Bure Valley Round Two: "Beaver 6" Revisted...

"BVR 6 romps towards Runway Curve with the 13:15 to Aylsham"

Throughout the years I've always said that three things can make up a perfect day out on the footplate: a good crew, a good engine and good weather. Today, amazingly, we had all three as we made an Autumn visit to the home railway of Norfolk's own dawn chorus denier 'Eddie the Late': the Bure Valley Railway. Following on from our visit to the North Norfolk yesterday, myself and John met up at 08:30 for breakfast at our accommodation for the trip: The Two Lifeboats in Sheringham. It was a real pleasure waking up to a sea view and I think both of us were despondent at the thought of returning to our inland homes. Once suitably nourished after a hearty full english breakfast, we loaded our gear into the car and set sail for the BVR's Aylsham base. Pulling up in the car park under a cloudless blue sky, the sight of BVR 6 "Blickling Hall" warming up on shed road No1 was the first thing to greet us...

By now it was 10:30 and driver Eddie was coming to the end of his morning preparation in readiness for two round trips to Wroxham and back. I last visited the BVR in 2018 when I joined Eddie for a day out on the footplate, once again aboard BVR 6. You can find that post by clicking here. Five years later, I was back to do it all again, joined by first time visitor JB. We'd been thinking about doing a trip like this for quite some time, mainly to give John an understanding of the BVR for when we're chatting about it during our occasional meals! (Myself and Ed both knew he'd enjoy it over here so decided to make it happen). Once changed into our footplate gear, myself and John were led over to the Aylsham signalbox where we were signed in. Here there is a diagram of Aylsham station, although the controller actually gives permission for all train moves on the railway from this location. Locomotives are contacted via radio in order to receive permission to enter different sections of the 9-mile route...

Eddie and the friendly team at BVR had kindly booked myself and John our seats aboard the two trains we'd be joining today, both in the front compartment behind the locomotive in each direction. We agreed that John would complete the first round trip on the cushions so that he could get an idea of the place, whilst I joined Ed on the footplate. (I had after all been before). We would then swap for the second round trip. After a safety briefing, I was issued my footplate pass...

The first train for BVR 6 was planned for departure at midday, leaving us an hour or so to explore the site under the guidance of our guide Alan. John, an avid 9F fan, would later purchase Alan's book on the class from the Aylsham book shop...

"Alan and John discuss a new coach under construction"

The tour of the site included a look around the station building, the workshop and the running shed. Below, JB inspects the footplate of Vale of Rheidol lookalike No8 "John of Gaunt". I think that this shot really shows the scale of these 15" gauge locomotives, particularly the tank engines. They are the biggest 15" gauge locomotives you'll find in the UK, if not the world. I also think this would look nice in GWR green...

I was thinking as we walked away from BVR 8 about the name. John of Gaunt always springs to mind as the father of Henry IV who deposed Richard II, as depicted in the 1595 Shakespeare play bearing the latter's name. I later discovered that John of Gaunt was Lord of the Manor of Aylsham, hence the naming of this engine. By the time we'd had our shed tour, Eddie had backed a gleaming BVR 6 down onto the front of the waiting stock. Departure time was nearing and the sound of BVR 7 barking towards us could be heard on the breeze as she approached the bypass tunnel...

"BVR 6 displaying driver Eddie Jones nameplates"

Sure enough, right on time, BVR 7 appeared over the brow of the hill and rolled into the opposite platform with the 11:15 ex-Wroxham train...

As the train came to a stand, we were given the "right away" for Wroxham and duly departed into the Norfolk countryside with our train...

"Departing Aylsham on the footplate of BVR 6" (T.Haynes)

Soon enough, once out of the tunnel, we were flying through the fields aboard the rock steady BVR 6. Delivered new in 1994 (with sister BVR 7 not far behind), No6 is loosely based on the Indian ZB 2-6-2s. Originally built by Winsons, both of the ZBs (and indeed the rest of the BVR fleet) have been heavily modified since their builds and have become far more economical and powerful machines...

Riding on the footplate at the BVR is quite exhilarating, particularly aboard a big tender engine like BVR 6. We rattled along very nicely in perfect weather and all too soon Eddie was applying the air brake to slow the train for Wroxham. Here, BVR 6 was uncoupled from the stock and turned on the turntable in the shadow of the standard gauge Wroxham signalbox. Myself and John both gave Ed a hand in turning the engine before we continued the run round. The blue sky was beautiful...

Once turned and screwed down at the Aylsham end of the loop, the engine was blown down to the required levels as dictated by the arrows on the gauge frames. The process of blowing down aims to remove any solids which may be in suspension having been boiled off during evaporation. If not removed, the solids will congregate in the lower areas of the boiler and firebox, such as the foundation ring. Blowing down violently expels water from the foundation ring and hopefully the majority of the solids along with it. There should then be less to remove during a washout...

Blown down, run round and coupled back onto the stock, driver Eddie got to work with the oil cans, preparing BVR 6 for the 13:15 departure...

Once again, right on time, we departed Wroxham for our 9-mile journey back to Aylsham. In the video clip below, BVR 6 easily flattens the bank out of Wroxham with her eight-coach train. She was quite honestly laughing at it...

For engines of 15" gauge, these machines really are powerful beasts. BVR 6 runs fast and freely even at a well reduced cut-off, with the eight coaches on the drawbar seeming no hindrance at all. The modifications carried out at the Bure Valley have really worked wonders and apparently both coal and water consumption have been massively reduced. They certainly have some go in them...

"The two sister ZBs pass at Coltishall on our return trip"

On the way back Eddie kindly allowed me to do some firing and (with my small shovel) I was soon flinging around some lumps of Wales' last Ffos-y-fran coal. For those not in the know, Ffos will be closing in November and so, in short, "that's your lot!". After a very nice run on the footplate back to Aylsham (the tunnel part is particularly exciting), we rolled to a stand in platform one. I quickly rushed to snap the front of the engine before the hoards of admiring onlookers made their way forward...

At this point Eddie went off to run the engine round (and turn her again) whilst myself and JB grabbed some lunch. A cold drink and a steaming hot cheese & ham toastie was the order of the day. Thankfully JB didn't have to face his arch nemesis (the formidable plastic tray) this time as the cafe staff kindly delivered our meals to our table. To add some context, if faced with a plastic tray, JB tends to end up wearing half of his lunch! Thankfully, today, we had no issues and our compliments go to the chef...

Suitably fed and watered, we returned to the engine shed where the workshop staff and volunteers were taking a breather for a cuppa'. We then brought out our hidden car guest that had joined us for our trip across from the Midlands: John's "Turdus Merula". Named after the common blackbird, this is one of John's thirteen (so far) 16mm scale coal fired Garretts. Well respected in his field, John builds these machines to order and this one I think he said was about the fifth one he made. Fitted with a coal fired boiler from the 2.5" Tich, his Garretts follow the design of the NGG16s, a few examples of which in full size can be found working on the Welsh Highland Railway. Here, John talks with interested BVR staff about the impressive Garrett...

With "Turdus Merula" safely boxed back up ready for her return to the Midlands, we rejoined Eddie and BVR 6 at the head of the 15:00 departure to Wroxham. This time, as planned, I was on the cushions whilst John joined Eddie on the footplate...

"BVR 7 arrives with her final returning train of the day"

Once out of a shaded Aylsham, BVR 6 was back in the sunshine and romping along once more. The journey to Wroxham, looking out from my compartment in the leading coach listening to BVR 6, was most enjoyable...

Once safely stabled in the platform at Wroxham, BVR 6 was again uncoupled and turned ready to run round. With some time to kill and the September sun still shining, I grabbed us a few ice creams from the station shop and these were quickly devoured. Before departure, our guard Keitao kindly took a picture of us for the memory books (and this blog of course!). What a great day out once again...

"Sam, driver Eddie and John at Wroxham with BVR 6"

Right on time at 16:15, Keitao gave Eddie the "right away" for Aylsham and off we went. This time I was further back in the train as I'd managed to find a coach with nobody else in. Not that I'm unsociable of course but, riding in your blues amongst the public can cause a few stares so I felt it best to ride solo and reflect on a great couple of days away in Norfolk. It was very pleasant to sit back and take a breather, looking out over the sunlit fields and listening to the repetitive clickety-clack...

"A moment of quiet reflection"

All too soon, the brakes were being applied for Aylsham and we came to a stand in platform two in readiness to take BVR 6 for turning, ashing and disposal...

Once turned and ashed, Eddie carefully drove BVR 6 back onto No1 shed road ready for a wipe down and disposal. Here, once again, the scale of the engine against a person can be seen and, as you can see, it's quite impressive...

The final move of the day was for BVR 6 to shuffle quietly back into the engine shed, alongside BVR 7 and the Leek and Manifold style tank engine BVR 9...

"Bedtime at Bure Valley"

With the final shut off of the injector, it was "that's all folks!". After a wash up and a change it was time for myself and John to hit the road back to the Midlands via Cambridge. What a day and what a trip. Massive thanks to well known sunrise misser 'Eddie the Late' for sorting all of this out and for being such a great host: cheers Ed! Massive shout out as well to the friendly and very welcoming BVR staff, all of whom came together to give us a great day out. Thank you so much for your hospitality. It's a lovely setup and shows just what can be achieved by like minded, driven individuals. It's such a professional outfit and is a railway to be proud of. 

As for us three, well, what can you say? It's great that we can still enjoy trips like this and I guess it's nice that not everything that came out of Leicestershire's 'better off kept secret' was negative! It's a pleasure to know Ed and JB: cheers chaps. Finally, it's safe to say I think that JB enjoyed his day out on the Bure Valley...he talked about it all the way home! Thanks for reading folks as always. Ta-ra.

Seaside Steam: Return To The North Norfolk...

"53809 and 76084 rest in Weybourne yard"

Evening all. This one is the first of two posts documenting our short but sweet visit to the wilds of Norfolk, in search of well known alarm clock snoozer 'Eddie the Late'. This morning, early but certainly not bright, I was on my way to Rugby ready to pick up JB for our journey to the coast. A short while later, with 70 miles or so under our belt, it was only right that we made a stop off at Peterborough Services in order to grab some breakfast. After all, we were on our holidays and JB was desperate for some "kin' coffee". (Must be some kind of special brew). Anyway, the breakfast was just what the doctor ordered and was great fuel for our onward journey to Sheringham...

After a surprisingly pleasant run across the countryside, we made it to Eddie's place in Beeston Regis a touch after 11:00am. Having swapped our transport for the Ed-mobile and its enticing Sheringham car pass, we made our way down to our first railway of this expedition: the North Norfolk. By now we were ready for some more coffee and so trotted across to the refreshment room to await the next arrival from Holt. Shortly, a loudening rumble heralded the arrival of the rostered steam locomotive: GER Y14 No564 of 1912. Before long, the blue 0-6-0 was swiftly run round to the front of the five-coach train, ready to form the 11:55am departure...

Once coupled up, the crew readied the engine for a fairly imminent departure back up to Holt via Weybourne. We were interested to ask a few questions about the engine but the driver didn't seem to be the chattiest so we kind of gave up on that idea. We did learn that the chuffing air pump was used to brake the engine whilst running light, before the usual vacuum system was employed to work a train, but that's it. Due to the length of the set and the proximity to the end of platform barrier, it was difficult to catch a decent shot of the Y14 at this point, but I kind of managed it...

Leaving Sheringham on time with a well patronised train, the Y14 took us steadily along the seaside route, the total length of which is 5.25 miles. Despite seeming to work hard whilst climbing the steady gradient, 564 seemed to be the perfect midweek engine for a line like this. She had all the power required whilst still no doubt being fairly economical in comparison to something like the NNR-based 9F No92203. At Weybourne, we came to a stand and awaited the Sheringham-bound DMU...

With the single line tokens exchanged, the Guard gave the "right away" and 564 summoned her strength to climb the remaining hill to Holt...

The 1 in 80 climb towards Kelling Heath certainly saw the little 0-6-0 in good voice, with the regulator on the stop as she lumbered her way up there...

Soon enough, 564 slowed and came to a stand at the peaceful and tranquil terminus of Holt. Here, she enjoys a short breather following her efforts...

Once again the engine was swiftly run round to the other end of the train prior to a 20-minute or so break. We visited the informative little museum and the model railway before returning to the platform to inspect the engine further. Trainee fireman Bob was on the footplate today, shovelling in the rock. I believe he is also training at the Bure Valley (where Ed is a regular driver) and so it wasn't long before he and JB were chewing the fat on the footplate of 564 as departure time neared...

Leaving Holt, the engine took us steadily downgrade back to Weybourne where we alighted from the train for our pre-arranged tour of the sheds. ("It's not what you know" comes to mind!). We duly met up with our friendly guide Bryan who gave us an informative walk around the locomotive shed, carriage and wagon department and the boiler shop. For us as footplate people, this kind of experience is arguably much more enjoyable than riding on a train and we were most grateful for the hospitality of Bryan and the NNR as a whole. Here, the huge bulk of 9F No92203 "Black Prince" stands in the shed undergoing a spring change. JB was in his element...

The shed tour was particularly enjoyable for me as we got to see things that we wouldn't have had the opportunity to study up close. The highlight for me was the 1925-built 7F 2-8-0 No53809. This was the first time I'd seen a 7F in the metal...

Bryan kindly allowed me to take a snap on the footplate of the 7F and the heat emanating from the doorplate confirmed she was still warm, having been in service the day before. I do like these older engines and would relish a go on something like this. What a nice old thing that I'm glad to have finally seen...

Our tour of the boiler shop was also really interesting and it looks like they're doing some great work. (No pictures were taken in there out of respect for customers who the NNR carry out contract work for). Leaving the boiler shop, Riddles 2-10-0 No90775 presented herself whilst undergoing repairs. She was in steam last time I visited the North Norfolk back in 2018. Hopefully she'll be back in service soon...

Before we left, I snapped this final shot of the other Riddles 2-10-0: "Black Prince": as she continued to receive attention from the engineering staff...

After a very enjoyable tour of the site, Bryan returned us safely to the platform where we enjoyed a cuppa' from the cafe before awaiting the return of the Y14. The old Worsdell engine appeared on time with the Sheringham-bound train we wished to join...

After a little chuff out of Weybourne, 564 shut off steam again for the steady downgrade run into Sheringham. The assembled hoards of onlookers grabbed their snaps whilst the engine was uncoupled ready for another run round...

Here, an eager 564 blows off as she runs around her train...

With that, the Y14 headed back to the front of the next departure and we three headed off in search of the Ed-mobile. I suppose I should include a bit of Y14 history just to finish. Designed by T.W.Worsdell, this class of mixed traffic 0-6-0s eventually numbered 289 examples by the time the last was produced in 1913. With a 160psi boiler plumbed up to 17.5" cylinders, the class gave out a tractive effort of 16,940lbs. They were very successful machines and 127 of them (reclassified as J15 by the LNER) were in service when BR took over the big four in 1948. Today, only this one survives. I do like the GER blue livery, although personal taste doesn't permit me to like the yellow cab internals, despite it being prototypical. 

After a brilliant third visit to the North Norfolk Railway, we returned to Ed's for a workshop tour of his own whilst enjoying yet another cuppa'. At around 4:00pm myself and JB headed off to find our accommodation on the Sheringham seafront. Having parked up just a stone's throw away from the sea, we trotted a short distance up the road to our home for the night: The Two Lifeboats...

Once checked in, I headed downstairs for a pint in the pub garden whilst overlooking the sea. I certainly wouldn't mind having this view everyday...

Later on, the three of us met in the pub for a meal and a recap of the day's events. It had been a brilliant trip so far and we were grateful to Bryan and the rest of the NNR staff for a very pleasant visit today. The shed tour was particularly good! Well, that's all for now folks. Tomorrow we're off to the Bure Valley Railway...

Going Great Central: A Saint And A Standard...

Evening all. Today I was booked to work another 'one trip wonder' at the Great Central Railway. I arrived in good time for my 12:30 book on and discovered that once again I was rostered aboard BR Standard Class 5 No73156. Having familiarised myself with the notices and signed the book, I wandered out into the yard to have a look at the first visitor for the upcoming Autumn Steam Gala. The Great Western Society's new build Saint 4-6-0 No2999 "Lady of Legend" was standing cold on No2 road, freshly arrived from her previous loan at the Nene Valley Railway. No4942 "Maindy Hall" donated its boiler and frames to the project and No2999 was completed in 2019. Being a Great Western fan, I found it interesting looking around the vintage look Saint. I do wonder whether I'll get a go on it before it leaves: it would certainly be nice to! Not far behind No2999 on No2 road but inside the shed was an immaculate looking No6990 "Witherslack Hall" which is just coming to the end of a beautiful repaint...

Having admired the immaculate Modified Hall (which will appear in repainted condition at the gala alongside the Saint and Pannier Tank No7714), I headed outside to await the return of No73156. I'd brought myself a meal deal along to eat before we took over the engine. As is usual, station tabby cat 'Onslaught' awoke from her afternoon slumbers at the sound of my opening sandwich wrapper! Having two tabby cats at home ourselves, I'm very much used to having someone nearby drooling over my food but it's not so much fun when they appear anywhere you sit! A purring 'Onslaught' was treated to a few scraps of ham which she wolfed down without taking a breath...

The BR standard soon rolled in from Leicester North with a five coach set, coming to rest at the appropriate stop mark in Loughborough's platform one. Once uncoupled, driver Pete and fireman Aaron reversed the engine over to the water column for a drink. I was stood at the base of the column ready to help with watering up...

With tender topped up, I swapped with fireman Aaron whilst driver Pete stayed on to take the engine around to the front of the 14:00 departure. Driver Rob then arrived (having been caught in an overrunning meeting) to relieve Pete. With around 25 minutes to go before departure, I decided not to rush the fire around too much as the class five would no doubt be blowing off in the platform if I did...

The engine had a tender full of Welsh which would again offer a change from the smoky stuff I was burning on No78018 last weekend on the evening diner. As departure time neared I began spooning a few lumps of the Welsh around the front of the fire, filling in holes and generally making the bed ready. With around five minutes to go I then tend to make up the back end, although I don't go mad on No73156 in this regard as she doesn't tend to eat much away at the back, not like the others seem to anyway. She's one of those that will chew all day on a good back usually. When the "right away" from the Guard came on time at 14:00, 73156 eased the five coach set into motion and off we went in the direction of Quorn. At this point we had just over 200psi on the clock and 4/5 of a glass of water. Rob then got the engine well underway.

As we steamed towards the A6 bridge I began to suspect something wasn't 100%. The chimney wasn't as grey as I would have expected with a fairly fresh fire and the pressure needle was nailed to the spot, if not falling. As we neared Quorn we were back to around 170psi, although as usual I kept the water well up as we never sacrifice water for steam. Another look around at Quorn saw me fill in the holes again but all seemed well. You can end up with too much coal if you're not careful so it's best not to over fire if you can. Leaving Quorn, it was clear that things were still not right as the engine dipped further towards 160psi and even 150psi. Nevertheless, cruising along at line speed and with the water well up the glass, we could keep going very much safely despite being "down the nick"! At this point I noticed that the back end wasn't doing what it was meant to do and I could see that it was very much caked around the back corners. This high slack content in the soft Welsh coal can cause you these issues sometimes as the slack knits together and doesn't allow air through the bed of the fire.

Sure enough, rolling into Rothley with (still) a strong water level and 160psi on the clock, I grabbed the bent dart from the tender tunnel and began working the back of the fire. Straight away the effect on combustion and the pressure was noticeable and the chimney turned a reassuring tinge of dark grey. By the time we had cleared the Rothley up section signal: working towards Leicester North: the engine was back on the mark and all was well again. Although it isn't much fun being down the nick, I always feel a sense of accomplishment when you can find the root cause of the problem and solve it without intervention from above. It's like steam engine problem solving! Here, a lightly feathering 73156 awaits right time at Leicester North...

On the way back, a rejuvenated 73156 steamed beautifully and I managed to run the fire down for our imminent disposal on No1 road back at the shed. Here, 73156 simmers quietly in Platform No2 at Loughborough (having just arrived) whilst we await 78019 to clear the way. She was currently watering up...

Once back at the shed we checked the smokebox, did the ashpan, checked the firebox and then filled the boiler before leaving 73156 for the night. Here she is lined up alongside the visiting GWR Saint replica at Loughborough shed...

I must thank Rob for another very pleasant 'one trip wonder' turn and I look forward to hopefully getting some trips out at the upcoming Autumn Steam Gala. We look forward to receiving the roster very shortly. Thanks 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.