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...
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