Going Great Central: Unexpected Urie Delight...

Evening all. This was one of those days where things turned out unexpectedly good. It was the Saturday of the 2023 Winter Steam Gala at the Great Central and myself and Batesy arrived a little before 06:00 in order to complete a shed turn. Walking across the yard to sign in, I was immediately met with the sight of one of the visiting engines: BR Standard Class 5 No73082 "Camelot", of 1955 vintage...

Having admired the named Five, I walked up with Batesy to see the other visitor: Urie S15 No506 from the Mid Hants Railway. 506 was being prepared by Martyn and Simon and so we duly offered to lend a hand for a few hours...

Below is a view of the cab of the lovely 506 as she brewed up on shed this morning. It is typical 'old Southern', not unlike the T9 and "Sir Lamiel"...

506 was built under the LSWR in 1920 as part of Urie's S15 class of fast freight engines. Following the 1923 grouping, the class continued to be built (in a modified form) by the Southern's CME Maunsell. Eventually the S15 class numbered 45 examples and 7 of them survive in preservation: two Urie types and five Maunsell's. I believe that 506 is the only Urie S15 to have steamed in preservation (so far). Affectionately known as 'Goods Arthurs' due to their similarity to their N15 cousins, the S15 was a successful design that lasted in BR service right up until January 1966. I like 'old Southern' stuff. They're always handsome machines...

As the other engines gradually moved off, 506 completed prep over the No1 road pit. Here, the engine stands ready for action as Simon climbs aboard...

Once the S15 had departed shed in a cloud of condensate, the gaggle of cleaners could join forces to empty the three pits of ash. Here, well known 'King of the Pits' Batesy gets to work removing the ash from the No1 road pit. Contrary to popular rumour, anyone who is anyone starts out on the pits: that's how you get on!...

Once the S15 had completed its first round trip, we were surprised to be invited onto the footplate for a run to Leicester and back, following kind permission from both the crew and the engine rep from the MHR. This is an unusual honour, as visiting engines tend to be off limits to cleaners. Batesy would ride up to Leicester on 506, whilst I rode in the coaches, before swapping with me for the return journey. We were both very pleased to get a ride on this fine 'old Southern' machine, particularly such an unexpected one! During my ride on the engine, driver Simon awaits time at Rothley...

Having left Rothley in good voice, 506 was held for a few minutes at the Swithland down starter signal. Below is a rushed snap along the parallel boiler...

Whilst leaving Quorn towards Quorn's down starter signal, I grabbed this rushed snap of freshly repainted 9F No92214 as she arrived on the up line with a mixed freight. The engine has just completed a two week repaint into prototypical BR unlined black after many years in lined Brunswick green. She looks miles better...

All too soon my brief run aboard the lovely Urie S15 came to an end as we came to a stand at the north end of Loughborough's platform one. What a fine old thing...

One thing I always notice about the 'old Southern' stuff is how well made it seems. The S15 for example is built like a warship! Every component appears to have been made to be very strong. The whole engine appears to be sturdy. I observed this on a Maunsell example at the Bluebell some years ago. I must thank Martyn, Simon and of course the MHR minder for letting us have a ride on the beautiful 506. It's a pleasure to have ticked off an S15's footplate! If you'd like to support 506 in any way, please visit the owning group's website. Many thanks all for reading. Cheers then, 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.

"Sherwood Forester" Steams Homeward...

Yesterday a Bongo, today a Black Five! Yesterdays southward move of 61306 to Southall was only half of the job. Her crew had to today bring 45231 back to Crewe via the same route. The 5MT had moved south with "Sir Nigel Gresley" a few weeks before Christmas (post here) and today was returning home after the B1 took her place at Southall. Above, 45231 "Sherwood Forester" creeps steadily along the down goods line at Northampton as she approaches a red signal where she'd be held for other services to pass her. Sadly the sun was in totally the wrong place (unlike yesterday afternoon when the B1 called by) and so the shot of 45231 is a little blurred from the glare. After sidling steadily past, 45231 disappeared northward. Cheers all, Sam...

Please note that the above image was taken from land outside of the NR boundary fence.

A Wintry Bongo At Northampton...

Afternoon all. Today we were treated to the sight of an old friend passing the depot in the form of LNER B1 No61306 "Mayflower". The Bongo was steaming from Crewe to Southall with her support coach ready to work some Steam Dreams jobs over the coming weeks. I say an old friend as I was lucky enough to spend a few seasons helping to crew "Mayflower" as a trainee when it was owned by the late Gerald Boden. The engine was then residing on the Leicestershire withered arm and Gerald kindly allowed us trainees to go out as third men with his crews who then looked after the Eastern 4-6-0. This was the first standard gauge main liner I'd ever regularly crewed and it was a great thrill as a youngster to be out with her. Here I am snapped crewing "Mayflower" in 2010, aged 18. How things change...

These days "Mayflower" is part of the Saphos stud of express steam locomotives and is based at Crewe. It was a great pleasure to see her this afternoon and it's nice that she is still in regular operation. All of the engines featured in this blog contribute in some way to a memory from here or there and "Mayflower" is definitely one of those higher up the list. There are plenty of bad memories from a certain place from years past but the beautiful B1 isn't one of them. What a nice old thing...

Unlike the usual engine and coach moves where the loco is out of sight within seconds, today saw 61306 hanging around for about 25-minutes. During this time she waited on the up goods line at a red signal whilst various passenger and freight services passed her by. It was actually nice to have her around for a while to get a good look...

As her right time neared, the fireman made up the fire with what (from a distance) looked to be a harder coal. It certainly gave off some smoke! When the signal cleared, 61306 burst into life and hissed gently southward with one of her safety valves blowing. She then disappeared into the distance under a cloak of smoke and steam...

And that's that. I wonder when I'll see "Mayflower" again? No doubt she'll be back this way later in the year. A nice bit of nostalgia that was on an otherwise uneventful Tuesday afternoon. Thanks for reading folks. Cheers all, Sam...

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

GCR Firing Course: Day Five...

Here we are again folks: back on the firing course! Today saw classroom day five of five take place, with the main subjects including route knowledge and rules. It was a heavy going session this one, culminating in another written exam. That's now it for the primary classroom days, with the next port of call being the three day practical weekend which is planned for February 17th-19th. I'm sure that after all of this classroom work we're all looking forward to being out on the engines again! So far I've found this course to be a very engaging and worthwhile experience and, as I've said before, I wish I'd had access to something like this years ago. Roll on the practical weekend...

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.

GCR: First Railway Day of 2023...

And just like that, we've completed week one of 2023! Welcome back folks to post No1 of 2023 which, unsurprisingly, found me at Loughborough shed on the Great Central Railway doing some cleaning work. I arrived at around 07:00 this morning and met up with Batesy for a few hours of chat and polishing. The weather however was vile: a below average January day. Whilst we scrubbed the wheels of the service locomotive (78018) the wind was howling and the rain was pouring down. It was definitely one of those mornings where you wished you'd stayed in bed. It was awful to be honest. But, nobody could knock us...we were there doing a bit! Later on, after a cuppa' to warm us back up, we set to aboard 78018s sister engine 78019. The other Standard 2 wasn't out today and sat drenched on No2 road at the shed as the rain continued to fall. Myself and Phil decided to clean up the cab and spent the next few hours cleaning and nattering. By the time home time came around, the sun had appeared and was shining, although it was still bitterly cold. At least the rain stopped...

After signing off, we returned to our cars and headed for home. It was nice to spend a few hours talking rubbish with a mate whilst cleaning the engine up. That's a good start to 2023, although a very cold one! 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.

Merry Christmas Everyone...

Just a very quick post from this afternoon to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Thank you to everyone that has read this dribble this year: your readership is always appreciated. In a break from previous traditions I've thrown in an old rushed shot from Christmas 2017 of the beautiful No5043 "Earl of Mount Edgcumbe" making up her vacuum outside a frosty Tyseley shed ready for an excursion to York. That was a great day. A great engine and great memories. Well everyone, as usual...eat, drink and be merry! Thanks all, Sam...

Statfold: A Peckett Is For Life, Not Just For Christmas...

"We wish you a Merry Christmas, we wish you a Merry Christmas, we wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year". Evening all. This afternoon I was rostered to drive the lovely 1944-built Peckett "Harrogate" at the Statfold Barn Railway. Our requested sign on time was 13:00 (ready to take over the engine just under an hour later) and so I had a leisurely drive along the A444 in the blustery winter weather to reach Statfold just after lunch. Having grabbed my kit from the car, I made my way towards the mess room in the roundhouse. On my way through the main museum it was nice to see the various locomotives of the collection resting quietly around the turntable amidst the festive decorations. These probably won't see steam again until Spring...

Upon arrival at the mess room I met up with Alex and Phil before signing in and reading the notices. My fireman Josh and the crew for "Fiji" duly arrived and we then all enjoyed a cuppa' whilst giving out the usual banter. As changeover time neared, we changed into our smarts and made our way out to the Strawberry Park platform. Driver Ben handed "Harrogate" over to me and reported that all was well before we set sail on the tail of "Fiji" for the next train. "Harrogate" is pictured here as I check her over at the Oak Tree crossing whilst on the rear of our first train...

The weather was a mixture of dark cloud and drizzle, with a good sharp crosswind biting its way through the cab from across the fields. Even in a well enclosed cab like "Harrogate"s it was still quite bitter at times. This I guess is the joy of the bleak midwinter! Luckily we had a good fire going and I had my trusty billy can on the tea tray to keep me going. We certainly needed hot tea today!...

Once "Fiji" had hauled us back into Strawberry Park it was time for us to take over and lead the next trip, once we'd swapped our lamps and exchanged the staff...

Despite my love for the Statfold-based Bagnalls, I really do like the Peckett "Harrogate". The rivet counters will no doubt comment on the missing original cab (it used to have a very cut down version for working through the restrictive gas works tunnels at Harrogate) but I do believe that everything done to this engine during its preservation life has been very sympathetic. The cab fittings in particular are some of the nicest I've seen on a Peckett and the thing has been kept as close to as built as possible. The only one that I've seen that is as nice is the pampered pet Peckett of Tyseley: No2004 of 1941...she's a real sweetheart that one. Both examples are a far cry from poor old former friend "Sir Gomer" which rests neglected, rusty and unloved not far from here, but that's another story. Here, "Harrogate" simmers quietly at Oak Tree as we await our next ECS move to Strawberry Park to pick up more passengers...

As usual, lovingly restored "Harrogate" was performing very well and there were no real faults to speak of. She always pulls well, steams well and stops well which is all you can really ask. In recent years I feel like she's been at the top of her game and I always have a pleasant turn on her. The only thing we were missing today were her lovely Peckett lamps which had been replaced by a BR (M) and a BR (E), allowing us to display a red aspect when on the rear of the train...

I drove the first two trips and swapped with fireman Josh for the next two. We were joined on the footplate for most of the shift by the 'Inspectorate', otherwise known as Mr Phil Bates who offered a constant stream of comical but constructive criticism of our efforts! Here, "Harrogate" prepares to depart Strawberry Park...

By the time we reached Oak Tree with the 16:05 ex-Strawberry Park train, the light was fading well. The lighting around the engines and coaches were all that illuminated the darkening landscape before us as we prepared for departure...

On our fourth leading working we were treated to our evening snap during the brief Oak Tree layover. I'd opted for the festive roll which included turkey and cranberry sauce, roast potatoes and gravy and some pigs in blankets. On this cold, damp evening, this was just what the doctor ordered I can tell you!...

Here, "Harrogate" tails "Fiji"s last leading departure as we prepare for our last train of the evening. I was just giving her a final check around...

Our last train of the night was very enjoyable and quite spirited. By now I was back on the handle and enjoyed the final romp up to Oak Tree with another heavy train. Once the passengers had alighted at Oak Tree for their Santa experience, the lights were turned off and we returned the train to Strawberry Park as ECS for stabling. "Fiji" was released from the rear of the stock and proceeded onto the shed whilst we were sent back to the balloon loop light engine to switch off the lighting there and lock up the gates upon our return. Here, the Peckett waits on the bank at Oak Tree whilst we lock the field gates. A bit of a blurry one, but atmospheric...

After a final trundle back through the empty platform at Oak Tree, we returned "Harrogate" back to the shed road and began our disposal...

"Fiji" and "Harrogate" will be in service on 'Santa Express' workings throughout this week on the run up to Christmas, with the final trains operating on the 23rd. Both have had a reliable and hard working season once again and have no doubt delighted several thousands of happy passengers. I must thank Josh for his firing efforts this afternoon and Alex for rostering me for both turns at the SBR this December: both outings were most enjoyable. That's it for me this Christmas folks. Thanks for reading and, of course, Merry Christmas one and all...

GCR Firing Course: Day Four...

Evening all. Regular readers will be fully aware that I do enjoy what us footplate folk know as 'steam heat season'. It's just so atmospheric to be around steam at this time of year. However, what it also is is cold, wet and miserable! Today I was back at the Great Central Railway for day four of the very enjoyable 2022 firing course. The session today revolved around the rule book and was quite heavy going in some aspects. Outside, three locomotives were in service: 78019, 48305 and 92214. I managed to quickly snap 92214 simmering on No2 road outside the shed as she was being prepared for the day's Christmas diner. I tell you what, it was cold today...really cold. A thick frost hadn't cleared much throughout the day and the bitter temperature looks set to continue throughout the week. As I say, it's atmospheric at this time of the year but my god do days like this make you long for the Spring! Cheers all and Merry Christmas...

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 Black Five Heads North...

On this sunny but very cold Thursday afternoon, we were treated to the sight of Black Five No44871 returning north to Carnforth. The engine appeared a little behind time and she seemed in a hurry as the driver opened up under Spencer Bridge and the engine came striding past us. It wasn't long before she was off into the distance, throwing white steam over her shoulder on her way towards Rugby. A pleasant way to break up a Thursday afternoon at work! Cheers all and Merry Christmas...

Please note that the above image was taken from land outside of the NR boundary fence.

Statfold's Santa Express 2022: "Fiji" at Christmas...

"Good King Wenceslas looked out, on the Feast of Stephen, when the snow lay round about, deep and crisp and even" and so on and so forth! Here we are again: it's Christmas! Today I was booked to crew 1912-built Hudswell Clarke "Fiji" on a morning turn at the Statfold Barn Railway with good friend JB. It had been some years since myself and John had been on a footplate together and so today provided a good excuse for us to combine our efforts again. We arrived in the usual convoy at the Statfold gates a little before 06:30, ready to be let in. After signing in and reading the notices, I wandered out onto the apron at the back of the roundhouse...

"Fiji" was resting warmly outside the roundhouse doors, with our tail engine for the shift (Peckett "Harrogate") stabled just behind her. Both engines were still nice and hot from last nights efforts and wouldn't take much bringing around this morning, despite the almost frosty conditions. Having checked the firebox and smokebox, I confirmed the water level of half a glass in the boiler. It was then time to gently rake through the remains of yesterdays fire. Statfold still burns the very smoky Shotton coal which is fabulous in every regard except for the smoke. It lights well, burns well, gives good heat, rarely clinkers and provides little ash and this latter trait makes clearing the grate very easy. Grate cleaned, I grabbed some wood before lighting some pre-soaked rags on the shovel to start the embryo fire. Here we go...

Despite the cold morning "Fiji" started singing almost immediately as the wood fire began to take hold. The huge balloon stack (designed to reduce sparks) was soon emitting a reassuring plume of smoke steadily skyward...

Whilst I prepared the fire, John was making his way around the 0-6-0 tender engine with the oil cans. As usual on a cold morning like this, the oil was a little reluctant to flow! As steam pressure gently rose, we completed our morning prep by ashing out and giving the engine a good clean. As we left shed, we were grateful for the Great Western-style weather sheet (or tarpaulin) that had been fitted to the tender. This would provide a welcome relief from the sharp winds that cut across the Statfold fields...

Washed and changed, we dropped "Fiji" back onto the waiting five-coach train and waited for the lights to be hooked up. "Harrogate" was already in place on the rear of our first departure. This move would be an ECS job, running via Cogan Halt to Oak Tree to then hide away prior to the first 'big entrance' of the day...

It was a changeable morning weather-wise. A cold but clear start had opened up into a cloudy and drizzly couple of hours which would later dry up. The wind however was pretty constant and so, to prevent any soot in the cab, I decided to make up the fire well up the door so that the larger fire could be managed with less need to open the door. Here, "Fiji" prepares to depart Strawberry Park with the ECS...

The format for the Santa Express in 2022 is much the same as last year. All trains depart from Strawberry Park and passengers then alight at Oak Tree for their Santa experience once the train has run via Cogan Halt. The train then returns to Strawberry Park as ECS and makes the 'big entrance' into the platform to collect the next load of passengers. The timetable this year sees departures at 25-minute intervals which certainly keeps you moving! As usual, all trains are top and tailed by two steam locomotives, with "Fiji" and "Harrogate" being the main choice.

After running to Oak Tree with the ECS, we topped up our tender with water before waiting time on departure to collect our first passengers. We took the opportunity for a quick crew snap as who knows when these pairings will happen again? My last official turn with John was June 17th 2018, according to the blog records. That was a much warmer day aboard GWR 4575-Class No5542, not far from here on the withered arm. I've known JB for many a year, mainly due to his long association with a railway a few of us used to frequent. A craftsman of 16mm coal fired steamers, John (at the sprightly age of 78) still drives at Statfold but has retired from the big stuff. He's a good friend and a great laugh, often demonstrating his ready wit and cracking one liners...

From 78 and 30 above to 68 and 20 below. Here we are aboard something a little bigger than "Fiji". Yes, it's 1937-built LMS Black Five No45379 which we had on loan for a steam gala back at the old place a decade ago. Look how much thinner I am! Funny how time passes. But, despite everything, you have to remember the good times. Back then crewing a main liner was a rare treat, thankfully not so rare these days...

"John and Sam Aboard 45379" (Pic - D.Hanks)

No doubt dreaming of his glory days driving "Kolhapur", John takes "Fiji" along the bottom straight towards Cogan Halt with another Santa Express...

My forward view from the fireman's seat aboard "Fiji"...

The headlamp on "Fiji" is often used at night or in poor weather like this mornings drizzle. It adds further atmosphere to the already twinkling lights of the train. It too is steam powered, with electricity generated from a steam generator mounted on the fireman's side. I do like "Fiji" and her interesting looks...

Throughout the morning my wedge continued to burn through and I added to it as and when required. Steam and water levels remained strong throughout the morning and we had no trouble with irritating blowing off. With the regulator open the smoke would clear to a light grey haze which is just what you want...

On an early afternoon departure, "Fiji" steadily leaves Strawberry Park...

Our crew change to the afternoon crew was due at 13:55 and for our final trip with "Fiji" she was on the tail of the train. This gave me a chance to make sure everything was shipshape ready for the next crew. At Oak Tree we gave the engine another splash of oil and slacked the cab floor down to tidy the place up...

And there we go, job done! We handed over a free steaming "Fiji" to Nigel & Joey at Strawberry Park ready for the afternoon/evening session...

I have one more Statfold Santa Express turn for 2022: Sunday 18th December on the PM shift with "Harrogate". John however is done for the year and I must thank him for a pleasant and comical morning aboard the Hudswell Clarke. It's always nice to spend a shift with your mate! Thanks to Alex for rostering us and thank you all for reading. Finally, of course, Merry Christmas to all...