Evening all. Today I was rostered for my final driving turn of 2018 at the 15" gauge Evesham Vale Light Railway in Worcestershire. I was sad to have missed my usual go on the very enjoyable 'Santa Special' trains but, having checked my calendar when the roster came out a few months back, I just couldn't fit one in! I quickly snapped up todays turn and was looking forward to it as I drove through the gloomy darkness along the A46. Having grabbed my traditional McDonalds breakfast on route, I arrived at the Twyford base of the EVLR at just before 08:30. Owners Adrian & Sandra were already on site and had pushed the days locomotive: "Monty": outside in readiness for lighting up. Adrian was feeling a little under the weather and so Sandra drove him home whilst I began preparing the engine for the 12 round trips ahead...
With a pile of rags blazing away on the grate, I added a good pile of dry wood before a helping of coal. The remaining coal in the bunker featured a strong helping of slack and so I had to spread it around a bit to prevent the flames from choking. Naturally, if the air can't get through the fire bed then combustion will rapidly reduce. With the coal now settled on the burning wood, I closed the firebox doors and left the fire to its own devices. With the airline to the chimney just cracked open, the encouraging plume of smoke rising steadily skyward showed that all was well...
It was then time to start cleaning the engine: Peek for the brasses, Pledge for the paintwork. Out of the moody morning skies the sun did eventually break through as "Monty" simmered on the shed frontage, but it wasn't to last long...
Once the engine was clean I completed the usual oiling and greasing before charging the air reservoir. The final task is to add the padded seat before mounting up and setting off. Following a pip on the whistle, "Monty" hissed into life. The sleepers before her were quickly dampened by the condensate jets that were expelled forth from her cylinder drains. Once she's on the move the engine will drift easily through the groaning point work to reach the mouth of the yard where we stop and blow the boiler down. "Monty" is pictured ready to set back towards the station...
Once coupled up to the three coach train of closed coaches, we prepared for a potential first departure at 10:30, subject to having passengers that is. By now the fire was burning well and steam pressure was rising gently towards the red line...
The ex-"Markeaton Lady" was on the train a good 20 minutes before departure. As the clock struck 10:30 we still had empty coaches and so we prepared for a half hour break. However, just seconds later, a family did arrive and joined us for a slightly late first departure. The sun did shine briefly before we set off...
The 0-4-2 steamed easily out of Twyford and into the single line section towards Evesham Vale. To be honest, Evesham offers a very relaxing day, particularly with a well behaved engine like "Monty". The hardest part of it for the driver is maintaining that balancing act between too much steam and not enough. With a full working pressure of 160psi, "Monty" will easily do the job with anything from 120+. Therefore, as long as the fire bed is maintained and kept free of holes, she'll pull the train without fuss and maintain the steam. The open cast Welsh coal is good for providing constant heat but can easily lull you into a false sense of security as it tends to leave ashy clusters which look more substantial than they actually are. Therefore, when you put the iron in you can find you have a lot less fire than you first thought! "Monty" simmers quietly with the 11:00 train at a wintry Evesham Vale...
Despite the cold and fairly dreary conditions, passenger numbers seemed steady and the peak trains were loaded to near enough full. "Monty" continued to steam well throughout the day and as usual was no trouble at all. My standard gauge roots always see me exchanging the usual white headcode disc for the loco lamp though...
For the 13:00 train I was joined in the cab by my lunch and it was nice to have a warm on "Monty"s cosy footplate and grab a bite before departure...
The cloudy road ahead on the 13:00 Twyford departure...
Here, "Monty" takes water prior to working the 14:00 train...
With right time nearing, we awaited the flag & whistle from the Guard...
Following my sadness at missing out on a 'Santa' turn, I was happy to find that Sandra had left me a hot cuppa' and a warm mince pie out prior to the 15:30 trip. The Evesham mince pies are cracking and are definitely the best ones I've tasted on the many festive train workings I've been involved with over the years...
All too soon, after another pleasant day circling the fields of The Valley country park, our final train at 16:00 was ready to depart...
For the last trip I was careful not to over-fire the engine. I'd already been briefed to keep the coal bunker as empty as possible as "Monty" will be leaving service very shortly for bottom end work. This Winter maintenance will feature the fitting of new wheels as her current ones date back to her Markeaton Park days and are on their last turn. Below, "Monty" waits at a desolate Evesham Vale as the final passengers join the train for the short journey back to Twyford. By now the temperature had dropped off significantly as a typical January night prepared to draw in...
Slinking carefully into Twyford station, we came to rest at the end of the platform. Once turned, "Monty" steamed back to the shed in preparation for disposal...
By now the fire had settled to the point where a quick run through with the iron rendered it fit for leaving for the night. The ashpan was emptied, the boiler filled, trimmings removed and finally the engine dusted and cleaned. My final job was to set "Monty" slowly back into the shed, coming to rest just on top of "Dougal". The chimney was then capped and the engine left for the night after another very nice day on EVLR metals. Thanks to Mike for being my Guard and thanks to Adrian & Sandra for their continued hospitality. Happy New Year everyone...
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