Bagnall Brilliance: Impeccable "Isaac"...

"Bagnall Passing A Savage Little Samson" (J.Evans)

Evening all. Today I had a fabulous day driving at the Statfold Barn Railway at the regulator of newly acquired Bagnall "Isaac", of 1953. Built for the Rustenberg Platinum Mines in South Africa, the engine has most recently been a stalwart performer at the Lynton & Barnstaple Railway before being transferred to Statfold a few months back. For years I've admired "Isaac" from afar but had never seen her in the metal until she arrived at the SBR. Today would see us hauling seven trips for the annual Giant Miniature Weekend, which I used to organize until my retirement due to other commitments mid-last year. I wish the railway well with the event and indeed it was nice to be the other side of the fence this time around! This morning I arrived at Statfold a little before 06:30 and found "Isaac" waiting on the shed...

After a quick check around the engine, Fireman Barry duly arrived and we began preparations. Also in steam today were "Fiji" and No19, the latter of which was carrying a 'Luckham Flyer' headboard to celebrate her driver and railway manager Alex's birthday. Here, Barry has just lit "Isaac"s fresh fire...

I was very excited about today, particularly as our charge was "Isaac". I really like the Bagnall side tank designs, with longer term resident "Isibutu" being my personal favourite of course. Like her older cousin, "Isaac" carries the Bagnall Price valve gear, patented by the company in 1903. I found the 0-4-2 a particularly easy engine to oil up: the job seemingly taking no time at all. I was surprised to find oil reservoirs feeding the axlebox keeps remotely and even pots that fed the eccentrics remotely. With the engine oiled in no time, we had a chance to give her a rub over...

Barry had been in in the week cleaning the engine up so she only required a few wipes over to get the morning smuts off. She looked a real picture...

"Morning Bagnall" (B.Bryan)

As pressure rose, time passed and it wasn't long before the signalman was calling us down to the box for our first move. "Isaac" is afforded four braking methods: handbrake, steam brake, vacuum brake and air brake so we hoped that we would have no issues with stopping! Having hissed cautiously onto the train, "Isaac" was coupled up whilst No19 went on the line inspection. When the red saddle tank returned, she was coupled onto us to form the token train. This picture could be dubbed "the trip that could have been" as the fickle finger of fate descended upon us...

Sadly, as the road was given, it became clear that there was a problem with "Isaac". We couldn't get air into the train which meant we couldn't go anywhere. We did everything you would normally do but still no joy and so No19 was quickly shunted on top of "Fiji"s adjacent passenger set and off they went. "Isaac" meanwhile was declared a failure and I drove her back up onto the shed where fitter Will continued with checks and repairs. Thankfully, the problem was soon discovered and repaired, with the large (and very loud) Plymouth diesel being brought up to perform a successful air test...

Back in business, we were called back down to the same waiting coaches in platform 2 and, once No19 returned light engine with the token, off we went. Todays trains were calling at Strawberry Park (home of the event area) in both directions and passing at Oak Tree halt. After a successful bunker first run to Cogan Halt and back, "Isaac" simmers quietly at Oak Tree as we awaited a passing service...

We had been deeply encouraged not to over fire with "Isaac" as her steaming ability would keep the safety valves blowing all day. She was a bit cold hearted on the first trip though, having not yet properly warmed herself through, so we ran a thicker fire during the second trip to get things right before just keeping a light, bright bed...

"Simmering at Statfold" (B.Bryan)

With three engines in steam and two sets running, we did quite a lot of moving about which was great. Once you were shunt released from the top of the station you were brought down to the signalbox and only a couple of minutes later your next train was arriving so you were soon on the move again...

"Passing Trains" (A.Young)

Our second train saw "Isaac"s needle hugging the red line and all was well. As expected, she was master of the job and a pleasure to drive. She pulled well, steamed well and stopped well so you couldn't really ask for more. The two Great Western whistles on the cab front also made for some good old fashioned two-tone fun! Here, "Isaac" awaits departure from Strawberry Park with a train bound for Cogan Halt as a 4" miniature passes by on the concrete road...

A rushed snap of "Isaac" as we await "Fiji" at Oak Tree Halt...

I quite like the name of "Isaac" although I don't think she was named after the son of Abraham, I think it was the son of her previous owner!...

The day remained fairly uneventful after our false start: one trip backwards, one trip forwards. "Isaac" was in great form and I tremendously enjoyed it. For our fourth outing, Barry was relieved by my mate Ben who came along and drove the engine whilst I fired a trip. I'm pretty sure he enjoyed himself!...

"Firing the Bagnall" (J.Evans)

Back on the handle for the fifth trip, I was relieved at Oak Tree by driver Paul who took "Isaac" for a round trip whilst I had a drink and a wander around some of the 40 miniatures in the field. Our seventh and final train involved collecting a tail engine at Oak Tree for the final token run back to Statfold. "Isaac" was in great voice as she blasted out of Strawberry Park and up the bank towards the locally known Jurassic Park gates! What a fine engine this is: love it! Around 17:30, "Isaac" sits simmering on the shed after another busy day in service at Statfold Barn...

What a day: seven trips and plenty of enjoyment aboard this beautiful Bagnall. Thank you to Barry for your company and firing efforts and thank you to all who sent in pictures for this post. Most of all, thank you to Will for fixing the engine so we could get going again! A fine machine and an ambition fulfilled: I have finally driven "Isaac"...