Today's weather could only be described as changeable to say the least! I drove over to the Great Central Railway for my afternoon/evening turn under cloudless blue skies with a warm autumnal sun shining down from above. By the evening it had turned into a complete downpour of a most persistent nature. To cut a long story short, we got soaked! Even the well protected cab of the immaculate Standard Class 5 No73156 did little to protect us from the elements this evening. But, after two lovely sunny turns at the recent gala, I guess I can't complain! I arrived at Loughborough shed in good time for my 15:00 book on. Having changed and extracted my ever growing mound of kit from the car, I stopped to grab a snap of the lovely Modified Hall No6990 "Witherslack Hall" resting in the afternoon sunshine on No3 shed road. 'Slack Alice' was still impersonating her scrapped sister No6988 "Swithland Hall"...
I duly met up with driver Chris and we signed in together and read the notices. Our charge this evening was confirmed to be the trusty Standard 5 No73156, with smaller Standard 2 No78019 working the other steam turn. We both remarked that we were in for a no doubt easy turn as we had the ever reliable class five which is beautifully kept and is a driver and fireman's dream if you want an easy run. Its free steaming nature and considerable strength make standard length trains seem effortless and you never have to force her to do anything. Our first train was booked as the 15:45 passenger off Loughborough, hauling the set we would take over from '19 when she returned. As we sat awaiting the arrival of the mogul at the down loop starter, the worrying sound of hurried footsteps on the ballast soon heralded the arrival of the DTM at the cab door. The recently departed DMU had encountered trouble during its run to Quorn and had been failed in the station's up platform. As the only rescue locomotive that was ready for action at that moment, we were sent to Quorn light engine on the up to retrieve the stricken diesel and return it to Loughborough to clear the line.
When all arrangements had been confirmed with the various parties, we were given the down loop starter to proceed across onto the up main towards Quorn. Here we were brought to a stand at the up section signal which was showing a red aspect. Chris brought the class five to a gentle stop before heading down to telephone the Loughborough signalman to ascertain our next instructions...
As per the rule book, assistance protection had been laid in the form of detonators on the approach to Quorn's up home signal. Therefore, we were given permission to pass the up section signal at danger (as the section was declared clear but the signal couldn't be pulled off for us as the detonators were inside the block) and proceed at caution to the assistance point. We were then brought to a stand at a red flag before being brought forward over the detonators to reach the broken down DMU in Quorn's up platform. The passengers had all been detrained and had caught the mogul's train back to base so it was merely a case of removing the blockage on the up main. I must admit, despite the inconvenience to the service, it was interesting to see some of the stuff we'd learnt on the firing course being put into practise.
Soon enough, we were on our way back to Loughborough, having crossed over onto the down main from Quorn via the crossover following permission from the mechanical colour light signal. As we approached Beeches Road bridge the late running 15:45 working (our train) came barking by us hauled by '19, whose crew had kindly stayed on to keep the railway moving. Here, 73156 has just finished propelling the broken DMU into the carriage sidings where it would await inspection from a fitter...
Despite the unfortunate inconvenience to passengers, obviously things like this can occasionally happen when you're dealing with heritage kit. Thankfully, with the quick thinking of the DTM, we'd reduced any delays by as much as possible and indeed the 15:45 only left 15 minutes down so it worked out alright in the end. Myself and Chris now had nearly three hours to kill whilst we awaited the departure of our next turn: the 19:00 "Charnwood Forester" diner. Soon enough we were in position at the head of the train and settled 73156 down for her extended break once the lamps and the headboard had been fitted. She made for a pretty picture under the (still) blue skies...
The fire was kept bright but quiet during the layover, with the holes in the bed being filled to keep the engine warm but the steam kept low enough to keep the safety valves down. The engine had little to do now but wait...
Slowly but surely the minutes ticked by and we enjoyed our sandwiches whilst we awaited the arrival of the evening's passengers. The diners continue to be popular at the railway and long may they continue to be. Below, dining car 'Jessie-Leigh' sits with table lamps lit ready to provide a four course meal for its guests...
Chris kindly let me drive the first round trip whilst he did the firing with a newly acquired shovel. I therefore waited time in the driver's seat...
By the time our departure time neared the weather had changed entirely with rain hammering down from the heavens. It was pretty grim to be honest. We departed Loughborough a couple of minutes down (having waited for some late passengers) and proceeded to a dark and dismal Swithland for a 15-minute wait on the reservoir. By the time we reached Rothley the rain seemed to have eased but we then encountered the heavy stuff again at a very damp Leicester North...
I drove us non-stop back to Loughborough where we swapped roles again (and I swapped my sopping wet jacket!) ready for our second round trip on the diner. Did I enjoy being at the helm of 73156? Of course, though the pouring rain certainly didn't allow me to truly savour the experience! The rain was still pelting down as we proceeded away from Loughborough station and back into the darkness. Below, 73156 is seen at the north end of the stock on our second round trip. Despite appearances, this shot was taken around 90 minutes after the one above as the rain was too bad to even bother with a quick snap in the interim...
Chris drove us back to a very damp Loughborough where the very damp Standard was uncoupled by a very damp me. We then proceeded back to shed via the water column, where we topped up the tender in readiness for tomorrow's services. We finally came to rest back on No1 shed road at around 22:15 and between us we began bedding 73156 down for the night. Whilst topping up the boiler, I grabbed the below snap of the cab of the very well kept Standard 5. Note my sopping wet hat and jacket hanging on the fittings to try and dry them a tad before home time...
With all checks made from both the driver and fireman's point of view, 73156 was left to simmer quietly to herself for the night, stabled partially under Empress Road bridge. Ironically, as is typical, the rain gave up just as we signed out...
I must thank Chris for a great (if very wet) evening out aboard the lovely Standard 5 and send a big well done to the hard working diner crew for their efforts in appalling weather. The passengers all looked merry as they left the train (some more than others!) and it should never be underestimated just how much good exposure and most importantly how much revenue the diners provide for the GCR. Long may their success continue! Weather wise I can't moan too much. Most of my turns have been fair weather ones and we do get days like this now and again. Thank you all for reading this muck: it is very much appreciated. I'm off to wring myself out...what a soaking wet mess this evening turned us into! Thanks all, until next time, over and out...
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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