Tyseley: A Midland Intruder On The 'Polar Express'...

Good evening all. Another pleasant day spent at the former 84E at Tyseley Locomotive Works, helping on and around 7029 "Clun Castle". The engine is currently at rest, ready for her outing to the Bath Christmas Market next Sunday. We have three Christmas excursions lined up for December, as well as an intensive program of 'Polar Express' workings out of Moor Street. Due to "Clun"s big commitments elsewhere and the retirement of last years 'PE' engine "Rood Ashton Hall", the TOC has brought in a welcome visitor to help out. My task this morning involved finishing up some cleaning on "Clun". She was pretty much gleaming already, having spent weeks being buffed up by various hands. The Tyseley engines have a reputation for their immaculate appearance so we never disappoint on that front!...

Whilst the Castles slumbered inside the shed, out in the damp November air stood the visiting Midland engine: Black Five 45305. Operated by the 5305 Locomotive Association, the Stanier 4-6-0 is usually based at Loughborough on the Great Central Railway. Much like the 84E team, the 5305 LA insist on a sparkling appearance and so 45305 was immaculately turned out for todays duties...

The 2019 program of the Birmingham 'Polar Express' started earlier this week, with trains now operating every Thursday - Sunday evening up until Christmas. I'm told that most trains are well sold, building on the success of last years trips. Rather than the usual Santa Special format, the 'Polar Express' offers more of an on-train theatrical performance, working through various scenes from the popular 2004 film with much singing and dancing. The Black Five would work the train in the Birmingham direction, proudly wearing the home-made headlamp to give it a slightly more American vibe. A Class 20 was coupled to the rear of the stock, ready to haul the engine in the opposite direction when required. Here, 45305 sits beneath the starting signal which is already in the 'off' position in readiness for departure early on in the afternoon...

I tagged along with the 'Polar' on todays first round trip, really just to say I'd done it again in 2019. Myself and a few others had a quick ride behind "Rood Ashton" last Christmas for the same reason! It's a steady run to Moor Street of only a couple of miles, mostly along the goods line which is restricted to 15mph. At Moor Street, the Five came to rest alongside a Chiltern Railways unit...

Crewed by Ray and Phil, it wasn't long before my puppy dog eyes got me invited up for a look in the cab. Despite being a Western fan, I've always had a soft spot for the Black Five. As with the outside of the engine, the cab on 45305 was very clean...

These LMS machines were masters of their job; the true go anywhere, do anything locomotive of their region. I will admit that I was green with envy, and Phil knew it! I'd love to be up here crewing this old thing...

Having drooled over the cab of the 5MT for long enough, I returned to the staff coach for the short and steady ride back to Tyseley. 45305 is an Armstrong-Whitworth example built in 1936 and spent most of its working life in North-West England. Bought for scrap by Drapers of Hull following withdrawal in 1968, the fate of the engine seemed sealed. However, the yard owner: Alderman Draper: decided to save one of the 742 locomotives cut up at his yard for the future and, simply because it was the cleanest, chose 45305. The engine is still owned by the Draper family and is now named "Alderman A E Draper" in memory. She is certainly well looked after and it was a pleasure to see her today. At Tyseley, I alighted ready to watch the 4-6-0 steam back off towards Moor Street with the returning 'Polar Express'...

By now the time was knocking on and the cold damp air was starting to bite so, having cleared away my dirty rags from "Clun", I decided to head for home. I'll next be at Tyseley next Sunday for the Bath job and I'm actually really looking forward to it. I thought I'd end with a few lyrics dedicated to the 5MT:

"Well you're up and you're groping for coal

For the fire had blinded your eye

Feel the boilers need and the fireholes greed

As you blacken the sun and the sky

She goes hammering over the hill

And you're bloody near roasted alive

Like a hound of steel riding runaway wheels

There's a devil astride a Black Five"

(Black Five - David Goulder)

Tyseley: Drain Cocks And Steam Rollers...

Hi all. Today was, yes you've guessed it, another volunteer Saturday at the former 84E. With most of the decorating now completed after a mad few months in the new house, I have a little more time to creep out in search of steam. When I arrived a little before 10:30 (I'm getting worse at these early starts by the week!), Phil was already lighting up his 1925-built Aveling & Porter steam roller "Louise". The engine was being made ready to have the canopy roof removed for repair and I think Phil was also doing a last hurrah kind of thing before some heavy winter maintenance ensues. Leaving the roller crackling away to herself, Phil showed me some jobs on 7029 "Clun Castle" that I could complete today. In the running shed area, 7029 was standing alongside elder sister 5043, who is now missing her outside steam pipes...

I was put to work cleaning up the drain cocks for 7029. The inside ones had been done already so I had to do the six from the outside. There are three mounted to each outside cylinder: two for the cylinder and one for the valve chest. I remember somebody once telling me that the middle one drained the center of the cylinder bore...

The drain cock casting has a screwed plug on the back which allows access to the inside. The front end has a spring with a spacer and split pin which holds the plunger in the closed position when the drain cocks are to be closed. The thread is for the drain cock pipework to be attached which then ejects the condensate forward of the cylinders. The drain cock linkage from the cab is connected so as to press the plunger inward to open the cocks. Here is a fully cleaned up drain cock, upside down of course. The mounting holes for the cylinder studs can be seen...

This kind of work is really just a light maintenance/house keeping task. Over time, the drains (particularly when engines sit for a while) can become clogged up and need a bit of a clean out and brush up. It's an easy job to do with a cuppa' to hand...

The finished result later in the day: three of the drains ready to refit...

If any built up dirt gets behind the plunger when the drain is open, then they will probably pass when they're closed. You don't want to be hissing around the network sounding like an old eight freight in the last days of the Midland region! With the drains refitted to 7029, I headed outside to see how the roller was getting on. The canopy roof had now been removed and the engine was going topless...

Phil kindly let me take the F-Type for a couple of laps of the car park, although I did insist he put it in bottom gear as I'm not entirely confident on these things. I could just see me ploughing it through a nearby parked car if it got away from me! Nevertheless, I managed to go round nicely without bashing into anything. When they settle down they're actually quite nice to drive. I would never say that you can step straight off a railway engine and onto one of these, or vice versa in fact. They are very different machines entirely, but interesting in their own way. I couldn't resist a few blasts on the Great Western whistle...still big kids at heart! With that it was pretty much time for home after a worthwhile little day at 84E. Cheers all, Sam...

Tyseley: The Pipes, The Pipes Are Calling...

"From glen to glen, and down the mountain"...no, that's enough of that actually! Today, having briefly escaped from the decorating, I was over at the former 84E of Tyseley Locomotive Works. Upon arrival, I was glad to find the two roller shutter doors on four and five roads slightly open, giving a good bit more light. I was today tasked with another cleaning job, getting "Clun" ready for her next appearance on the Bath Christmas Market special on December 1st. The mechanical lubricator on the front drivers side of the engine has quite a lot of copper pipework which, when cleaned up, looks a real treat. So today, armed with Autosol and plenty of clean rags, I set to work gently cleaning up the pipes. Currently retired Hall Class No4965 "Rood Ashton Hall" was giving "Clun" a bit of a stare out from her resting place...

The various pipes which stem from the lubricator feed the cylinders, valves and regulator. The 'original' Castles carried the five-glass hydrostatic, which "Defiant" still carries. 7029 & 5043, being later double-chimney versions, carry the mechanical alternative. As you can imagine, you have to be very careful cleaning these pipes. They are fairly strong but any damage could result in a leak, which may lead to a loss of oil to crucial components. On the main line at the speeds we run at, this could be catastrophic so the words "be careful" are forever etched on the mind during jobs like this! Though a bit fiddly, the pipes came up well...

I always feel that it's these little touches that give the 84E engines their reputation. Some have commented that the engines were never this clean in their working lives. This is probably quite true, but these days we have more time to look after them. The Tyseley fleet doesn't spend week after week on the road, meaning that we have time in between to keep them sparkling. Later in the day, the final result...

My last job today, as with any brass or copper polishing, was to apply a thin coating of Vaseline to prevent tarnish. I don't particularly like this job as the Vaseline itself does dull the finish slightly, although I'd rather that than see it all bright green with condensation marks next week! Roll on our December 1st outing with the gleaming Castle. Let's hope the valleys aren't hushed and white with snow!...

Tyseley: Castles At Rest And A Summer Jub...

Good afternoon all. Having endured the pouring rain of Rail Ale last week, it was pleasant to return to Tyseley in sunnier and warmer conditions. Today, as usual, I was put to work cleaning up the cab of 1950-built Castle Class No7029 "Clun Castle". The BR (W) 4-6-0 won't be appearing on tomorrows Shakespeare Express as "Bahamas" is doing one last job for us before heading home. However, 7029 will be back in action on the next one, scheduled for two weeks tomorrow. I was quite happy with the results of todays efforts, with "Clun"s cab positively beaming...

Behind "Clun", hiding in the relatively new annex shed, was elder sister 5043. The "Earl" is now waiting for her turn in the overhaul queue and seems to look on at her younger sister with jealousy. That's the only shame with steam engines: at best they have a 10-year shelf life before they need an overhaul. The "Earl" in particular seemed to retire in better condition than most restoration jobs enter service but still needs to be overhauled nonetheless. What a great engine she has been...

Out in the hazy summer afternoon weather was "Bahamas", strutting cautiously up and down the demo line as final preparation checks were made. The engine has been polished up beautifully again following her soaking wet visit to York last Saturday. Much like the Tyseley fleet, "Bahamas" is a credit to her owners...

After grabbing one last snap of the Jubilee (she'll be gone by the time I'm next here), I went back to "Clun Castle" to finish up in the cab. The final task is always the light application of Vaseline, used to prevent tarnish. It's such a shame to have your efforts wasted by the condensation of one damp night if you forget to apply this protective coating! Thanks for reading again all. I'm next at Tyseley in three weeks time for the Gloucester job. Plenty to do between now and then mind: we're moving house next week! Wish us luck - we're going to need it! Cheers all, Sam...

Rail Ale: From "Bahamas" To Bosworth...

After the recent weeks of good weather, this weekend could only be described as sodden. The rain started in the week and didn't seem to stop at all. This morning I was piloting my mum and her partner as they convoyed with me to catch a train at Coleshill Parkway. It was mums 50th last week and myself & Maisie had bought her a Premier Dining outing with "Bahamas" to York: a full day rail tour being wined and dined to a good destination seemed appropriate! As we waited on the damp platform, a familiar hooter was heard before 45596 rolled in from Tyseley, driven by Ray Churchill. The Jubilee looked immaculate as usual, even in the persistent rain...

With the pair safely aboard the train (they were worried they wouldn't find the station!) I watched "Bahamas" disappear off into the distance before heading back to my car. I decided then to have a ride over to Market Bosworth to see Batesy and friends. This weekend was the Battlefield Lines annual Rail Ale do in the goods yard and an assortment of road steamers attend from far and wide: Batesys roller being one of them. I arrived a little after 10:30, finding a saturated goods yard alive with mud and puddles. It's pretty rubbish when you spend time preparing for an event and then the weather ruins it. This years GMW was much the same, with the field becoming quite saturated in the weeks before set up. Today though was something else, with the rain lashing down. Batesy seemed to be the bravest (or maddest) of the lot, attempting to clean his brasses despite the poor conditions. He must have been soaked...

Brasses cleaned and Vaseline applied, we retreated into the Goods Shed for breakfast. The railway were offering various levels of full English and we went for one of the larger varieties, which was very nice. Inside the shed there were many ales on offer from all over the UK. After breakfast I opted for a pint of Snowdonia, brewed by Purple Moose of Porthmadog. This ale was always the pint of choice in The Eagles pub in Llanuwchllyn during the Bala years so always brings back good memories. It was quite pleasant actually, standing under the goods shed canopy with a good pint watching Batesy get soaked through in the rain. He did exchange some choice words, but these can't be aired before the watershed. "Here's to you Batesy, you mad fool"...

 

Over on the railway, 5542 was shuffling back and forth with the drenched rake of coaches. The train certainly was the place to be today. Did someone say it was July?! After my delicious pint and a yak with various faces old and new (I always seem to bump into somebody I know!), I decided it was time to head for home. So, in the words of steam rally favourite Dr Busker: "It's ****ing raining and I wanna' go home". Thanks all for reading and hopefully future Rail Ales will be sunnier...

A Ryton Day: Steam At The Pools...

Hi all. After a fantastic run with "Green Goddess" on Thursday at the RHDR, todays turn at Coventry Model Engineering almost didn't happen at all. Upon my return from Kent I had the most horrific food poisoning and was in a terrible state. All that managed to coax me from the house was the thought of a few sunny hours of fresh air at Ryton Pools. I arrived at the CMES steaming bays at around 11:30, finding a couple of engines already preparing to raise steam. Jeff had brought along his trusty O1, which I believe has the 5" gauge Nigel Gresley 2-8-0 chassis plumbed up to a B1 boiler from a Springbok. I've driven it before in its previous green livery and found it to be a gentle and forgiving giant with plenty in reserve...

After chatting for a while with Jeff about all things steam, his engine was very nearly at working pressure. The 2-8-0 would join two other steamers today for what would be CMES' second of three steam hauled public running Sundays in 2019. There was a time when steam was all the track had, with the two club Sweet Peas putting in countless miles in previous years. However, these days the steamers tend to appear for these three special occasions only, giving the two battery electrics a break...

Over the way from the O1 was Emma with her sparkling Polly I 0-4-0 side tank. This engine is fairly new and is immaculate from top to bottom...

With three train rakes marshalled up from the assortment of riding cars, the trio of steamers gradually made their way to the track in good time for the 13:00 start. The largest engine of the three was Daves humungous American locomotive. If memory serves me right it's a 2-8-4, but I can't be sure. It's a huge beast of a thing when on a 5" raised track, having to be controlled by extension rods from the back of the tender. With three cylinders and a sizeable boiler, this engine is master of any job at RPMR and is an impressive feat of model engineering...

The day was a fairly steady one passenger wise, with a few hundred being carried but not enough to overwhelm our services. Ryton is often like this on hot sunny days as people tend to find plenty to do on a summer Sunday afternoon. Here, the Polly I simmers at the head of a waiting train of ECS...

I had a mixture of jobs today, from guarding to clipping tickets or helping with loading. It was probably best that I sat on the back of the train taking in the fresh air, especially with how I was feeling! Later on, Jeff kindly allowed me to take the regulator of his O1 for a few trips. It's a lovely thing to drive: gentle but powerful. She steams so freely and has a lot to give but seems to do it without fuss or exertion...

Whilst Dave had his lunch, I was also given the regulator (or the extension rod) of the huge American engine. Leaving Ryton Halt with a full train, the engine barely murmured as it pulled away. She carries a steam chest pressure gauge and you didn't need much in there to have her setting off like a rocket. Around the railway we went, eating up the lengths of track with plenty of momentum. It's quite a thing but, due to the size of it on raised track, I was a little worried about letting it go too much. I am however grateful for the go on it: quite an experience to say the least! Later in the day, as the passenger numbers dropped, the queue became quieter. Jeffs O1 is spotted on a late afternoon train as the sun finally gave way to some cloud cover...

With the station gate closed at just after 16:00, the three engines retired to the steaming bays after a successful and enjoyable afternoon. It had done me the world of good to get out in the air, as well as taking in some steam. Thanks to all for a pleasant afternoon out and now it's time to rest up before work tomorrow...

Romney Footplate Pass: A Run On "Green Goddess"...

It's a rare occasion indeed when you can tick something off your "bucket list", but this was certainly one of those days! Ever since I first visited the Romney Hythe and Dymchurch Railway in 2008, I've wondered what a trip on the footplate must be like. This afternoon, at long last, I was going to find out! In my last post I left off by breaking my journey from Dungeness at New Romney, ready to grab some lunch prior to my footplate trip. I'd changed into my bib and brace and grabbed a sandwich before visiting the ticket office to be issued with my Authority Card...

Wandering back out onto the platform, I took shelter under the station roof as by now the dull morning had opened up into a very sunny July afternoon. I was only glad I'd left my jacket in the car! The locomotive for my trip: "Green Goddess": was sat quietly simmering away to herself on the bay road, with her driver having settled her down and gone for lunch. What a fine engine she looks...

As 1pm neared, the driver: Phil: appeared and invited me to join him on the engine. Having run through the safety aspects, he seemed relieved to hear that it wasn't my first time on a footplate. I imagine that an over enthusiastic novice could be quite irritating in such close proximity! With the cab doors closed, Phil carefully moved No1 away towards the signal gantry. Sister engine No2 "Northern Chief" duly rolled in from Dungeness and, once stationary, we were given the road to steam out in front of her in order to ultimately swap places. "Chief" would now go on lunch whilst we took her train to Hythe. Whilst the New Romney controller coupled No1 to the stock, I was facing straight ahead, no doubt beaming from ear to ear. It felt like being in a rocket ready to launch as I looked out beyond the starter signal...

Before we received the "Right Away" from the controller, there was time to grab a quick shot of the cab. The initiated amongst you will spot the majority of the usual features. The water sight glasses are of the Klinger type and I believe all of the original Romney engines carry them. Other features include the vacuum braking system (with related gauge) and the steam chest pressure gauge...

A little down on time but eager to make it up, Phil got No1 on the move with the heavy train. We steamed out of New Romney with the drain cocks hissing loudly, before they were closed via the flick of a valve. (The engines carry steam operated drains). As the crisp bark of No1 echoed across the fields, Phil wound her back and let her go. The whole experience that followed was quite exhilarating and I will almost certainly fail to commit the feeling to words. Here is a video clip I took of No1 striding along at a steady 20mph under blue skies, bound for Dymchurch...
As you can see, they really get a wriggle on! The top line speed is 25mph, but Phil was saying that in most cases they cruise at 18-20mph as long as time permits. No1 took the whole thing as if she had been designed to do it...which of course she was! She was ordered in 1924 by Count Louis Zborowski, the co-founder of the RHDR. Designed by Henry Greenly with Nigel Gresley's A1 pacific in mind, "Green Goddess" was built by Davey Paxman in 1925. I believe that the engine was named after a 1921 stage play which Captain Howey had enjoyed...

All too soon the regulator was closed for the approach to Dymchurch, where there would be a short wait prior to departure. The level crossing barriers can be seen in front of the engine in the image below. Historically the RHDR crossings had been ungated but a number of incidents caused by careless motorists have prompted a need for these installations. I suppose it's better safe than sorry...

With the train ready and the barriers lowered, No1 barked out of Dymchurch bound for Hythe. Younger shed-mate No9 "Winston Churchill" duly approached with a Dungeness service. Oh the beauty of double track...

The Dymchurch to Hythe section is 5-miles of non-stop miniature main line bliss. No1 strode effortlessly onward, her wheels flying around and valve gear a blur. It was a pleasure to listen to her working away! Phil drove it like a main line engine: setting the regulator and working her back on the reverser to find that sweet spot. At 30% the engine was finding the whole job no hindrance at all...

Monitoring steam and water levels all the time, Phil occasionally splashed some coal around the firebox. He seemed to keep a fairly thick but level fire, closing the door between each shovelful to reduce the amount of cold air drawn in. The boiler water level was maintained with regular use of the injectors...

Here is No1 flying towards Hythe in the continuing sunshine...

After eight wonderful miles of 15" gauge steam action, the regulator was closed for the approach to the terminus station at Hythe. The station here originally opened in 1927. No1 stood feathering loudly prior to pulling forward...

Once uncoupled, the engine ran forward before setting back up the middle road. The signalman then set the road for the spur to the turntable...

As we left the turntable, Phil stopped to do some oiling up and check No1 over. He is a member of the permanent staff and spends a lot of time driving "Goddess". By the time this trip was over I was likely to be as green as the engine! When it hits you that this is actually somebodies 9-5 then you can't really help but become envious! He was saying that the regular staff fitters tend to be allocated to a particular engine and his was currently No1. She certainly looked a picture and was a credit to all who look after her. Once ready to move again, we were asked to shunt a short rake of ECS into Platform 1 for stabling before rejoining our 2:10pm departure...

The next section of the trip was the full journey to Dungeness via Dymchurch and New Romney. It was fantastic, absolutely fantastic. Just to sit and watch "Green Goddess" at work and experience the Romney magic was a joy to behold. At New Romney we topped up the water in the tender before our 2:48pm onward departure. The single line section to Dungeness is great fun and here is No1 absolutely tearing along, with the power station coming into view in the distance...

One thing that we did notice earlier which I had to ask about was the continuous blowdown. The boiler is blown down on the move, thus expelling any solids which have been left in suspension during evaporation. Every now and again the blowdown would be opened and the jet would expel, hardly noticed, beneath the footplate. I think the shot below really shows the difference in scenery along the RHDR. The Hythe section is open fields and greenery at this time of the year, whereas the Dungeness section is very beach-like. It must be Baltic here in winter!...

Passing over the facing point for the massive balloon loop...

After arrival at Dungeness, I left the sweltering cab for a breather...

What an amazing run it had been. No1 sat quietly having a well earned rest, whilst Phil went around again with the oil cans...

Right on time, we left Dungeness behind and continued back towards New Romney on what would be No1s last turn of the day. The final sprint towards New Romney was absolutely exhilarating and as we rolled in under the low tunnel, I thanked Phil heartily for his hospitality and commentary. I'd loved every minute of the trip and it was a fantastic thing to tick it off my bucket list. The trouble is now, I just want to do it again! Pulling into New Romney, Phil shook my hand before I left the cab so that he could prepare No1 for disposal. Here we see a last look at "Green Goddess" as she settles onto the New Romney turntable prior to turning before bed...

On the station concourse I met up with Eddie and Lynne and they could clearly see my elation. It was then time to hit the road, the part of this whole trip I'd dreaded the most! It's never the same on the return! What a trip it had been though. The mix of the KESR yesterday and the RHDR today had made for two brilliant days of full on steam action. My ambition to ride the footplate at the RHDR has now been fulfilled. Driving home, I could still hear No1s piercing Wilcox chime whistle over the droning hum of the M25. Thinking about being at that regulator, you can't help but wonder, "maybe in another life". Many thanks all, that's a wrap...