The "joys" of filth?

Shovelling out smokebox ash, especially on a big engine.

Incidentally, another good reason why all railways should only operate non-corridor vintage stock: coupling and uncoupling is much easier and, with more space available, it is easier to keep clean. Coupling up to a Mark 1 or Bulleid is a lot less pleasant than to a nice 4 wheeler, where you don't have a ruddy great corridor at shoulder height cutting the available space in half and making your overalls dirty!

Tom

 

Having witnessed a narrowly averted nasty accident, which only avoided distressing scenes in front of a Bank Holiday crowd because the "uncoupler" was beanpole thin, there are safety issues here as well. There is much to be said for the buckeye couplings on A4 tenders.

(Sorry to be straying from the subject a bit)

Paul

 

If you do everything correctly then coupling shouldn't be dangerous. Of course you have the risk of banging your head/ trapping your hand but they can be avoided if you're careful. Loco and train shouldn't be able to move while coupling is taking place.

 

Speaking of dangerous coupling methods, the chap in this video was very lucky not to be seriously injured!

SiF - Workman Crushed By Train - YouTube

An object lesson in why you should not stand between vehicles when a loco is buffering up, particularly when the other vehicle has no buffing gear!

And speaking of buckeye couplings on A4 tenders, wasn't there an incident some years ago where someone got caught by the buckeyes during coupling up?

 

It's not filth or lack of it that bothers me when I visit heritage railways as a 'normal' punter. It's the numbers of staff/ volunteers who seem to be enjoying themselves - much too often a happy few amongst blank faces, 'busy' body language and an unapproachable demeanour. After all, usually when someone's clarted it's for a reason: if they're doing a dirty job they enjoy it makes me happier if they can communicate that. Small children in particular seem fascinated by the idea that an adult can be allowed to get dirty and like it.