Jonathan, Matt & Karl swarming over Cheltenham |
Arty-farty shot of Cheltenham reflected in a puddle |
Black tea... yuck! |
George has found the biscuits.... they won't last long |
Cheltenham going off shed |
80072 prior to being shunted |
Inside 80072's cab |
There are many who mourn the demise of BR |
Karl, Andrew & Chris smartening up 80072 |
Dan and Matt |
It was soon time for 2807 to set off and join her carriages waiting in platform 2 at Toddington:
Paul and Tina take 2807 off shed |
The permanent way gang working on ballasting the turnout to the ash pit |
I also noted that the fence holes that were excavated last week now have a fair amount of fence inserted into them:
The new fence takes shape |
A trip down the line is always entertaining. I noticed that we had something of a reception committee outside the Carriage & Wagon Dept at Winchcombe:
Carriage & Wagon Dept at Winchcombe |
Cheltenham at Winchcombe |
We picked up a footplate passenger for the return journey, Ed Bounds, of the Permanent Way gang joined us for the ride up from Cheltenham to Toddington. Tina was wearing make-up for once, so I was allowed to include her in this photo:
Tina and Ed |
Board off for platform two |
People in search of real ale and obscuring the view |
Derek waiting for the beer tent to open |
Tina and Gilbert |
Tina filling the tender of 2807 at Cheltenham |
Oops! |
Soggy boots and trousers |
Tony asked me at the end of the day if I had learned anything during the course of the day. I seem to recollect that I gave one of my usual flippant answers along the lines of not to trust him when it came to operating the tap at water towers. Having had a bit of time to reflect, a better answer would have been that 2807 can still make steam with very little fire on the grate, and keeping her from blowing off whilst still keeping the fire in good shape is quite an art form. At one point during the day, Tony said that she "steams like a witch". It's an expression that I have heard before, but don't understand at all. Witches are known for cackling, flying around on broomsticks and cooking bizarre ingredients in cauldrons, (ok, given the recent food scandals, perhaps eye of newt and wing of bat aren't quite so bizarre) but not at all for making steam. If anybody has a clue how the expression originated, I'd like to know.
As we were arriving back at Toddington after the second round trip, I noticed some of the steam loco dept were busy enjoying a brew al fresco:
Ian, Ade, Matt, Rod, Tonia, Karl and Nick enjoying a brew |
And finally, this morning at 08:30, yours truly became a grandad for the first time (people are soon going to stop believing me when I tell them that I'm only 21). I was informed by my daughter that yes I could buy my new grand daughter a teddy bear however it couldn't be a Thomas the Tank Engine one. I had no idea that they did such a thing. Well I was as good as my word, a teddy was bought and it wasn't anything to do with a certain really useful blue engine. I purchased Laverton Lily from the good people in the 2807 owners group and couldn't resist the temptation to take a few photos of her on 2807 before we set off yesterday.
Laverton Lily and 2807 |
Lily at home on 2807 |
Lily knows her own number |
Yes they have sold bears with unusual names before, hence my postname. Excellent blog as ever and great to know that 2807 is steaming so well. She was chosen by CSP as she was the oldest in Barry Yard of course rather than for her steaming qualities but the 28xxs lasted a long time in BR service so they must have been OK!
ReplyDeleteWell all I can say is that the CSP chose very well, she is a lovely engine to fire. Give my regards to Winchcombe Witch when you next see her.
DeleteHow far down the side will the fence extend ? As far as the gate to the narrow gauge ? And will it just have the two railings or is a third goin in the middle ?
ReplyDeleteThe original plan had been to extend as far as the narrow gauge, in fact even further than that again however sinking those fence holes has proved to be far too difficult a task, so for the time being at least it is finishing at the north end of the wood store. I have no idea about the final number of railings, I'll look at it again on Wednesday.
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