Favourite/best Preservation Moment

So many moments in 49 years of involvement in preservation.

For me I think it has to be the first two "Steam on the Met" sessions. At the time I think it was unique for volunteer footplate crew to operate over a public railway amongst LUL's paid staff. Firing from Watford (Met) to Chesham, then the following year Amersham to Harrow and return. Driving within LUL Neasden and Ruislip depots. Riding the cushions on the steam hauled ECS Neasden to Upminster.

 

In a similar vein, the day in 1980 when the SVR hosted two incoming railtours on the same day and the announcement went out over the Bridgnorth PA, "The next service will call at Bewdley, Basingstoke, Winchester, Eastleigh and Southampton. Change at Bewdley for Leeds, Keighley, Haworth and Oxenhope."

 

The social side of volunteering I think is extremely important, especially in attracting and retaining younger volunteers. When I volunteered I often referred to it as Après Trains, as in Après Ski, although health and safety would allow the level of alcohol I had in my system, judging from hangovers, some mornings when lighting up.

When I volunteered there seem to be two distinct crowds. The train enthusiasts who where never happier than discussing obscure minutiae of anything related to railways and those that would be talking about sport, music, or whatever. Basically most things but railways.

I would therefore probably revise my original answer in line with yours in that my best preservation moment is like yours really an era and would be probably 82 - 90 This was post being an obnoxious brat when I first volunteered in the late 70's and the start of family responsibilities.

 

glad u liked it, MY VIDEO

 

Watch it quite often. Thanks for posting it.

You got enough 'Likes', anyway!

 

A few - the first trip into Blaenau Ffestiniog in 1982 after the line reopened. Also, the riding the MHR as it gradually extended until running to Alton for the first time, and the SVR to Kidderminster. The sense that ‘this is new’. You only get that experience once.

A couple of cab rides, a Jinty on the East Somerset. I was taken by my grandfather who was not one for talking and him telling me about seeing them when he was a child. A cab ride on CP2860 around the station at North Vancouver as they were shunting.

Hinton Manor on the Cambrian Coast from Shrewsbury (?) to Barmouth.

And finally, I have a very fond memory of helping with a bogie exam with someone who people said was difficult but was actually very nice to work with. My memories of volunteering are soured by having unfortunately spent time with the most unpleasant people I have ever dealt with so, when I think back to my time volunteering I tend to try to remember the good days and the nice people.

 

Mine has to be pottering over to the NRM to see the Great Gathering of the 6 preserved A4's. I went late on soas to try to get all 6 with few people in front of them. At 10 to 6pm, just before the museum shut, I got my chance
Well done to Steve Davis for his determination to make it happen

 

Very biased with Steam on the Cambrian in the late 1980's early 1990's and The Parents having a Caravan just outside Tywyn, it really made steam trains seem almost the norm having 7819, 46443 and 75069 both at home and on holiday! I think I get my love for these classes and possibly my love for 37/4's from then!

 

It's not a moment as such but my favourite duty was on the three Ivatts IOW gala, I lucked out on the shift which drove one tank double headed for a trip, stepped back onto the other for a trip by itself then had lunch and took over the tender loco for a trip double headed then assorted posing shots.

As an alternative as a seven or eight year old boy visiting the Bluebell, my pal and I were invited into the footplate of Bluebell itself running the extension shuttles, with no warning the driver then happily drove off with us both on board!

 

Wouldn't say it was my favourite moment but it was the moment that got to me the most when I worked out why it was happening.

No9 whistling the whole length of Doncaster station on 15/02/20 on what will probably be it's last run through its place of construction. Haunting, I was glad to be in the lead passenger vehicle to hear it. Seems a whole lifetime ago now (and not just seven weeks)

Andrew

 

I volunteered for the NYMR stand for about 4 days. Meant I had to be there up to an hour before it opened.
Nobody in the way on my photos, other than those who paid to be in early.

 

Unoriginal - people have posted two of these before - but I'll go for three:
1. 11th September 1992. Being at Waterloo to see Taw Valley's movements before that run to Bournemouth. Just seeing the shock on commuters' faces as she simmered on the blocks, and then the crowds on the end of the platforms to watch departure.
2. Easter 1993. Another Taw Valley trip, testing the limits of what was allowed on the 3rd rail. A booked water stop at Basingstoke was not taken, so left Basingstoke nearly 20 early. Sent out onto the Up Fast, and then given the beans for the run up to Waterloo. I was lucky enough as a callow student to be sat with people who'd been out before steam ended on the Southern, who had some very happy grins on their faces. I did feel for the friend who'd been to see the train at Salisbury, and planned to watch it come through Surbiton - but saw us overtake him near Byfleet instead...
3. Great Gathering. I remember arriving half an hour or so before opening, and seeing the queue outside; all with one intent for a once in a lifetime experience. Just special.

 

Another couple of my favourite memories are seeing the first "In steam" movements of 34039 Boscastle, in the shed yard at Loughborough in 1993 after its 20 year restoration and seeing 71000 Duke of Gloucester, as a 4-4-2-2 pulling its first train......Project Impossible!!

 

Mentioning 71000, brings another memory back, when she was at the East Lancs. We were due to drive Ian Riley's 45407 Black Five, but she failed on the morning.

Instead we had 40145 for the morning whilst the support crew brought 71000 round, after kindly coming back to the loco.

Then had an afternoon, never to be forgotten, driving a swiss watch of a loco, looking forward to seeing her back soon.

 

I think the person who did the announcements also created the nameplates out of plywood, B&Q floor tiles and aerosol grey primer. I certainly remember enlarging templates of GWR extended serif lettering on the work photocopier.

Cheers, Neil

 

One that will always stay with me - although I confess I can't remember the date or even the year!

Early-mid '90's, I can't have been very old. Going with my Dad on a dark evening to Balcombe Station on the Brighton mainline to await Taw Valley on a northbound late railtour from Brighton. I remember the station was relatively busy with photters and the public, but they lapsed into dead silence as the sound of the speeding train approached from the Ouse Valley. This was followed by a shriek on that wonderful Bulleid whistle as she tore through the station at (seemingly) full pelt in the dark, showering sparks. One of those experiences that left a lasting impression on me as a kid, and I genuinely still get goosebumps thinking about it.

 

I made the trip to Brighton Station for Taw Valley's arrival (from London Bridge IIRC). As this was the first steam at the terminus since (????) there was a fair smattering of dignitaries and press (our Mayor turned out), the Brighton Buses silver band was there ... all of us caught completely on the hop when the train emerged from the gloom several minutes early! I was told pathing meant signallers thought it best to give the special a clear path through Croydon ..... and a most magnificent sight it was too. That was a very special and emotional moment indeed.

Somewhere, I've got a photo of Gladstone (cold, of course) at Brighton on the Lewes side. I seem to recall Stepney put in an appearance too Can't recall the year. That would've been the first time since the late 1920s Brighton had hosted two Stroudley 0-4-2s .... well, the town at any rate, since the other one is the fantastic model of D2 Cosmo Bonsor which graces the municipal museum.

 

December 1993 I think. I remember watching the southbound run through Redhill (and the one the day before with 75069) Steam in the south then was very rare (bit like now......)

Andrew

 

well prompted 35B - I was on 34027's first arrival into Waterloo on 10th April 1993 including 84mph past Woking if my note book is correct? My notes also capture 'first steam arrival into London Waterloo since July 1967' - I assume this was accurate? Brought a tear of joy to the eye though!

 

both fabulous achievements Phil. I visited regularly being eager to see 34039 turn a wheel and travelled behind her on 22nd Nov 1992 recording it as 'Boscasltle's first public steaming'. I then did likewise for sister 34101 and witnessed it steam alongside sister 39 on 2nd May 1994. Magical