A Small Prairie "Santa Special"...

Its beginning to look a lot like Christmas! This morning, early but certainly not bright, myself & JB met up at the gates of Shackerstone Station on the Battlefield Line. Signing in at 6am, we were rostered to crew visiting 4575 Class Small Prairie Tank No5542 which is spending the festive season on the ex-ANJR metals. Stumbling through the gloom to reach the loco shed, we fell in the door and unloaded our countless carrier bags in the real mess area. 5542 was stood over the pit awaiting us, complete with "Santa Express" headboard and chimney cap...

Whilst JB mercilessly punched the tea boiler into life (one of these days it'll come off the wall!), I clambered up into the cab to check the state of affairs: 3/4 of a glass in the boiler, 20psi still on the gauge and a fairly clean grate which wouldn't require too much exhaustion to clean with the irons. Time was certainly on our side this morning - for a change. I removed the chimney cap before opening the smokebox door and emptying the ashes. A thorough check around in there revealed all was well and so I swept the smokebox ring and door before locking it up and returning to the cab. A good seal on the smokebox door is paramount so as to achieve the optimum vacuum required for good steaming. After a flick around the firebox with the irons the grate was clean enough to light the embryo fire and following the usual checks (fusibles, stays, brick arch etc) I put the deflector back in before lighting up...

With a pile of rags blazing away on the layer of fresh coal I'd added, a good mound of dry wood was piled on top and then another round of coal. With the doors firmly closed and a good plume of smoke rising skyward from the warm chimney, it was time to enjoy JB's cuppa' in the shadow of the beaten remnants of the tea boiler. Whilst we supped the tea I'd put the hose in the pan wash pipe and the steady stream of water coming from beneath the engine showed it was working. JB later operated the pan doors (hydraulic you know!) whilst I scurried around in the hideous surroundings of the pit raking out the ashes. This is the true romance of steam - water in your boots, ash down your neck and grime just about everywhere it can get...but we do it for the love! With the pan done and steam rising nicely, JB passed through an oil feeder so that I could check and lubricate the inside Stephenson's motion. The Prairie carries a standard GWR arrangement with the movement of each piston valve provided by a pair of eccentrics on the driving axle via the expansion link, die-block and rocking arm. With the oiling done, JB rolled 5542 gently outside into the crisp Winter air...

Time was still very much on our side so we decided to polish the engine. I'd brought in my own metal cleaner and rags so I then buffed up the smokebox dart, door straps, handrails and of course the bonnet and whistles. We then polished the tanks, paraffin-oil washed the running boards and front step and cleaned the smokebox. By now time was nearing 9am and a quick sip of the next cuppa' was followed by a steamy stroll down to the coal pile in the North End sidings. The good luck ran out here as the Loadall refused to start meaning that we were unable to coal at the desired time when stress levels were low. Thankfully there was enough coal in the bunker to perform the 10am round trip so we put 42' over on the stock and began steam heating having watered on the column. All was ready...

5542 looked lovely all buffed up and once I'd lit the lamps (I love the atmosphere!) I wandered up onto Platform 1 to photograph her from the front. We were both worn out before the day had really started but our cleaning efforts showed I think...

"A Clean And Tidy 5542 Awaits The Off"

On time and with a train that was about 3/4 full, we departed Shackerstone in a cloud of steam. The "Santa" jobs have always been the same: slow to Market Bosworth, wait, slow to Shenton and then see how you are coming back...

5542 steamed steadily down to Bosworth through the leafless trees and we were soon waiting in the platform. "20 minutes" came the call so we stopped for a cuppa' from 'Jessie'. We also phoned ahead to Shenton to order the breakfast...

A steady wander down to the Battlefield was followed by a swift run round. Barbara kindly delivered the hot breakfast cobs to the footplate as we awaited departure with our shining steed. The Small Prairie looked lovely...

Departing Shenton we were asked to go steady to Bosworth whilst Santa himself saw the remaining families. Breakfast was duly devoured as 42' climbed steadily towards Far Coton with the needle hugging the red line and all things well...

Back at Shackerstone we went down for coal again - the Loadall had been jump started and was rumbling away to itself. Due to the time we were swamped with public from both directions - some departing, some arriving. Chris & Harry kindly stopped to help us as we couldn't handle the crowds in the yard and time was rolling around. We managed to fill the bunker, although a few lumps remained on the ground as we backed away in the panic to try to keep up time. Watered, coupled up and steam heat running, we departed Shackerstone only 5 minutes late on the Midday turn - not bad. Having performed a pretty similar operation to the first round trip, 5542 is captured simmering away at Market Bosworth with the returning train...

The engine was steaming very well, although the steam heat was gobbling up the water more than usual. Its a nice engine this - I like it...

Back at Shackerstone we ran round again, pausing for water at the column on route. Once back on the train I coupled up whilst JB fetched the Magnums. He kindly fired the 2pm train so that I could have a go on the handle. Gently did it and we were soon at Shenton awaiting the off in the right direction. The light was already fading at 3pm as the engine feathered at the head of the train...

The paraffin headlamps were still burning brightly...

After a pleasant trot through the Leicestershire countryside back to Shackerstone, 5542 was run round again before assuming her place at the head of the 4pm train. The festive station lighting was on as we awaited our late departure...

Departing into the darkness, 5542 steamed easily down to Bosworth. With less passengers on this train there wasn't much of a wait in the platform so we trotted on towards Shenton at line speed - well, we could of. Down at Shenton we ran round and recoupled to the northern end of the stock for the final time before departing homeward. Its a different world on the footplate at night: very atmospheric and somehow a lot more impressive. Back at Shackerstone we uncoupled the engine and drew away, allowing the passengers to cross into the car park via the barrow crossing. Once the hoards were clear, No7 disc was given allowing us to proceed to No11 ground frame and reach the loco shed. 5542 was soon back where she started...

"A Shining 5542 Takes A Breather In The Shed"

Cleaning the fire discovered a fairly dirty grate - thick with clinker. Its amazing really as the engine showed no signs of it with her performance and I'd put the iron through on the previous trip. David would have had a fit - there is only one rule in his mind for clinker...the incompetence of the man on the shovel! There you go David, I submit, it was clinkered mate! With the grate cleaned and embers deadened, the boiler was filled and the chimney capped before isolating the necessaries and cleaning the cab. A very nice day aboard 5542 once again, in the company of good friend and colleague JB. Thanks for reading all and, of course, Merry Christmas...