Going Great Central: Setting The Standard...

Evening all. Well, what a pleasant outing this was! Today I was booked for another third man turn at the Great Central Railway. Originally our steed was going to be immaculate GWR 6959 Class No6990 "Witherslack Hall", which we've spent the last few weeks polishing for the occasion. Sadly the Hall suffered a failure during Friday and was removed from service. The replacement was none other than the trusty Standard 5 No73156 which, although I've cleaned her plenty of times, I hadn't yet been out on. Well, what a thing. Norfolk-based late riser 'Eddie the Late' would have been green with envy over this one as these are his favourite engines. Designed by R.A.Riddles as one of the twelve BR standard classes, the Standard 5 4-6-0s eventually numbered 172 examples. Building on the success of Stanier's Black Fives, the new 5MTs were built with usability in mind. 73156: one of five preserved examples: was built at Doncaster in 1956. At 05:45 this morning she stands ready on the shed frontage with a barrow full of wood alongside in readiness for lighting the fire...

Fireman Paul had arrived a little earlier and had already cleared the grate and emptied the ashpan, no doubt aided by the rocking grate and hopper doors. Together we prepared the new fire bed and Paul kindly allowed me to light the engine up. With a covering of coal across the grate and plenty of wood on top, the smoke was soon rising steadily skyward from the chimney as the clock read 06:10...

Driver Martyn duly arrived and we greeted each other. Martyn has been a GCR driver for many years and is also one of the steam crew examiners at Statfold. Whilst the fire slowly came to life, the three of us busied ourselves around the engine. Martyn commented that he didn't need much time to lubricate the 5MT as it took around 15 minutes to do the whole thing! The addition of roller bearings certainly speeds up the oiling process. I meanwhile got to work cleaning the boiler barrel as the sun climbed higher in the sky. 73156 is seen here simmering in the yard...

Below is a footplate view I snapped of 73156s cab. The designers clearly thought about the ergonomics here as everything is right where you want it. Both injectors for example are on the fireman's side and everything on the driver's side is right under your hand. The driver can work all of the controls from the comfort of his/her seat...

Our first train was the 09:45 off Loughborough and so we were at the platform in good time. The stock was lightly heated to take the chill off, although the outside temperature was already rising nicely with a pleasant day in prospect...

For the first outward leg I stood behind Martyn and took in the sights and sounds of the Standard 5. Our turn today included two trips and so Paul suggested that I fired back from Leicester North and then outward again from Loughborough on the second trip. Paul would then bring 73156 back on our final leg in readiness for crew handover. I was very happy with that plan as it's always nice to have a go! The current coal is Columbian and it's like rocket fuel. It's hard to keep the grate covered (although we must) without having the valves lifting, particularly on 73156 which seemed to be one of the most free steaming engines I'd ever been on. The GCR was a high speed raceway in its heyday and so the gradients aren't excessive (1 in 176 for the most part) but you still need a good covering across the grate. The run back is mainly downgrade and so it's a battle to keep the 5MT quiet. Todays service was operated by mixed traction and so we laid over at Loughborough for an hour after our first run...

73156 steamed just as well on our second trip and I handed her back to Paul at Leicester North without having gone 'down the nick'! After the pleasant final leg back to Loughborough we handed the 5MT over to the afternoon crew before they took the engine for a splash of water at the tower. And that was that...

Today was just great. In honesty, I didn't want to get off and could have happily done another trip or two with the Standard 5. It was my second experience on an engine from the standard range (after the 9F) and I must say that once again I wasn't disappointed. Everything about this engine is nice. It was a shame to miss out on the lovely Hall but 73156 is a fine substitute. I must thank Martyn and Paul for their hospitality and company aboard the 5MT today: I had a great time. Also thanks to Paul for the lovely sausage rolls he brought along which went down a treat! Cheers all, 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.

Doctor Busker Returns To Quorn...

Last year, in the weeks following the end of lockdown, the Great Central Railway held a fabulous beer festival at its Quorn and Woodhouse Station. The event featured steam rally favourite Doctor Busker and a great (and drunken) night was had by all. The post for that evening can be found here. As it was such a good do last year, we welcomed the return of Doctor Busker for this years Easter Vintage Festival. Knowing that Batesy would be there with his engine and no doubt several other acquaintances, I decided to have a ride over for a pint and some Doctor Busker this evening. I arrived at around 18:00 and discovered Phil's immaculate Aveling & Porter F-type steam roller No11240 "Louise" (of 1925) simmering in the yard. I love the headstock registration...

It was another pleasant and humorous evening spent in good company with Doctor Busker playing in the background. Occasionally we were treated to the sight of some railway locomotives as there were four passes in either direction this evening. Here, Standard Class 5 No73156 rolls through Quorn on the up line with a 'Fish and Chip Special'. The diner was hauled by the Standard 2 No78018...

As the light began to fade, Phil gave "Louise" an oil around and lit her lamps in readiness for some time outside the beer tent. He loves all that kind of thing...

As the night drew in we chatted about all things steam, with 73156 and 78018 occasionally making an appearance on the railway, breaking up the bawdy music. "Louise" meanwhile ticked over quietly under clear skies...

I left the railway at around 23:00 tonight, just after Busker's performance. It had been another lovely evening and hats off to the Great Central once again for a sterling event. Thanks to Phil, Caroline and the rest of our friends for their much welcome hospitality and comical company this evening. Cheers all, Sam...

Driving "Isibutu" For Statfold Model Railway Show...

Evening all. Regular readers will know that I am a big fan of, to me, the pride of Statfold: Bagnall 2820 "Isibutu", of 1945. It is always a pleasure to be booked to "Isibutu" and so when the roster for today came out last week I was overjoyed to see my name against her as her driver. Today was the first day of Statfold's inaugural Model Railway Show and what a fantastic event it was. Statfold, in my opinion, has been screaming out for an event like this for years as it's simply the perfect venue. You've got plenty of covered space, a fabulous museum, all the facilities you could want and the award winning narrow gauge railway too. What could be more appropriate? I arrived at the SBR base at around 06:00 this morning and my word was it a chilly start...

After signing in and reading the notices I found "Isibutu" out on the shed frontage, coupled up to "Howard". The engine had been warmed yesterday and wouldn't take long to start making steam. Needless to say, I was excited...

I was soon joined by fireman Dan and trainee Charles and between the three of us we began preparing the big Bagnall for service. Dan wasted no time in lighting the fire and 2820 is seen here with "Fiji" warming up alongside...

Over the next hour or two the Bagnall was brought into steam and, thanks to Dan and Charles, went out in very clean condition. With ticket sales already strong across the weekend without considering any additional 'on the gate' traffic, we had to be ready in good time to get the train service into full swing. Our first move, coupled to "Howard", was the line inspection and token working. Here, 2820 waits at the balloon loop for Ian to switch on the point lighting. The sky was stunning...

By the time we arrived at Oak Tree to uncouple from "Howard", the initially frosty morning had opened up into sunny blue skies. "Fiji" was waiting in the high level platform to begin her 'Driver for a Fiver' duties...

From Oak Tree I took "Isibutu" light engine back to Statfold where we were brought to a stand at the signalbox whilst the first train departed. With platform 1 now clear, we were given the road to set back onto the next set of coaches which were waiting at the top of the platform. The Bagnall is seen here sporting her Hornby headboard...

I must say that the job was very well executed today. By 10:00 we were stood at Oak Tree with our first return passenger working. Two trips down by 10:00...

The rest of the day went on pretty much like that. With five locomotive consists on the low level railway today we only missed one trip before going back out again. Once you'd been shunt released you were placed on the next incoming set. I think we managed seven trips in total in the end, two of which Dan drove whilst I oversaw Charles doing the firing. We had a great day if truth be told...

In the early afternoon we returned "Isibutu" briefly to the shed to ash her out. Though the marine firebox offers brilliant steaming capability, it also has a very small ashpan in comparison to the size of the locomotive and it needs emptying half way through the day to protect the fire bars. It's a messy job that's for sure...

Pan done, we were straight back into action. I couldn't fault today at all: it was just a lovely experience. It's never a chore to crew "Isibutu". Here, 2820 awaits departure from a busy Strawberry Park at some time during the afternoon...

Awaiting departure from Statfold on an afternoon working...

I think what was really nice about today was the feeling of running a proper train service. Passengers were alighting at the stations to see the model railway displays in the various buildings and it really gave the railway a purpose. Train loadings were certainly strong today too, with most trips being full to standing. Well done to Joey, Tony and everybody else involved in putting this event on. It was great to be a small part of it. If this doesn't become an annual thing then it'll be a crime! After a very busy day, beautiful "Isibutu" beds down on the shed for the night at around 17:00...

Having filled in her paperwork and signed out, there was little more to do but wash up and head for home. Thank you to Alex for rostering me and for giving me such a fine steed and thanks to Dan and Charles for their help and company today. "Isibutu" was her usual lovely self. This was the first time I'd driven her since her recent overhaul and the repaired regulator is certainly far better than before and much more pleasant to use. I wonder when I'll drive her again? Cheers all, Sam...

Achilles Report No79: Back In Business...

Evening all. Today "Achilles" returned to CMES' Ryton Pools track for her test run on the recently installed new piston rings. As we always say, she had two chances! Sheringham-based dawn chorus denier 'Eddie the Late' was joining me today, all the way from coastal Norfolk. Ed was bringing along his handbag engine, otherwise known as his 3.5" gauge Juliet. Between us we agreed to arrive at the CMES base at around 12:30 although, thanks to some bad luck over a set of keys, we didn't get in until Derek turned up to rescue us! Once safely unloaded on the steaming bays, the two engines were prepared side by side. "Achilles" had been heavily polished in recent days following her rebuild, in readiness for another public appearance...

With pressure rising nicely the electric blower was removed and the engine came around gradually under her own steam. Ed meanwhile was having a little battle with his tank engine, which seemed reluctant to raise steam...

With the valves lifting on "Achilles", it was time to head out onto the track. We'd already prepared a two-car rake for her to ensure there was some weight on the back. Cautiously, I opened the regulator. The drains leaked their usual dribbles of condensate before the engine inched steadily forwards. Clearly it was going to work of some description! Once out on the track I took the engine for half a lap empty, walking alongside her to make sure nothing dropped off and that everything looked OK. With all well, I climbed aboard and we set off for the station. "Achilles" certainly had more go in her than last time and the blow at the chimney was vastly reduced...

Returning to the steaming bay, Ed and Reg had narrowed the issue with Juliet down to the valves not being seated on the faces. After some tinkering, they seated and the engine came back to life. Meanwhile, "Achilles" simmered on the running line as Derek passed by in the background on his vertical boiler loco...

With a variety of engines now out on the track in the spring sunshine, we pottered around following each other for the next hour or two. You're forever chasing signals once a few locos join in but it is good fun. "Achilles" did me proud today: no bother at all. The rings seem to have improved things and the engine steamed well with the water pumps performing reliably too. To be honest, for an old gal', I couldn't fault her today. If Ken was looking down, I'm sure he'd be happy with this performance...

After what must have been a dozen or so laps, the engine returned to her steaming bay for blowing down. Nothing fell off so that's a big plus...

Later on, "Achilles" rests peacefully back in the workshop at home after a very pleasant afternoon out. She now needs a good clean after a job well done...

I have no idea at the current time when the engine will go out again but we keep promising a visit to the Sutton Coldfield club with Batesy so we ought to really arrange that. That's all folks. Cheers then, Sam...