"Fijian Freight" (B.Bryan)
Good evening all. Today involved another driving turn at the wonderful Statfold Barn Railway, joined once again by well known Norfolk-based late riser 'Eddie the Late' as my Fireman. As Eddie was staying in Ratcliffe Culey (not a million miles from Statfold), I swung by his campsite on the way to pick him up. Eddie isn't used to functioning before dawn these days and at 05:45 I found him standing wide-eyed on the gloomy roadside with only an Owl for company. Eddie on board, we continued on to the McDonalds at Appleby to grab a quick breakfast before arriving at Statfold bang on time at 06:30 ready to sign in. Having scribbled in the book and read the notices, we continued out to our locomotive which is also much larger than Eddie is used to these days!...
Our large red steed was none other than Hudswell Clarke "Fiji", built in Leeds in 1912. According to my records this was my fourth booked driving turn on the ex-Lautoka 0-6-0 but my first since her recent ten-year overhaul. Having helped Eddie up into the cab due to the engines great height, we set to work checking her over in readiness to light the fire. Eddie was soon gasping all over the cab with the fire iron which no doubt felt like a bargepole now that he is only used to 15" gauge steam! Grate cleared and checks made, Eddie spread a round of coal around the firebox whilst I went scrambling for wood. Sunday turns on a two-day event can sometimes be a game of chance on the wood front but today we were lucky as there was still quite a lot left! Using some old rags found on the tender, Eddie then lit the fire...
Soon the typical 'Jones Column' was rising skyward from the balloon stack...
With the fire now crackling away nicely, I began the process of oiling the engine up. "Fiji" carries outside Walschaerts valve gear which is fairly easy to get at with both a feeder or a pump can. She also carries two large mechanical lubricators on her right side: one for the cylinders, one for the axleboxes. The lubricators carry cylinder oil and motion oil respectively. Whilst oiling around you're always on the look out for anything loose or amiss with the make up of the engine, as seen here...
"Oiling Up" (B.Bryan)
With the engine oiled and the fire now burning away on a good bed of Scottish coal, it was time to empty the ashpan. "Fiji" carries two dampers: one to the left and one to the right. Whilst I manned the hosepipe on one side to calm the dust, Eddie used the long iron to push the ashes through from the opposite side...
With "Fiji" now oiled, ashed and making steam nicely, there was little more to do but carry out some cleaning duties. The SBR engines are never filthy as they spend a lot of their time being cleaned. However, having been out the day before, "Fiji" just needed a wipe over with some clean rag to bring her shine back...
"Cleaning" (B.Bryan)
With the engine cleaned there was time to get changed before the 08:30 Safety Briefing on the lawn. Eddie had just added a fresh round of the very smoky coal...
After the briefing it looked like we may get on the move pretty quickly. It was however not to be and we didn't leave shed for perhaps another 90 minutes. This did however allow us the opportunity to give the cab roof and spectacle plate a clean. By 10:00, "Fiji" was simmering in platform 2 at Statfold Junction on the ex-Lynton set, with "Alpha" opposite. The size of the red 0-6-0 is evident...
At around 10:30 we received the road and the "Right Away" to leave Statfold on our first trip. As the main event was taking place in the event field at Strawberry Park, all trains would call here in both directions. With the sun shining, "Fiji" awaits the changeover of passengers at Strawberry whilst Eddie looks on...
A little while later, having passed through Oak Tree, the engine was simmering at Cogan Halt during our first layover period there. As is common at enthusiast events we had to wait for the next down train to arrive before we could commence our return journey. This normally involves a 6-7 minute wait...
It's always great fun driving "Fiji". It pulls well, steams well and rides well. Despite her great size she is an incredibly responsive and docile machine that is gentle in her reactions, making it very easy when coupling up and so on. After a pleasant first run we were soon simmering quietly in the Statfold headshunt, awaiting the call for our next train. A little before 12:30 we were awaiting departure with the freight train...
Following our arrival back at Statfolds platform 1 with the freight, we were asked to remain coupled and then to set back into the headshunt as the freight was being removed for the afternoon session. This was to speed up passenger departures and to save trains having to layover at Cogan Halt. With the freight stabled safely, it wasn't long before we were called upon for another tender first run; this time with the Severn Lamb set. The engine is spotted here after our third trip...
"Safety Valve Test" (B.Bryan)
The final train of the day, though a little slippery due to the rain showers, was back on the ex-Lynton set again. After many hours of badgering him, I finally managed to persuade Eddie to drive this trip and I believe he enjoyed himself! I meanwhile did my best to mess up the firing. It was kind of weird being back on the firemans side with Eddie driving, almost like turning the clock back many years to our many turns together at Shackerstone. After a very pleasant last train, 'Eddie the Late' drove "Fiji" back up onto the shed in readiness for disposal...
It was then time to thin my fire before filling the boiler and isolating the necessary cab fittings. What a very pleasant day: four trips spent in good company with a good mate on a good engine. You can't really ask for more! Thank you to Eddie for his comedic company, thank you to Alex for rostering us and giving us a good steed and finally thank you Barry for your pictures. Cheers all, Sam...
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