29 December 07 - The Elgar Explorer

A circular route around the Midlands, Malverns & South Wales was in order for this final railtour of the year, but pathing problems had already meant that 6024 could not start the train from Birmingham, but instead run light engine to Hereford while the train detoured around Salop. With a clear road ahead and nothing following for some time a late departure from Hereford was taken to try and reduce the 35 minutes standing at Maindee. The stiff uphill start to the site of the old Heywood Box was troubled by a few bouts of priming, but once on the down grades to Pontrilas the loco was well in her stride reaching our permitted maximum. This imputus was well used as it was necessary to coast a while to recover the boiler water level before the stiffer grades of Llanvihangel bank took their toll and despite this speed steadied in the mid 30's as we crested the summit. Despite this and some easy running afterwards coupled with a few restrictions the train was still left standing at Maindee for half an hour before getting the road to Chepstow and the first water stop of the day. This was completed in good time and we departed early for the short 25 miles or so to Gloucester, done with the minimum of effort, speed kept in the mid 60's the loco chattering along mile after mile.

Leaving Gloucester there is a short uphill section before slowing for the restriction through Cheltenham station, which is always a shame as the engine is just in her stride before going through the process all over again only to face another restriction at Ashchurch. Still, the loco had got the train to 70 mph by Eckington before the road turns gradually uphill prior to our final water stop in Spechley loop. Leaving Spechley, it was the intention to allow the Class 67 at the rear bank the train up to our permitted maximum by Bromsgrove before allowing 6024 to take the train up the Lickey Incline. Unfortunately, the gauge that shows oil to the valves & pistons through the mechanical lubricator suddenly fell to "no oil" before Stoke Works Jc and the decision was taken to put the train into the loop to investigate the matter. As it turned out, it was the gauge that had failed, so we were soon back underway, but now it was more a case of the load shared up the bank rather than a concerted effort by 6024 alone. Still, 6024 put in some fine running around the Birmingham suburbs to cut a 15 minute defecite to only 2 mins by the time we'd arrived back into Bescot to bid farewell to our train and 2007.

22 December 07 - The Chester Chuffer

After 3 long & testing months away, 6024 made it's return to mainline running with Past Time Rail's Chester Chuffer, hauling the train from Bescot to Chester and back. Departure was slightly delayed owing to the late arrival of the train, but once 6024 and support coach was backed down onto the train, the intention to make up the defecit was soon apparent. Rising to the challenge the loco was soon powering the 13 coach load up the rising grades before being checked at Bushbury Jct. Once away again and on now on a falling gradient we were soon running at our permitted maximum past Gailey, before being checked again through Penkridge as well as at Stafford Trent Valley Jc. Accelerating through Stafford and against the collar towards Whitmore summit the loco performed well lifting the 13 coach train into the mid 60's before Madeley before cruising into Crewe station some 10 minutes ahead of schedule. The line to Chester is in the majority slightly downhill and 6024 made the job look easy rolling into Chester 3 minutes ahead of time for turning & servicing (not to mention Christmas lunch for the support crew).

Back onto the stock and into the platform it was soon time for the return journey and once again it was a pretty effortless run to Crewe. After the long stop for watering (and roasted chestnuts) it was time to depart and the climb of Madeley Bank which is a little steeper in this direction with 3 miles of 1 in 177. 6024 soon dug into the task and with plenty of vigour had the train in the mid 50's and climbing before topping the last mile or so of 1 in 348 at 62mph. From then on it was easy running to Stafford, before climbing again to Bushbury Jc passing Penkridge at 60 mph on the way to slowing at Bushbury and the turn down to Bescot for an on time arrival.

It had been a very sucessful day for loco, support crew and society and a fine return to mainline running.

4 December 07 - Bristol Barton Hill - Bescot TMD

During the small hours of Tuesday morning 6024, coupled with the water wagon, support coach and EWS diesel undertook a test run to Weston Super Mare and back from Bristol to check out the bearing and motion repair. With everything satisfactory the consist proceeded onto EWS's Bescot depot via the Welsh Marches.

Picture 1

The loco is now in position for it's next booked run, at the head of Past Time Rail's "Chester Chuffer" on Saturday 22nd December.