Tonight was another very enjoyable evening driving at the Statfold Barn Railway aboard Hunslet Brazil Class "Trangkil No4". Since Statfold adopted "Giant Miniature Weekend" in 2016, the events calendar has steadily grown and now includes a selection of more family-based events to compliment the outstanding enthusiast-focussed regulars. In recognition of their future strategy, the railway had elected to run six nights of Halloween specials marketed under the 'Steam and Scream' banner. Tonight was the first of these special events and involved two-locomotive operation on a top and tailed train. I'd given my availability for this turn a few months ago and was pleased to find that I was booked to drive "Trangkil" when the roster came out last week. I arrived at the SBR in good time for my 14:00 sign in: what a gentleman's turn that is! As I walked in, personal favourite Bagnall "Isibutu" was dressed for the occasion in the New Road platform. She would be a welcome ornament for arriving passengers...
Having signed in at the lamp hut and read the notices, I wandered out onto the shed frontage where I found the two rostered locomotives. "Fiji" and "Trangkil" were smoking proudly on the shed with their appropriate decorations...
My fireman for the evening: Ian: was gently bringing "Trangkil" around on a bright fire. Both engines were already well warmed in anticipation of this SBR 'first'. I had a good look around No4 before assisting Ian with the remainder of the oiling. Built in 1971 as the last steam locomotive constructed at Hunslet's Jack Lane works, she was exported to Trangkil Sugar Mill in north Java where she worked for over 30 years. The engine was rescued in 2004 and brought back to Statfold for restoration and regauging to 2ft: she was originally 750mm gauge. Surprisingly, the return of Britain's last steam locomotive met some resistance from enthusiasts who wished it to remain in its natural habitat. I think by now she would be razor blades if she'd remained and so the SBR should be commended for saving this important piece of Hunslet history. Oiling on "Trangkil" is arguably the easiest on any SBR engine, with ease of access provided by her workman-like Hackworth valve gear and marine rods...
Ian (SBR staff) had the job totally in hand and so I wandered off to grab a cuppa' from the Mess Room before returning to the engine. SBR volunteer and roving photographer Barry was aboard "Fiji" doing the brasses...
The evening had a simple three-train format, providing hourly services from Statfold Junction between 5pm and 8pm. The two locomotives would share the duties whilst top and tailing the three-coach train, which was made up of decorated Severn Lamb stock. As our off shed time neared, the clouds began to part and an impressive Autumnal sun shone down on our Friday night steeds...
At around 16:15 the yard shunt signal was given and the radio hailed us off shed. After a blast on the loud A4 chime whistle, I steadily drove "Trangkil" off shed and dropped down towards the signalbox. No4 doesn't have a steam brake and so I drive from the firemans side to work the handbrake. Soon enough, after emitting masses of condensate as she backed up, the engine was coupled to the expectant coaches in readiness for the first departure at 17:00...
Before the passengers began to arrive we had another short briefing and were instructed to go steadily towards Oak Tree and the balloon loop. There would then be a brief photo stop at Cogan Halt to admire the recently installed pirate ship and its haunting occupants before the journey to the Roundhouse continued. The first train was fairly well loaded and, around five minutes down, "Trangkil" departed Statfold bound for Oak Tree. By now the sun was setting nicely and No4 was definitely a picture as she simmered at Cogan Halt. What a lovely evening it was...
The road ahead viewed through "Trangkil"s cab window from Cogan Halt...
Starting steadily out of Cogan Halt, "Trangkil" got the weight moving before barking loudly around the balloon loop. The last of the suns rays made the train glisten as we crept towards the stop boards and trailing points. Barry captured this Autumnal evening scene from the footplate of "Fiji"...
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| "A Sunlit Brazil" (Pic - B.Bryan) |
Once out of the balloon loop, steaming well and pulling easily, "Trangkil" was well on her way. Approaching the foot of the bank with the reverser linked up one, the engine tore into the climb. The banks at Statfold are short but stiff and the weight soon hangs on the engine as the gradient sets in. No4 was certainly in good voice as we topped the climb with a blast on the whistle: a two-cylinder A4 maybe? Soon enough we were stabled at Oak Tree where the passengers alighted to see the decorated Roundhouse and enjoy the various activities on offer...
Leaving Oak Tree behind us, "Trangkil" accelerated away towards Statfold with the returning ECS. The light was fading as we arrived into the busy station at the terminus where hoards of expectant passengers awaited the 18:00 departure. "Fiji" would be in charge for this one and would need no assistance from us...
Down at the balloon loop the Brazil waits for the passengers to rejoin the train...
Ian had "Trangkil" pretty much singing to him all evening and she was a pleasure to be on. Even the front-most passenger was enjoying himself...
Returning to Oak Tree, a fair few passengers rejoined the train from the previous departure once our current load had alighted. The train then returned to Statfold in almost darkness where "Trangkil" became the lead locomotive once again. The 19:00 train was also well loaded and the station looked rather spooky as a simmering No4 awaited the "Right Away" from the Guard...
Departing only a few minutes down, "Trangkil" steamed into the gathering gloom. It's always a thrill driving a steam locomotive at night, whatever the size or scale. I don't know what it is but the footplate at night is a completely different place all together. After steaming through the darkness to Cogan Halt (or Hangmans Creek as it is currently known!) we stopped in the platform for the passengers to alight. The pirate ship by now was heavily illuminated and looked great, although my poor photography does it no justice. The passengers certainly seemed to be impressed...
From Hangmans Creek we departed towards Oak Tree where the same swap of passengers took place again. This time, once the engine was watered, we managed to water ourselves and grab a cuppa'. From the Roundhouse we departed back to Statfold where "Trangkil" had a storming run up the bank towards the Tram Shed curve. The engine was certainly working hard as she hauled the heavy train. It was pretty much standing room only on that run! Climbing up into the platform, "Trangkil" came to rest just north of the footbridge and was duly admired by departing passengers as they passed. The remainder of the evening consisted of three shuttle trips ("Fiji" down, us back) between Oak Tree and Statfold to ferry the remaining guests back to their cars. The last trip returned to Statfold just after 20:15 and No4 soon found herself on the turntable prior to returning to shed...
Following stabling and disposal, we washed our hands and signed out after a great evening at the SBR. Thanks to the SBR for having me, thanks to Alex for rostering me and thanks to Ian for putting up with me as your driver. It was a very enjoyable evening on "Trangkil No4" and great fun to be part of Statfold's first Halloween. I for one really enjoyed the event and think it has real legs for the future. A great (and spooky) time was had by all! Cheers all, Sam...
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