The unexpected footplate turns can often be the best footplate turns and today was one such day! This morning I arrived at the GCRs Loughborough base at around 05:30 in readiness for a shed turn. I was planning to complete my usual cleaning duties and then do the pits but when the crew for 78018 (Martyn and Jack) arrived they kindly invited me out as 'third man' for their shift. It would be incredibly rude (and silly) to refuse such an offer, so I never have up to now! Myself and Jack began the fireman's prep for 78018 which, compared to last weeks 48305, is quite leisurely. Having checked and emptied the smokebox, I turned my attention to the fire grate. 78018 has a very nice rocking grate which deposits the majority of the spent ashes. I did however decide to quickly nip in with the hand brush to get the remaining bits out, ensuring the cleanest possible grate. It was soon time to light the fire, which is seen here giving off some dark smoke just minutes after lighting up. Don't worry, it soon dies down...
The current coal is Welsh stuff from the open cast at Ffos-y-Fran and doesn't give off much smoke at all. However, you always get a small build up of smoke with a freshly lit fire due to the paraffin rags and wood getting started. The 1953-built Standard class 2 immediately started singing away to herself as she was still very warm from yesterdays efforts. Up the yard, the fireman of 48305 had just lit the first rags and smoke began to rise steadily from her chimney. She is seen adjacent to the boiler for 45491...
Across the morning the three of us busied ourselves around the engine and we ended up being ready for traffic well before our off-shed time. This gave a few moments for a cab snap as the engine simmered happily to herself on No1 road...
As it was Bank Holiday Monday the railway was running a mixed traffic timetable, with our two trips this morning being split by a Loughborough layover. Here, 78018 prepares for our first departure, awaiting the Up Main Starter at Platform 2...
Our six coach train certainly made the Standard 2 work a bit on the departure from Leicester. Though they seem quite large in stature, it is worth remembering that the smaller looking Class 3F 0-6-0 is rated more powerful, with over 2000lbs extra tractive effort than a class 2! It's deceiving. They are however willing and free steaming little engines, perfectly suited to the needs of most preserved railways. She is seen here marching out into the trees whilst fireman Jack watches the road...
Back at Loughborough, our train was taken over by a diesel and we were signalled into the down loop for our layover. The skyline around the station has changed a lot in recent years, with the adjacent apartment building being a fairly recent addition to the horizon. Here, 78018 simmers in the down loop, passing the time...
When our second departure came myself and Jack swapped roles as planned, with me firing 78018 to Leicester and back. Jack drove us back from Leicester under Martyn's guidance and a great morning was had by all! On arrival back at Loughborough we uncoupled the engine before running forward on the shunter head to cross-over to No1 road. Here we handed over to the incoming afternoon crew...
I must thank Martyn and Jack very much for a lovely unexpected turn aboard the little Standard. I'm really enjoying my time at the GCR and it's great to be back on a standard gauge footplate regularly again. 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.
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