Embsay Harvest of Steam - 26/27 September 2009

I'll be fighting you for Embsay box on one of the days.....

It'll be the first gala turn I can actually do, EVER!

Still - we've got it covered between us !

 

This years gala will be attended by owners representatives for "Darfield" to prevent such stupid and irresposible behaviour happening again. I noted last year how E&BASR crews didnt flog their own locos in such a manner but were happy to do it to "Darfield" as no expense is incurred for damage caused to such a hire loco! For all you people who enjoy seeing locos "hammered" just remember that someone OWNS them and they cannot be replaced when they are worn out or broken by heavy handed "drivers" who just want to act like childish boy racers. Needless to say, those in question probably arent loco owners and wont have money in locos or loco groups...

As "Darfield" now remains the ONLY working service loco at Embsay, crews would be wise to take better care of it before they find themselves a totally diesel operated railway...

 

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I'd heard Monkton had been subject to further weld repairs last weekend were they not successful?
As for the thrashing of engines why is it those who are great advocates of it never have to pick up the pieces nor the consequences of such actions?

 

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Fares structure will be the decider for me, if same as diesel gala, count me in!

From July 2009: (Day Rover Tickets Now Only: Adults: £12, Children: £5)

Will it be the same or cheaper?

 

Unless you hadnt noticed, Hunslet Engine Co. Manning Wardle, Hudswell Clarke etc are no longer companies that build locos for industry that can be abused and then returned for overhaul neither are they around to be contacted for cheap spare parts. Steam locos are expensive machines and if treated well will give many years good service. Uneccisary hard working of locos costs vast amounts of money- not just in increased coal consumption for the operator but forking out on expensive repairs to overworked locos, leaking tubes and stays, worn big ends, hot boxes and other results of "thrashing". Perhaps your press secratary is not aware of these costs or has an inexhaustive supply of cash with which to repair locos? The bottom line is, these locos are PRESERVED and no longer need to be hammered into the ground as they would be by the NCB, steel corporation or other operators in the past. They deserve good care and maintenance and a standard of proffesional behavour from their operators which if neglected will result in damged or broken locos that will never likely run again due to prohibitive restoration/repair costs! For example- a loco operator would not likely ignore adding boiler treatment to a loco just because "if it breaks we build a new one"...

May I guess that 3855 is a member of a loco group or is an engineman who agrees with this, as do most concientious loco operators as they do not enjoy "picking up the pieces"!?!

 

What's the "Fonmon"??

And I notice from your website that "Ann" is operational? Could I ask why she couldn't be use for station rides, yard shunter maybe? Or a banker? Ok I realise cost & crewing maybe an issue but you'll get the usual steam enthusasists that turn up for exactly what is advertised and when they see it isn't there they'll be voicing their foul opinions to everyone and anyone

And also the crews of Darfield did play around with us last year, did she break during the event or after?

 

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Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but as you dont actually OWN Darfield, nor have you spent years restoring it to working order, you are not a position to dictate how it should be operated. If a loco owner takes the position of flogging locos for the hell of it because he can afford to spend time reparing it and increasing the amount of maintenance, thats fine, but dont expect everyone to endorse that as we dont all regard that as "Preserving" a loco for future generations to enjoy. Most Railways, I imagine Embsay included, need relaibility and steady performance from their locos, not ones that needs excessive maintenance due to the effects of high speeds and heavy handed driving. Industrials were built for hauling heavy loads but most only handled shorter distance journeys at low speed running. That does NOT equate to hauling 5 Mk1s at 25mph up 1in100 for miles at a time!

 

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To try and answer several separate issues, prices will be the same as the diesel gala:

£12 adult day rover
£5 child day rover

£20 weekend rover

As far as only coming though expecting a loco to be thrashed, this is a very irresponsible attitude. There is no intention from the organisers that any locomotives should be thrashed to death. EVER. The timetable does not require 25mph running to keep up with things. Neither does it mean that a loco is being thrashed, just because it is being worked hard.

Similarly, locos do not need to be clagging loads either, so please, no suggestions of buring tyres to make smoke - I somehow think the environment agency would take a dim view.

As I posted earlier, Monckton's repair was initially successful, but as we always knew, the firebox would probably not make it through ten years, and this has been demonstrated. Sadly the other overhauls have taken a lot longer than anticipated and we do not yet have the other engines in service. No doubt it will be like waiting for buses to come along! (fingers crossed for next year)

If you visit this year, you will have plenty to see and experience. Please call in!

 

Ann

Ann, whilst within a 10-yearly ticket, is currently requiring an inspection. The safety valves need rebuilding, but they are of the sentinel type, which it would appear no-one has tackled yet (Sentinel owners' group). The problem is that they stick open. This, combined with the smaller water space in the new boiler (don't ask me - this dates back over 20 years) means it is not in use at the moment.
Hopefully we will get round the issue, but all efforts have been focused on the engines that actually can work the line. All being well, Ann will be on display, and we should have some guided shed tours if staff are willing to take people round.

 

I wouldn't shout that too loud before a diesel gala...

 

Thanks Tim for clarifying that.

 

Thanks Tim

That keeps us in attendance for a visit.

Has the revised timetable/roster been finished yet?

Best Regards

 

timetable

I'm hoping to be able to publish the public timetable tomorrow after double checking it tonight. So far no-one has found any problems - I'm hopeful that we won't find any other issues tonight!!

 

Timetable:

I'll try and put the more complete timetable on the website shortly. In the meantime...
(note it does not include the goods trains, or the Bow Bridge services or the loco moves - no time to type more)

Passenger departures from Embsay (to Bolton Abbey)

10:30 78019 + 4x MkI
11:10 Darfield + Vintage
11:50 D.5600 + 4x MkI
13:10 Darfield + Vintage
13:50 D.5600 + 4x MkI
14:30 78019 + Vintage
15:50 78019 + 4x MkI
16:30 D.5600 + Vintage (!)
17:10 Darfield + 4x MkI

Passenger Departure from Bolton Abbey

11:10 78019 + 4x MkI
11:50 Darfield + Vintage
13:10 D.5600 + 4x MkI
13:50 Darfield + Vintage
14:30 D.5600 + 4x MkI
15:50 78019 + Vintage
16:30 78019 + 4x MkI
17:10 D.5600 + Vintage (!)
17:40 Darfield + 4x MkI (+78019 from Stoneacre)

Hope to be able to arrange some shed tours round about lunch time at Embsay, subject to finding people available to take passengers round who may be interested...

 

1110 from Bolton Abbey! Will have to start from Embsay I think.

 

15.50 from embsay and bolton abbey both 78019??