Going Great Central: A Day Off On A Standard...

Evening all. Today I'd booked a day off work, having been rostered to crew the M11 turn at the GCR. This job was looking touch and go at one point as we hadn't actually got a booked driver. Thankfully, at the eleventh hour, driver Matt stepped in to take the turn and so we could breathe a sigh of relief. I'd spotted our rostered locomotive noted next to our names last Saturday when I crewed the 8F, therefore I knew it was going to be the BR Standard 5 No73156 of 1956. As well as myself and Matt, we were joined on the footplate by new trainee Ed and pass holder David, the latter a driver at the Tanfield railway. With an unusual three trips booked for this afternoon's turn, there would be plenty of opportunity for everyone to have a go. Having met up to await our engine at a drizzly Loughborough shed, we took over the 4-6-0 at the column before working the 12:50 trip. I fired whilst Matt did the driving. With lamps already swapped for running back, the engine is pictured at Leicester North under grey skies...

As usual I'd already made up my departure fire during the run round, allowing the fresh coal to take whilst I coupled up. It was soon time to leave and I was very pleased as I clambered into the cab to find that Matt had returned from the griddle car with some piping hot bacon rolls...just what the doctor ordered! Very tasty they were too...

The Standard 5 was her usual free steaming self, effortlessly hauling the six-coach train back and forth on this remarkably quiet day for passengers. The weather today won't have helped attendance I'm sure but we were also mindful that this weekend sees the railway's first 'all night' gala, so perhaps everyone was saving themselves for that. Below, the 4-6-0 waits with her train in the down platform at Quorn...

Upon returning to Loughborough we swiftly ran around the train before recoupling at the south end of the stock. Matt kindly offered me the regulator for this trip whilst he did a bit of firing on the opposite side. I of course took very little persuading...

On time and with steam to spare, I got the engine moving southwards with the 14:45 train. I'm thankful for the shot below which is a rare view of me driving. At this point I'm easing the regulator back to drop the steam chest pressure as speed climbs towards the line speed of 25mph. No73156 certainly has to be held back...

"Driving No73156" (WM)

After a pleasant run in the driver's seat to Leicester North, the engine was uncoupled from the stock before we dropped her forwards south of the points to do some footplate visits. The Standard 5 meanwhile waited patiently under the overcast skies...

Having driven No73156 back to Loughborough, I thanked Matt for the opportunity before we swapped back over. Our final train was also the last of the day: the 16:30. For this run I opted to share the firing with new trainee Ed, giving him some experience on the shovel on what must have been an overwhelming first day out on the footplate! Below, the engine and train wait time alongside the GCR museum...

Between myself and Ed I'm pleased to say that we got the engine safely to Leicester and back with plenty of steam and water to spare. Fellow Statfold driver Joey Evans caught us rounding the bend at Kinchley Lane...

"No73156 works the 16:30 up train for Leicester" (J.Evans)

As well as the usual passenger service on the GCR, this week also saw the long awaited return of steam trains to Mountsorrel along the branch line. These trips were worked by a diesel locomotive top and tailed with the newly restored Austerity NCB No18. Having passed by Joey at Kinchley Lane, we were soon braking to come to a stand at Swithland's up outer home signal whilst the Mountsorrel train cleared the section to Rothley. We were soon on the move again...

At Leicester we performed the usual swift run round ready for departure...

Returning the engine to shed after a pleasant day, we did the ashpan and gave the fire a clean before handing over to the night crew. I think they had a Murder Mystery job to do: a one tripper. What a pleasant day: no prep and hardly any disposal...can't really ask for better! I must thank Matt, Ed and David for a brilliant afternoon out aboard the mighty No73156: your company was very much appreciated. Cheers 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.

Going Great Central: My First Go On The 8F In 2024...

"The road ahead from Quorn aboard No48305"

It's been a while since I was last on the Great Central-based 8F No48305: November in fact, when I did a morning turn on it as part of the "Last Hurrah" job. This afternoon, whilst working the A4 turn with driver Alan and cleaner Callum, I was lucky enough to be reacquainted with this charming Stanier 2-8-0. Signing in once again at 13:00 (much like my A4 turn the other week on No78019), I duly met up with the rest of the crew before we awaited the return of our rostered locomotive. Right on time, the eight freight came drifting across from platform one road to stand behind the ground discs...

Having relieved driver Dave and fireman Pete, we moved forward for a top up at the water column. Tender tank full, we hissed around to the front of the waiting stock on platform one road. Once coupled up, with the lamp on the top bracket denoting a local passenger service, we had around 20 minutes before our booked departure...

As with all things, you always find yourself having to readjust to something when you've had a few months off of it. I've done a good few turns so far this year, but none until today on this 8F. Once I'd got my bearings again, I made up a nice, level fire in preparation for departure. On time at 14:20, the guard gave us the "right away" and off we went for Leicester North, calling at all stations. The 8F was as free steaming as I remembered, jogging along nicely with the six-coach train. At Leicester, the engine sat quietly whilst we engaged in the booked slot for footplate visits...

I fired back to Loughborough where we briskly ran round the train again before another 20 minutes or so of break, prior to our final working at 16:15. Cleaner Callum fired this trip and made a grand job of it. Here, the 8F saunters around the bend at Swithland, approaching the up outer home, which in this case is showing a green...

At Leicester we just had the usual 15-minute run round, which we completed in good time. By now the 'Fish & Chip' headboard had been fitted in readiness for the 8F's next working: the chippy train. In the summer months Saturday nights can often see a two-trip chippy working alongside the usual two-trip night diner...

The run back was equally as enjoyable as the outbound trip and Callum kept up a good head of steam whilst also running the fire down for the longer layover at Loughborough. Below shows a rushed action snap of Callum flinging a few rounds of coal into the firebox, whilst driver Alan checks the speed on the vacuum brake...

Once back at Loughborough, with a quiet fire and 2/3 of a glass of water, No48305 was signalled from platform one back across to shed road one. Once back on shed, we completed the cleaning of the smokebox and ashpan before I spooned a few fresh shovelfuls around the fire, in readiness for incoming crew Steve and Aaron. At the GCR this is known as a partial disposal, allowing the lion's share of the job to be done now rather than at say 22:00 when the engines tend to return from their evening duties. The night diner crew then took over from us and we could breathe a sigh of relief after a pleasant two trips out on the 1943-built 2-8-0...

"No48305 ready to leave shed for the chippy train"

I must thank Alan and Callum for a pleasant afternoon out with No48305. I'm next on on Friday, with the roster penning me to Standard Five No73156. Thanks all...

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.

A Brief Encounter With "Britannia"...

"70000 'Britannia' feathers as she awaits the signal"

One of the positives of working in an office adjacent to the Northampton loop line is the regular passing of steam workings to and from the smoke. Both Saphos and West Coast regularly bring steam and diesel locomotives either north or south, to or from their Southall base in London, giving a minute or so of brain break on a working day! Today it was another Saphos working, headed by BR Standard pioneer No70000 "Britannia". The 7P Britannia class 4-6-2: of 1951 vintage: arrived on time from the north with her lengthy rake of immaculate blood and custard coaches...

Riddles' 55-strong BR Standard Class 7 pacifics were built between 1951 and 1954 as the first of the BR Standard range. Riddles and his team took everything learnt from pre-nationalisation designs of the previous decades and designed the best of those features into his locomotive classes. "Britannia" is one of two survivors (the other being NRM-owned "Oliver Cromwell") of this class and today lives as part of the Saphos fleet in her build town of Crewe. It was lovely to see her today. I think I caught a glimpse of her in steam once before, although a good while back in 2011 at speed through Banbury on a charter. Since then she has alluded me so it was nice to see her briefly this lunchtime, slowing to a stand for a red signal at Northampton's north junction...

After simmering away at the peg for a while (with the occasional lift of the valves), the engine received the road to continue her journey southward. With a crisp, loud bark at the chimney, off she went into the distance with her long train, tailed by an idling Class 47. The noise of the two-cylinder Brit was something to behold as she got the weight moving, accelerating towards London leaving her voice on the breeze. What a fine machine: "Rule, Britannia!". Thanks all for reading...

Please note that the above images were taken from land outside of the NR boundary fence.

Going Great Central: A Sunny Saturday With 78019...

Today involved a pleasant afternoon working the A4 turn at the Great Central Railway with driver Simon, aboard No78019. The turn's code: A4: was quite apt really as, on my way over to Loughborough, I briefly captured an A4 sprinting over the Coventry Road bridge at Bulkington. 1937-built "Sir Nigel Gresley" was working a Euston to Chester job and looked a picture under the blue skies as she sauntered by...

With the A4 having chattered away northward, I continued my journey to the GCR's Loughborough base. Having arrived in good time for my 13:00 booked sign on, I signed in and read the notices. Our rostered engine was No78019, which I last had at Easter on the E1 turn with Alan. Also out today was the 8F No48305, which continues to elude me it seems! I think I've only had the eight twice since passing out. Anyhow, today it was a Standard 2. Meanwhile, 19's sister Standard 2 (18) was basking in the sun on No1 road. The cleaners had had a go at her and she looked much shinier...

In the shed were two green things (making a change from all of the BR black stuff whilst the Hall is away on holiday!). Southernmost stood the tender for the A1 Pacific replica "Tornado", having recently returned from the works of LMS, just across Loughborough. I believe the tender is expecting the rest of the engine in the very near future, in readiness for running in and testing. Behind the tender stood a beautifully turned out Hunslet Austerity, also from LMS. This is a lovely looking thing...

Hunslet produced 485 Austerity's between 1943 and 1964, with this one being No3809 of 1953. The engine has just completed a fifteen year overhaul and looks incredible. It has to be the nicest example I've seen, although Tyseley-based "Fred" is also going to be a stunner. Fitted with a Giesl ejector and signwritten as NCB No18, the engine is visiting to take part in the upcoming 'Steam to Mountsorrel' event. It's been a number of years since steam ran up the branch and No18 is here to take that mantle. I wish it was staying forever: it's lovely. I look forward to seeing her running...

Having drooled over the immaculate NCB No18 for a while, it was soon time to meet up with driver Simon and wander down towards the water column in readiness to take over the Standard 2. Driver Neil and fireman Michael soon arrived with the mogul and we began the usual ritual of exchanging our kit bags. All was reported to be well with the engine as we prepared to draw forward for water...

"Handing over" (J.Garner)

A quick hazy shot in the cab of No78019, whilst Simon was down on the phone to the signalman requesting the road for us to grab a splash of water...

Tender topped up with water, we ran round via the totem pole to reach our waiting stock in platform two. The engine was duly coupled on and the lamps changed to reflect our class 2 (in every sense) 14:20 departure. It was going to be a warm one...

The first trip saw us carrying a footplate passenger as we performed a memorial, whereby the ashes of a friend or loved one are brought onto the engine and then cast into the firebox whilst the engine is working. The ashes will then be spread by the exhaust of the working engine at a beauty spot along the line, usually at picturesque Swithland. This is a fitting tribute to railway lovers and is a fairly common request now at the railway. With our memorial completed, our footplate passenger thanked us and left us at Rothley before we continued onward to Leicester North. Here there was the additional ten minutes in the timetable to allow for footplate visits...

Footplate visits completed, we briskly ran round the train before continuing back to Loughborough. After another quick spin around there, we worked the 16:15 departure. At Rothley there was a few minutes delay whilst we awaited a train to clear the single line section for us and to return the token. I therefore grabbed the unusual opportunity to snap the engine awaiting departure from this pretty station...

Line clear and token received, we were soon chugging towards Thurcaston on the single line section, with No78019 in very good voice...

It's always nice to work a Standard 2 as they need a little more thinking about than the bigger engines. The bigger stuff (like the 5 or the 8) just have so much reserve, whereas the smaller class 2 (although perfectly capable) keeps you on your toes to make sure that all remains in hand. After a quick final run round at Leicester, we prepared for our final northward departure in slightly cooler conditions...

Once back at Loughborough, we grabbed a splash at the column before steaming around to No2 shed road for disposal. The 8F would stay out to work the night diner but, with no chip train tonight, No78019's work was complete. We stopped short of No2 road pit so that I could check the smokebox, before dropping the engine back to level with her sister on No1 road. The ashpan was then emptied and the boiler filled up before isolating anything that required it. The engine was then left to simmer for the night, alongside her consecutively numbered sister...

I must thank Simon for a pleasant afternoon out aboard the punchy No78019 and of course thank the GCR for having me once again. This is the first of three turns that I've got booked in May, with the next one rostered for two weeks today. Ciao...

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: A Soaking Wet Sunday With CSR 19...

"Driver Sam and fireman Chris ready to work the 10:30 train with CSR No19"

Today I was rostered to drive at Statfold Barn but, unusually, it would be a turn that I hadn't worked before. The railway has gone through a lot of change in the past few years, transforming itself from Tamworth's best kept secret to a thriving entertainment's venue with a lot to offer. When I first started crewing at the SBR in 2012 (see picture), the railway opened a mere three Saturdays a year and that was your lot. Now, it's often open three days a week! Today's turn would be the SBR's now standard weekend steam offering, with all of Statfold's regular attractions: the museum, the railway, the soft play etc: open, plus a 45-minutely train service out of Oak Tree. One engine is steamed on these days, with more joining the roster on event weekends or of course for the ever popular enthusiast's days. I arrived at the SBR's base on the Ashby Road a little before our 07:30 booked sign on. Trudging across to the engine shed in pouring rain, I found our loco: CSR No19: standing in the shed doorway, with fireman Chris having just lit up. The shed door was brought down to keep the cab dry for now...

This foul morning was a stark contrast from the fair weather turns I've had of late. The rain was quite obnoxious and seemed determined to soak us through. Whilst Chris got up steam, I went around the engine with the oil cans and gave everything a check over and a top up. Our guard Barry and our duty officer Ian also joined us in the dry of the engine shed, with old Batesy also turning up to collect my freshly completed rules refresher. A little after 09:30, we got the 1914-built Hudswell Clarke on the move and proceeded down to collect the waiting ECS in platform two, via the signalbox. It was still raining well as guard Barry removed the scotches from the stock in readiness to give us the "right away" for Oak Tree. What a crap morning...

Leaving Statfold, we collected the token from Ian in the box and proceeded out into the saturated fields. The engine steamed easily as we trotted around the railway, carrying out the line inspection. Soon enough, we were screwed down at Oak Tree awaiting our first train at 10:30. I don't think any of us were expecting a stampede today...

The timetable on this job is steady but constant, with trains leaving Oak Tree every 45 minutes from 10:30 until 15:00. You depart Oak Tree for Statfold, where the engine runs round upon arrival, via the turntable. This gives the passengers a chance to grab some snaps and see the engine moving without being on the train. The train then departs Statfold for Oak Tree via Cogan Halt, taking in the entirety of the 2ft route. (Should the need dictate, there is also an optional 15:45 train, which works the bottom half of the railway only. Thanks to the weather however, this wouldn't be patronised today so we didn't work it). All three of our first three trains had but three passengers aboard, which was no surprise thanks to the heavy rain. Thankfully the indoor areas seemed busier. Below, Chris readies No19 for departure from Statfold with the 11:15 ex-Oak Tree. At this point the rain was just starting to let up for us...

Here, a slowly drying out CSR No19 stands on the turntable on our 12:00 train as the electric motor spins her around. The premises of Statfold Seed Oil can be seen adjacent to the table as the Hudswell moves around...

The 12:45 was a fair bit busier and No19 is seen here waiting at Oak Tree...

The sun was even out as we prepared to leave Statfold on this one!...

For the 13:30 and the 14:15 trips I decided to swap with Chris, who took over the regulator whilst I did the firing. No19 is a chunky lump with plenty of power on offer, meaning that it's hard to keep the thing quiet if you over-fire. Therefore, I elected to run the pressure at around the 120/130psi mark (full pressure 160psi), giving myself some leeway against the Ramsbottom safety valves fitted in the cab. (You can end up with a sauna if you're not careful!). Running the pressure lower allowed me to keep the engine quiet whilst keeping the grate covered. You need to be careful with this one as she'll let you fire too thin and keep steaming but of course it doesn't do the firebox any good. No19 is of course a Leeds product but worked for Colonial Sugar Refining in Fiji, alongside the larger No11 (also based at Statfold and now wearing the name "Fiji"). It's a nice engine to take out and always does a good job...

"The road ahead on the fireman's side"

For the well patronised 15:00 train I was back on the regulator and, much to our satisfaction, most of the seats aboard our two ex-Tynedale coaches were taken. No19 is seen here waiting to depart for Statfold with what would be our final trip...

Having worked the 15:00, we returned to Oak Tree where the passengers alighted and waved us goodbye. When nobody turned up for the 15:45, we closed the gate and Barry duly gave us a final "right away" with the ECS for Statfold. Having turned on the table one last time, No19 was taken back up to the engine shed for disposal. Chris had thankfully ran the fire down well and the little diesel shunter was soon dragging the Hudswell back into the shed with a quiet fire, a capped chimney and a full pot of water. It was nice to spend the day with Chris. We grew up together in a way, somewhere not far from here. Thankfully these days we're at pastures new, but it's nice to keep in touch at Statfold. I must thank Barry, Chris and Ian for their company today and for a nice, easy day driving. Thanks all for reading as usual...

Ryton: Battery Boxes & Sunshine...

"The 47 lookalike stands at Ryton Halt before services began"

Evening all. A quick post from today, just to document my afternoon out. Today I was rostered for one of the Sunday afternoon passenger workings at Coventry MES' Ryton Pools track. I arrived a little before 12:00, in good time for the 13:00 planned start. Having met up with the rest of the day's crew, we began getting out the two rakes of passenger stock and two of the club's battery electric things to pull them. For me, as I've said before, they do nothing. They're a working tool for doing a job and, I have to say, it's a job that they do very well. Soon enough, the two Compass House electrics were ready at the station for what would be a steady afternoon of work. In the end I think we carried just over 200 people, so the funds for the club were worth coming up for. I did a bit of driving (not so difficult with what is essentially a feed rate switch) and a fair bit of guarding. In between trips it was nice to chat with the rest of the ever growing membership about this and that...

"The oldest of the club electrics: the 37: at the end of play"

At 16:00 the gate was closed and we made our way, with the last rake of ECS, back to the steaming area ready to put everything away. After a swift bit of shunting, the job was done and it was time to wash up and head for home. Short and sweet. Sorry to anyone who loves battery electrics...they're just not for me. Give me a boiler and a firebox any day instead! Thanks all for reading...

Going Great Central: 'DATEX' With 73156...

"A shining 73156 stands ready for action on No1 shed road"

This morning I was rostered to work the A1 turn at the Great Central Railway, alongside driver Dave. This involved a 05:30 sign on at Loughborough shed and, as usual, I arrived a little early to make sure that I wouldn't be late. Walking into the quiet shed yard, I trudged alongside our booked locomotive: Standard 5 No73156 of 1956...

Having signed in and read the notices, I wandered back out to the locomotive and clambered up into the cab. The engine had worked the evening diner last night and so still had 40psi on the clock and a full pot of water. Peering into the hot firebox revealed a nice, even bed of ash and this was quickly cleared with the aid of the rocking grate. Driver Dave passed by the cab at this point and we exchanged our "good morning". Moving forward to the smokebox, there was the usual tiny molehill at the foot of the door: just enough to cover the bottom of a bucket. This is thanks to the engine's effective self cleaning smokebox. (The ease of this morning's prep was a far cry from my morning with 78019 a couple of weekends ago). With everything done and all checks made, I could spread the bed of coal across the fire and replace the baffle plate before lighting up. As soon as the lit rags hit the grate, she sang...

Once the rags were burning atop the layer of coal, I threw in a pallet or two's worth of dry wood and shut the doors, leaving the engine to sort its life out. ("A watched pot never boils" as they say). Soon enough there was a reassuring plume of smoke rising steadily skyward from the chimney. The class 153 units stabled in No3 shed road in the shot below still look out of place to me but, hopefully, their arrival is the start of a potentially lucrative enterprise of main line driver training...

It wasn't long after lighting up that the team of engine reps arrived. The lads from the Bolton Steam Locomotive Company take great pride in their fine machine and keep her looking her best at all times. Their efforts were much appreciated this morning...

After an easy prep (thanks to the Bolton boys), myself and Dave got changed into our smarts before backing 73156 up for coal. We then left shed on time at 08:45, taking water at the column before doing a quick coach slip from platform two to platform one. Once safely stabled at Great Central Road bridge, we awaited our DATEX participants. DATEX is the GCR's version of a Footplate Experience course, dubbed Drive A Train Experience. These courses, like the diners, are very popular and provide a much needed income to the railway. 

Today we would work a Bronze course, involving a round trip to Leicester North light engine with two participants, each driving half of the journey. Right on time, the DATEX host brought our two participants down to the engine and they duly joined us on the footplate of the waiting 4-6-0. We left Loughborough on time at 09:30, swapping the participants at each station stop so that each would get to drive the different sections of the railway. This also adds variety as the line is mostly downhill coming back from the southern end. After a steady run there and back, I'm pleased to say that both of our trainee drivers left the footplate having had a great time. It's always nice to see someone else enjoying something that we perhaps occasionally take for granted. Our next move was to collect our coaches from the up through and take them to platform two in readiness for the 11:10 passenger departure...

For our second (and final) trip we were joined by two of the lads from the engine's group as they rode with us to Leicester and back aboard the mighty class 5. This engine is a fine beast: always free steaming and always very much on top of the job. She's arguably far too powerful for the trains here, particularly when they're only five coaches. She's like a supercharged Black Five and you can imagine that she'd be a fine contender for main line activities. Fair enough she has no bonnet and she wasn't built at Swindon...but you can't have everything! Here, 73156 waits patiently with the returning 11:10 working at Leicester, as right time nears...

The return run to Loughborough was just as enjoyable and 73156 steamed freely as I attempted to keep her quiet ready for handover to the incoming crew. Once at Loughborough I was relieved by fireman Chris and the Standard 5 was soon chuffing away into the distance in readiness to work the 13:00 Sunday lunch diner. I must thank driver Dave and the Bolton lads for a pleasant morning out aboard the mighty 73156: very enjoyable. Thanks all for reading...

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.