Here comes the snow!

7903 'Foremarke Hall' approaches Toddington Station - 11th December 2022 - Photo courtesy of C&W elf Alex Caulfield

 

When it comes to wintery weather in Britain, and particularly that of the snowy variety, the adage 'blink and you'll miss it' would ordinarily be rather appropriate when based on previous years. However, when I took a look at the long range forecast a week or so ago, it appeared as if we just might be in for a festive treat, and one that even Rudolph the reindeer could get excited about - The prospect of snow! Sure enough, as I'm writing this on a Sunday afternoon, the snow has been falling rather steadily since the early hours. I do have some sympathy with the loco elves who signed on at 05:30.

 

A snowy day on the GWSR - 11th December 2022 - Video courtesy of driver elf Ian Butler

 

Yes, Lapland has way more snow than we do, but you really can't beat travelling by steam train to visit Father Christmas, surrounded by the picturesque Cotswold landscape, especially when it's all covered in the white stuff. It's unbeatable. The good news is that it looks like the snow will be hanging around for a short while, but I've probably gone and jinxed it now.

I'm sure he's about to phone and ask where the snowmen are? - 11th December 2022 - Photo courtesy of fireman elf Tom Willson

 

Perhaps the snowmen are taking cover in Greet Tunnel? I hope the Yeti hasn't got to them! - 11th December 2022 - Photo courtesy of fireman elf Tom Willson

 

4270 awaits the signal to proceed at Winchcombe - 11th December 2022 - Photo courtesy of driver elf Ian Butler

 

The subject of snow reminded me of this film which was produced by Geoffrey Jones in 1963 following the 'Big Freeze'. 

Film of the conditions of the railway after the heavy winter of 1962-3, and the slow return to normality - Video © BFI 

I'm reliably informed that elf Liam had a go firing today, and that boiler management was conducted in accordance with the Derek Smith ‘pirate’ method. 'Arrrrr!!' or to be more specific, 'Arrr!! The tide’s gone out!!' - It's a big learning experience.

 

I've been fortunate to have a go with the shovel on a few occasions over the past year, and to say that I found it rather challenging would be a bit of an understatement. Whilst I could get the black stuff through the fire-hole doors, it didn't necessarily end up in the right place. In my defence, I could argue that at least it didn't going flying off out of the window!

 

4270 stands at Winchcombe Station - 11th December 2022 - Photo courtesy of driver elf Ian Butler

 

7903 adds some colour to the scene at Winchcombe - 11th December 2022 - Photo courtesy of fireman elf Tom Willson

     

When it comes to firing, many members of the department make it look like a fine art, as if it's almost second nature. This of course, comes with practice, and a hell of a lot of it. It's all very well and good if everything goes to plan, but in my experience, you only really learn when you have to deal with and react to unexpected situations. Much like driving a car, you have to expect the unexpected and always be very vigilant. In many respects, it's quite like a hazard perception test.

Some things are done in a certain order, whilst others are not. It all really depends on the situation at hand at the time...

 

André Previn on The Morecambe & Wise Christmas Show - 25th December 1971 - This was Episode 7 from Series 6

 

The musical guests were Los Zafiros, Glenda Jackson, André Previn and Shirley Bassey. A variety of sketches finished with Ernie's latest play called 'The Adventures of Robin Hood' starring Francis Matthews as King Richard.

 

4270 at Toddington Station - 11th December 2022 - Photo courtesy of C&W elf Alex Caulfield
 

The steam department get involved with all things, even a grumpy point. I don't think it's a fan of snow! - 11th December 2022 - Photo courtesy of driver elf Ian Butler

 

It'll be warmer on 7903's footplate than down here! - 11th December 2022 - Photo courtesy of driver elf Ian Butler

'On Shed' Activities

 

Now amidst all this talk of snow and Father Christmas, I think it's about time we covered a few departmental updates. 

 

7903 pilots 5095 'Barbury Castle' at Rattery - 5th July 1955 - Photo courtesy of chairman elf John Cruxon / R.C. Riley

 

The Wednesday Gang (or should that be the Wednesday Elves!) turn their hands to almost anything from chopping wood for lighting locos, to disposal of engines that have been in service and everything that goes in between and more.

Fireman elf Martin Clark takes charge of the pressure washer - Photo courtesy of chairman elf John Cruxon

As I have previously shown on the blog, we do all sorts of cleaning up tasks as maintaining an oily, mucky environment that BR sheds tended to be is not satisfactory to the Elf & Safety brigade, and to be honest, quite rightly too! Our new super duper pressure washer really takes the muck off and we are treating outside as well as in the shed. Above you can see elf Martin Clark of the Wednesday gang pressure washing the unloading road. This was to clean out the rail flange slots which had filled up with muck - When we had the heavy rain, the road flooded and sent water into the shed!  A few hours with elf Chris Smith and others helping out soon had the task sorted.

Driver elf Chris Smith gives the lamps some attention - Photo courtesy of chairman elf John Cruxon

 

A closer look at the lamps - Photo courtesy of chairman elf John Cruxon

The second and third pictures show some loco lamps with another regular Wednesday man, elf Chris Smith, giving them some tender loving care. These are made of tin plate soldered together and in recent times some of the crews have been lacking in flame control (with the lamps). This not only badly soots the lamps up, but can in fact release the solder and the lamps fall apart. So, during the winter, Chris will be giving them some maintenance, but in addition we will be producing some instructions to post by the loco rack. As an aside, these lamps are becoming not only expensive but rare, so we have to preserve them as much as the locos themselves. John informs me from his own personal perspective that he knows for a fact that some of these lamps have been in regular use for over 25 years.

 

7903 & 4903 in Old Oak Common shed (81A) - April 1963 - Photo courtesy of chairman elf John Cruxon

 

7903 at Old Oak Common shed (81A) in the early 1960s - Photo © Patrick O'Brien https://flic.kr/p/2eHFGG3

 

View towards Great Western Railway locomotives No. 6023 King Edward II and No. 7903 Foremarke Hall during the Old Oak Common open day - 2nd September 2017 - Photo © Gareth James (cc-by-sa/2.0) - geograph.org.uk/p/5527383

 

Moving on to 3850, work on her overhaul is progressing well and here's a DVD film about the project from few years ago.

 

A DVD to highlight the work being carried out to return Ex GWR locomotive no 3850 to operational condition as a result of its heavy general overhaul. Some great shots of it working on the GCR, Llangollen, and WSR, plus information about what needs to be repaired and replaced as part of the overhaul For more information as to how you may be involved follow the links on the DVD or go to https://www.dinmoremanor.co.uk/ - Please Note: 'Club 3850' is now closed.

 

Video © Dinmore Manor Locomotive Ltd & On Track Productions

 

An update from the 35006 Group, courtesy of fireman elf Steve Parker.

 

Cleaner elf Alex giving 35006's smoke deflectors a thorough clean - Photo courtesy of fireman elf Steve Parker

 

Further progress has been made on the groups' storage van, this being the ex-LNER Army goods van No. 47109. 

 

The new T&G boards initially fitted to the North Cotswold side. The next job will be to paint them - Photo courtesy of fireman elf Steve Parker

 

The metal fittings from the above van following the application of the first topcoat of paint - Photo courtesy of fireman elf Steve Parker

On the C&W blog there is a picture showing the same end of the van before the boards were replaced, see LNER ARMY 47109 Goods Van for further details. Another picture of the van can be seen: here. Oh look, some more of the white stuff. 

Father Christmas has made it aboard the footplate and he's even wearing his 'Blues' as well! I wonder if he had a go with the shovel or the regulator? - 11th December 2022 - Photo courtesy of fireman elf Tom Willson

 

4270 heads past Toddington Signal Box - 11th December 2022 - Photo courtesy of C&W elf Alex Caulfield

 

I did debate for a moment about building a snowman, but the cat didn't seem overly enthusiastic about the idea, oh well.

 

Judging by the number of footprints below, the loco elves have been very busy...

 

4270 & 7903 'On Shed' at Toddington - 11th December 2022 - Photo courtesy of fireman elf Tom Willson

 

A few frozen days and nights later and the snow is still very much with us... How long will it continue I wonder?

 

 You could say 'Frozen In Time' - An idyllic view with Toddington Signal Box - 15th December 2022 - Photo courtesy of driver elf Mike Solloway 

 

The wintery scene at Toddington Yard - 15th December 2022 - Photo courtesy of driver elf Mike Solloway

 

If only I could install this in the living room... although, on second thoughts, doing disposal would be 'fun'!

 

 

If you're travelling home for Christmas, stay safe, and do have a good one. I'll leave you with Driving Home for Christmas.

 

Until we meet again... preferably in front of the fire.

 

Alex (the sooty elf!).

 

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