Statfold: Sunday Service And A Corporate Job...

"Fiji awaits her first passengers at Oak Tree"

Today, in gorgeous weather, I was rostered to drive at the Statfold Barn Railway on their Sunday steam service. Following the normal timetabled operation we would also have a 16:00 special to complete for a large private party, as part of a corporate event. Old Batesy had asked me if I could work this job a few months ago, whilst he and many others were away at a beer event with the road engines. Together with fireman Conor, I arrived at the SBR's Tamworth base in good time for the 07:30 sign on. The duty officer for the day: James: was on hand to let us in and we proceeded to the locomotive shed to retrieve our booked steed: "Fiji" (HC No972 of 1912)...

Barry (yesterday's driver) had reported to me last night that the 0-6-0 tender engine was a little sluggish during his turn and that smoke had occasionally been finding its way back into the cab. Therefore, armed with a tube brush, we made a start in the front end in an effort to clear things out. The smoky coal in use these days can choke up the tubes so it was worth a try for the sake of 15-minutes graft. Below, we can see the internals of "Fiji"s smokebox, with the blastpipe and blower ring visible...

Whilst Conor went off to collect the wood, I threw the iron around the fire grate to remove the remnants of yesterday's fire. The grate was then ready for Conor to light up. Tubes swept and smokebox cleaned out, the engine was lit up under bright blue morning skies. She began singing almost immediately...

Between the two of us we gradually brought the large red engine around into steam. I made my way around the engine with the oil cans whilst Conor gave her a clean and polish. She was already in great condition but a little extra never hurts! I worked this now regular Sunday service on a much wetter Sunday with the other Fijian engine (CSR No19) a few months ago. After that experience, I was pleased that the weather was so much better today! Having washed and changed, we took the 0-6-0 down to the signalbox before being called back onto the waiting stock in platform two by guard Barry. The engine then awaited the "right away" for our ECS working to Oak Tree via Cogan Halt. "Fiji" looked immaculate in the warm morning sunlight...

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After a steady trundle down the railway, we came to a halt on the approach to the balloon loop so that the white light could be turned on. These lights denote the correct positioning of the point blades, providing you the confidence that the route is set correctly. They're particularly handy during night working...

Having traversed the balloon loop, we trundled back to Oak Tree halt where we came to a stand and screwed the engine down. By now it was only 10:00, with the first timetabled service rostered for 10:30. There was therefore time for tea and chat whilst the 0-6-0 feathered in the sunshine on this lovely summer's morning...

Due to an unexpected emergency closure on the Ashby Road, passengers during the morning were quite scarce. With no one around to ride the train, we didn't run the 10:30 trip and therefore the first train became the 11:15. With Conor and Barry attending the engine, I nipped for a welfare break and had a wander over to see new engine "Carol Ann" on the 12.25" line, just across from the roundhouse yard. This big lump was built to order by Exmoor Steam Railway and delivered to Statfold in May. I quite like it. Here, "Carol Ann" gently buffers up to her short train...

Back on "Fiji", we continued to chew the fat whilst we awaited passengers...

"Fireman Conor and driver Sam aboard HC 972 at Oak Tree" (B.Bryan)

Thankfully some passengers did arrive for our 11:15 working and we left Oak Tree on time, bound for Statfold. A short while later, "Fiji" is captured on the turntable, providing the traditional shot with the Statfold Seed Oil premises standing proudly in the background. God only knows how many times I've taken this shot!...

Below, an impatient "Fiji" has the road for Oak Tree, via Cogan Halt...

The timetabled part of the day carried on pretty steadily after that, with a fair flurry of passengers. "Fiji" performed very nicely as usual, although the pesky smoke did continue to insist on joining us in the cab. (I think the base of the chimney may be a little caked up). I drove a couple more trips before swapping with Conor for two. I was then back on the handle in readiness for our final normal working at 15:00. Just prior to this trip some highly appreciated ice creams were delivered to the footplate...

With the fairly well loaded 15:00 train worked, we waited in the platform at Oak Tree for our 16:00 special. The large corporate party would be collected from Strawberry Park and we arrived there a couple of minutes early in order to load up...

"Awaiting departure at Strawberry Park"

With standing room only on the train, "Fiji" departed on time for a final lap of the line. She certainly felt the weight of the additional load behind her tender as we pulled away: standing room only certainly makes a difference! Having run the engine round at Statfold Junction for our admiring party, we took a final run down to the balloon loop where the train paused at Cogan Halt for group photographs. Everyone was remarking about what a great day they'd had, which is great to hear. With the party having rejoined the coaches, we had an enthusiastic run at the bank before running non-stop through Oak Tree in order to set down again at Strawberry Park. With our party having thanked us again, we departed ECS for Statfold. Once there, the engine was turned a final time before being returned to the shed, where Conor is seen cleaning the fire as part of the disposal process. We then gave the engine a final wipe over...

With a final breath of steam, I drove "Fiji" back into the shed where we'd found her this morning. Thanks for a pleasant day old gal'...

Once screwed down in the shed, the chimney was capped and the disposal process completed by filling the boiler. "Fiji" was then left to simmer away to herself whilst we washed up and prepared for home. With paperwork completed, the job was done and I set sail homeward. Thanks to Conor, James and Barry for their company and help today and of course Phil for asking me to do the job. It had been another pleasant day out on the footplate at Statfold. Cheers all, for now...