Statfold: A Sunny Santa For "Harrogate"...

"Rounding The Balloon Loop" (Pic - Mark H of SBR)

It seems to come around faster as each year passes but today heralded my final pre-Christmas footplate turn of 2018. My destination was the Statfold Barn Railway near Tamworth, where I was rostered for my third Santa turn on the lovely Peckett "Harrogate". My previous two turns were PM shifts and so it was actually quite refreshing this morning to sign on at 06:30 and prepare the engine ourselves. Joining me aboard No2050 this morning was Chris, with Paul and Ian taking control of the other engine in steam: "Fiji". There was a little damp in the air as we left the Mess Room to find our steeds in the darkness of the shed area. With just under 3 hours to go until our off shed time, we felt way ahead of the game as "Harrogate" had actually been in steam the day before to test a maintenance repair carried out during the week. The heat emanating from the unclad doorplate certainly showed she wasn't far away from making steam. Once he'd cleared the grate, Chris lit a good pile of rags on the shovel before throwing them into the firebox. A mound of wood was then added which quickly caught, no doubt aided by the Peckett's hot chimney...

Chris then went mining beneath the engine to empty the ashpan. I meanwhile added coal to the blazing wood fire and the exhaust quickly darkened. I decided not to even try to oil up until first light as it just wasn't worth it. The light would be coming up not long after 07:30 and so there was little need to rush. 2050 soon started to sing and, with the clouds parting to reveal a clearer sky, all was well. Once it was light enough, I began my oiling duties by filling the steam brake lubricator. The axleboxes and slide bars on "Harrogate" are oiled by the hefty Wakefield mechanical mounted on the fireman's side. With the mechanical primed, it doesn't take long to make your way around the inside Stephenson's motion or the outside rods and so oiling up is fairly leisurely...

Chris meanwhile was busy cleaning now that his fire was doing its work. The needle was steadily rising around the clock as the noisy Plymouth diesel shunter growled into life ready for the line inspection. 2050 was looking very smart...

When the steam pressure allowed I gently moved "Harrogate" back so that I could reach one of the eccentrics which was just out of arms reach in her original position. Once this had been successfully topped up with oil, it was clear that the stop cork was life-expired and so I opted to replace it. The threaded corks must be kept in good condition as, when fitted to components with as much rotary motion as the eccentrics or side rods, the chances are they'll depart and release the contents of the oil reservoir. If this happens whilst working a train and the oil is ejected, it won't take long to run a bearing hot so better safe than sorry. With oiling and cleaning complete, we awaited the call from the Signalman to leave shed: this came just after 09:00. The engine slowly dropped down to the headshunt with the coal truck before we steamed upgrade through Platform 1 road to drop it off. The engine was then turned prior to dropping down onto the rear of the waiting passenger stock...

Once coupled up, all we had to do was await departure time. "Harrogate" was simmering nicely with a quiet fire as little steam would be needed on the first train at 10:00; perhaps the odd bit of banking if required on the greasy morning rails. Slowly but surely, passengers began to arrive for our festively decorated service and "Fiji" was awaiting the off at the head of the train...

Right on time, the Guard gave us the "Right Away" and we left Statfold Junction behind. "Fiji" hauled us steadily down to the balloon loop where "Harrogate" held her weight through the tight curves. By now the sun was shining beautifully on this Winters day, although a stiff December breeze was whistling through our cab...

"Harrogate Helps Out" (Pic - Mark H of SBR)

Slight track repairs the other week have resulted in an even smoother ride aboard the long wheel-based Peckett and we were looking forward to going the 'right way'. Up at Oak Tree, "Fiji" took water whilst I had a walk around with the oil can to check everything over. "Harrogate" had had a re-machined little end bearing (the bearing which allows drive from the connecting rod to the gudgeon pin within the crosshead) fitted during the week to remove a knock that she'd developed over the recent months. This change meant that extra checks were carried out on that little end throughout the day but each time she was perfectly fine. With the knock now gone, her bottom end runs very well indeed. She's a lovely old thing...

Once back at Statfold we awaited the next departure at 10:30, with us now leading. Chris had gently brought the engine round to full pressure in readiness for the off and so all that remained was to await the road and the flag...

Once on the move, well, what a morning! "Harrogate" hissed out of Statfold with the drain cocks open: although I had warmed the cylinders on the first trip: and then coasted down towards Oak Tree. She steamed and ran beautifully and with the white exhaust firing up into the clear blue skies it was an absolute pleasure to drive her. You can just leave the engine to get on with it now. Once you've left the balloon loop she'll chug away happily, one notch back, through the S-Bend and along the straight before you open up for the bank. Fantastic! We watered at Oak Tree in the warm sunshine prior to returning to Statfold with our long train...

After a great run up into the platform we were kindly given a festive Mince Pie each which we duly warmed on the firebox cladding...

It was just such a great morning. The engine worked perfectly and the weather was lovely. I drove the 11:30 train and Chris had a go on the 12:30 working. After three cracking trips the Peckett is seen waiting at Statfold...

During the break at Oak Tree before returning to Statfold with "Fiji" in charge, I wandered into the yard to grab a quick shot of the little Showman's conversion that the SBR have hired for the Santa season. Quietly generating with her lights on, I think that "Repulse" had impressed so much at this years GMW that they wanted a similar engine for the Santa trains. This is "D.C.Ver": a 1924-built Fowler T3 Tar Spraying Roller. In her second life she has been converted to a Showman's tractor...

For the 13:30 working I was back on the handle on "Harrogate". It was a lovely run and to be honest I didn't want to hand the engine over to the PM shift as we were having such a great time. If it was raining as bad as it was last Sunday I may have felt quite different! Here, Chris waters "Harrogate" at Oak Tree...

After one last cracking ascent up to Statfold we came to a London Underground stop in Platform 2 as I got ready to hand over to the PM driver: Will. We'd had a great morning aboard 2050 and what a fine old thing she is. It's been a pleasure to be part of the SBR's first ever 'Santa Express' season and it's never a chore to drive 2050. Thanks very much all and, one last time, Merry Christmas...