Turn 95 - Cleaning the 9F, and the YDC on the Y14

The Passed Cleaner - Fireman training schedule that I'm now following requires that I perform four cleaning turns, which is nothing in a training schedule that will last a year or two. I fulfil that requirement by booking a cleaning turn on the third Saturday of the month, which allows me to help with the railway's Youth Development Club as well. 

Today, I'm also in another of my roles, that of Steam Department Minder, and I've collected new cleaner Amey from the volunteers accommodation along with rostered Third Man Henry. 

We've got the 9F today, and Third Man Henry lights her up until Fireman Robert arrives. 

Amey and I assist with prep, collecting more wood and rags and cleaning the paint. 

There's half an hour to kill before breakfast arrives, so we take the tools from the cleaning store and break up some pallets. 

Fitter Alan thoughtfully moves the loader to save us having to barrow the cut wood back to the store. 

For the rest of the day, we will be cleaning the Y14 with the YDC. While the children are getting ready, we shunt the loco over the pit. 

The job today is to divide the kids into groups and get the motion properly clean. Other groups will be working on the LowMac and clearing  the ash pile. We start from the running boards, two people on each side cleaning as much as we can with paraffin and wheel brushes from above while a second group polishes up the boiler, cab and tender.

Next, with a couple of ladders we move into the pit and wipe it all down with rags, getting into the difficult corners with paint brushes. 

It looks great when we are finished and while the kids are tidying away we move the loader and empty the wood into the store. The children are leaving for Sheringham on the third down train, and I go and wave them off while Alan stables the Y14.

A great day out.