"Driver Sam, fireman Barry and cleaner Conor" (N.Cliff)
After what seems like mere days since the last one, today I crewed at Statfold for another Spectacle of Steam event (what used to be known as the 'open day'). Last time it was the pioneer Garratt K1, today I was booked to drive what is arguably Statfold's flagship locomotive: the wonderful "Fiji". I arrived in good time for the 06:30 book on, sauntering into the shed yard on my way to the signing in hut. On my way I passed by the two visiting engines for the event: the returning red Fowler from last June and the lovely little 1926-built Bagnall "Sir Tom" from Threlkeld...
Despite familiarising myself with the relevant ops notices during the week, I had another check for any new ones before signing in. My booked engine, along with fireman Barry and cleaner Conor, was waiting patiently on the middle road...
Placing my footplate bag into the cab, I found Conor already beavering away with the irons in the firebox, clearing the ash from yesterday's fire. I had a quick look in the front end to check things over before Barry arrived with armfuls of wood. Between them they soon had a good blaze going in the firebox. I meanwhile went around the engine doing the oiling up, starting with the steam brake lubricator in the cab, working through the axleboxes and motion before ending with the two mechanical lubricators on the running board. The usual 08:30 safety briefing was moved to 08:00 for this event (for the first time in my memory) to allow an earlier start for some breakfast shuttles to Oak Tree. These trains were run to ferry the early birds down for the new full english breakfast offering at the roundhouse cafe. Things were therefore on the move much earlier than usual today and "Fiji" was waiting in platform one by 09:15...
We were soon off into the fields, cautiously working our first train. Unusually, our first trip was signalled bang road through Oak Tree, affording this unusual view of "Fiji" in the platform. This shot is only usually captured at Christmas...
Upon arrival at the Cogan Halt stop board we came to a stand before securing the engine and train. An impatient "Fiji" was already raring to go...
As we made our steady way back to Statfold, passing a train at Oak Tree as normal, we were welcomed at the terminus by blue skies and sunshine. Below, an immaculate "Fiji" has been spun on the turntable, with Statfold Seed Oil in the background...
Having drawn the engine down to the signal gantry outside the signalbox, we were treated to the sight of two little green engines ("Sir Tom" and "Jack Lane") arriving with an up freight train. Today's freights were re-engined here...
We were soon at the head of our second passenger train and Barry caught me reliving my main line support crew days with Tyseley by flinging the coal forward atop "Fiji"s tender. It was a lot easier than doing the same on "Edgcumbe"...
"The 0-6-0 waits at Statfold Junction station" (B.Bryan)
The second train was performed in beautiful weather and immaculate 1912-built "Fiji" is seen waiting under blue skies at a peaceful Oak Tree...
Whilst we awaited our third train at Statfold Junction we were signalled down to the front of the new carriage shed on the old headshunt. It's a great covering for the coaches but not so good when you need to park up down the headshunt. Thankfully we managed to keep "Fiji"s chimney clear as we didn't want to blacken the internal roof...
I drove the third train before swapping roles with Barry who, despite being fireman today, is also now a driver at the SBR. Below, Conor (soon to pass out as fireman) and Barry work "Fiji" around the balloon loop on our fourth round trip...
Conor had done such a good job of firing during those four trips that I decided to have a go on the last one, keeping my hand in on the fireman's side at Statfold. Driver Barry is captured here as we await the road at Statfold Junction with our final working of the day. The up train could be heard in the distance...
"Fiji" steamed easily for me on our fifth and final train of the day, with Barry driving us gently around the railway and back to Statfold. Once back at base, we turned her for a final time on the table before heading back to the shed. Having given the engine a wipe over at the shed door and cleaned the fire, I duly dropped her back inside to complete the day. The boiler was then topped up and the chimney capped...
With the final rub down of the engine and the protective coat added to the brightwork, the day was done. I always enjoy being on "Fiji": it's a lovely engine. I must thank Barry and Conor for their company on the footplate today and of course Phil for rostering me. Thank you also to Barry and Nigel for sending in images that were used in this post: they are always appreciated. Cheers, Sam...
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