Rail Ale: From "Bahamas" To Bosworth...

After the recent weeks of good weather, this weekend could only be described as sodden. The rain started in the week and didn't seem to stop at all. This morning I was piloting my mum and her partner as they convoyed with me to catch a train at Coleshill Parkway. It was mums 50th last week and myself & Maisie had bought her a Premier Dining outing with "Bahamas" to York: a full day rail tour being wined and dined to a good destination seemed appropriate! As we waited on the damp platform, a familiar hooter was heard before 45596 rolled in from Tyseley, driven by Ray Churchill. The Jubilee looked immaculate as usual, even in the persistent rain...

With the pair safely aboard the train (they were worried they wouldn't find the station!) I watched "Bahamas" disappear off into the distance before heading back to my car. I decided then to have a ride over to Market Bosworth to see Batesy and friends. This weekend was the Battlefield Lines annual Rail Ale do in the goods yard and an assortment of road steamers attend from far and wide: Batesys roller being one of them. I arrived a little after 10:30, finding a saturated goods yard alive with mud and puddles. It's pretty rubbish when you spend time preparing for an event and then the weather ruins it. This years GMW was much the same, with the field becoming quite saturated in the weeks before set up. Today though was something else, with the rain lashing down. Batesy seemed to be the bravest (or maddest) of the lot, attempting to clean his brasses despite the poor conditions. He must have been soaked...

Brasses cleaned and Vaseline applied, we retreated into the Goods Shed for breakfast. The railway were offering various levels of full English and we went for one of the larger varieties, which was very nice. Inside the shed there were many ales on offer from all over the UK. After breakfast I opted for a pint of Snowdonia, brewed by Purple Moose of Porthmadog. This ale was always the pint of choice in The Eagles pub in Llanuwchllyn during the Bala years so always brings back good memories. It was quite pleasant actually, standing under the goods shed canopy with a good pint watching Batesy get soaked through in the rain. He did exchange some choice words, but these can't be aired before the watershed. "Here's to you Batesy, you mad fool"...

 

Over on the railway, 5542 was shuffling back and forth with the drenched rake of coaches. The train certainly was the place to be today. Did someone say it was July?! After my delicious pint and a yak with various faces old and new (I always seem to bump into somebody I know!), I decided it was time to head for home. So, in the words of steam rally favourite Dr Busker: "It's ****ing raining and I wanna' go home". Thanks all for reading and hopefully future Rail Ales will be sunnier...

A Ryton Day: Steam At The Pools...

Hi all. After a fantastic run with "Green Goddess" on Thursday at the RHDR, todays turn at Coventry Model Engineering almost didn't happen at all. Upon my return from Kent I had the most horrific food poisoning and was in a terrible state. All that managed to coax me from the house was the thought of a few sunny hours of fresh air at Ryton Pools. I arrived at the CMES steaming bays at around 11:30, finding a couple of engines already preparing to raise steam. Jeff had brought along his trusty O1, which I believe has the 5" gauge Nigel Gresley 2-8-0 chassis plumbed up to a B1 boiler from a Springbok. I've driven it before in its previous green livery and found it to be a gentle and forgiving giant with plenty in reserve...

After chatting for a while with Jeff about all things steam, his engine was very nearly at working pressure. The 2-8-0 would join two other steamers today for what would be CMES' second of three steam hauled public running Sundays in 2019. There was a time when steam was all the track had, with the two club Sweet Peas putting in countless miles in previous years. However, these days the steamers tend to appear for these three special occasions only, giving the two battery electrics a break...

Over the way from the O1 was Emma with her sparkling Polly I 0-4-0 side tank. This engine is fairly new and is immaculate from top to bottom...

With three train rakes marshalled up from the assortment of riding cars, the trio of steamers gradually made their way to the track in good time for the 13:00 start. The largest engine of the three was Daves humungous American locomotive. If memory serves me right it's a 2-8-4, but I can't be sure. It's a huge beast of a thing when on a 5" raised track, having to be controlled by extension rods from the back of the tender. With three cylinders and a sizeable boiler, this engine is master of any job at RPMR and is an impressive feat of model engineering...

The day was a fairly steady one passenger wise, with a few hundred being carried but not enough to overwhelm our services. Ryton is often like this on hot sunny days as people tend to find plenty to do on a summer Sunday afternoon. Here, the Polly I simmers at the head of a waiting train of ECS...

I had a mixture of jobs today, from guarding to clipping tickets or helping with loading. It was probably best that I sat on the back of the train taking in the fresh air, especially with how I was feeling! Later on, Jeff kindly allowed me to take the regulator of his O1 for a few trips. It's a lovely thing to drive: gentle but powerful. She steams so freely and has a lot to give but seems to do it without fuss or exertion...

Whilst Dave had his lunch, I was also given the regulator (or the extension rod) of the huge American engine. Leaving Ryton Halt with a full train, the engine barely murmured as it pulled away. She carries a steam chest pressure gauge and you didn't need much in there to have her setting off like a rocket. Around the railway we went, eating up the lengths of track with plenty of momentum. It's quite a thing but, due to the size of it on raised track, I was a little worried about letting it go too much. I am however grateful for the go on it: quite an experience to say the least! Later in the day, as the passenger numbers dropped, the queue became quieter. Jeffs O1 is spotted on a late afternoon train as the sun finally gave way to some cloud cover...

With the station gate closed at just after 16:00, the three engines retired to the steaming bays after a successful and enjoyable afternoon. It had done me the world of good to get out in the air, as well as taking in some steam. Thanks to all for a pleasant afternoon out and now it's time to rest up before work tomorrow...

Romney Footplate Pass: A Run On "Green Goddess"...

It's a rare occasion indeed when you can tick something off your "bucket list", but this was certainly one of those days! Ever since I first visited the Romney Hythe and Dymchurch Railway in 2008, I've wondered what a trip on the footplate must be like. This afternoon, at long last, I was going to find out! In my last post I left off by breaking my journey from Dungeness at New Romney, ready to grab some lunch prior to my footplate trip. I'd changed into my bib and brace and grabbed a sandwich before visiting the ticket office to be issued with my Authority Card...

Wandering back out onto the platform, I took shelter under the station roof as by now the dull morning had opened up into a very sunny July afternoon. I was only glad I'd left my jacket in the car! The locomotive for my trip: "Green Goddess": was sat quietly simmering away to herself on the bay road, with her driver having settled her down and gone for lunch. What a fine engine she looks...

As 1pm neared, the driver: Phil: appeared and invited me to join him on the engine. Having run through the safety aspects, he seemed relieved to hear that it wasn't my first time on a footplate. I imagine that an over enthusiastic novice could be quite irritating in such close proximity! With the cab doors closed, Phil carefully moved No1 away towards the signal gantry. Sister engine No2 "Northern Chief" duly rolled in from Dungeness and, once stationary, we were given the road to steam out in front of her in order to ultimately swap places. "Chief" would now go on lunch whilst we took her train to Hythe. Whilst the New Romney controller coupled No1 to the stock, I was facing straight ahead, no doubt beaming from ear to ear. It felt like being in a rocket ready to launch as I looked out beyond the starter signal...

Before we received the "Right Away" from the controller, there was time to grab a quick shot of the cab. The initiated amongst you will spot the majority of the usual features. The water sight glasses are of the Klinger type and I believe all of the original Romney engines carry them. Other features include the vacuum braking system (with related gauge) and the steam chest pressure gauge...

A little down on time but eager to make it up, Phil got No1 on the move with the heavy train. We steamed out of New Romney with the drain cocks hissing loudly, before they were closed via the flick of a valve. (The engines carry steam operated drains). As the crisp bark of No1 echoed across the fields, Phil wound her back and let her go. The whole experience that followed was quite exhilarating and I will almost certainly fail to commit the feeling to words. Here is a video clip I took of No1 striding along at a steady 20mph under blue skies, bound for Dymchurch...
As you can see, they really get a wriggle on! The top line speed is 25mph, but Phil was saying that in most cases they cruise at 18-20mph as long as time permits. No1 took the whole thing as if she had been designed to do it...which of course she was! She was ordered in 1924 by Count Louis Zborowski, the co-founder of the RHDR. Designed by Henry Greenly with Nigel Gresley's A1 pacific in mind, "Green Goddess" was built by Davey Paxman in 1925. I believe that the engine was named after a 1921 stage play which Captain Howey had enjoyed...

All too soon the regulator was closed for the approach to Dymchurch, where there would be a short wait prior to departure. The level crossing barriers can be seen in front of the engine in the image below. Historically the RHDR crossings had been ungated but a number of incidents caused by careless motorists have prompted a need for these installations. I suppose it's better safe than sorry...

With the train ready and the barriers lowered, No1 barked out of Dymchurch bound for Hythe. Younger shed-mate No9 "Winston Churchill" duly approached with a Dungeness service. Oh the beauty of double track...

The Dymchurch to Hythe section is 5-miles of non-stop miniature main line bliss. No1 strode effortlessly onward, her wheels flying around and valve gear a blur. It was a pleasure to listen to her working away! Phil drove it like a main line engine: setting the regulator and working her back on the reverser to find that sweet spot. At 30% the engine was finding the whole job no hindrance at all...

Monitoring steam and water levels all the time, Phil occasionally splashed some coal around the firebox. He seemed to keep a fairly thick but level fire, closing the door between each shovelful to reduce the amount of cold air drawn in. The boiler water level was maintained with regular use of the injectors...

Here is No1 flying towards Hythe in the continuing sunshine...

After eight wonderful miles of 15" gauge steam action, the regulator was closed for the approach to the terminus station at Hythe. The station here originally opened in 1927. No1 stood feathering loudly prior to pulling forward...

Once uncoupled, the engine ran forward before setting back up the middle road. The signalman then set the road for the spur to the turntable...

As we left the turntable, Phil stopped to do some oiling up and check No1 over. He is a member of the permanent staff and spends a lot of time driving "Goddess". By the time this trip was over I was likely to be as green as the engine! When it hits you that this is actually somebodies 9-5 then you can't really help but become envious! He was saying that the regular staff fitters tend to be allocated to a particular engine and his was currently No1. She certainly looked a picture and was a credit to all who look after her. Once ready to move again, we were asked to shunt a short rake of ECS into Platform 1 for stabling before rejoining our 2:10pm departure...

The next section of the trip was the full journey to Dungeness via Dymchurch and New Romney. It was fantastic, absolutely fantastic. Just to sit and watch "Green Goddess" at work and experience the Romney magic was a joy to behold. At New Romney we topped up the water in the tender before our 2:48pm onward departure. The single line section to Dungeness is great fun and here is No1 absolutely tearing along, with the power station coming into view in the distance...

One thing that we did notice earlier which I had to ask about was the continuous blowdown. The boiler is blown down on the move, thus expelling any solids which have been left in suspension during evaporation. Every now and again the blowdown would be opened and the jet would expel, hardly noticed, beneath the footplate. I think the shot below really shows the difference in scenery along the RHDR. The Hythe section is open fields and greenery at this time of the year, whereas the Dungeness section is very beach-like. It must be Baltic here in winter!...

Passing over the facing point for the massive balloon loop...

After arrival at Dungeness, I left the sweltering cab for a breather...

What an amazing run it had been. No1 sat quietly having a well earned rest, whilst Phil went around again with the oil cans...

Right on time, we left Dungeness behind and continued back towards New Romney on what would be No1s last turn of the day. The final sprint towards New Romney was absolutely exhilarating and as we rolled in under the low tunnel, I thanked Phil heartily for his hospitality and commentary. I'd loved every minute of the trip and it was a fantastic thing to tick it off my bucket list. The trouble is now, I just want to do it again! Pulling into New Romney, Phil shook my hand before I left the cab so that he could prepare No1 for disposal. Here we see a last look at "Green Goddess" as she settles onto the New Romney turntable prior to turning before bed...

On the station concourse I met up with Eddie and Lynne and they could clearly see my elation. It was then time to hit the road, the part of this whole trip I'd dreaded the most! It's never the same on the return! What a trip it had been though. The mix of the KESR yesterday and the RHDR today had made for two brilliant days of full on steam action. My ambition to ride the footplate at the RHDR has now been fulfilled. Driving home, I could still hear No1s piercing Wilcox chime whistle over the droning hum of the M25. Thinking about being at that regulator, you can't help but wonder, "maybe in another life". Many thanks all, that's a wrap...

RHDR: A Dungeness Return...

Hi all. After a good night sleep in my Premier Inn, I headed down for breakfast with high hopes for the day ahead. Myself and Eddie had planned our movements for today over a pint last night and our aim was the 10am departure from New Romney. Once I'd breakfasted, I grabbed my bag and checked out of the hotel, on route to meet up with Eddie and Lynne in order for us to convoy across the marsh. We arrived at the RHDR base of New Romney Station at around 09:20am, in good time for our upcoming departure for Dungeness. Having purchased our tickets: mine was free on production of my footplate pass for later on: we proceeded down towards the shed. On the apron stood two of the pacific fleet: Nos2 and 9 respectively... 

It wasn't long before No9 "Winston Churchill" hissed steadily off shed, leaving just No2 "Northern Chief". No2 was built in 1925 and was just having her superheater flues blown out. Talking to one of the staff, I learned that the Romney engines have their tubes cleaned each night but the superheater flues blown through of a morning prior to leaving shed. The blankets over the boiler go a long way to protecting the shining livery whilst the departing soot is ejected violently skyward...

With another whistle blast heard, No1 "Green Goddess" was spotted leaving the bay platform with a lengthy rake of coaches. This formed the 09:35am departure for Hythe. With steam roaring from her drain cocks, No1 made a steady departure as the driver kept a firm hand on the regulator to guard against any slips...

New Romney certainly is a hive of activity of a summer morning, with various locomotive and train movements to take place to set the railway up for the day! As No1 departed into the distance, No2 cautiously moved off shed for coaling...

No9, built in 1931 by the Yorkshire Engine Company, was now waiting for the road to cross-over onto the green rake which would form our 10am departure...

With departure time nearing, we boarded the train towards the rear. Right on time, No9 gave a blast on her Crosby whistle before starting the train away towards Romney Sands. It's a totally different feeling on the RHDR. Once you're on the move it feels like you're riding an express train, simply because of the smaller scale. Looking out from the train, I could see a trail of white steam and then the radius rod and return crank flying around as No9 strode onward. Heading out towards Dungeness, the landscape opens up into shingle beaches and desolate marshes. Nearing the terminus, the train crosses a facing point which signals the start of the huge balloon loop. Upon arrival at Dungeness we alighted from the train to examine No9 a little more...

Nos9 and 10 were built to an American outline with larger cabs. The railways founder: Captain Howey: believed that the larger cab would afford better weather protection for the crews. Despite looking slightly stronger than their Eastern region-style sisters, the American twins retain the same basic design. As No9 disappeared off into the distance, we took the time to grab a quick cuppa' in the impressive station café before visiting the Dungeness lighthouse. The current lighthouse which protects Dungeness dates from 1961, with the one that is open to the public being one of its predecessors. This one was first lit in 1904 and myself and Eddie reached the top level after climbing its 169 steps. The top of the lighthouse affords great views of the area...

As usual, there's always time for a daft shot of Eddie the Late...

Having descended from the lighthouse, we wandered towards the sea across the headland. It's an unusual place, quite moving in its own way. Behind the 1904 lighthouse stands Dungeness nuclear power station. Dungeness A was commissioned in 1965 and ceased power production in 2006. Dungeness B was commissioned in 1983 and is still operational, featuring two reactors...

At the end of a boarded path above the shingle beach, we reached the sea. It's so peaceful and quiet out here. Dungeness must surely be one of the wonders of the world. It's quite an experience on its own...

With a chime whistle heard on the breeze, No1 "Green Goddess" came into view in the distance. We wandered back towards Dungeness station ready to catch the 11:45am departure for Hythe via New Romney. As we reached the platform, No1 was just pulling in. The 1961 lighthouse can be seen in the background...

Once stationary, the driver was out refilling the lubricators on the immaculate No1. The engine hasn't long been back in service following a collision with a tractor in summer 2016. Her Apple Green livery was absolutely glistening...

As we left Dungeness behind, the sun finally broke through the clouds. No1 was well on her way to Romney sands, leaving only her crisp voice on the breeze...

Romney Sands provides the railway with a passing point in the 5.5-mile single line between New Romney and Dungeness. Once the level crossing barriers had descended, No2 "Northern Chief" arrived and the drivers exchanged tokens...

From there it was the final sprint to New Romney, from where Eddie and Lynne would continue with the train to Hythe whilst I stayed behind. My footplate pass was booked for the 1:15pm departure and so I would grab some lunch before continuing on. Alighting from the train, No1 had been given the road to pull forward to allow No9 to take over. No1, and her driver, would go 'on lunch'...

The seating position for RHDR drivers is seen clearly in this shot of No9 "Winston Churchill". Note the larger cab, offering slightly better weather protection...

With the engines switched, No9 departed towards Hythe whilst No1 settled down for a break of just under an hour. I had now worked out that No1 would be the chosen engine for my footplate ride and so, having grabbed a sandwich, I waited nearby with my bib and brace at the ready. It was then time to play the waiting game...

A Return To The Romney Hythe & Dymchurch Railway...

Following on from our visit this morning to the nearby KESR, myself and Eddie had a brisk drive across the marsh to reach New Romney Station. New Romney is of course home to the headquarters of the UK's mainline in miniature: the Romney Hythe and Dymchurch Railway. My last visit to the RHDR was over 10 years ago and, since then, I've been looking forward to a return. Tomorrow I'm on a very special mission: I have a footplate pass to complete the full 27-mile round trip aboard one of the fabulous locomotives based here...I can't wait! Having parked in the adjacent station car park, we wandered through the ticket office and out onto the station concourse. With no trains due yet, there was then time for a visit to the impressive model railway exhibition upstairs. I must admit, it is well worth a look...

The layout has trains of varying origins moving about all over the place, programmed to wait at various signals and allow other trains to pass. There is certainly a lot of activity, more than enough to keep the attention of the enthused spectator...

With a hooter heard on the summer breeze, it wasn't long before pioneer pacific No1 "Green Goddess" strode into sight. Rattling over the point work, No1s driver duly accepted the Dungeness token from the New Romney signalman...

No1 "Green Goddess" is a fabulous Davey Paxman pacific built in 1925. She was the lines first locomotive and is still going strong to this day, resplendent in her shining LNER Apple Green livery. She was a real picture today as she stood glistening in the July sunshine: a credit to the staff and volunteers of the RHDR...

Down the platform, under the impressive station roof, stood No6 "Samson". No6 is one of two mountain class 4-8-2s based on the railway, built in 1927 to cope with heavier train loads. Though they have the smaller wheels of a freight engine, they still retain the overall design characteristics of their pacific shed mates. One of the diesel engines soon arrived from Romney Sands with a Hythe-bound service, which was to be taken over by "Samson". Once the diesel was clear, No6 was given the road to crossover onto the waiting stock. The road was then set for an imminent departure...

Following a sharp blast of her US Crosby whistle, No6 summoned her strength to haul the train away from New Romney. As she rattled off into the distance, we decided it was time to head back towards our accommodation. I'm staying in Ashford, so not too far from the RHDR. I can't wait until tomorrow: I'm really looking forward to finally sampling the footplate of a Romney engine! Cheers all, Sam...