Heading south for the winter

 

35006 arrives at Winchcombe with a southbound service to Cheltenham. 46521 waits to head north - 23rd August 2022

As much as I'd like to say that I'm about to board an Airbus A380 and head 'Down Under' to see one of my favourite overseas locomotives, specifically New South Wales C38 class locomotive No. '3801', sadly this isn't the case and I must be content with YouTube videos and another one of my old VHS videos (as mentioned in the last blog entry). The VHS video in question can be viewed here 3801: A Legend In Steam

On a brighter note, 7820 is the one who's actually heading south for a winter holiday (not 'Down Under') and much like last year, will once again be taking charge of the 'Polar Express' trains on the South Devon Railway (SDR). The Manor was prepared for her departure during the week following our Mixed Traction Gala. The photographs below show the locomotive after being shunted into position for collection. 

 

7820 'Dinmore Manor' being prepared for her winter holiday - 5th November 2022

 

 

Operating and maintaining steam locomotives is a constant endeavour and is by no means an easy task. The preparation, loading and subsequent transportation of them however, is a completely different challenge altogether. I was involved with the departure of 92203 following the 'Cotswold Festival Of Steam' back in June, and to be more precise, the separation of the tender from the locomotive. Oh what a day that was!  

The sheer size of a locomotive can be quite unbelievable at times and seeing them running on the railway with a rake of MK1 coaches or appropriate wagons formed up as a goods train never gets old. It's only when one of these beasts needs to be transported by road, that you really begin to appreciate their magnitude and presence. The term 'Hand Of God' is often uttered in model railway circles, if only such a thing existed in 4 ft 8+1⁄2" scale things would certainly be a darn sight easier. I've tried praying, but the big man upstairs hasn't responded. Thus, a significant amount of elbow grease and heavy equipment will have to suffice for now!

As many of you probably know, there are a number of heavy haulage companies operating in the country who assist the railway with the various locomotive transfers as and when required. One of them just so happens to be based a few miles down the road from me and features in the 'Train Truckers' TV series. 

Watching a locomotive negotiate narrow village streets or travel around roundabouts of different sizes certainly makes for compelling viewing. I'm not ashamed to say that I'll happily wait to let the truck out to see what mighty engine or piece of rolling stock happens to be on the trailer. However, I will confess that it can be a little disconcerting to see a steam locomotive in your rear view mirror or approaching you down a hill.  

 

92203 'Black Prince' being loaded and secured ready for her trip back to the North Norfolk Railway (NNR) - 14th June 2022

 

 

It's an absolute privilege to be involved with such fine pieces of British engineering and I find myself in awe of these machines every time I see them. I guess that's one of the reasons why I keep coming back month after month! Nothing really beats the sights, sounds and of course, the smells of steam. They transport us back to a time when things were very different (for better or for worse) and as we're living through a period of constant change and technical advancement, these locomotives really need to be cherished and valued. 

It's easy to forget that in reality, we don't actually own these locomotives (despite what it may well say on the paperwork!), but we are merely custodians trusted with their continued care and upkeep, so that future generations can hopefully gain as much knowledge, insight and enjoyment out of them as we all do now. If the number of recent coach parties and school visits are anything to go by, the future is looking rather bright.

 

46521 on shed at Toddington not long before her return to the Great Central Railway (GCR) - 26th August 2022

 

The fire seems to be doing its job on 35006... keeping the all important tea warm!
 

Anyway, on to more productive matters. I think it's time for a bit of restoration news and how about 2807.

 

Here's a general view of the situation at week ending 5th November. - Photo courtesy of Graham Bondi 

 

The tender frames have been returned to ‘flat-pack’ status and by this I mean, laid out flat (this makes the fitting of parts as easy as possible). The previous week they had been clamped vertically *. The serviceable spring hangers have been fitted with another four new ones being cast soon. The horn guides have been fitted on the left hand frame, and (in the distance) the support brackets for the front steps have been temporally bolted on ahead of riveting. Close inspection of the centre of the photograph shows the two steam pistons fitted to their crossheads. There is a problem here: the machined surfaces of the crossheads are not quite parallel with the piston rods. It is very likely that they will have to be returned to Tyseley for further careful machining.

 

* Earlier on in the restoration process when working on the tender overhaul, it became apparent that the front 3 metres of the frames would have to be replaced. 

 

On the right can be seen the front end of 2807’s bottom half. The smokebox is not 2807s – it is for 3850 and was sent with 2807 for her outing to Lancashire where Riley’s checked it against their boiler. 2807s boiler is progressing up there and the group have recently received a short video of the barrel being riveted. 

 

Speaking of 'heading south' as per the title, we now turn our attention to the Southern Region and 35006.

 

35006 sporting a look more akin to something out of 'Mad Max' rather than 'Merchant Navy'!  

 

Now I could say that this is the newly improved 'convertible' P&O which is able to provide the footplate crews with some additional air conditioning during those infrequent hot summer days of operation, but then that would be skirting from the truth somewhat. It looks like this at the present time for very good reason.  

 

The cab-side panelling has been removed on the fireman's side purely as a means of gaining access to some of the internal workings behind (as illustrated in the photographs), specifically an annoying leaking pipe joint on the steel steam heat pipe (bottom right). The pipe in question has been removed going forwards so that the joint can be remade using stag jointing compound and plumbers hemp, which sounds like a fun job! 

 

When we think of the Southern Region, London's Waterloo Station is probably one of the first places that comes to mind. This is rather appropriate given that it was one of P&O's main calling points back in her mainline service career with the Southern Railway (SR) and then British Railways (BR), not forgetting visits to the nearby Nine Elms Depot (70A). P&O spent her entire working life based at Salisbury Depot (72B). 

 

Two of Oliver Bulleid's 4-6-2 'Pacific' locomotives are seen here at the end of the Waterloo platforms. 34040 'Crewkerne' & 35006 'Peninsular and Oriental S.N. Co.' - Photo © Andy Parrett (cc-by-sa/2.0)

I happened to come across some colourized footage of Waterloo Station dating from the 1930s. See Here

 

Moving back to things on home turf, here's a view of the main steam shed looking in the opposite direction. Having a large space such as this is invaluable, especially during the winter months with the shorter days and increased possibility of inclement weather. There's only so much you can achieve in the driving rain or snow! I'm sure those who own classic cars or bikes with a garage (preferably heated!) can relate to this.  

 

The view inside Toddington 'DP' shed. 4270, 7903, 3850, 35006, 2807, 2874 (just in shot on right) and D6948 on the jacks. (Wheelsets are 3850’s) - 5th November 2022 - Photo courtesy of Andrew Beale

Earlier in this instalment I talked about seeing locomotives in your mirrors, and on that note, I'll leave you with the following photograph. For the avoidance of any doubt, my car was stationery and not running at the time.  

I'm not quite sure where the coal goes in this one? Any ideas folks? D6948 at Toddington.- 24th September 2021

Until we meet again at the coalface... it's goodbye for now.

Alex (the sooty one!).

P.S. In food related news, I'm pleased to report that my stockpile of mince pies is slowly increasing!

All published photographs are my own unless otherwise stated/credited.