Merry Christmas 2021...

Well, here we are again everybody: the Merry Christmas post! It's been a funny old year but nowhere near as bad as the last. We're still getting used to the 'new normal' and living under the threat of restrictions returning at any given moment but at least we've managed to experience a lot more elements of freedom during the last twelve months. Thank you as always to the readers who keep reading this drivel and thank you to everyone that has been involved in this years steam journey. There is still quite a lot of content from this year missing but I will attempt to correct this during the dark and gloomy months before the new season begins. I hope this Christmas finds you all safe and well. As I always say: eat, drink and be merry! Just after Christmas I'll be turning 30 (god willing) and it's quite sobering to think that I've been adding to this blog for 14 years now! Quoting her majesty, "I wish you all a very happy Christmas". Thank you all, stay safe and I hope you'll keep reading in 2022. Cheers all, Sam...

An 8F On The Christmas "Elizabethan"...

Throughout my years in steam preservation, I've always enjoyed what many of us know as 'steam heat season'. These are the dark winter months where locomotives are used to heat the trains as well as to pull them! This isn't because I enjoy connecting the bags up or indeed driving to and from a railway in total darkness but winter time just seems to bring even more atmosphere to the job. Today I was booked for the third of my 'Third Man' turns at the Great Central Railway in Loughborough. Reading through the roster last month, I was surprised to see an extremely acceptable sign on time of 08:15, with the locomotive due off shed at 11:30. I arrived a little after 07:30 because it never hurts to have time on your side! Having signed in and read through the various notices, I waited for booked driver Andy and fireman Tony to arrive. Our steed for the shift: LMS 8F No48305: was waiting patiently under the floodlights of Empress Road bridge. This would be another engine to tick off my list...

Our working today was a single round trip hauling the Christmas version of the popular Sunday lunch dining train: the 'Elizabethan'. On Santa and Winter Wonderlights duty today was the Standard 5 No73156. The crew for the 4-6-0 had had to arrive far earlier than us and she was already brewing up nicely alongside the cold bulk of Peppercorn A1 Pacific No60163 "Tornado". The A1 is at Loughborough for a few weeks to allow for testing of new ETCS equipment for main line running. I believe she will then leave the railway to begin her upcoming overhaul...

Fireman Tony duly arrived and after a quick chinwag we set to work inspecting 48305. Having confirmed a good boiler water level and inspected the firebox, it was time to move on to the smokebox. Tony kindly volunteered to empty the ashes whilst I worked the wheelbarrow from ground level...

With all checks made, we began clearing the grate of last nights ashes. The engine had been out on last nights dining train and was still showing a respectable 20psi on the gauge. After an energetic thrash about with the various irons, Tony kindly allowed me to do the light up. Having spread a bed of coal one-lump thick across the grate, I started to throw some pallet wood in before adding some flaming paraffin-soaked rags. More pallet wood was added on top and the warmth of the engine meant she was already providing a good draft. 48305 started singing almost instantly as the fire took hold. She is seen here with a reassuring plume of smoke rising from the chimney...

A cab view of 48305, with coal now added and pressure rising nicely...

On our way for a cup of tea, I snapped the new build "Tornado" standing impressively outside the shed. It isn't my thing I must admit, but it looks nice...

As the morning wore on the three of us busied ourselves with various jobs around the engine. As the sun climbed higher into the blue sky, it was clear that the dreary morning had opened up into a fabulous wintry afternoon. At around 11:30, we left shed with the 8F and took water on the column before proceeding around into platform 2 ready to pick up our waiting stock. The train: headed by the 'Arrowvale Belle' saloon: needed to be pushed back slightly before passengers began to board. With the job done, diners began boarding for their three course festive lunch. 48305 meanwhile sat steam heating the stock in readiness for a 13:00 departure...

To my surprise, Tony kindly allowed me to fire the round trip. I wasn't expecting to do much today as we only had the one booked run but he kindly let me do pretty much everything. As departure time neared I built up a strong back end and made sure that the fire was fit to go. We had six coaches behind us but this would no doubt provide no issue for the powerful 2-8-0. Here, we see another view of 48305s cab...

Pretty much on time, the engine summoned her strength as driver Andy took us out of Loughborough and onward towards Quorn. We were due to be none stop to Leicester North but ended up stopping at both Quorn and Rothley for operational reasons. The biggest issue here was keeping 48305 quiet at the valves as once she was hot she just wanted to blow! Whilst changing the lamps at Leicester North I managed to grab a shot of the engine feathering to herself prior to a northward departure...

The run back was most enjoyable and I was beginning to settle into the 8F. The smaller 4ft 8.5" wheels make you feel like you're going much faster than you are which is quite exhilarating! We had a brief stop at Swithland Reservoir on the return trip, no doubt to allow diners to be served their desserts. Having set off from the picturesque stopping point, the 8F trundled happily back to Loughborough where we uncoupled before returning to shed for disposal. By now the fire had been run down nicely and a quick flick with the irons to check for clinker was all that was required. Boiler filled, ashpan checked and cab cleaned and washed down, we left the 1943-built 48305 to simmer away to herself. What a lovely engine she is...

I must heartily thank Andy and Tony for a cracking day on 48305. What a powerful and versatile machine these engines are. Before this I'd only known the Great Western version! Having filled in my cleaners paperwork and signed out, it was time to head for home. Merry Christmas one and all! Cheers, Sam...

Please note any views or opinions expressed in this blog are merely personal and do not in any way represent the views or opinions of any other person, group or organisation.

Statfold: A Festive Peckett On "The Santa Express"...

"We wish you a Merry Christmas, we wish you a Merry Christmas, we wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year". Following on from last Sunday's enjoyable morning turn on the 'Santa Express' at Statfold, today we were in for the same again but on the afternoon shift. My charge for the turn was not the big red engine on this occasion but the chunky and trusty Peckett "Harrogate" (No2050 of 1944). The afternoon turns involve a very pleasant sign on time of 13:00, with a view to taking the engine over at around 13:50, just in time for the 14:00 departure. Mileage on both turns is the same (eight trips from Strawberry Park to Cogan Halt and back) with the added preparation or disposal, depending on which shift you get! I arrived at the SBR in good time for my 13:00 sign on and found my Fireman: Jon: in the mess room with "Fiji"s afternoon crew: Phil and Caroline. The train: top and tailed with the two engines: could be heard steaming up and down outside the workshop door whilst we chatted over a hot cuppa. As crew change time neared, we grabbed our bags and wandered down to Oak Tree where the returning 13:30 train was waiting to depart...

When departure time came myself and Jon joined the first empty coach behind the Peckett and rode the short distance back to Strawberry Park before taking over the engine. Steve: driver for the morning turn: gave me the lowdown on No2050 as we changed over and no problems were reported. Once aboard the engine we made our usual checks (the water, the steam, the fire etc) before I stepped off to grab the token from Phil ready for departure. As per Statfold rules, the rearmost engine carries the train staff at all times. There was just enough time to grab a brew from our recently installed tea cans on the warming tray before we set off in reverse behind "Fiji"...

The weather this afternoon was breezy with a hint of damp whilst the evening forecast promised persistent drizzle. As usual, I gave "Harrogate" a breath of steam to hold her weight as we made our way around the railway. Once stopped safely at Oak Tree, I took my first opportunity to go around with the oil can. Everything seemed shipshape and Bristol fashion, if you'll pardon the Peckett pun...

Leaving Oak Tree right on time, "Fiji" hauled us neatly into Strawberry Park where another train load of excited passengers awaited us. Jon climbed down to deliver the train staff to Phil whilst I took a few snaps before we left on the 14:30...

With passengers boarded, "Harrogate" awaits departure time...

With a "Right Away" from our Guard I opened the regulator and the Peckett hissed into life. Expelling condensate from her large cylinders she barked out of Strawberry Park and towards Oak Tree, with the five coaches and "Fiji" following neatly behind her. The engine was her usual sure-footed self as we climbed around the balloon loop before settling down for the gradually quickening trundle back to Oak Tree via the short but sharp bank. I like to keep power on from the balloon loop to the shut off point at Oak Tree, adjusting regulator and cut-off where necessary to avoid constantly shutting and reopening the regulator. Despite hitting the bank at a fair trot (but below permitted line speed) you can crawl over the top and the bank will slow you without needing the brake once you've shut off steam. You can then gently steam into Oak Tree. Passengers set down, we steam back to Strawberry Park with the ECS before repeating the process. Here, No2050 waits with the 15:30 departure...

Same spot, different engine: "Fiji" prepares for the 16:00 departure...

Jon and I swapped sides of the cab for the 16:30 trip. By now the last of the days light was failing and "Harrogate" was illuminated by the fairy lights and one of her paraffin headlamps (fitted to the top bracket to denote a stopping service)...

Thankfully I didn't end up down the nick for steam or water and we arrived safely back at Oak Tree for our 10-minute or so layover. Our pre-ordered food duly arrived at the cab and was gratefully received. A hot turkey baguette with roast potatoes and cranberry sauce was just what the doctor ordered...

Once we had the road, Jon took us gently out of Oak Tree for another dramatic arrival into Strawberry Park in readiness for the 17:00 trip. It must look quite impressive from the platform as we pull around the corner with the illuminated coaches! Half an hour later, "Harrogate" is pictured on the tail of the train at Oak Tree again during a final oil up and check over. She looked quite festive I'll admit...

Our final passenger departure was the 17:30 ex-Strawberry Park. By now it was very dark and I had to rely on both route knowledge (not so hard on a short railway) and the sound of the engine to judge location and speed. With "Fiji" providing a breath of steam on the tail, the run provided no issues at all despite the arrival of the pesky drizzle. Having set down our final passengers at Oak Tree we were surprised to be asked to take one final trip to the balloon loop only for a late family who had missed their train ride due to Sat Nav issues (not uncommon around these parts!). Phil and "Fiji" led us back to the balloon loop before "Harrogate" worked the train back to Oak Tree again: all part of our customer service! Job done, I took the engine and train back to Strawberry Park where we arrived in readiness for disposal...

The lights were soon switched off (not a disappointment for me!) and the engine uncoupled. Once Jon was clear I pulled the engine forward from the loop towards Statfold and the road was reset behind us. We then drifted back into the passing road whilst "Fiji" cleared the way. The tender engine goes on shed first, followed by the Peckett. With the Hudswell Clarke stabled outside the roundhouse, we were called on with "Harrogate". The trick here is to get the regulator to seat correctly, using the same method as you would with say a 5700 Pannier tank. A good breath of steam (so you know you'll get to where you want to) is followed by a firm close of the regulator and a refusal to reopen it. You need to clear the steam circuit. If you stop with the system full of steam then the regulator won't seat properly and it will pass. With regulator closed, "Harrogate" settles down for the night on the shed road...

As per usual, despite coming on shed after Phil, we were disposed well before him as he was chatting away! A final snap of "Fiji" here after a great afternoon...

After a very pleasant eight and a bit trips around the railway it was time to wash up, fill in the paperwork and sign out before heading for home. I must thank Jon for his firing efforts, Phil & Caroline for their company and banter and of course Alex for rostering me. That's another two very enjoyable Santa turns completed at Statfold: thank you. Finally, of course, Seasons greetings one and all...

Statfold: It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas...

"Good King Wenceslas looked out, on the Feast of Stephen, when the snow lay round about, deep and crisp and even" and so on and so forth! Good evening all and welcome to my first Christmas post of 2021. Today involved a very pleasant morning shift at the regulator of 1912-built Hudswell Clarke 0-6-0 "Fiji", hauling Statfold Barns 'Santa Express'. I believe a lot of us engine crews missed out on Santa Specials throughout the UK in 2020 thanks to the awful Covid-19 pandemic and so it felt wonderfully refreshing to be back on festive workings again. I've always liked volunteering on Christmas trains at all of the different places I've been involved with over the years: I love the festive atmosphere they bring. This morning I was rostered on the AM shift with Fireman Joey and Trainee John. In cold but clear conditions, I arrived a little before 06:30 at the Statfold roundhouse which has become the base of operations for the 2021 Santa workings. Having signed in and read the notices, it was time to head out to my steed for the morning: "Fiji". John had already made a start clearing the ashes from the grate ready to light up. A little while later, with all checks made, we had a fresh blaze going and the Hudswell began singing almost immediately...

Here, John adds more wooden blocks to the embryo fire he has just lit...

With the engine already singing away it wouldn't take long before the pressure needle nudged itself encouragingly clockwise from the stop. Behind us, Batesy and Caroline had lit up our tail engine for the shift: Peckett No2050 of 1944 "Harrogate"...

This years Santa workings again involve all trains being top and tailed. As all locomotives involved are dressed in Christmas lights (as are the coaches) it makes sense to keep them coupled to save splitting the cables. New for 2021 is a revised running arrangement which sees all passenger departures leaving from the Strawberry Park Station on the Statfold side of Oak Tree. With trains leaving at half hourly intervals between 10:00 and 17:30, it makes for quite an intensive timetable. Passengers ride the train from Strawberry Park to the balloon loop before being returned to Oak Tree to continue their experience. Having set down their passengers, trains then return ECS to Strawberry Park to allow the next passengers to see their train arrive into the platform. The whole system works very well, as we would find out this morning. As the sun began to rise, it was still extremely cold out on the prep road...

It was a strange morning this one: it wasn't frosty, it wasn't wet but my lord was it cold! Removing my hands from the warm exterior of a hot tea mug and replacing it with cold oil bottles certainly wasn't an enticing prospect! A silver lining though was "Fiji"s positioning over the roundhouse pit. This is a deeper pit than I'm used to but very welcome it was. Usually you're on your knees oiling the Walschaerts valve gear on "Fiji" but today I was on a small set of steps with easy access to pretty much everything. Top marks must go to last nights driver for that one...

With the engine oiled I could return to my tea whilst we waited for Batesy to move the Peckett from behind us to let us out. I must have collectively lost years of my life waiting for Batesy for one reason or another! Soon enough, with a pip on his whistle, Phil took the green saddle tank out of the way and set back behind the prep road points to clear the road. We were then treated to some early morning mileage due to one of the Plymouth diesels failing to cold start on this chilly morning. Once clear of the prep road I let "Fiji" run a little bit with her valve taps open to clear the bulk of the condensate. Stopping a few panels later, we hopped off to close the taps before setting off again for Statfold in a cloud of steam. 

We had to collect the fifth coach for the set, which had been on charge outside Statfold signalbox overnight. Once back at Oak Tree, the train was marshalled before "Fiji" was run clear of the prep road points so that Phil could come back out once he'd emptied his ash pan. "Fiji" looked quite a picture in the morning sun, despite my shadow...

Whilst we waited for Phil (again) there was time to get a wash and change into our smart overalls. "Harrogate" was sitting with her ashpan over the pit with Phil flailing around energetically beneath her with the irons. In the picture below you'll notice steam being emitted from the left side. This isn't the injector steam valve passing, it's the lubricator warming cock exhausting. As "Harrogate" carries a large Wakefield which uses the thicker cylinder oil for most of its lubrication, a cold morning like this requires use of the warmer to make the oil less viscous. Cylinder oil will be like treacle on cold mornings without it and won't flow easily...

Despite our Phil related delay minutes, we made it to our respective places on either end of the train by a little after 09:30. There was then little to do but wait for our first passengers (and grab another photo of course)...

With a train load of happy passengers, we departed Strawberry Park on our first trip right on time at 10:00. With five coaches, the Peckett and greasy morning rails, a frustrated "Fiji" was not eager to start without assistance from the tail engine. She's a strong engine but this train is heavy, particularly with "Harrogate" on the back. The downward trip is quite steady, with only a quick pull out of Oak Tree and around the corner before shutting off steam to descend the bank. There is then a bit of a pull through Cogan Halt and around the balloon loop before the final little jog back to the foot of the stiff bank into Oak Tree. Phil was of course holding his own weight on the rear and rightly so: as would we later on. Here, "Fiji" drops off our first passengers at Oak Tree ready to work ECS back to Strawberry Park...

The 10:30 trip involved us being the tail engine. We swapped the train staff to the rearmost locomotive (as per the rules) and the leading engine carried the air brake. Here, "Fiji" sits at Strawberry Park having led the 11:00 working...

It was a very pleasant morning and pretty much stress free. There seemed to be plenty of happy passengers around and we were visited at the engine by quite a few of them during the shift. "Fiji" tailed the 11:30 working before leading the 12:00 trip which Joey drove whilst John fired. I meanwhile rode on the tender drinking my tea and thinking how cold it was away from my warm seat beside the firebox cladding! Although it was a clear morning, the chill breeze when running tender first was enough to bring tears to your eyes! Our final trip on the front was the 13:00 which I drove. Here, we see a drivers eye view just before departure from Strawberry Park...

"Fiji" sits settled at Strawberry Park after a safe arrival with another ECS working...

Phil was on the handle of the leading engine for the final trip of our morning shift: the 13:30. By now the warm sunshine had given way to thick and threatening cloud which quickly made us glad to soon be leaving the footplate! We used the final trip on the back to get our things together and make "Fiji" ready for the oncoming afternoon crew. Whilst she feathered at Oak Tree we removed the bulk of the ashes from the pan and I gave her a thorough check over and oil round ready to fill in my portion of the loco report. By now the snow was beginning to fall from the darkening skies...

By the time we left Oak Tree the snow was really coming down and we were met with the glum faces of the snow covered crews arriving for duty! Keith, Barry and Jake would be taking "Fiji" over for the afternoon and, having told Keith the engine was OK, we headed into the warmth of the roundhouse mess room to fill in our reports and sign out. In a heavy snow shower, I left the SBR at around 14:30 for home. My grateful thanks must go to Joey, John, Phil, Caroline and Alex for a great morning out with the engines. I'm on again next Sunday on the PM shift: can't wait!

A Black Five to Southall...

Working in Northampton right next to the main line certainly has its advantages every so often. This afternoon I happened to hear that a steamer was passing again, albeit behind a diesel. Sure enough, right at the booked time, Black Five No44871 appeared into sight feathering calmly behind a rumbling Class 57. The locomotives were tailed by a lengthy rake of empty coaching stock and the ensemble was travelling from Carnforth to Southall ready to work a Chester job from Euston this coming Saturday. The 1945-built Black Five looked a picture in her mixed traffic livery as the diesel brought her to a stand at a red signal just opposite our depot...

The fireman was scooping a few shovels into the fire whilst the diesel waited eagerly for the signal to clear. I really like the lining on these engines. Their mixed traffic status afforded them the black with lining (instead of the plain black of a freight engine) and 44871s 'cycling lion' emblem really stands out...

If anyone is wondering, the addition of the diesel is likely due to be for water consumption purposes, with the Black Five in steam to keep the lubrication moving. Once the signal cleared the diesel duly roared into life and took the train away with ease towards the south. A pleasant few minutes that was, to break up the day. I wonder what the next steamer to pass by will be? Cheers all, Sam...

Please note that the above images were taken from outside the NR boundary fence.

Shackerstone Remembers Dave Johnson...

Throughout my time in this hobby I've met some great people and one of those great people was Dave Johnson. Dave was a huge part of the Battlefield Line, being involved from the early years and eventually becoming the President of the Shackerstone Railway Society. When I first started volunteering at Shackerstone at age 15 in the January of 2007, Dave was one of the first people to set me to work and it was lovely (as a then newbie) to come across such a kind and approachable person. I remember working with him on his then pride and joy: Bagnall No2648 of 1941, then named "Linda" after Daves wife. The Bagnall had been a stalwart of Shackerstone services at one time and still operates today under a new owner based at Chasewater. 

When I was 16 I joined the Shackerstone footplate crew as a trainee fireman and remember fondly a particular day working "Sir Gomer" with Dave on a station pilot turn. Dave kindly allowed me to drive the engine and this experience therefore became the first time I'd ever driven a standard gauge locomotive and no doubt helped to pave the way for pretty much everything that has came along since! When you're young these things stick with you and I'll be forever grateful to Dave for that drive. Across my time with the Battlefield Line I had many a pleasant engine turn with Dave, no doubt joined by JB or Eddie as well. I'd describe him as a happy guy and always jovial. He had a great sense of humour and it was always nice to share a day with him. Dave sadly passed away after bravely battling a long illness in January of this year. Tonight, kindly invited by Daves family, a group of Shackerstone members old and new came together to remember lovely Dave with a special train ride... 

It's almost a year since I last went to Shackerstone but I wouldn't have missed the chance to be part of this special evening. With the train planned to depart for Shenton at 17:30, we arrived in good time to see immaculate Modified Hall No6989 "Wightwick Hall" back down onto the waiting stock...

Here, Driver Adrian backs the Hall onto the stock ready for departure...

6989 departed right on time and was soon steaming along the old ex-ANJR metals with a train full of people discussing their various fond memories of Dave. Some of the faces on that train I hadn't seen for many a long year but once you got talking it felt like only yesterday. Although it was a sad occasion, it was lovely to see so many people with so many nice things to say about a great guy. Soon enough, the Hall arrived at a peaceful Shenton and was uncoupled prior to running round...

The sun was certainly smiling on Daves train as we enjoyed a beautiful September evening with hardly a cloud in the sky. The 1948-built Modified Hall was held in the run round loop so that family and friends could get some pictures with her...

A short while later, 6989 hisses northward ready to rejoin the head of the train for the return journey. The engine was carrying a memorial wreath and one of the famous 'SRS' headboards as a tribute to Dave...

Upon our return to Shackerstone, 6989 is captured waiting in Platform 1...

There was then some lovely food to enjoy and many of us talked long into the evening about great times gone by. I'll never forget that even after I'd left Shackerstone, whenever I saw Dave out and about whether at Statfold or on a Tyseley trip somewhere, he always stopped me to say hello with his infectious smile. A really nice guy and I will miss him. Later on in the evening I spent some time in the Shackerstone museum which is a great place for reflection...

I think I left the railway some time around 22:30 after a lovely evening. I must thank Daves family for the invitation, particularly Linda and Amy: I am very grateful. I'll end this post with a picture of the man himself out with us some ten years ago in the summer of 2011. Dave (on the left) smiles from 3803 with Eddie and myself behind. There were many days like this and we still have our memories. Cheers Dave... 

Drivers Dave and Eddie with trainee Sam in 2011 (D.Hanks)