As the finale of the 2018 events calendar, Statfold Barn Railway introduced an intensive program of Christmas trains, providing their own spin on a Santa Special. The 'Santa Express' service proved very popular with the public and so it has been brought back for its second year this Christmas. The format was much the same as last year, just with a few additional activities for the visitors to enjoy. The timetable sees half-hourly departures from Statfold Junction station, top and tailed by two of the railways steam locomotives. The visitors leave the train at Oak Tree Halt for their Santa experience, returning on a later working. Shifts for the loco crews are split into AM and PM due to the length of the day, with the morning shift operating from 07:00 - 13:30. Today was the first of two turns for me this Christmas season, both penned to Hudswell Clarke "Fiji" of 1912. I arrived at the SBR base a little before 07:00, ready to sign in and check the notices. The two engines: "Fiji" and "Harrogate": were simmering on the shed frontage under a clear sky. What a lovely December morning...
Fireman Steve and Trainee James soon arrived too and we began preparations. I decided to remove the baffle plate so that I could give the firebox a good checking over. With all found to the OK, the refitting of the baffle proved quite troublesome as it is a very good fit on this engine, especially when she's stinking hot. For the uninitiated, the baffle plate is slotted in above the protector ring in the firebox doorway, guiding secondary air so as to provide adequate combustion as well as protecting the firebox and tubeplate from cold air flow. With the baffle finally refitted, Steve began making up the new fire. Statfold are still using the popular Scottish coal which, although it produces a fair amount of smoke, burns well and produces good results...
Whilst I made my way around the Walschaerts valve gear with the oil cans, I couldn't help but think how clean the engine was after yesterdays efforts. A good rub over with some clean rags brought her up lovely again for her Sunday on the Santa trains. "Fiji", who was built for the Lautoka Sugar Mill in the country of her namesake, has become quite an SBR flagship in recent years and is popular with visitors and crews alike. I haven't been on it as booked driver for three years or so: last Christmas I had three days on "Harrogate": and so it would be nice to take the handle of the big red engine again today. We were due to leave shed at just before 09:30 and "Fiji" was, by then, looking the part. In the image below, we can see the framing added around the smokebox and balloon stack for the festive lighting. It looks like a steam engine version of the famous Coca Cola lorry after darkness falls...
The Peckett left shed first, taking with it the coal wagon that would be required at the top of platform 1 later in the day. "Fiji" has a sizeable tender and coal space so wouldn't need this facility, but the cab bunkers of the tank engine would require a top up later on. Soon enough, the call from the signalbox came over the radio and I replied with "On the move!". Slowly but surely, with drain cocks hissing, "Fiji" moved off. The steam brake had already been warmed so was ready for service as we descended the hill to stop at the gantry near the signalbox. We were then given the road to set back up into platform 2 to couple up to the 5-coach train that awaited us...
With brakes and lighting attached, the engine was ready for the off as soon as the passengers had boarded. Todays trains were all fairly well sold, meaning that loadings would be considerably strong throughout our morning. Looking at the timings, I concluded that "Fiji" would pull four of the trains on the AM shift, tailing the other three which would be hauled by the Peckett. At 10:00, the Guard blew his whistle and waved his flag, giving us the "right away". Removing the air brakes saw us roll into action, descending from platform 2 and passing the signalbox. The signalbox is locked out on the Christmas trains, with the single line token (which I'd already been shown) travelling on the rearmost locomotive. The engine was a little cold on this first run and a little wet at the large chimney, which is of course to be expected. I did find however that she was responsive and easily in control of the job, requiring no more than pilot valve even on the steepest bank. Soon enough, we were unloading at Oak Tree...
By now the sun had made a welcome appearance and was beaming down on the footplate. A pleasant morning on the handle looked to be a certainty...
As there isn't much time for leaving the engine on this job, I'd brought along my trusty tea can (or mash can, if you will). This sat neatly behind the manifold on the firebox casing, keeping warm alongside a pot of cylinder oil...
Having dropped off our passengers, we departed Oak Tree with the ECS bound for Statfold. I like this big red engine: very responsive and quite gentle but with the power to do the job. As we pulled up again in Statfolds platform 2 ready for the 10:30 outing, I stepped off to grab a shot of the Hudswell Clarke...
I've told this story several times before but, following her working life, "Fiji" was actually bought for a tourist railway in 1985. A diesel engine was fitted in the tender and a section of the firebox cut away to make room for a gearbox. Lautoka No11 (as she was) was then effectively operated as a steam-outline diesel before finally being rescued in 2011 and brought back to the UK. The following year, it arrived at Statfold. I remember it turning up in a right state and looking very sorry for itself. Thankfully, the team at SBR performed a painstaking restoration and brought the engine back to life. Here she is awaiting the 11:00 working, back on the front of the train...
On the whole it was quite a steady and uneventful morning. The engine performed very well and we had no issues. The engine finds the job no trouble at all, particularly with the Peckett holding her own weight, as we would when we were on the rear. Here, "Fiji" relaxes in the sun on the tail of the 11:30 train hauled by "Harrogate"...
Being on the back of the train seems to keep you away from the public somewhat, allowing the important tasks such as oiling etc to be completed. Each time we came to a stand on the rear of the train, I could easily hop out and inspect the engine, topping up any points if required. "Fiji" carries two lubricators on the drivers side which provide oil to the cylinders and axleboxes respectively...
The engine is seen waiting for a tender first departure under blue skies...
Our other two trips at 12:00 and 13:00 were just as enjoyable. I did offer the handle to Steve but he said he was quite happy on the firemans side as he had plenty of driving turns coming up. To be honest, I was happy with that as I was enjoying myself immensely. It's nice to sit back in the seat and enjoy the sound of "Fiji" working away. It was actually a shame to have to hand the engine over to the afternoon crew at 13:30 but, I must admit, it's nice to have an early finish. Trundling back along the A444 at around 14:00, I couldn't believe I still had most of the day to myself! Thanks for reading all: I'm back next Saturday, driving "Fiji" again. Cheers, Sam...
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