Bagnall Bliss: The "Isibutu" Farewell...

Well, here we are: the end of season steam up at Statfold. This years season has of course been (for obvious reasons) the shortest season ever, having only really begun in July. However, with a dozen engines in steam and an intensive, socially distanced timetable, we were determined to have a fabulous weekend. The August Enthusiasts Weekend had provided a very much welcome return to the footplate, with myself and regular fireman Ben enjoying the Saturday on "Alpha" and then Sunday with my firm favourite: "Isibutu". I was absolutely astounded when the roster was released for this weekend and showed our names clearly penned to "Isibutu" once again. "Isibutu" twice in a row is the highlight of my SBR driving career! To top off our good fortune, the Met Office had promised cracking weather and so, excited and ready for some more Bagnall action, I arrived at Statfold this morning a little before 06:30. Ben had already performed all of the usual checks and lit the fire. With the loco having had a thorough warming fire yesterday, we'd be in no rush this morning. I soon set to with the oil cans whilst Ben polished the tanks and made the Bagnall shine... 

Aided by Chris: who joined us for a spot of cleaning before his Guards turn: we ended up with a very clean engine. I was particularly determined that we should go out shining as it was the Bagnalls last weekend in active service before the expiry of her 10-year boiler certificate. Naturally, with the rate of overhauls at Statfold she probably won't be away for long, but a send off is a send off nonetheless! After a nice cuppa' and the traditional morning Safety Brief on the lawn, we returned to the engine for our freshly delivered breakfast cob. Yard Master Paul soon arrived and instructed us to await the signal, which duly rose to the 'off' position. After a blast on the Stanier hooter, "Isibutu" hissed slowly backwards to start the descent of the bank. The shunt signal was given for the headshunt, where we duly came to a stand...

There were six loco consists on the low level railway today, which were to share three train sets. "Isibutu" would end up sharing the three-coach Severn Lamb rake with the Garrett K1, swapping over at Statfold Junction. On the high level line, the Quarry duo of "Cloister" and "Sybil Mary" would be top and tailing the freight train, operating alongside "Trangkil" and "Harrogate" with the two-coach passenger. The positioning move made for an interesting sight as it passed us a little after 09:00...

Our coaches were currently sited at the top of Platform 2 near the crossing, meaning that our first move would be to couple up and drag them down to the starter signal before passengers could board. With the necessary shunt signal now 'off', "Isibutu" hissed gradually forward, expelling reams of condensate outward from her cylinders. Of course, no matter how gentle I was with the regulator, "Isibutu" managed to cough quite spectacularly over our cleaning efforts as she made her way up into the station! Called on by the Guard, we buffered up and were duly coupled on. The train was then dragged down to the signal to await the next 'up' train...

The Quarry duo of "Statfold" and "Jack Lane" soon appeared into view, chuffing into Statfold Junctions platform 1 with simultaneous exhaust beats. With our train loaded and ready to go, the road was given before the starter signal rose to the 'off' position. With a "Right Away" from the Guard, I gave a blast on the hooter before releasing the train brake. "Isibutu" soon began to roll on the gradient, having to be checked a little as we passed the signalbox to collect the token for the section. This weekend would provide a slightly different method of working to the norm, with trains pausing at Strawberry Park station in both directions, in conjunction with the Road, Rail and Ale festival which was taking place in the event field. It was quite pleasant to have an extra stop and the bark from the chimney is very nice as the track rises away from the platform in both directions. Having passed No19 at Oak Tree, we sailed none-stop to the balloon loop and back as there were no low level trains passing/swapping there. After a wonderful first run, we paused at Oak Tree to await the token...

The sun was shining beautifully as we left Oak Tree behind, returning to Statfold via Strawberry Park. The engine was singing to us. She may be 10 years in with many days work done but she is still a strong and willing performer. Fair enough she is showing wear in all of the expected places, as any engine would at this stage but she still provides fantastic service. I love driving this engine: she is truly wonderful. I think it's because you almost have to drive her: dare I say it: like a big one and in my opinion she requires more feel than some of the other locomotives on the line. Having spent a short layover back in the headshunt, we were soon called upon again once K1 returned. This time we were facing chimney first and are captured here drifting into the new loop at Strawberry Park from Oak Tree with the lovely 4-4-0...

"Bagnall Bliss" (Pic - I.Whitfield)

Leaving Strawberry Park we ran parallel for a short while with the Burton & Ashby Tram, providing quite a spectacle for passengers on the top deck as "Isibutu" climbed towards Statfold. Once back at base and shunt released by the departing K1, we were signalled back into the headshunt to await our next working. It all seemed to go very well today, with everything working neatly in a rotating system that you could plan your day by. "Isibutu" would spend her layovers simmering quietly in the sunshine...

Our layovers also allowed us to take a peak into the adjacent idyllic setting of the Garden Railway, where Kerr Stuart "Roger" (3128 of 1918) was working...

Of course, our third outing was bunker first. Again, extremely pleasant and no trouble at all. I remember saying to Ben that it was actually quite an uneventful day. It was just a lovely, stress-free outing aboard a fine engine in good weather and with good company: what more could you want?! As I've said before, "Isibutu" is an ex-Tongaat Sugar Bagnall which (along with several similar sisters) was built in Stafford for export to Natal, South Africa. The 'real' "Isibutu" was built in 1929 as works number 2374. This engine however is 2820 "Egolomi", or the majority of her is! She is a later build (1945/46...there is some debate!) and was renamed "Robert Armstrong" in her later career. The "Isibutu" plates were fitted following preservation and, although not historically correct in this instance, I do prefer the name. Isibutu was a neighbouring sugar estate to Egolomi so is still a fitting name for the engine. Three other ex-Tongaat Bagnalls still survive in the UK, though "Isibutu" (until next week anyway) is the only one currently operational. The Tongaat Bagnalls were quite handsome indeed...

For our fourth outing I'd installed my lunch (a cornish pasty) behind the manifold: one trip at gas mark 200 as normal! In the shot below we can see the simplistic cab layout of 2820, with the marine/bullhead firebox visible at the bottom...

This time we were stopped on a red flag by the balloon loop signaller as the high level train had already reached the loop. "Isibutu" meanwhile feathered loudly, impatient for the off with her mid-afternoon train of Severn Lamb coaches...

The timetable today was very intensive but still allowed us time to water the engine at Oak Tree and grab a cuppa' or a water from the tea hut. The extra minute or two gained by the 'down' trains having to call at Strawberry Park gave us a little more grace than usual. Here, "Isibutu" awaits the road at Oak Tree, bound for Statfold...

The sun was still shining as I drove "Isibutu" up into platform 1 at Statfold Junction. It's quite an interesting station to stop at really, particularly when trying to seat your regulator correctly! I was aiming to shut-off early and allow the regulator to seat before bringing the train to a stand. In this case, "Isibutu" has her own air brakes (unlike any of the rest of the fleet I believe) so the train is easily and controllably brought to a stand. Here, the engine rests as we await K1 to shunt release us...

Our fifth and final train of the day was bunker first once again and Ben drove this one whilst I fired. The engine continued to steam and pull extremely well, providing no stress for either of us. I do hope she gets turned around soon: I'll miss her. After a lovely final trip (which I'm sure Ben enjoyed) we were shunt released a final time by K1 before I took "Isibutu" up onto the shed via the signalbox. Coming to rest on the shed with the regulator firmly shut, we began the disposal procedure. With the fire thinned and boiler full, we settled "Isibutu" for the night. She'd no doubt still have steam next morning, if only 10 or 20 pounds. Before the bar, I took one last shot...

Well, signed out and washed up, there was time for a quick pint with the lads to reflect on the days events. It had been a fabulous day with the ex-Tongaat Sugar Bagnall and it was a pleasure to spend time with her one last time. Hopefully it won't be too long before she's back out again! I must thank Ben for a great day and Alex for rostering us on this fine machine again. Roll on tomorrow, with Peckett "Harrogate"...