Here comes what promises to be a busy weekend - the 2023 Mixed Traction Gala, where the railway showcases the diesel fleet supported by some visitors.
Today though, Third Man Sam and I are crew to Driver Fozz on the splendid BR Standard Class 9f, 92203 'Black Prince. I've not fired her for a while so this will be a real treat.
We start the day cleaning the smokebox & firebox and light up. I bring the fire round while Sam cleans the paint and Fozz lubricates everything; then it's onto the pit for blow down and coaling.
We return to the shed to let 76084, the BR Standard 4MT onto the pit as we are to go down together. There will be lots of unusual movements, double heading with steam and diesel and playing Tail-End Charlie for other locos. Our movements are:
- down to sheringham LE with 4MT
- up to Holt double heading behind 4MT
- wait for almost an hour
- down to Sheringham double heading behind the Class 47
- Into the loop, take water after a few other train movements
- up to Holt on our own train
- down to Sheringham double heading behind the Class 31
- up to Weybourne double heading behind the Class 47, to be relieved by the afternoon crew
We have an excellent breakfast with sausage, bacon, egg and black pudding and I relax into keeping a steady fire as we allow the 4MT, at their request, to take the strain going up the hill. It's their only up-trip on the front of a train.
In Holt, there is a visitor - the BR Class 14 from Ecclesbourne Valley Railway, affectionately known as 'Eric'.
We take water once - as instructed by the operating brief, we have to follow the complicated working timetable as it's a busy schedule and access to the water crane is limited. Driver Fozz & Third Man Sam do the honours while I stand around taking pictures. Sam handles the token and the hooking on for most of the day.
We spend much of our morning being hauled around by various diesels, and I keep the fire in a big bank across back. Doing so will allow the boiler pressure to sit at 220 for ages, as long as you watch for a thinning front. If you ladle coal into the acute angle at the back of the fire the pressure the come up further. The scoop is very tired and it's easy to fire - I notice some material to make a new one is on order. She's behaving very well today though - the coal is excellent, but Injector #1 is being a bit temperamental as usual.
Next turn? tomorrow, and I'm sure it will be very different from today.
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