A trip to Chasewater Railway...

Hi all. Today saw me and Jenny pay a visit to Chasewater Railway, the old NCB Colliery Railway near Cannock. The line is approximately 2 miles long, and runs round the edge of the Chasewater reservoir in Staffordshire. The day started with us waking up at 7am and getting dressed before taking a slow gentle drive towards Cannock Chase,  at 10:00am arriving at Chasewater Heaths (Chasewater Railway Station) at around 10:30am. The weather wasn't brilliant today sadly coupled with the fact the railway had a children's event on meant our visit was only a flying visit to the railway.

"Arriving into Chasewater Heaths Station"

On our arrival at Chasewater Heaths Station, it was time for breakfast before buying our tickets to travel on the train. After we had bought our tickets we wandered onto the platform where we quickly got chatting to a volunteer and good friend of mine Robert, my mate Ryan's dad. Who was Station master for the day there. Before long the sound of No. 2 "Kent Electric Power Station" could be heard and sure enough she arrived into Chasewater Heaths with a full train. We boarded train for the short journey to Chasetown Church Street Station. At 11:25am, we departed for Chasetown Church Street.

We soon arrived at Chasetown Church Street Station where the engine runs round to the other end for the return journey to Brownhills West Station. The main terminus of the Chasewater Railway. Whilst the engine ran round its train I got to photograph No.2 as she was re-coupled to her train.

At 11:35am, a quick toot from No.2's whistle and we retraced our steps back to Chasewater Heaths to pick up / set down passengers. After a brief stop we set off towards Brownhills West.

"Me stood waiting to film No.2 leave Brownhills West" (Pic - J.Davies)

On our arrival back at Brownhills West. We got off the train, watched No.2 run round her train before having a quick conversation with Ryan who was on carpark duty, along with Jenny's cousin Alec. After a quick chat with Ryan. We wandered down the track and prepared to film No.2 departing for Chasewater Heaths. 

"No.2 seen passing the the HAA hopper wagons." (Pic - J.Davies)

At 12:18pm the sound of No.2's whistle could be clearly heard as she departed, I quickly turned my video camera and Microphone on to record the engine passing the camera whilst Jenny took photos of No.2. 

"No.2 doing her best to smoke out the carriages." (Pic - J.Davies)

After filming No.2 pass us. We carried on walking back to Jenny's car which was parked at Chasewater Heaths Station, but we couldn't resist taking a photo of someone water skiing on the reservoir though. 

"No.2 doing her best to smoke out the carriages." (Pic - J.Davies)

Before long we arrived back at Chasewater Heaths in time for No.2 to arrive into the station. A quick video clip of her before heading over to Jenny's grandparents house for lunch. Until next time. cheers all, Jake...

BMES: A Speedy Day...

"Lighting up Speedy"

Hi all. Today saw me pay another visit to the Burton Model Engineering Society as a volunteer. At the time of writing this post I managed to delete my last post about BMES, which I apologise. Don't worry I will post more as time goes on. !! I Today saw me get up at around 09:30am and take a steady cycle ride into town towards "Basses Meadows". I arrived at 11:10am, Having helped David prepare his loco for service. 

After doing a few laps Dave allowed me to have a go at driving his engine. After two laps and managing to almost loose all the water out the boiler it was time to hand the controls back over to Dave and start getting some photos and videos for today's blog post. Below is a photo of Dave driving his engine. She is a scale model of a 0-4-0 tank like the one based at Didcot Railway Centre. 

"Dave driving his Polly locomotive"

At 1:30pm we started to wonder if anyone else would turn up. But sure enough at 2:00pm Geoff and his wife arrived with "Speedy", An engine I'm rather familiar with driving. I helped Geoff unload Speedy onto the steaming bay before helping him to prepare her for service. 

"Speedy's footplate"

Having helped Geoff prepare her for service, we rolled her onto the traverser and onto the running line. Before coupling her to a riding truck. With Geoff driving the first two laps I decided to ride as a passenger. After two laps with Geoff driving, we stopped at the steaming bay for water. Having stopped for water, it was time for me to have a go at driving. With Geoff riding as passenger... oh fun!! Once again with another two laps completed we stopped for water at the steaming bay.

"Geoff driving speedy"

Having taken water at the steaming bay, Geoff told me i could take Speedy solo. So with a full head of steam and a full glass of water in the boiler I eased her gently through the station before opening the regulator a slightly more in order to run through the sharp curve before coasting down the straight section. After two laps were complete solo, I stopped for water before continuing once more for two more laps. I then had to stop to allow Dave back on with his engine. I used the time to replenish the water before doing two more laps stopping half way round the circuit to allow Dave stop to regain pressure on his engine. 

"Dave's Polly Engine passing camera"

After three laps had been completed I handed the driving seat to Geoff as I went for a break to film and photo both engines in use. At 4pm Geoff and Dave decided to call it a day.... Not that I would of blamed them, the sky went rather dark as if it was going to rain... not that it did though... strangely.

I watched as both locos were blown down and packed away as I finished the day by taking two last photos from the day I'll leave towards blog post with a photo of Speedy sitting quietly waiting to be taken home with Geoff. Thanks once again to Geoff and Dave for allowing me to drive their engines. cheers all, Jake...