Evening all. In a change to recent proceedings I was today booked on an afternoon third man turn at Loughborough. I must admit, I didn't miss the early start! Wandering into the shed yard at Loughborough around lunchtime, I first passed the visiting Ivatt Class 2 No41312 from the Mid Hants as she gleamed on No2 road. What a pretty little thing that is! Having signed in and read the notices, I was pleased to see that I was penned to the railways own Ivatt No46521. Having cleaned her many times but never actually having been on her, I was pleased to be able to finally tick her off as she is due to retire for her ten year overhaul in a few weeks time. Once signed in, I completed the old favourite: cleaning the pits. This is where we all start and, in the case of me, I never seem to leave. Oh well, it's a good honest job that always needs doing...
Pits done, I met up with my crew for the afternoon: John and Pete. Wandering up to the station to meet 46521, we passed by the operations cabin where the two station tabbies live. Dreadnought and Onslaught were napping outside their cabin...
Right on time, Ken and Ian rolled in with 46521 on a returning passenger train...
Having taken over the engine, we stopped off at the water column for a splash and dash before steaming around back to the head of the train via the totem pole. Here, a rushed snap of the Ivatt as she sits under the Great Central Road bridge...
The first coach in our six coach train was an immaculately turned out Mk1 which was providing the railways popular Afternoon Tea service...
Pete fired the first trip whilst I watched how the Ivatt performed. Every engine seems to fire differently and, having never been on this one before, I was interested to see how she went. Here, driver John accelerates the Ivatt away from the 15mph slack just beyond the Quorn up section signal, heading towards Kinchley Lane...
I took over the firing from Swithland on the return trip and Pete kindly left me in charge of things on his side whilst he had a go at driving on the next trip. Here, 46521 prepares to depart Loughborough as a spot of rain comes down...
A quick snap of the footplate of 46521 as we prepare to depart Loughborough...
After a lovely second outward trip, the engine prepares to depart Leicester North...
I must say that I was mightily impressed with the little Ivatt. What a lovely engine. I know it's Swindon built so you expect it to be good, but still. For an engine that is so close to the end of her ten year ticket she just seems to go so well. I'll be sad to see her finish. I know she isn't totally different from the Standard 2s but the LMS inspired designs do seem to have that little bit more charm. 46521 was built at Swindon in 1953 and withdrawn in 1966. Returning to Loughborough, I didn't have to run her down as much as usual as we received word at Quorn that the 8F had unfortunately failed and so, rather than being disposed, 46521 would be out hauling the diner tonight in her place. Here she is resting on the shed as we prepare to hand over to Rob and James...
Thanks very much to John and Pete for a great afternoon on the little Ivatt and thank you to you all for reading. What a lovely little engine. Cheers all...
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.
No comments:
Post a Comment