After the somewhat disappointing and very wet experience of the previous Open day in June, this one was approached with a little trepidation. We knew that the loco was in good fettle as she had performed faultlessly at the Chirk Open Day, but what would the weather Gods decree?
Once again the Friday was beautiful, the landscape had mellowed with the onset of Autumn and the ammount of berries in the hedgrows may be a sign of a hard winter to come if country lore is to be believed. As at the previous Open Day, I put her in steam on Friday morning and after attending to a variety of minor jobs, including dismantling and flushing through the injectors, Ihad 100lbs on the clock by early afternoon. (With presure (and anticipation) rising but with no immediate sign of my ’support crew’ (stuck in horrible traffic on the M5 / M42 / M40) I decided to take her out for a run or two. Now really, you would expect that such a big engine would be handful for one alone but not so: the controls are all well grouped on the right hand side (including the excellent, if noisy, steam brake) and she is a delight to handle. Without a trailing load, one barely needs to open the regulator more than the ’starting valve’ (the regulator valve itself has a leading edge shaped like a ‘w’ which gives two small opening before the whole port is uncovered) for the engine to gamble along a at a fair lick. This also gave me the opportunity to turn the loco for a chimney-first departure on the first train!
And so the BIG DAY dawned….sunny and bright and set fair! YES!
Being so warm, full presure was reached in very short time (a combination of big, short boiler, large grate and belpare firebox). The team consisted of Keith Vingoe (Fireman), Ngel Ewens (Cleaner extrordinaire) and myself. Following the usual briefing the cry of ‘man your engine’ went out (not quite Le Mans style but you get the picture!) We were the second train out and put up a good show. By the third train we had found ourselves coupled to the ‘heavy’ train’ consisting of the Grean Dragon and Romanian carraiges, and with a good fire (thick-ish and even) we approached the bottom of the bank with about 140lbs and two-thirds in the glass, the injector went on and a quick round of coal and we assulted the bank in a defeaning roar! Still, I was only using about 60% regulator and three-quarters cut-off towards the top.
Later we went out again and had the opposite (but strangely satisfying) experience of doing the whole run with no more than 65lbs on the clock - I kid you not. In truth we were caught out as we did not expect to be off shed again so soon and with low water (reletively for a bunker-first run up the hill) we had to concentrate on getting the water level up at the expense of pressure. After a slightly extended blow-up at the loop (much to the hilarity of 614’s crew on the goods!) we set off with adequate water and a little over 60lbs. We sauntered along and just plodded up the bank with the injector on and still had 50lbs at Oak Tree loop. Another blow-up at the top and then another amble to the stop signal. A bit more steam and we just took it really slow into the platform, which she did without a lot of protest. Do we get the prizes for most economical and loudest runs of the day?!
All in all a most enjoyable day and many thanks to Graham Lee and all the Statfold Barn Railway crew.
We especially hope the visitors enjoyed themselves - we aim to please!
Some new photos can be found at www.tir-ltd.co.uk/galleries/la-meuse-3243 and look out for some new You-Tube footage coming soon!
Chris Phillimore