Full Steam Ahead!

Long term followers of this blog would be forgiven for thinking that we’re all still sat around enjoying the mulled wine and mince pies, but alas, a whole ten months has passed us by. The snow, Father Christmas and the mince pies are all but a distant memory, the disappearance of the latter being a particular disappointment to me. Absence makes the heart, or should that be stomach, grow fonder!

 

A little about me. I have had an interest in railways from an early age ever since watching a collection of VHS videos about Steam Trains belonging to my late grandfather. Films such as 'A Steam Train Passes', 'Steam On The Settle & Carlisle', and '3801: A Legend In Steam' from the 'Great Trains' series dating from the mid to late 1980s just might sound familiar to some of you. Not forgetting of course, the heavily used Duplo train-set that my parents bought me in my formative years (which broke down!). Unfortunately, the motor in the locomotive had failed and Duplo kindly sent out a brand new diesel. I must stress that a steam locomotive option wasn't available at the time!  

Here's one of the aforementioned VHS videos on YouTube: Steam On The Settle & Carlisle

 

Frankly, if it runs on rails then you can pretty much guarantee that I'm interested in it, whether that be steam, diesel or electric. I come from an IT support and retail background with aspirations to join the mainline, so it was only natural that I would get involved with the heritage railway movement in one form or another at some stage. I applied to join the GWSR Steam department back in January 2020 and after almost three years down the tracks, with a global pandemic thrown in for good measure, I find myself still here and strangely attached to the place! I can't really fathom why that is however? 

If I’m not cleaning, disposing, or lighting up an engine, I can usually be found drinking tea or scoffing food of some description, normally out of my rather distinctive blue picnic bag, which some in the department believe is akin to Doctor Who’s Tardis – I’m pleased to report that there have been no sightings of the Daleks or Cybermen just yet! Anyway, I digress and we must move on to more important matters at hand. I was recently asked to contribute to this blog and so hopefully, if you’re still reading, you’ve got an appetite to continue further. 

7820 ‘Dinmore Manor’ being prepared on shed – 1st July 2022

Summer has sadly come and gone for another year, complete with heatwaves, fires and ice cream, and that’s just on the footplate! You’ve got to have your wits about you though, as you may end up with an impromptu shower, courtesy of the fireman armed with the pep pipe! The past ten months have been a busy time for the railway and especially the steam department. We opened for services in mid-March with the race trains, which were a roaring success, and brought a much-needed return to a sense of normality, for both crews and visitors alike after the trials and tribulations of the past couple of years. It was great to see so many back in the saddle, so to speak. The odd tipple or should that be several, certainly added to the entertainment for the racegoers!

47109 ‘Joyce’, 92203 ‘Black Prince’ & 34028 ‘Eddystone’ on shed – 29th May 2022

Early June saw return of the ‘Cotswold Festival of Steam’ (CFOS) with no less than nine engines in steam. This year’s theme being the ‘Somerset & Dorset Remembered’. Many months of planning, long hours, dedication, and sleepless nights for a great number in the department resulted in a truly spectacular event. Judging by the smiles from visitors, both young and old, all of the effort certainly paid off. A personal highlight for me was being given the opportunity to light up 92203 for its steam test prior to the gala. This was an interesting experience due to the 9Fs surprisingly shallow firebox, which took me by surprise upon first glance. Incidentally, ‘Black Prince’ was the first steam engine that I saw when I first visited the GWSR back in 2007. Oh, how time flies!

BR Standard 9F 92203 ‘Black Prince’ prepares to leave shed – 2nd June 2022

One of the joys of a gala besides all of the hustle and bustle in the department, is having visiting engines and their representatives at the railway. It is a great opportunity to learn, share ideas, knowledge, and not forgetting the obligatory friendly banter. It’s what makes it all so worthwhile. With five visiting engines on shed, as a loco department, you could say we were very spoilt for choice.

This year we were fortunate in that we had 46521 to stay with us for the summer months and as much as we love our home fleet, it’s always exciting to have something different to get to grips with. Being a Swindon built machine and having spent the first 10 years of its operational BR career allocated to the Western Region (based at Oswestry and Brecon), the GWSR was a rather fitting location for the Ivatt to take a summer holiday. Eagle eyed readers may recall that 46521 visited us previously for the ‘Cotswold Festival of Steam’ back in 2016, not to mention that the loco also had a starring role in the 90s sitcom ‘Oh, Doctor Beeching!’ carrying the name "Blossom".

LMS Ivatt 2-6-2T 41312 & LMS Ivatt 2-6-0 46521 on shed – 2nd June 2022

An interesting fact with warming fires on 46521 is that unlike Western engines, the fire is placed down the front under the arch.

The summer months also meant the return of the ‘Fish & Chip Specials’ which are always well patronised. One of these days I’ll hopefully manage to get a seat on board and it’s ‘Cod & Chips’ for me if anyone’s asking? You’ve probably noticed that I’ve raised the subject of food once again, but in my experience of being a member of the steam dept, good sustenance and copious amounts of tea are mandatory requirements for optimal function, much like coal and water are for steam engines!

 

LMS Ivatt 2-6-0 46521 warming up on shed. Smoke can be seen so I must have been doing something right! – 24th June 2022

 

A pair of Bulleids! - 35006 ‘Peninsular & Oriental S. N. Co.’ & 34028 ‘Eddystone’ on shed – 6th June 2022

As June progressed it was time to say a fond farewell to some of our gala visitors. 47109 ‘Joyce’, 34028, 41312 and 92203 all returned to their respective home railways, and whilst their visits were only fleeting, their time with us will not be forgotten in a hurry. Who could have envisaged that two Rebuilt Southern Pacifics would be working together crossing Stanway Viaduct? A truly magnificent sight to behold and one to be remembered for years to come. It certainly went down well judging by the sheer number of YouTube videos and photographs on the various social media channels!

LMS Ivatt 2-6-2T 41312 loaded and ready to depart – 7th June 2022

Southern Rebuilt West Country 34028 ‘Eddystone’ heads off shed – 7th June 2022

The ever popular ‘Steam Footplate Experience’ days resumed during the same month with both 35006 and 7820 taking charge of the various turns. 7903 has since operated a few of these experiences over the past couple of months. I assisted with cleaning and preparation duties on a number of days. All the locomotives performed extremely well and were greatly appreciated by all concerned. A testament to the efforts of both the steam department and the railway as a whole. I gather the ice buns are rather good, especially with a sprinkling of coal dust! Sadly, I've yet to sample them, although saying that, I was very fortunate to receive a cooked breakfast on the one occasion. 

 

 

7903 'Foremarke Hall' at Cheltenham Racecourse station - 14th September 2022

 

More recently, maintenance has been carried out on various members of the home fleet, with 35006, 4270, 7820 and 7903 either going through exams, boiler washouts and/or the necessary steam tests. As I write this, I'm happy to report that our Mixed Traction Gala at the end of October was another highly successful event, which was well attended and both our steam a diesel departments played as starting role, ably assisted by all the departments on the railway.

 

 

4270 stabled outside the goods shed at Toddington during the Mixed Traction Gala - 30th October 2022

With the winter months now with us, our regular services have come to a close for the season. We now turn our attention to the 'Santa Express' trains and our 'Mince Pie Specials' during the festive break. It looks like Father Christmas is going to be in for another busy year once again, maybe we can tempt him to join the crews aboard the footplate? Watch this space!

 

Whilst the nights have drawn in and the temperature has dropped, this doesn't mean all things have gone quiet on the department front, quite the opposite. Much like any heritage railway operating steam locomotives, a department such as this never sleeps as there are always important jobs to be getting on with. Our winter maintenance period has begun and great progress has been made over the past year with the various locomotive restoration projects. More on these to come in future instalments, so please stay tuned and ensure you look both ways before you cross the line to the next entry.   

35006 heads off for her next turn during the Mixed Traction Gala - 30th October 2022

Until we meet again, I’m off to rummage in the freezer as I’m sure there may be a mince pie in there… I can but hope!  

 

Alex (the sooty one!).