Going Great Central: First Trip Out On '19...

Evening all. Today involved a pleasant morning turn at the Great Central Railway with Dave and Matt. The engine, from a crewing perspective at least, was new to me: it was 78019. Known as No19, this is of course the sister to No18 which I've been lucky enough to get out on a few times already. Years ago I had a footplate ride on 78019 but had never actually crewed it until today, so it was nice to finally tick this old gal' off the list. Now that summer is finally on the way it isn't pitch black when I go out in the morning for an early turn which makes things much more pleasant. Our book on time this morning was 06:00 and I arrived a little before in order to sign in and read the notices. Driver Dave was already there and booked Fireman Matt wasn't far behind us. As I've now completed the GCRs firing course I'm on my assessed turns and so Matt was happy to leave me to it. Having checked the water level, I checked the smokebox before making a start on the fire grate. One of the many beauties of the BR Standards is the rocking grate mechanism which, on 78019, works perfectly...

For the uninitiated, a rocking grate is a grate which allows sections to be rocked from the cab. In the case of the Standard 2, there is a front and back section that can be rocked via a linkage beneath the floorboards. This allows ashes and clinker to be worked through into the ashpan without the need to break it all up with the irons until it's small enough to fit through the bars. More modern engines like this tend to have this style of grate as by now the designers had realised that they could make life ever so slightly easier for their crews! Most older engines tend not to have this feature, such as the Loughborough-based 8F for example which has a fully fixed grate. With everything checked and the grate cleared, I lit the engine up. She wouldn't take long to come around this morning as she still had steam on from last night...

The coal in the tender was of Polish origin I believe. It was very hard and included some nice big lumps rather than the 50% slack ratio we tend to be used to with the softer Welsh coal from Ffos-y-Fran. The only downside to this European coal is the smoke and you do get a bit when there isn't much draw on the fire. Thankfully though the smoke doesn't last long and when you're on the run it clears beautifully...

78019 is still fairly fresh back into ticket, having been released into service after an overhaul in autumn 2022. The cab is still spick and span and is being kept on top of by the volunteers. It's a very nice working environment...

Our morning turn today involved two round trips at 10:00 and 12:00. Dave drove whilst Matt supervised me doing the firing. Thankfully all went well and it was a most enjoyable morning. The engine pulls eagerly and steams freely, riding very well. The main difference over 78018 is the installation of a Kylchap exhaust which creates a different exhaust note and more draw on the fire. I've never had a problem with steaming on 78018 but 78019 seems to steam even better, although pulls the fire bed more. 78019 is spotted here waiting to leave Loughborough with the 12:00 train. Note the Eastern lamp fitted as this was a Kirkby Stephen engine when delivered new in 1954...

Much like her 1953-built sister 78018, this engine also had a role in the British Transport Film 'Snowdrift at Bleath Gill'. No19 was actually one of the rescue engines that attended the scene to rescue her stranded sister No18 after it was lodged in a substantial drift. It's a great little film if you ever get a chance to catch it on Youtube. After another pleasant outing on the 12:00 train, we returned to Loughborough with the lovely little Standard 2 before handing over to the relief crew...

From here the three of us wandered back to the shed as the engine steamed off in the opposite direction in readiness to haul her next train. Having washed up and signed out, we all headed for home after a very nice little morning. Thanks to Dave and Matt for their company aboard 78019 today: I really enjoyed the turn!

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.

Statfold: Drive It Day with "Isaac"...

There was a time when footplate turns at Statfold were few and far between as in its early years the railway used to typically operate on three select Saturdays a year. These days it's a very different story and there is something going on at the venue most weekends, with trains now running much more frequently. Today I was rostered to drive one of the two steam locomotives in service for todays classic car event which coincided with 'Drive It Day'. This annual event brings vintage vehicle owners together across the UK and usually promotes a good cause too. A frequent train service would operate between Strawberry Park and Cogan Halt so that both the public and visiting classic car drivers could take a ride. Our sign on time today was 07:00 and, having arrived in good time, I wandered through to the mess room at the back of the roundhouse. Even after all of the years that I've been volunteering here, the sight of all of those engines has never become mundane...

My steed for the day was "Isaac". Initially I was booked to "Howard" but I wasn't disappointed in the slightest when I found out that I'd be taking the Bagnall instead. I'd had a great day out with her in 2021 and was very much looking forward to another stint. "Howard" would be the second engine for the day and the two 0-4-2s would be sharing the train services between them. My fireman for the day: Caroline: duly arrived with Duty Officer Batesy and, after a quick cuppa', the noisy Plymouth diesel shunter was summoned to drag the two locomotives outside into the drizzle. After a thorough check over, "Isaac" was ready to light up and Caroline duly did the honours...

Caroline then got to work cleaning the Bagnall whilst I went around with the oil cans. The engine is fairly simple to oil up and so it doesn't take long. Behind us, "Howard" was being prepared by her crew of Ben, Dan and Jim. Slowly but surely, "Isaac" began to raise steam on this mild morning. We were in no rush though as the first train wasn't scheduled until 10:00. There was plenty of time for tea...

Both engines were ready for service a little after 09:30 and so we decided to back down onto the waiting stock that had been marshalled by Phil and the Plymouth. It was a four-coach train made up of two of the new ex-Tynedale coaches and two Severn Lambs. "Howard" was sent on the line inspection run whilst "Isaac" waited with the stock. The Brazil would then return and couple onto us...

An unexpected but very much appreciated bacon roll was soon delivered to the footplate. This didn't last long before it was devoured...

A quick view of the road ahead taken whilst we waited for "Howard"...

"Howard" soon returned from the line inspection run and coupled onto the front of the Bagnall. The first train was run double headed to check rail conditions as the persistent drizzle helped to provide some very greasy morning rails. The Brazil managed to drop some sand on our first round trip and this helped to improve rail conditions in readiness for the second run. "Howard" then took up her place at the head of the train whilst the Bagnall was stabled in the loop. We would haul the next train...

After a short break in the loop, "Howard" is seen steaming in from Oak Tree with driver Ben about to hand Caroline the single line token for the section...

I won't go into too much detail about today as it was quite a simple affair: we pulled a train, "Howard" pulled a train and so on. I think we ended up doing about nine trips each which kept us moving pretty much all day, with a few tea breaks in between at Strawberry Park of course. In the car park at Strawberry was a wide variety of classic cars of various ages, with the public milling around them. It was startling to notice cars that were around in my childhood that have now become classics: scary!...

Here, "Isaac" prepares to depart Strawberry on an early afternoon train. Notice the two smartly painted coaches behind the engine. These are ex-South Tynedale and three of them joined the Statfold fleet last year. These two have been freshly repainted and looked a picture behind "Isaac". It'll be nice when the third one joins them...

After I'd driven three trips we swapped so that Caroline could have a drive. I meanwhile did the firing and found it quite relaxing. The engine steams easily...

An afternoon shot of "Isaac", having just arrived back from Oak Tree. This was the only brief glimpse of sunshine we had all day so I felt it best to capture it...

1953-built "Isaac" worked for the Rustenberg Platinum Mines in South Africa and most recently spent many years running at the Lynton and Barnstaple Railway. She is now part of the Statfold collection and between her and "Isibutu" they are my personal favourites. Her larger 4-4-0 cousin has the top spot for me but, I have to say, only just these days as the 0-4-2 is a fabulous tool. The name "Isaac" I believe was given to her after the previous owners son, rather than after the son of Abraham. I like the name and the public always seem to enjoy a named locomotive...

Batesy came on with us and drove a trip later on in the afternoon. I did the firing for him whilst Caroline took a break. Here we are, ready to go...

"Isaac" is captured with our final public departure of the day...

Upon our return to Strawberry Park we waited on the stock whilst "Howard" coupled onto the other end. The train was then split and "Howard" departed with just two coaches (the Severn Lambs). With the Brazil now in section with the final public train of the day, "Isaac" could shuffle around the station limits performing a shunt. The ex-Tynedale stock was shunted into the loop and "Isaac" then ran round them ready to shunt release "Howard" upon her return. We then had to take the Severn Lambs to Oak Tree as ECS to drop them off. They would be needed midweek...

Once uncoupled we had one final job: to steam to the balloon loop and switch off the lights, locking the gate on the bank on our way back. By now the on and off drizzle had turned into a heavy rain shower and we were fairly well soaked by the time we made it back to the roundhouse prep road. Having been called on by Batesy, I dropped the Bagnall back into her position in the shed doorway after a pleasant day out. Caroline then filled the boiler whilst I isolated the necessary cab fittings. Job done...

With the shed door shut and the two engines safe and dry from the now persistent rain, that was it for us. There was nothing left to do but fill in the paperwork, wash up and sign out before heading to the bar for a quick beer before home time. What can I say about "Isaac" then? Well, it's just lovely. It looks well, pulls well, steams well, stops well and rides well. You can't really ask for anything more. I love it. What a lovely old thing. Thank you to Caroline for her firing efforts and to Phil for his comical company as the D.O. Also thanks to the crew of "Howard" for the same. Another lovely day on the footplate at the SBR, spent in good company aboard a fine engine. Shame about the weather but, as always, you can't have everything! Cheers all, Sam...

Steam In Barbados: St Nicholas Abbey...

We've all got a to do list of places we'd like to visit if the opportunity ever arose. Some we'll get to one day, others we never will. Today I finally got to tick one of those places off my list with a visit to the wonderful St Nicholas Abbey and its heritage steam railway. Located in Saint Peter on the northern side of the island of Barbados, St Nicholas Abbey is a museum showcasing a plantation house and a rum distillery producing fine Barbadian rum. How did you come to hear of this place I hear you ask? Well, a few years ago the owners of the site decided to add a new attraction to the venue: a steam railway. Due to the sugar history of the site it was decided to lay a railway of 2ft 6" gauge, as this was a common choice for overseas sugar lines. Statfold Barn at the time still had some 2ft 6" stock and SNA chose Statfold Engineering to provide the restoration for their chosen locomotive. The company was also tasked with the production of the three passenger coaches which were built for the new railway. 

Naturally, with all of this going on at Statfold, the name St Nicholas Abbey soon became well known to us and research began. As our two week cruise gave us a spare day in Barbados right in the middle, we decided that we couldn't come this close and not visit the abbey. Thankfully I managed to persuade our group to tag along and this morning we rode across in a taxi for a visit to the site. Having been dropped off by our taxi we were a little early for our booked 11:30 train ride and so decided to have a look around the wonderful grounds and abbey on this lovely day...

The great house: once the home of the original plantation owners: dates back to 1658 and is a beautiful piece of architecture. Under the blue Barbadian skies it really looked a picture. This view is featured on the venues logo...

A shot of the dining room, set out in the style of the period...

After touring the great house and learning about the former and current owners of the site, we wandered back towards the railway station in order to arrive in good time for our ride. The locomotive for the day: "Winston": was taking water...

The station was designed by SNA owner and renowned architect Larry Warren and is an impressive construction considering it has all been built from scratch in recent years! Visitors are welcomed to the station and tickets are collected before passengers are invited to board the waiting coaches beneath the station canopy...

The SNAHR has a 1914-built Jung Mallet as its flagship locomotive. I remember Tjepper No5 as it awaited restoration in the roundhouse at Statfold. It was later chosen to be the SNAHRs main locomotive and was restored by Statfold Engineering prior to export. Later, as traffic dictated, a second steam locomotive was acquired. This engine (running today) is also familiar to me, having previously been owned by Statfold. "Winston" is an 0-4-0 La Meuse tank engine, built by the Belgian firm in 1926. Being 2ft 6" gauge, both the Jung and the La Meuse seemed destined for a life on display after the line of the same gauge at Statfold was removed. Happily, both were selected for a new life in steam in Barbados. I saw the La Muese run once I think during my time at Statfold, but that's only a vague memory. Today the tank engine looked immaculate as she stood waiting for the 11:30 departure to Cherry Tree Hill...

I got chatting to the friendly crew as they took in some shade between trips. The driver said he preferred the larger Mallet, the fireman (Tyrone) preferred "Winston". Both were full of praise for both locomotives, and indeed Statfold. I was intrigued to see how the La Meuse would get on on the steep gradients. Tyrone said that it had had a boiler retube and some new piston rings since being in Barbados and was now a good performer. The air tanks on the cab back sheet were also a new addition as they weren't fitted when it ran at Statfold from memory. The station cat wasn't impressed by the queuing passengers disturbing her Siesta whilst we awaited boarding...

A closer view of the air reservoirs used (I guess) to store air for braking...

Right on time, the 0-4-0 gave a pop on her chime whistle before we set off towards Cherry Tree Hill. Having hissed out of the station, the train banked to the right before starting the climb. The La Meuse took it all in her stride...

The bottom of the railway rounds a lake before climbing towards a triangle which brings you onto a single line section through an impressive cutting...

The exhaust of the engine as she plodded up the gradient was pleasant to listen to as we chugged through the cutting. At Cherry Tree Hill the train came to a stand in the platform before "Winston" was detached for turning...

Cherry Tree Hill station has a platform, turntable and run round loop. Outside the station is a lovely viewpoint across towards the ocean and there were also some stallholders selling Barbados souvenirs. The view was quite breathtaking...

"Winston" meanwhile had been recoupled to the other end of the stock. As George Formby sang, "when we shunt, the back's in front and the front part's in the rear". Whilst the engine waited for the rest of her passengers to return, there was the opportunity for photographs and to visit the footplate of course...

Today was a warm day. Well, it was for us, maybe not in Barbados. Tyrone invited us to stand on the footplate and, my god, I couldn't do this all day! It's fine in the UK but not in the heat of a Barbados afternoon! On a narrow gauge engine like this with no lagging on the doorplate and no sunroof it was absolutely sweltering. I have massive respect for Tyrone and his driver for standing on this all day in full overalls...

Of course we grabbed a few snaps for the memories. I doubt we'll get here again!...

"Sam and Adam on the footplate" (Pic - E.Parker)

Soon the train staff were calling for us to rejoin the coaches for the departure back to the main station. Once all passengers had boarded, off we went...

The run back is a little quieter as the engine is mainly coasting down the gradient. At the triangle the train was routed to the left this time, heading back into the station passing the engine shed approach. Outside the shed stood one of the three diesel locomotives on the railway (all ex-Statfold). The one in the picture below is Hudswell Clarke "Badger" which I think I have driven in the past...

Leaving the impressive railway behind it was time to complete the tour and taste some (more) of the rum. I've had some before and it's lovely stuff!...

Down at the distillery we were told about the rum making and ageing process...

The final part of the tour involved a short film which showcased some archive footage from the days when the plantation was working to its full capacity. This was followed by a short rum tasting session: very nice it was too! Our final port of call was the gift shop where unfortunately we didn't manage to find any miniatures (only large bottles too big to carry home) otherwise I'd have left with some of their fabulous rum! As we wandered back up to our taxi back to the ship in Bridgetown I caught a final snap of the La Meuse hiding behind the water tower. Nice to see you again!...

Well, that's it folks. That's one of my to do places ticked off and, you could say, an ambition fulfilled. The place we heard so much about has now been ticked off! I must say that the Warren family and the SNA team have achieved such a lot in a short amount of time and you can't help but be impressed by the earthworks that have taken place to build the railway. At the moment it runs for around 1.5km but I believe there is a plan in place to extend it by a further 2km in the not too distant future. I wish them every success. It was a lovely place with every area so very well presented. If you're ever in Barbados, drop by St Nicholas Abbey. Thanks all, Sam...