable performer their 'spare boiler' would become. 5043 has put in some staggering performances and is known to many as the 'King of the Castles'. Today was certainly a pleasure, listening to the fire crackling away and watching the smoke drift steadily skyward from the copper capped chimney...

Later in the day the 08' was cranked up once again in order to remove 4965 "Rood Ashton Hall" from the front of the Castle. By now she was warming through nicely and the image below joins one of many of the same pose in my collection...

By 4:30pm I decided it was time to head for home after a good day cleaning the "Earl". As I say she will take part in the 'Tyseley at 50' event at the end of the month, hopefully alongside five other engines in steam as well as many other attractions. I'm sure it'll be a great weekend saying goodbye to the "Earl". Thanks all, Sam...

An Indian Summer: Driving Statfold's "Alpha"...

"Driving 'Alpha' Towards The Bank" (Pic - Ken of Bonkser - Flickr)

Statfold Open Day's have forever provided me with much enjoyment whilst driving and firing the various members of the impressive fleet of locomotives and today was no exception. My first booked turn on board 0-6-0 Hudswell Clarke "Alpha" was a cracking experience and here is the story of our day. After a blustery drive through the darkness of the A444, I arrived at the SBR at just before 06:00. Having parked in the field and unloaded my kit, I made my way to the shed frontage where I'd left "Alpha" the night before. The Hayling lads were just starting to put lighters to the engines as I turned up and so it was my job to light up our Hudswell. With a smaller engine we don't tend to bother with a coal bed, just light your paraffin soaked rags and get the wood going and follow with coal later. It wasn't long before I had a blaze on...

Fireman Ben soon arrived and began adding coal to the crackling wood fire. The darkened exhaust from "Alpha"s chimney confirmed that all was well as the dim light slowly gave way to sunrise. All around, the rest of the colourful Statfold fleet were coming to life. By 07:00 "Alpha" was warming through nicely with a good draw from the tall chimney. I've never quite known a freshly lit up cold engine draw like this one did this morning: no smoke came back at us at all...

Whilst Ben continued to keep an eye on the fire, I made my way around the engine with the oil can. The Walschaerts valve gear adds relative ease to the process and there was nothing particularly out of reach. It was a very relaxed preparation this morning as with a clean engine you have little to do but raise steam, oil up and go. Behind us, our American partner for the day: the Davenport crewed by Karl & Elspeth: was also brewing up. The only waiting time was the usual queue for the long nosed feeder which can reach the axleboxes. As you rarely need a feeder for anything else on the smaller engines, the one is generally passed around between the locomotives...

There was just enough time to grab our free Sausage & Bacon cob from the van before the usual 08:30 Safety Briefing on the lawn... 

With the briefing complete, the assembled hoards of bib and brace clad drivers and firemen returned to their various steeds to await the off. One or two consists left the shed before us but when the time came it was up to the Davenport to lead us down to the headshunt. With a pip on both whistles and a hiss of steam, away we went. Both engines have steam brakes but the one on the American engine is about as useful as a handbrake on a canoe and so "Alpha" was employed for stopping purposes on the steep gradient. Coming to rest outside the signalbox, we awaited the next inbound train hauled by "Howard". Today's pairing was quite fitting as the duo worked together at the Ryam Sugar Company in India; just one of many pairings kept together by Statfold. One could get quite poetic about things like this...

Here is a view from the other side as "Alpha" prepares to haul her American cousin up into the platform once the freight train had arrived...

"Howard": driven by Batesy: could be heard clearly on the breeze as she attacked the climb through the Jurassic Park gates from Oak Tree with a freight. Batesy was being put to the test with a heavy train and "Howard" sounded like an 8F on the Lickey as she barked past the Tram Shed and into view, firing a 40ft column of smoke vigorously skyward. It was later found that a wagon brake was dragging on him as they went past, much to Phil's annoyance as we gesticulated in humorous jest. With the freight safely inside, the next passenger train departed before the road was set for our short climb into the old bay platform. "Alpha" hissed into life, expelling reams of condensate onto the ballast before her. Despite both the cylinder drains and valve chest taps being open (and providing a dense fog to drive into) "Alpha" still persisted in coughing up plenty of black muck which was duly thrown over her clean boiler barrel. Oh well, we buffed it off once coupled up. We then awaited the road...

With the next up passenger train clear, our consist was given the road to depart. Both engines were rubbing their steam brakes as we collected the token at the signalbox and proceeded into the section. We were stopped briefly at Oak Tree before departing into the next section towards the balloon loop. Once stationary, two American engines met as the Buzzard Baldwin marched past on the High Level train...

It was a changeable morning weather wise: the early drizzle gave way to bouts of dryness with a chilly breeze but the sun never really came out. After a successful first return trip behind the surprisingly loud and punchy Davenport, we arrived back at Statfold and awaited shunt release. Too long for the turntable, our consist rolled gently down into the headshunt to await the next move.

For the second trip of the day: this time on the ex-Lynton coaches: "Alpha" was on the front. There was a short delay at Statfold whilst a problem with the Mallet was rectified at the balloon loop, causing all operations to be stopped. Eventually we were given the road to proceed "Under Caution" to Oak Tree. You don't really get a feel for an engine until she's at the head of the train and as we hissed out of Statfold "Alpha" began to come into her own. Having closed the drain cocks the engine accelerated out past the Tram Shed and down through the Jurassic Park gates. She absolutely glided along the track with a fantastic ride quality for a fairly short wheelbase 0-6-0. Arriving at Oak Tree we were given a Green Flag to proceed into the station area and were brought to a stand in the loop. With the next section soon cleared, we awaited the Guard's "Right Away". He must have fallen asleep as a good 5 minutes of gesturing and raising of arms elapsed from our end of the train before the flag and an apologetic wave appeared. Frustrated, we departed for the balloon loop...

After a brief stop at Cogan Halt we continued our merry journey. Fireman Ben had the job well in hand and the steam was hugging the red line as we approached the bank; as seen in the title shot of this post. As we steamed along the bottom straight it was clear that "Alpha" was another engine of deception with strength far outweighing her stature. As the Hudswell marched along with barely a murmur, I turned to Karl on the Davenport (shut-off) and said "stick another coach on chaps!". I think Ben may have gotten bored by the end of the day with my constant remarks of "aren't you a lovely old thing'" to "Alpha"! (I'm afraid I talk to engines, as do most of my locomotive colleagues!). Anyway, after a slip at the foot of the bank the Hudswell dug in and pulled the train up with ease. After watering at Oak Tree we returned to Statfold once more, marching up into the platform with an audible chuff at the chimney...

After shunt release, our Ryam duo are seen simmering in the headshunt...

The third trip saw the Davenport in the lead again, with "Alpha" helping where necessary. That trip, for some reason, was plagued with small issues, almost as if some gremlins had boarded the train! Despite this though we still had a good run and soon found ourselves back in the damp headshunt once more. Karl & Elspeth then set to cooking lunch on the shovel and we were both very pleased when they supplied us with some too! Karl rustled up some American style burgers (a mark of respect to his USA-built locomotive) and they came with all the trimmings and even potato chips as a side! Thank you both for the burgers: we literally lived the American dream! For our fourth and final trip (our second on the front), myself and Ben swapped roles...

"Ryam Partners" (Pic - M.Waldron)

I found "Alpha" to be just as lovely on the fireman's side and she is definitely up near the top of my list now. What a lovely old thing. After a great last trip: with Ben showing me up completely with his much neater and slip free driving I might add: we were shunt released before returning to the shed...

"Back to Shed" (Pic - M.Waldron)

Back on shed, we began preparing the engine to be bedded down for the night as we only required enough steam for the steam brake to stop our ensemble running away down the bank as we dropped into the headshunt for the cavalcade and that was it. The fire was thinned and the engine cleaned. I then had a good nattering session with John whilst the final shunts took place out on the railway...

"On Shed with the Hudswell" (Pic - M.Waldron)

Finally, our pairing dropped down to the headshunt to join the rest of the fleet for the big whistle up. The Davenport was ready for bed even before we got there and Karl & Elspeth stepped off as soon as we were stationary! After filling our boiler we isolated the necessaries and left the engine for the night as the final visitors made their way towards the car park. A beer and a potato was now in order after another very enjoyable day driving on the Statfold Barn Railway. My thanks as always must go to the SBR for continuing to let me loose with their fine engines and to Fireman Ben for putting up with me. Thank you also to Ken & Max for sending in some of the images used in this post. Thanks all, until next time, Sam...

A Statfold September: Preparing "Alpha"...

Hi all. Regular readers will know that Statfold Barn holds three of its renowned Enthusiast Days each year, with the final one in September being arguably the biggest. Today, after work, I made my way over to the Tamworth base of the SBR to start preparation on my engine for tomorrows season finale: "Alpha". A lovely Hudswell Clarke 0-6-0 of 1922, "Alpha" was painstakingly restored at Statfold after a life overseas working for the Ryam Sugar Company in India. Although she's been in traffic since 2016, I've always kind of 'missed' "Alpha" for want of a better word. Everyone else says how good she is and JB heralds her proudly as his favourite SBR locomotive so I'm quite looking forward to tomorrows outing. Arriving at around 14:00, I wandered over to the shed frontage and found "Alpha" amongst several of her British built cousins. After grabbing a handful of rags and some polish, I clambered up onto the pannier tanks to start cleaning the lined green livery...

The Met Men had promised plenty of the wet stuff overnight and into tomorrow and so the cleaning had to happen today or be forgotten. In the meantime JB arrived and made me a very welcome coffee which he even delivered to the engine. After a rant about cheeky kids, JB later proceeded to make me another coffee later on. I fear for his health when things like this happen! Anyway, after a pleasant afternoon making my way around "Alpha" and attempting to become a little familiar with her, I decided to head for home at around 5pm. By now I'd added wood to the footplate and pushed it against the doorplate to keep it as dry as possible under the cab roof should the storms come. Most Statfold engines have cabs that were really designed as sun screens rather than rain stoppers so they don't always keep the wood dry if you aren't careful! Nobody would have thought that rain was on the way as "Alpha" basked in the evening sun alongside "Howard" tonight. If only we'd ran them today...

Having signed out, I wandered over the footbridge towards the car park via the New Road platform. Here stood the two visiting engines for the event. The Leighton Buzzard Baldwin and the newly restored Hunslet 4-6-0 were preparing for a day on the High Level line as the sun began to set. They're both fine engines...

With that I jumped into the car and headed home via the A444. Tomorrow we're booked to arrive at 06:00 to begin preparations. I can't wait: you can't beat a Statfold Open Day and I look forward to seeing what "Alpha" can do. Cheers all, Sam...