Many people will be familiar with the Great Western Railways fondness for 4-6-0 locomotives and the various classes which made up the fleet. Their 4900 Class, named after Halls, was first introduced in 1928 and eventually numbered 258 examples. They proved themselves to be powerful and versatile machines, cutting their teeth on mixed traffic workings across the Great Western network. However, when Collett was succeeded by Hawksworth in 1941, the latter set about creating a supercharged version of this proven design, thus creating the 6959 Class, otherwise known as the Modified Halls. The Hawksworth engines had various new features, including plate frames and cylinders which were cast separately to the smokebox saddle, with the cylinders then bolted to the frames. Perhaps the biggest modification was the addition of three-row superheating and a larger regulator to the Swindon No1 boiler. The 6959 Class eventually numbered 71 engines and the last of them remained in BR service until 1965. Six of them survive in preservation, with the most recent restoration being No6989 "Wightwick Hall", which returned to steam in March this year, 42 years since she left Barry Scrapyard. A supreme effort.
Today I was booked to crew with good friend David at Shackerstone, to work one of the post-Christmas Mince Pie Special days. I was surprised to find out in the week that we had been rostered to this years Santa star, which was none other than No6989. I had worked alongside her the other week when we crewed 5542, but didn't expect to get a go on the special visitor. Having driven through the frosty fen lanes to meet David at the gloomy station gates at 06:30, it wasn't long before we were up at the engine shed. Thankfully, the buzzing shed lights: which appear to drain the National Grid: came on as hoped and revealed the Hall standing over the pit...
The heat emanating from 6989 and the reassuring feather of steam drifting from the snifting valves certainly gave us hope of good things up in the cab. Having dropped off our kit and changed into prep overalls in the real mess area, I clambered up onto the footplate to check the state of affairs. A fairly well-stocked tender was a relief to see, with 3/4 of a glass in the boiler and 20psi still on the clock. The grate was also pretty clear, although some persistent clinker did need paddling out so as to give us the best possible chance. The next quest was the search for wood. The day on 5542 the other week had started very well, with the discovery of a bone dry pallet. Today required much more skill and my years of experience in Shackerstone foraging came flooding back. Having got together the wildest assortment of small wood chunks you've ever come across from some pretty unorthodox locations, I managed to scrape together the basis of an embryo fire. Soon enough, rags were lit...
The current shipment of coal at Shackerstone is the Welsh open cast stuff, which I guess is from Ffos Y Fran. It's pretty good when you get it going: fairly smokeless, high temperature and relatively little ash. However, with only damp wood to hand and a limited supply of liquid accelerant, it provided a bit of a waiting game this morning. You know you're hoping for the best when you open the firehole door and the small flames seem to hide behind the black coals in an infuriating game of Peekaboo! In these situations, the worst thing you can do is panic...or at least show it! It's much more pleasant to calm yourself with the morning tones of David as he sings his way around the engine with his miners lamp and oil cans. I decided it was better to attempt to make a nice cuppa', in between foraging for more wood of course. The tea boiler seemed relieved not to have seen JB for a while, thus saving itself a savage beating for inadequate service! At the back of the shed, near a forlorn looking 1859, stood 5542. I believe there is a Winter Gala coming up and both Western machines will perform, plus a third visitor. At least we had some smoke coming out...
Whilst David carried on oiling, I decided to leave the engine and try to find a diesel shunter. The old saying "a watched pot never boils" is never more true than with steam engines so it's best to leave them to it once you know you've done all you can. I managed to awaken the Class 04 and, after making air, proceeded to the shed to drag 6989 outside into the damp morning air...
By now, thankfully, we had a lovely glowing back end and the fire could be raked forwards across the grate, slowly encouraging a full fire into life. We had plenty of time so there was nothing to worry about. We needed to be on the train at least 30 minutes prior to the first departure at 11:00 to allow the 5-coach train to be steam heated for the passengers. By 10:30, "Wightwick Hall" was simmering nicely at the head of the rake and it looked as though we were in for a pleasant day...
Right on time, the Guard gave us the "Right Away" and off we went. My fire was now burning brightly and the needle hugged the red line as we departed Shackerstone. Passing the signalbox, the bobby handed us the single line token and off we steamed towards Barton Lane bridge and beyond. The Hall was very loud at the chimney, more so in fact than I had expected. She steamed very well indeed and the trusty Swindon injectors were no problem at all. Soon enough, the engine was awaiting a tender first departure from Shenton at 11:35 under dreary skies...
Returning to Shackerstone, the engine performed equally well. Five coaches is hardly an effort for an engine of this size and she made light work of it. Upon arrival back at Shackerstones platform 2, we picked up fellow Tyseley man Phil, who would join us for the rest of the day. By now, as the engine awaited the next departure at 12:30, the clouds had parted to reveal patches of blue sky and even some sunshine...
I was annoyed after reviewing the above shot and seeing the coupling hanging down...it should be up on the rest hook...minus 1 point there! David kindly let me drive the 12:30 trip: the first time I'd driven a Modified Hall! I have had a brief go with 4900 "Rood Ashton Hall" so knew roughly what to expect. Right on time, off we went again. 6989 seemed incredibly keen to depart, almost as if she was in a rush. The regulator provided an almost instant surge of power, giving the engine a sharp willingness. Once on the move, the 6ft wheels moved us quickly out of Shackerstone and into the countryside. Well, what a lovely thing to drive. Batesy meanwhile, shovelling away, was half down the nick...much to my amusement at the time...but he'll get me back one day no doubt! All too soon, the brakes were on for Shenton and it was time to stop. Soon enough, the engine was ready to go back...
Straight away, I was quite taken with 6989. I've always liked the Halls and, despite being a bit overpowered for the train weights needed, it seems a good sized engine for Shackerstone. It's lovely to sit in the seat gradually winding the cut-off back on the screw reverser and listening to the chimney barking away. Western engines do have a bark to be admired I believe. I was back on the firemans side for the 14:00 outing and had another pleasant trip. By now the fire was well up the door and was easily controlled on the dampers. For the 15:30 trip David kindly let me drive again, a gesture for which I was very grateful to him as I'd loved my previous go...
6989 was built in March 1948 and is resident at Buckinghamshire Railway Centre. She came to Shackerstone to help with the Santa trains and Mince Pie workings and I believe will return home early in the new year...
Look at that hook again! Anyway, right on time, we departed from Shack in a cloud of steam. Once out in the open, I let the old girl go and she barked into the late afternoon sun as the rays glistened down along the boiler barrel. I remember remarking to the lads how pleasant it was as the engine strode onward towards Hedleys. The Battlefield Line works its way through some very pleasant countryside, particularly between Barton and Carlton. On a clear day like this at this time of the year, the views are very pleasant. Down at Shenton, 6989 is readied for running round: one lamp has already been moved to the tender. I wouldn't mind another go on this that's for sure...
Leaving Shenton tender first, 6989 barked into the last of the days sunshine. We had a cracking run back and I will admit I was sad to drop the last bit of vacuum as we pulled into Shack. We did have a humorous interlude during our last Bosworth stop as a team appeared and filled the tender with mounds of lovely dry wood for the remaining upcoming steamings...if only we'd had that earlier!...
After uncoupling at the North End, I drove 6989 cautiously through No11 frame and came to a stop on the shed frontage. David has become a master of the perfect 'putting away fire' and was already hard at work with the irons as we came to a stand. He may have forgotten now but he was once a very regular trainee with me and Norfolks own sunrise misser 'Eddie the Late', although roles have reversed for us these days since my demotion! Maybe he learnt something from us...who knows! Here, David rags the clinker about a bit as we prepare the engine for final disposal...
Once ready to go into the shed, I surprised myself as I managed to get 6989 on the move on the greasy rails without a slip. The sharp blast was liable to blow the shed roof off if I got into a slip so I was relieved that she moved gracefully forward. Coming to a final rest, we screwed her down and filled the boiler before isolating the necessaries. The engine was safely back in position, fairy lights and all...
Worn out but certainly satisfied, the three of us washed up before discussing what a good day it had been. Special thanks must go to David as he still lets his old mate Brandist have a go on the handle, not fearing my well known incompetence! Phil also provided great comedic company. Our annual Mince Pie special has become a very enjoyable tradition and all have so far provided the three main elements: good weather, a good crew and a good engine. The outing with 6412 last Christmas was much the same! Well, that's it folks. With the quieter Winter timetable there was even time for a swift pint in The Rising Sun (our old haunt!) on the way home. Happy New Year all, thanks for reading and all the best for 2020...
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