The Kent & East Sussex Railway...

Hi all. This morning, bright and early, I was on the M40 making my way south. My destination was, ultimately, the Romney Hythe & Dymchurch Railway. Eddie was already down there, having taken a weeks holiday as part of our visit to the famous miniature mainline. However, whilst in the area, we couldn't pass up the opportunity of visiting the nearby Kent & East Sussex Railway. Having collected Ed from our new southern base at Ashford, we meandered through the country lanes and soon reached the pretty little town of Tenterden. At the bottom of a small road just a few hundred yards from the town centre, we discovered the KESR station. Car parked, we ambled over the level crossing and towards the booking office. The first departure of the day, the 10:40, was waiting patiently in the platform with Pannier Tank No1638 at its head. With a few minutes still to spare, it gave us time to admire the loco.

I was very pleased to see the Pannier as I had sort of unfinished business with her in a way. Years ago she was booked to attend a gala at Shackerstone and I was rostered to fire her on one of the days. Sadly, she failed just before her visit and so we missed out on her. It was a pleasure to see her today, if a few years late! Built at Swindon in 1951, 1638 is the sole survivor of the once 70-strong 1600 Class. A true GWR design, these engines were actually built under Hawksworth as BR Western Region locos. With a 165psi boiler plumbed up to 16.5" cylinders, power output isn't far removed from the 6400 variant, with both types being a little more subtle than their stronger sisters of the 5700 Class. Looking beneath the tanks, the differences in slide bar and crosshead design are noticeable on this slightly younger Pannier...

As departure time neared, we opted to board the coaches. Ed: having saved some money with his HRA Pass: was feeling a little frivolous so we decided to pay the supplement for First Class on the 11.5-mile journey to Bodiam. The comfortable surroundings of this Southern region coach were very welcome as we enjoyed the sounds of 1638 hissing out of Tenterden. The trolley service was a pleasant addition to proceedings and a hot cuppa' was just what the doctor ordered...

The history of the KESR is a long and interesting one. It owes a lot to one Holman Fred Stephens who was brought in to engineer the line as a light railway. Essentially the railway was to be built on a budget and the track bed followed the lay of the land. Stations and buildings were constructed cheaply and in a minimalist fashion, as befitted the rural landscape the line passes through. Even today, the light railway aspect is evident with the varying gradients as the train chugs uphill and down dale. An early starter in preservation, the KESR was taken over by a charity in 1973 and since then has gone from strength to strength. Having descended the main bank on the line, we arrived at Rolvenden: home of the locomotive shed. Here we passed the KESR's tender engine: a Norwegian Mogul built in 1919...

The KESR travels through a lot of unspoilt countryside, with the train gently easing its way up and over the hills. 1638 was chugging along beautifully, with her crisp voice echoing through the trees as we enjoyed our tea. Soon enough, there was a short water stop at Northiam to replenish the 875-gallon tanks...

From Northiam, 1638 took us on another steady amble to reach the terminus of the preserved KESR at Bodiam. Passengers can break the journey here to visit the nearby Bodiam Castle, which dates back to 1385. The Pannier was uncoupled from the stock prior to running round in preparation for an 11:43 departure...

I like the lines of this engine. All of the typical Pannier features are there but she just looks a little more compact. It's a shame there's only one left...

Soon enough the engine was sitting pretty at the head of the returning service...

With a "Right Away" from the Guard, 1638 barked out of Bodiam right on time with her coaches in tow. I managed to catch a quick shot of the castle in the distance...

On the return run there was a pathing stop at Northiam and so 1638 sat simmering away happily to herself, staring at the closed crossing gates ahead...

I managed to catch the driver for a quick chat at Northiam. When he got talking it turned out he was, like myself, a bit of a Pannier fan. He'd been on Tyseley's own 7752 during her visit to the KESR some years ago and raved about the go anywhere durability of the 5700's. He explained that 1638 had recently returned to service following axlebox repairs as she had a tendency to run hot. Today she was in fine fettle and had no trouble pulling our train over the gradients. Leaving Northiam behind, it was interesting to listen to the 0-6-0 at work. She was really being worked properly, using the gradients to her advantage whether up or down, reducing the effort required. As the old saying goes: "momentum is your friend". At Rolvenden, the engine was halted just before the platform to take water again prior to the ascent of Tenterden bank...

1638 sets out from Rolvenden and onto the rising gradient...

After a very vocal climb back to Tenterden, 1638 came to rest at the end of the platform. What a very nice run with this plucky little Pannier...

Train ride completed, it was time for a spot of lunch. Well known destroyer of menus 'Eddie the Late' was primed and ready for a Three Course Challenge! However, with a pub meal booked for this evening, I managed to persuade him that a simple breakfast roll might be the safer option for now...

I think we were both impressed by the whole set-up of the KESR. The engine and coaches were tidy, the stations well maintained, staff smart and friendly, catering facilities up to scratch...you name it! It just has all the hallmarks of a well run organisation and, dare I say, business. The passenger loadings on a simple midweek service certainly seemed strong and there were plenty of people milling about the stations. In the main forecourt, a very smartly turned out Pullman car caught my eye as we made our way to the souvenir shop...

By now 1638 was back at the head of the train, feathering at the safety valves as the needle neared the red line. What a nice old gal'...

Wandering back across the level crossing, we waited to see 1638 depart on her 13:15 train before visiting the impressive railway museum...

When the time came, with barely a hiss, 1638 hauled the train gently backwards in the direction of Bodiam. With her vacuum pump ticking away, she gradually disappeared from view. After our look in the railway museum we ambled back towards the car to plan our next move...New Romney bound! What a very pleasant first visit to the KESR: a lovely little railway with nothing but good to offer. Cheers all, Sam...

A Statfold Summer Sunday with "Howard"...

There was a time when footplate turns at the award winning Statfold Barn Railway near Tamworth were few and far between. When I started crewing there the railway only held three very private enthusiast-based events each year and, depending on which engines were required, we weren't always needed. Nowadays it's an entirely different story, with many family based events following in the wake of our pioneering Giant Miniature Weekend. Today I was rostered to drive one of the six locomotives performing at the Family Fun Weekend and had been looking forward to another taste of the handle. My name was originally penned to the elderly French Corpet but, nice as she is, I wasn't disappointed to see her exchanged yesterday for "Howard". Don't get me wrong, the Paris-built Pannier is a very nice engine, but you can't really beat a Brazil. I arrived at Statfold this morning a little before 06:30...

Two day events such as this one obviously require double the crew and Max (who had been driving yesterday) had kindly offered to be my Fireman today. To give him a hand, I decided to light the engine up. Having cleared the grate and performed all of the usual checks, I lit some rags on the shovel to get us started...

With the rags blazing away on the grate, I added a strong helping of dry wood blocks before a layer of coal. The encouraging crackling which followed assured me that all was well and a dark plume of smoke was soon climbing skyward from "Howard"s chimney. Max soon appeared and began ashing out whilst I made my way around with the oil cans. "Howard" features marine-type rods with inside Stephenson's valve gear and, although the eccentrics require an arm like Mr Tickle to reach, she isn't really a problem to lubricate. As I worked, it was lovely to look up and take in the spectacle of several chimneys smoking away on the shed frontage...

As she was still so hot from yesterdays efforts, "Howard" took no time at all to begin making steam. In fact she began singing almost as soon as I'd dropped the rags onto the bars! Whilst I finished the oiling, Max gave the engine a wipe over before Chris arrived to take our breakfast orders: good man!...

Just before 09:00, as the warm sun began to shine down on us, we were given the board to leave the shed. We were now coupled to the Peckett "Harrogate" and our green duo would form the first empty stock move of the day. Soon enough, with drain cocks hissing loudly, we were steaming out into the fields bound for Oak Tree via Cogan Halt. Having made a fair assault on the bank, the pair are seen together at Oak Tree at around 09:20. "Howard" had been uncoupled and we were awaiting permission to proceed light engine back to Statfold on the token run...

Leaving Oak Tree behind, it felt kind of unusual to be thrashing along with no train to pull! Arriving back into Statfold we were signalled into the headshunt to await the next inbound service, which would of course be "Harrogate". This train would form our first passenger train of the day: the first of many...

When the time came, I gently backed "Howard" up into the old bay platform to couple onto the waiting coaches. Chris, with perfect timing, then arrived with breakfast and we enjoyed our cob with time to spare before our departure...

The weather conditions were already fantastic and it wasn't even 10:00. "Howard" was basking in the warm July sunshine as we awaited the road...

Soon enough, with a "Right Away" from the Guard, off we went. Max had "Howard" singing to him as we steamed out into the fields with our coaches following steadily behind. I don't mind double heading on the open days but it's certainly nice to be out on your own with the engine now and again; you just have so much more control. There were three train rakes in operation today, with trains passing at Oak Tree and Statfold (much like GMW practise). After a very pleasant first run, we turned "Howard" on the turntable before awaiting the shunt signal...

From then on it was just a steady procession of more of the same. We steamed out, came back, turned the engine, had a few minutes in the headshunt and then took another train out. I believe we did 9 trips in the end but I must admit my memory escapes me! "Howard" was on top form all day...

Here, with the sun taking a break, "Howard" waits at Oak Tree...

In a very rare state of Statfold affairs we ended up being "first off, last back" and hauled the final passenger train at 17:00. The almost continuous sunshine had kept the visitors out right up until closing time and so we picked up the final returnees on our homeward run. Here, "Howard" waits at the balloon loop...

Returning to Statfold with the last train, I reflected on a very enjoyable and carefree day. Once safely stabled in Platform 2, we were shunt released by "Alpha" before I drove "Howard" back up onto the shed frontage ready for disposal...

With a nice level fire and a full boiler, we left the 1936-built Brazil with her chimney cap fitted. "Howard" (formerly "Josephine"), despite having many miles under her belt, continues to give good, reliable service and is as plucky and willing an engine as ever I've driven. It was a pleasure to crew her again today and I must thank Max for his company and assistance. Another very pleasant seven trips on the regulator: Max drove the other two. Many thanks all for reading, cheers, Sam...

A Marston Jabbett Merchant Navy...

Living so near to the West Coast Main Line, it's quite often that locomotive moves take place between West Coast Railway's depot in Carnforth and their London outpost at Southall. Most of these runs take place during the working day and therefore I usually miss them. However, occasionally, the timings work out perfectly. This afternoon, in warm and breezy conditions, West Coast's Merchant Navy Pacific was working southbound with her support coach not long after I got in from work. Therefore, with minutes to spare, I headed out to spot her. 35018 "British India Line" was withdrawn from BR service in 1964 and, like so many of her Bulleid sisters, ended up at Barry Scrapyard in South Wales. Rescued in 1979, her painstaking restoration to main line standards began in 2012. Finally, after countless hours work by the team at Carnforth, 35018 returned to the main line under her own steam in May 2017. The Merchant Navy's make for a lovely big engine and it was a pleasure to see 35018 slip effortlessly through the Warwickshire countryside heading to the big smoke. This was the first time, however briefly, that I'd seen her 'in the metal'. Thanks all, Sam...

Tyseley Summer Open Weekend 2019...

Good evening all. This weekend marked the return of Tyseley's popular Summer Open Weekend and the rather pleasant weather meant that visitor numbers would be strong. I arrived at the former 84E at around 06:30, having called into McDonalds in Sheldon to grab some breakfast on route: why break the habit of a lifetime? Five locomotives would be in steam today and when I reached the engine shed "Bahamas" was already sending a plume of smoke steadily skyward. Even now the temperature was rising and the forecast promised a very warm day ahead...

Whilst I was photographing "Bahamas", Dean appeared from the direction of the  Mess Hut. Slowly but surely, as we chatted, our numbers grew as the rest of the Tyseley lads began to arrive. The team was soon put to work as Alastair arrived to give us our duties. I was instructed to join Dave in preparing 7752 for use on the Shuttle Service. The Pannier was stabled behind the visiting "Rocket" replica, courtesy of the National Railway Museum in York. More on her later...

7752: my steed for the day: has very briefly returned from her Summer holidays at the West Somerset Railway and so this would be a rare turn for me, for this year at least! Dave, armed with a long iron, set to work clearing the grate whilst I tried to find some oil bottles and a feeder. (52' was fresh off the lorry and had no kit). Down on the running shed frontage, "Clun Castle" and "Rood Ashton Hall" were sunbathing under the cloudless blue sky. Together they made for an impressive picture...

Having located some oiling equipment, I helped Dave carry some wood to the engine ready for the fire to be lit. Dave soon had a blaze going and the tank engines warm chimney provided some initial draft. One snag we did meet this morning was slack. The Welsh open cast stuff in the bunker was probably 50% dust and this is the last thing you need when starting a fresh fire. Welsh coal is soft by nature and the mechanised mining processes, coupled with transportation, further reduce the lumps to slack. I spent the next couple of hours nursing 52' into steam as she tried her best to be 'cold hearted'. The fire was very much lit but with so much slack to hand you run the risk of choking an embryo fire. Nevertheless, in between my acts of contortionism between the frames with the feeder, I managed to eventually achieve a full fire. 

As the pressure gauge needle progressed lethargically clockwise, the other engines were getting ready to be shunted into their respective display positions. With just about enough steam, we took 52' across onto Platform 1 road to complete preparation prior to working some shuttle services. It was roasting as the time neared 10:00...

Once the gates opened to the public, the Warwick Road platform became almost instantly swamped with expectant passengers. With a brake test completed, 52' hissed cautiously into the platform ready to load for the first run. It wasn't long before myself & Dave were away, chugging happily back and forth with the two-coach train. The 1930-built Pannier was finally in her usual fettle, with the needle hugging the red line and water well up the glass. The mass of dust in the bunker didn't provide as much of an issue when you could work with the regulator and usual steaming rates resumed. We didn't do many runs before we were shunted back onto the middle road to allow "Rocket" to escape. 52' spent the next couple of hours sunbathing...

The "Rocket" replica meanwhile was incredibly popular and was chuffing up and down for hour after hour with a full compliment of passengers...

At around 13:30 it was decided to run the impressive cavalcade of large engines and so 52' and her coaches were moved across onto 'Five Road'. The trio of 7029, 4965 and 45596 then did the honours on the demo line...

Although beautiful "Bahamas" put on a fabulous show with her spectacular exhaust, the roar of "Clun Castle" definitely opened peoples ears. These double chimney 4-6-0s really are formidable engines and 7029 is definitely following in the "Earl"s footsteps. I can't wait for 5043's return and that much anticipated doubleheader...

For the rest of the day, whilst her crew enjoyed many ice creams, 52' simmered quietly on 'Five Road'. The popularity of the visiting "Rocket" replica proved practically limitless and the 0-2-2 worked the demo line constantly until closing time. Our final task for the green Pannier was a last minute shunt move back across to Platform 1 road for overnight stabling. By now my fire was run down to nothing and the lack of any lumps in the bunker didn't help! I'm not ashamed to say (well, that's a lie...I am ashamed) that we ended up "down the nick" on our short move but we got there in the end!...

Like the kind hearted soul that I am, having disposed 52', I opted to hand shovel plenty of large lumps of coal from the adjacent coal pile into the bunker. There's nothing worse than when you're the "next man" and you come in to an engine that has no coal at all for lighting up. With the bunker restocked for the early morning and a small wedge at the back of the box to keep her warm, I left 52' and headed for the Mess Hut. "Rocket" had been stabled not far from us and it was nice to see her up close...

This replica is of course modelled on George Stephenson's revolutionary masterpiece of 1829. The original "Rocket" won the Rainhill Trials that same year, which was a competition to see which design of locomotive was most appropriate to power the new Liverpool and Manchester Railway. "Rocket"s design features included inclined cylinders (rather than vertical), a multi-tubular boiler and an exhaust which fed to the base of the chimney to improve drafting rather than being lost to atmosphere. The water jacket around the firebox is interesting as it includes a dry throatplate and doorplate, with copper pipes circulating water to the remaining areas. 

This replica was built in 1979, with the original engine surviving at the Science Museum in London. Modern fitments include a pressure gauge and a pair of gauge glasses: the original would have had a mercury manometer and test cocks respectively. Having admired "Rocket", I headed off to get washed and changed before the drive home. It had been another great day crewing at a Tyseley open weekend, although sadly I can't make it tomorrow. Cheers all, Sam...

Tyseley: Preparing For The Open Weekend...

Every year Tyseley Locomotive Works holds two open weekends: one in the summer, one in the autumn. During these events, the public are encouraged to spend a day getting up close and personal with the various members of the locomotive fleet and of course viewing progress on the many projects on site. There are exciting turntable demonstrations, train rides in the yard and trade stands on the shop floor, not to mention vintage vehicles and usually a miniature railway out in the car park. Due to the working nature of the site and the ever growing order book, every open day requires a huge amount of shunting and setting up. I arrived at the former 84E at just before lunchtime today, ready to spend a few hours helping with preparations for the weekend. Wandering down through the bustling workshop (the machines are often quiet when we're in at the weekend), I soon found 4965 "Rood Ashton Hall"...

"Rood Ashton" was having her 'screens' (spark arresting gear) fitted before she was lit up for the weekend. Batesy quickly conscripted me into aiding the process and I soon found myself in the smokebox. Screens in, I was asked to walk across and check on a simmering 7752, freshly returned from her visit to the seaside whilst working at the West Somerset Railway (bucket and spade not included)...

The North British-built Pannier, of 1930, was bubbling away to herself nicely, requiring only a small scattering of coal across the level fire bed to keep her happy. The WSR have repainted 52' into her traditional Great Western green livery; this time wearing the company name on the tank sides. I think she looks lovely back in green, although the London Underground colours she wore as L94 (carried since 2011) were very popular. Wandering back towards the big engines, it was time to do some shunting. The trusty Class 08 soon growled into life and we propelled 4965 back into the shed to retrieve her Castle cousins. Once drawn out into the warm sunshine, the trio of 4-6-0s looked a picture whilst we topped up "Clun Castle"s tender...

With "Clun"s tender now adequately filled, we pushed the Castle duo back into the shed and uncoupled 4965 from them again. My task then changed to working the signalbox and, on my way there, I passed 84E's Midland member: No5593 "Kolhapur". The Jubilee was looking very nice at the head of a couple of maroon coaches in the goods siding. We don't see much of "Kolhapur" as she lives in the 'Top Shed' with "Defiant". I really hope she gets her turn in the overhaul queue one day...

One job that I don't mind doing when we're shunting is working the signalbox. Setting up for an open weekend requires an awful lot of shunting and the various moves cannot take place without effective operation of the lever frame...

The 08' was now required for other duties and so 'our' shunting was continued with the help of 7752. After all, a Pannier Tank is the perfect shunting engine...

52' was now being readied to take "Rood Ashton" across to the middle road for coaling. Across on 'Three Road' was another Jubilee: "Kolhapur"s visiting double chimney sister "Bahamas". 45596 had recently arrived back at Tyseley from her base at Keighley and will be starring in this weekends event as well as a few upcoming railtours with the TOC. "Bahamas" is a beautiful machine, well kept and much loved...

Once we'd taken 4965 from 'Five Road' and across onto the middle, I was very happy to be asked to light her up for the weekend. The practise of a 'warming fire' is not only to aid steam raising the following day, but also to safeguard against potentially harmful stresses which occur in the boiler during expansion. The boiler of a steam locomotive is made up of several different materials which expand at varying rates. Therefore, the more gradually we can bring an engine into steam, the less stress we impose on the boiler and firebox. With a bed of coal laid on the rear of the grate, I lit a good pile of rags on the shovel. The wood was ready and waiting on the tender...

With the rags smouldering away on top of the coal, I added the wood and allowed it to burn for a few minutes to get the heat into it. The blazing mound was then topped with plenty of coal before the firebox doors were closed and the fire allowed to take hold. The reassuring plume of smoke rising from 4965's copper-capped chimney, as well as the tell tale crackling, told that all was well...

4965 was built at Swindon in 1929 and has been a firm favourite at Tyseley throughout both of her 10-year boiler tickets in preservation. She will be leaving service later this year in readiness for her next overhaul. Just like the "Earl" and 9600, the Hall seems to be retiring in better condition than most engines start their careers: a real testament to the hard work, skill and dedication of the team at 84E...

The rest of my time at Tyseley today was spent helping with varying tasks from shunting to signalling and generally tidying the works. I left for home just after 5pm and can't wait to join the team tomorrow for the open weekend. Today was very busy but most enjoyable: sometimes the set-up days can be just as exciting for us as the event itself! A great day. Cheers all, Sam...