The firing course at the Great Central is certainly flying by and here I am writing the day three post. Day three involved an 05:30 sign on for all candidates as we took on the roles of the engine crews to prepare the three locomotives rostered for the day. Instructors were wandering around shadowing the various candidates and we were also given practical assessments on lamp preparation and gauge glass changes during the morning. Each of us were given a role to perform on our engine which could be either for a driver or a fireman. I was asked to complete the driver prep on BR Standard 2 No78018. Meanwhile, 92214 and 48305 were being prepared by other candidates and are snapped here on the shed frontage just after sunrise...
Over the next few hours we busied ourselves around our engines before their crews arrived to take them off shed. 78018 is pictured here, ready to go...
Once the three engines had departed the shed it was time for us to catch a train southward to walk the signals and track layouts of both Swithland and Rothley. Later in the day we returned to Loughborough to complete another written exam before signing out at around 14:30. Thanks to the instructors and the rest of the firing course lads for another pleasant day. Here's to the next one! Cheers...
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2 comments:
Very interesting to hear of this. There is much for us all to learn from this approach.
I must admit Phil that I've been very impressed by the whole experience. I wish I'd had access to it years ago as being taught it would have been easier than having to teach myself!
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