22 April 06 - Pembroke Coast Express

Another run into Wales for KEI, this time hauling the Railway Touring Company's 'Pembroke Coast Express' from Newport to Carmarthen, returning from Fishguard to Newport. After a short light engine move from Bristol, 6024 was coupled onto the train at Newport for an on-time departure along the relief line to Cardiff. A quick stop in the capital and we were away again, via the mainline, into the 14 mile run up to Llanharen. Climbing all the way, the loco was certainly on song, accelerating noisily mile after mile, touching 70mph before the summit. The platforms at Bridgend have a 30mph restriction and the subsequent climb of Stormy bank was taken at an entirely different pace, once over the top, speed quickly picked up on the descent through Margam, past Port Talbot, before taking the Swansea avoiding line at Court Sart junction. Once over the double hills of the avoiding line we dropped into the small halt at Llangennech for water some 20 minutes ahead of time. Leaving just before right time, we got the road back onto the mainline and headed through Llanelli and Ferryside into Carmarthen for the servicing stop. The loco was detached and ran down to the siding for water, coal & oiling. At least this time we could service in the sunshine rather than the pouring rain of our last visit.! With the loco back onto the rear of the train the West Coast Railway class 47 was attached and we made our way to Fishguard. Time to top up the tender & pose for some press photos and it was soon time for departure and the much anticipated climb up the 1 in 50 bank soon after the station. The fire proved to be on the cold side and even though the loco was blowing off upon leaving the station, it was soon apparent that boiler pressure was dropping quickly. Some work with the fire irons managed to get the fire working better, but by now the train was down to a crawl. Still, once again 6024 showed her fine hill climbing abilities, never losing her feet or the will to keep the 11 coach load moving and with pressure coming around we crested the summit. Once onto the falling gradients, the train was soon moving along at line speed, quickly & loudly getting up & over the several short but steep banks that make up the road back to Carmarthen and beyond. We left the watering stop at Llangennech about 15 mins down and while going over the Swansea avoiding line a signal went blank as we approached it. We stopped at the next signal to report the failure and then continued on our way. The East bound climb of stormy bank was next on the agenda and passing Margam depot with speed in the mid 60's the loco powered her way up the bank with speed dropping to just under 40mph are we crossed the summit. By the time we reached Bridgend the deficit had been reduced to 7 mins and hopes were high to recover the remaining time to return to Newport on schedule. Unfortunately signals held us at Cardiff as well as on the final approach to Newport and we pulled into platform 1 about 6 minutes down. Another excellent performance from the loco and with permission to head back to Bristol early we bade farewell to our passengers and headed for home.

15/16 April 06 - Bristol Barton Hill

After the previous weekend's runs it was back to normal tasks of disposal, cleaning and preparation for next weekends run to Fishguard. Both the smokebox & firebox took plenty of work with the amount of ash & clinker that needed removal. The previous weekend's coal proving not quite to the engine's liking as much as Rhondda's finest. As you can see in these two pictures, the smokebox was rather full (Click here) aswell as the firebox (Click here). With all the dirt collected last weekend, there was plenty to keep our head cleaner (Bob Robson) busy. In this picture he shows his love of the camera (Click here). Good job the tender side isn't a real mirror.! Of course there were a few others on hand to give Bob a hand. Chris, Colin S, Martyn, Steve & Keith were around to either assist or wind him up.

7/8/9 April 06 - Brunel Anniversary Specials

Another busy weekend for the 6024 Preservation Society, with back to back runs as part of the celebrations to mark the 200th Anniversary of the birth of Isambard Kingdom Brunel.

Friday was spent getting the engine prepared for the two runs and in this picture (Click here) the loco sits alongside one of EWS's "Royal" 67's.

Saturday's run was a return trip along the Welsh Marches route to Shrewsbury, a testing route with plenty of climbs to keep the loco busy. Some difficulties with clinker in the fire north of Hereford gave rise to some steaming issues but these were managed by the footplate crew and arrival into Shrewsbury was slightly later than planned. The loco was turned and serviced and the return trip got underway. Again the clinker gremlins struck, but once South of Hereford these were sorted out and a spirited run to Bristol ensued. The planned water stop at Magor was missed out and the train arrived back into Bristol Temple Meads only about 10 minutes down on schedule.

Sunday's run was a circular route heading from Bristol to Worcester via Cheltenham and then heading across through Ledbury to Hereford before returning back to Bristol through the Severn Tunnel. Once again, Colwall & Ledbury tunnels managed to release all their built up grime all over the loco and train, turning everything a fine shade of black.! The clinker gremlins returned once again making Llanvihangel bank a bit of a struggle, but with the water stop at Magor again skipped the train was back into Bristol for an early finish.

1/2/3 April 06 - Bristol Barton Hill

After the previous weekend's excellent run, it was back to all the usual (and unusual) tasks of sorting out the engine ready for the upcoming trains this weekend (8th & 9th). The main task revolved around the smokebox door, which had taken a bit of a bashing during the last run (and previous runs), so it was decided to give it some attention. The deflector plate inside the door required replacing and also some work was needed to the inside part of the door. In this picture (Click here) Andy Bennett & Steve Underhill survey the task at hand. Whle that was going on, the rest of us busied ourselves with disposal, cleaning & preping the engine for next weekend. In this picture (Click here) John Salter looks like he's having a whale of a time cleaning out the firebox.!

Sunday saw more cleaning. Andy had taken away the smokebox door parts to his workshop so a few of us carried on with cleaning some of the small tubes aswell as some other odds & ends.

Monday, Andy returned with the repaired door part & new deflector plate so they were fitted back in place. We decided to fill the space between the inner & outer door parts with insulating fibre (the same as between the boiler & cladding). In this picture (Click here) Steve Underhill cuts out the bolt holes in the fibre. This was then lifted into place, bolted up and the new deflector plate attached. Andy made some minor adjustments (Click here) and put a fine weld on the deflector plate (Click here).