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| "Driving The Cabless Cabriolet" (Pic - M.Waldron) |
Evening all. Today involved another very pleasant driving turn at Statfold Barn as part of the annual March Enthusiasts Day. Paired with my now regular Fireman: Ben: I experienced a brief moment of panic when I noticed we were penned to cabless Quarry Hunslet "Jack Lane". Don't get me wrong, the four-wheeled Hunslet GTI's are cracking little engines but the thought of no cab after weeks of seemingly relentless rain did have me worried. I say that, but upon reflection my recent dose of debilitating CFS (Cold Firebox Syndrome) would have seen me willing to drive the thing through an arctic blizzard! Thankfully the Met-Men got it right and the promised dry forecast prevailed. This bonus, coupled with a cracking crew aboard our train engine Quarry "Statfold", made for a brilliant day on SBR metals. This morning, after a great run along the A444, I reached Statfold at around 06:00. The usual gaggle of eager enginemen were busily donning their overalls as I pulled up in the field. After signing in and meeting up with Ben, we wandered down to Platform 2 where I'd left "Jack Lane" the night before. With all checks made, Ben swiftly got a blaze on...
The reassuring crackle from the firebox told that the wood inside was gradually taking hold and a few more chunks were added to ensure that the chimney was warm and drafting well before coal was added. These little fireboxes can become quickly choked when the battle between poor draft and coal with a tendency to smoke heavily ensues. With all well, Ben started cleaning whilst I reached for the oil cans...
Wearing my new prep coat: a fresh fashion statement I'm trying out to reduce my regular oily knees: I set to with a small pump can. The Quarry's must be one of the easiest engines to oil up, mainly due to their small stature. The addition of the platform did require a few acts of contortionism but the whole process was completed in a fairly injury-free manner. With only the axleboxes left to top up, I heard the familiar tone of JB chuntering his way down from the shed frontage. His constructive insults and slurs were all that broke the morning birdsong as the Quarry's gradually brewed up...
With JB now on his merry way towards "Jack": his 18" gauge steed: I wandered up to the shed to try to find a feeder for the boxes. My prep coat received mixed reviews; every comment from Traction Inspector to Apprentice Machinist! Wheezing back to the platform with seemingly the worlds heaviest oil pump, I topped our boxes up before passing it on to the two John's on "Statfold". All around, the other Statfold engines were coming to life after their Winter break. The elderly Corpet and the throaty Davenport were being prepared in the opposite platform...
Just prior to the usual 08:30 Safety Briefing on the lawn, myself and Ben wandered over to the catering van to grab our crew breakfast cobs. This tends to set us up for the next few hours as by now operations are about to begin...
Briefing complete, we awaited the return of "Trangkil No4" from the line inspection. Our Quarry's were already coupled to the first passenger train of the day, made up of the ex-Lynton stock. When "Trangkil" arrived back at Statfold she was coupled up to us and would soon lead us to the balloon loop, returning light engine with the token. With a "Right Away" from the Guard, the large Brazil set off with us in tow. Still not warm, the larger engine gave us a refreshing smut shower as she steamed out into the fields. Having passed "Isibutu" at Oak Tree on the freight, we soon made it to the balloon loop where "Trangkil" would leave us behind...
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| "The Token Run" (Pic - B.Bryan) |
With the Brazil gone, we had time to sort our engines out in readiness for our return to Statfold. We'd both already warmed our cylinders on the way but the two Quarry's were still effectively 'cold' engines. When the Corpet & Davenport double-act came into view, the loop master gave us permission to run round to the Stop Board. On the greasy morning rails the two Quarry's were a tad light on their feet but soon rose to the occasion. With line clear, we set off into the section and had a cracking homeward run. Once released at Statfold we were turned on the turntable before a brief wait on the shed. Soon enough however, the two Quarry's were called upon again...
The Quarry duo are captured steaming away from the bottom of the bank...
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| "Steaming Along" (Pic - M.Waldron) |
At the balloon loop the four of us agreed that, even on only our second trip, the day had been a great one so far. It was unusual in a way to be on our second run at only 10:30 as I've spent days on the shed til' nearly lunchtime if you end up at the back of the queue! I've said it before and I'll say it again, if you get the right weather then you can't beat a cabless Quarry. They're great fun to drive...
Back at Statfold we were turned on the table again before steaming back to the shed frontage. This short break gave time to grab a cuppa' before our next trip...
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| "Off To The Shed" (Pic - M.Waldron) |
Our third run of the day was just as enjoyable and my CFS was definitely starting to retreat. The thing with a cabless engine is that you can hear everything going on. Even during the Bala years you couldn't beat a day on "Alice", despite how good an engine "Holy War" was. The bark at the chimney is far more audible and even the tiniest rattle created by the most well-built cab in the world is none-existent. Our only regret was not bringing earplugs as little "Statfold" turns into a canon when put to work! For our fourth outing of the day, again with the Lynton set, Ben took over the handle whilst I did my best to mess up the firing. Thankfully, both of us managed to keep the needle up to the red line without crossing it throughout the afternoon...
Coming to rest on the shed again, we all fell victim to the typical "will we get one more?!" mode. It's always a battle at this time of day. Do we add more coal? Do we get ready to dispose? It's one big guessing game...
The Quarry's were soon called upon to shunt the freight train away into the steeply graded Goods Siding. Although we enjoyed listening to the two engines having some real work to do, during our shunting we were robbed of two train hauling opportunities! After grumbling loudly to ourselves right opposite the Signalbox, John and Caroline kindly submitted to our childish taunts and gave us one more run...
Down at the balloon loop, our slightly shorter passenger train awaited the road in the last of the afternoons sun. Ben was making up the fire ready for the off...
When the time came I finally made a slip-less departure from the balloon loop with little "Jack Lane". The slips of "Statfold" behind us were met with much jovial mocking from our footplate but all in the spirit of good fun. I've always said that a great footplate day requires a strict recipe of three ingredients: a good crew, good weather and a good engine. Today, again, we had all three plus the added bonus of the two John's on our Quarry partner. Here, the pair leave the balloon loop on the last trip...
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| "On The Move" (Pic - B.Bryan) |
Our train was the penultimate passenger train of the day and as such the Quarry's ensured it was a cracking run. After a triumphant arrival back at Statfold, we were surprised to be sent light engine (well, as a pair) back to Oak Tree on a token run. This was the first time we'd travelled in reverse down the line all day and, to be honest, I'm relieved it was the only time! The shorter chimney of the red Quarry offers a very much "chimney in face" situation! At Oak Tree we found "Trangkil" at the head of the final passenger train, with "Alpha" and "Howard" at the rear. The Quarry duo were coupled on behind ready to form the final train home. If we couldn't get back with five engines we all needed striking off! "Trangkil" has recently received some attention to her valve events and sounded a world better as she hauled us back to Statfold. Once the train was stabled in the platform the Quarry's were released to the shed. After a great day, "Jack Lane" is seen resting following disposal...
Worn out and with the traditional smut peppering, the respective crews headed to the Mess Room to wash up and fill in their loco reports. Once signed out, we wandered across to the catering van for a jacket potato and a pint. Thank you to Ben, John & John for a cracking day as part of 'Team Quarry' and thanks to Alex for rostering me again. Special thanks must also go to Barry and Max for use of their pictures in this post. The SBR continues to offer great days on the footplate, especially on the intensive Enthusiast Days. Another really great day. Until next time, Sam...
