The operation of the passenger train on the Apedale Valley Light Railway can seem deceptively simple, especially on a diesel day. After all, one turns up, turns the key and away, right? Wrong. The day starts with unlocking the site and extracting the passenger train from the shed. This usually involves moving the current yard pilot engine which normally sits in front of the passenger train. The passenger loco needs to be checked for oil, fuel, water and missing bits, and then started. The time taken to build the air up for the brake system is dependent on the loco. If it's No.13, a few minutes. If it's the Baguley Drewry - well, let's say there's time to grab a drink and maybe complete a 1000 piece jigsaw. The train is then extracted from the shed, and the driver will carry out a Fitness to Run check on the whole train. Hopefully, the Guard has then arrived. Even more hopefully, he is carrying tea and biscuits. If he is indeed carrying tea, the Guard and Driver work together as a well-oiled team to carry out the brake test. If he's forgotten the tea, the Guard's on his own. If using loco No.13, one man can do the brake test alone (provided he likes long walks), whereas the BD needs someone in the cab throughout. Then, it's up to the station to greet the thronging mass of potential passengers. The loco will normally be detached, and used to carry out a track inspection. The driver also unlocks the gate at Apedale Road station, and locks the access road gates to prevent a re-run of the Great Heck accident. Back onto the train, by which time the Guard has hopefully locked all the facing points. Signatures in the necessary places on the railway log, a brake continuity test and we're away for the day. Trundling up and down all day brings the fare revenue in, not forgetting to wave at the kids, suggest that they come and visit Santa, and arrange shed visits for the older, camera & notebook carrying, kids. The procedure at close of the day is a bit simpler; the train is driven into the shed, and the next loco to be used on the passenger service is attached at the Door end. Drain down the air tanks (to remove condensate which will rot the tanks), search the train for lost passengers and put the keys away. The van has a battery which runs the compressor for the brakes when steam is used. If it's steam next time, we need to remember to put the battery on charge, and put a Not to be Moved sign on the van. This avoids the Battery Charger Steeplechase, which will bring back memories for those who have worked at BR depots. So, Simples? Not really, but all part of the job to deliver train rides in a safe manner to the public. As ever, get in touch here.
Wednesday, 21 May 2014
A day in the life......
The operation of the passenger train on the Apedale Valley Light Railway can seem deceptively simple, especially on a diesel day. After all, one turns up, turns the key and away, right? Wrong. The day starts with unlocking the site and extracting the passenger train from the shed. This usually involves moving the current yard pilot engine which normally sits in front of the passenger train. The passenger loco needs to be checked for oil, fuel, water and missing bits, and then started. The time taken to build the air up for the brake system is dependent on the loco. If it's No.13, a few minutes. If it's the Baguley Drewry - well, let's say there's time to grab a drink and maybe complete a 1000 piece jigsaw. The train is then extracted from the shed, and the driver will carry out a Fitness to Run check on the whole train. Hopefully, the Guard has then arrived. Even more hopefully, he is carrying tea and biscuits. If he is indeed carrying tea, the Guard and Driver work together as a well-oiled team to carry out the brake test. If he's forgotten the tea, the Guard's on his own. If using loco No.13, one man can do the brake test alone (provided he likes long walks), whereas the BD needs someone in the cab throughout. Then, it's up to the station to greet the thronging mass of potential passengers. The loco will normally be detached, and used to carry out a track inspection. The driver also unlocks the gate at Apedale Road station, and locks the access road gates to prevent a re-run of the Great Heck accident. Back onto the train, by which time the Guard has hopefully locked all the facing points. Signatures in the necessary places on the railway log, a brake continuity test and we're away for the day. Trundling up and down all day brings the fare revenue in, not forgetting to wave at the kids, suggest that they come and visit Santa, and arrange shed visits for the older, camera & notebook carrying, kids. The procedure at close of the day is a bit simpler; the train is driven into the shed, and the next loco to be used on the passenger service is attached at the Door end. Drain down the air tanks (to remove condensate which will rot the tanks), search the train for lost passengers and put the keys away. The van has a battery which runs the compressor for the brakes when steam is used. If it's steam next time, we need to remember to put the battery on charge, and put a Not to be Moved sign on the van. This avoids the Battery Charger Steeplechase, which will bring back memories for those who have worked at BR depots. So, Simples? Not really, but all part of the job to deliver train rides in a safe manner to the public. As ever, get in touch here.
Sunday, 11 May 2014
Classic Cars
It's been Classic Cars day down at Apedale. Despite the rather changeable weather (as in changing from heavy rain to drizzle and back again), we have seen a really good turnout of classic cars, tractors, lorries, miniature steamers - if I've missed anyone, I apologise. I was puzzled to see an Allegro in the line of Classic Cars. Having regularly mended one many years ago, the words Allegro and Classic don't entirely align. The main outcome of repairing that car was to learn a vocabulary of expletives which would prove very useful in career based in railway maintenance depots. Nonetheless, our visiting Allegro looked nice and was a credit to the owner. Not least because it clearly got to Apedale without breaking down. Sadly, the planned flypast of the BBMF Spitfire was called off due to the weather. This apparently explains why the sun is always shining in films about the Battle of Britain. So, a big thank you to all the cars, tractors etc (you get the idea) for turning out - we enjoyed your presence, and we hope you enjoyed coming. And we hope Mr Allegro made it home OK. Just to prove we still do railways, the museum fan has now unleashed the next phase - the field railway proper - complete with road crossing. There's a lot to do before September! As ever, get in touch here
Wednesday, 7 May 2014
Parp!! Parp!!
Parp!! Parp!! It's Classic Cars Day at Apedale this Sunday - with apparently a record entry which is making the event organiser look a bit frazzled. It seems classic car owners don't like the idea of having them stacked two high with the Forklift to save space. How picky. We will be running steam trains on BOTH days - and there's even a flyover by an RAF Spitfire on the Sunday. What's not to like?
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