Last train from Bridgnorth (For a while at least)

olly5764 · Feb 1, 2008

southyorkshireman said:

Funny how people are always happy to take a demotion when theres glory involved! \/
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Well, most of our inspectors do still do regular turns too, normally, I am one of these people that backs away from glory turns, and leaves them to some one else, but in this case, in light of me being the last one over the line before it got washed away, it would be fitting.

jtx · Feb 18, 2008

Great story, Ian and nicely written. You should send it to the SVR News. I know people have seen it on here, but there will be plenty more who haven't. Timing is about right with re-opening imminent.

Regards,

John

olly5764 · Feb 19, 2008

jtx said:

Great story, Ian and nicely written. You should send it to the SVR News. I know people have seen it on here, but there will be plenty more who haven't. Timing is about right with re-opening imminent.

Regards,

John
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Have been thinking about it John, was a little reluctant cos I wasn't sure if people would like it or be interested.

olly5764 · Feb 24, 2008

mendiprail said:

So are you also going to be on the first train back over the full length of the line then?

That was very well written, most enjoyable =D>
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I have finally seen a copy of the guards roster, and yes, I am working the first service train from Kidderminster back into Bridgnorth! Hopefully, it is a nice final twist to a horible chapter in Severn Valley history.

mendiprail · Feb 25, 2008

olly5764 said:

I have finally seen a copy of the guards roster, and yes, I am working the first service train from Kidderminster back into Bridgnorth! Hopefully, it is a nice final twist to a horible chapter in Severn Valley history.
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Very good, can you see much evidence of the floods from the train still, or is it all hidden away?

olly5764 · Feb 26, 2008

mendiprail said:

olly5764 said:

I have finally seen a copy of the guards roster, and yes, I am working the first service train from Kidderminster back into Bridgnorth! Hopefully, it is a nice final twist to a horible chapter in Severn Valley history.
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Very good, can you see much evidence of the floods from the train still, or is it all hidden away?
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I dunno, I ain't taken a train over there yet!

mendiprail · Feb 27, 2008

olly5764 said:

mendiprail said:

olly5764 said:

I have finally seen a copy of the guards roster, and yes, I am working the first service train from Kidderminster back into Bridgnorth! Hopefully, it is a nice final twist to a horible chapter in Severn Valley history.
Click to expand...

Very good, can you see much evidence of the floods from the train still, or is it all hidden away?
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I dunno, I ain't taken a train over there yet!
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Oh right, have to wait then...

14xx Lover · Feb 29, 2008

mendiprail said:

olly5764 said:

I have finally seen a copy of the guards roster, and yes, I am working the first service train from Kidderminster back into Bridgnorth! Hopefully, it is a nice final twist to a horible chapter in Severn Valley history.
Click to expand...

Very good, can you see much evidence of the floods from the train still, or is it all hidden away?
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you can see clearly where the damage was to the line and where the work has been done.

Stu in Torbay · Feb 29, 2008

olly5764 said:

mendiprail said:

So are you also going to be on the first train back over the full length of the line then?

That was very well written, most enjoyable =D>
Click to expand...

I have finally seen a copy of the guards roster, and yes, I am working the first service train from Kidderminster back into Bridgnorth! Hopefully, it is a nice final twist to a horible chapter in Severn Valley history.
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Then, add this to the tale and it would make a great 'article' for a future SVR book about the floods. Great story!

olly5764 · Mar 19, 2008

14xx Lover said:

you can see clearly where the damage was to the line and where the work has been done.
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Indeed you can, but it is well disguised. The streaches I saw the other day between Bridgnorth and Hampton Loade have been landscaped very well, so you have to know where to look.

14xx Lover · Mar 31, 2008

Well at least you cant see much in the dark when your out on the footplate lol

olly5764 · Jun 12, 2008

As a hopefully final, and definatly planned twist, I am working the last train of the day (and therefore as close to the same diagram as we can) on June the 19th 2008. I am not one for superstition, but I hope it doesn't rain!

Matt37401 · Dec 10, 2014

I remember that infamous day well, at the time I was working on the dray for Bathams that day and we had just dropped the beer off at Bridgnorth, when 7802 steamed in. Very difficult trying to get 20 odd cases of Daniel Bathams finest into the buffet store with a trainload disembarking, then trying to get out of the car park with folks wanting their photo taken in front of the Bathams lorry! I remember the rain coming down that evening, and thinking 'this is bad'.....

jtx · Dec 18, 2014

I was on Ian's train, with a number of mates, having been to Ray's funeral. The journey back was superb, 4566 seemed particularly effervescent and the weather was wonderful, blue sky with big puffball cumulus clouds. I even left my beer to go and hang out of the door a few times. There was no hint of what was to come.

One of my mates rang the following morning to say, "The Railway's been destroyed."

Matt37401 · Dec 19, 2014

I'd like to think that the storm that night has done a lot of good. It's certainly shown that as a movement we all really stand together. Id also like to think the legacy of that awful night stands not at the SVR but at a railway that shares the same initials as the GWR. As the old proverb goes 'Miricles we can achieve, the impossible take a little while longer'

jtx · Dec 21, 2014

I wrote this following the re-opening. I hope you enjoy it.

Regards,

John

RE – BIRTH
Back in the old routine

“Well,” (to paraphrase Sam Gamgee in the last line of The Lord Of The Rings), “We’re back.”

Easter Monday

It is 0630 and the nose poking from the warmth of my sleeping bag is informing me that the temperature inside riding van 55 is distinctly on the chilly side. The van has been kindly loaned to us for the week, by Inspector John Price and is parked in the Down Yard at Bewdley. It is both comfortable and convenient, being a ten – second stroll from the Rock Siding, where our engine is parked. My fireman, Colin Astbury, who is berthed in the opposite end compartment, has already left, clanging noises emanating from 5164, 4 tracks away, giving a clue to his current whereabouts.

Across the van from where I am lying on 3 first class coach cushions atop a tool locker, Colin’s dad, Alf, our guest for Monday and Tuesday, similarly recumbent, is yawning and stretching before we both bite the bullet, unzip our respective cocoons and dress hastily in our preparation gear. Then it’s out of the van and across to Colin’s office in the Carriage Department, for a wash and shave and a quick brew, savouring the warmth from the large “Romesse” stove, which Colin has lit, before signing on and walking out into the cold, wet morning.

Across the barrow crossing, I can see 5164, my engine, with a plume of grey smoke rising vertically towards the gloomy overcast, the blower on slightly. To the left of it is the Black Five, also with smoke curling lazily from its chimney and to the left of that, the unfamiliar shape of the ex – Somerset & Dorset 2–8–0, no. 88, adding its own contribution to the “atmosphere.” An assortment of cleaners is beavering away and all looks most industrious. I would love to have a nose at no. 88, but it is 0650 and we are due off shed at 0845. Alf sets about doing the outside motion and tops, while I get a couple of cans of warm oil from Colin and head underneath to deal with the axle boxes and valve gear. Alf has been coming with us twice a year since I passed out as a driver and Colin first signed with me. He has, over the ensuing ten years, become a competent fireman, to his justifiable pride. As well as a normal feeder, I have with me a can that Colin found and restored. It is cylindrical and contains a thumb – operated pump, not in itself unusual, but the spout is a spiral – wound armoured flexible tube, which can be twisted and bent to reach all sorts of awkwardly located oil points and deliver precise amounts of oil to them. It’s a smashing bit of kit and I’d love to acquire one for myself.

When the preparation work is complete, we get cleaned up and changed and, bang on time, I go to ring off shed. As the shed exit dummy comes off, we ease off shed, 5164 emitting vast clouds of steam from her cylinder drain cocks as I allow the cylinders to warm up and get rid of any condensation. This continues until we are about at the signalbox, then I shut the cocks and we can see where we are going. Colin calls, “Green,” for the section signal and I open the regulator just a touch, letting the engine make is own way as it warms through gradually. A few minutes later we are at Kidderminster, the boiler is filled, we top the tanks up at the column, then shunt out to the points and back on to our set in Platform 1. After tying us to the train and starting to steam – heat the stock, Colin sets about the most serious business of the morning. The cooking shovel is cleaned off, the fire is just right and in short order, the three of us are eating bacon and sausage sandwiches, with a lid of tea apiece. This has to be tasted to be believed and puts our world to rights, as a gratifyingly large number of passengers begins to fill up our train.

“Rightaway!” calls Colin, I yank the chain and 5164’s whistle shrills out high and clear across the town. With drain cocks once again open, as we have been standing for an hour, I ease open the regulator and the Prairie loafs out with its well – filled train, Bridgnorth – bound for the first time (for me) since the preceding Easter. The other side of Bewdley tunnel, the distant is off for Bewdley South and, as we roll past the Safari Park, already getting busy, the magnificent bracket signal comes into view, Colin calls, “Green, Number One,” and I can see the distant is off for Bewdley North too. Sure enough, as I slow for the 10mph station restriction, I can see, as we negotiate the crossover on to the Down Main, the home signal on the goods shed and the starter signal at the far end of Platform 1 are both showing clear. I coast in and brake the engine to a stand with the cab at the far end of Bewdley North signalbox, Colin neatly collecting the token for the Bewdley – Highley section which the signalman is holding out of his window, as we slide past. As we are bunker – first, this leaves the first coach right on the end of the platform and the maximum amount of train in, this being quite a short platform.

I am keenly anticipating the rest of the journey, like looking forward to seeing an old friend. As we enter the section, the exhaust sharpens as I begin to accelerate the train up the rising gradient to Orchard Cottage. Familiar patterns slot into place almost sub – consciously, shut – off points, braking locations, Northwood crossing and Halt, slow down to 10mph then open up once the crossing is blocked. As we accelerate away, I look down on the soil nailing works at Northwood Lane; not a lot to see for 600 grand, although I know that the appearance belies the reality of what lies underneath. Vegetation will soon hide the scars. Over the check – rail curve, we accelerate to line speed past the Elan Valley aqueduct. I shut off, leaving a breath of steam on. We coast round the curve at Folly Point and I glance back, seeing 8 Great Western coaches, following our copper – capped chimney smoothly, barely a ripple over this newly – laid and tamped track. Heads are hanging out of windows and all is well with my world as I open up a bit to maintain our speed as we start to climb the slight gradient which peaks by the waterworks, before dropping away again through Eyemore Cutting to Victoria Bridge.

Arley is all gleaming new paint and as pretty as it ever was; along Kinlet, new vistas are opening up where the tree – cutting gang has worked steadily away through the closed period. At Borle Viaduct, the new work is very evident; the brook on the Severn side has been beautifully dredged and sculpted towards its confluence with the big river. As we clear Fisherman's Crossing and accelerate away towards Stanley Cutting and Highley, we cross the site of one of the big landslips and my mind drifts back to the day last summer, when Baz, Chris Baines and I stood on its brink, staring in horror and dismay, as we had at Highley a half – hour previously. It seems a lifetime ago now, but we were all wondering would we actually make it. We had seen the widely – published photographs, but, shocking as they were, reality was worse.

Back to reality, John, whistle for the foot crossing then shut off to drift through Stanley and on to the reverse curves; 15mph here, the minimum spacing between the reverse, one 60 foot straight length. Any less than that and a coach would flex as it tried to go in two different directions at the same time. As we leave the cutting, the new jewel in the crown swings into view, the Engine House in all its glory (Tesco to the locals apparently). I like it and think it is quite an imposing structure; I know some don't, chacun à son goût, as they say. I think it's wonderful that our out – of - service engines can be displayed in such a setting and that the public can get up close and personal with them. I'm looking forward to having a good look round and sitting on that magnificent balcony with a coffee and a brandy snifter. I know they don't sell brandy, but I'm an enterprising soul. Still looking forward, the home signal is red, a handsignalman displaying a clear green flag at its base. An acknowledging whistle, then we are rolling into the station, Colin exchanging tokens with the signalman. At a stand, our train disgorges a considerable number of passengers, evidently museum – bound and thwarted in their intent, because our train is blocking the barrow crossing. I believe plans are afoot to restore the footbridge here, which will alleviate the problem. As it is, it is evident now and throughout the day that a bit of timetable tweakery will be required to cater for the, hopefully, large numbers of passengers who will want to use the station.

Away again, the big Prairie makes short work of Highley Bank, that glorious exhaust bark clearly audible at Arley, so the staff tell me. Halfway up the bank is a particularly warming sight; one of the chalet owners has tied a large and well – made sign to the railway side of his hedge. It says simply, "Welcome Back." Thank you; that means a great deal. Through the woods, the scent of wild garlic is becoming evident, primroses are everywhere and daffodils are waving at us in the breeze. I wave back, it seems only polite. At Hampton Loade, we pass a gleaming 4566, then I have a loud chuff out of the station for the benefit of the miniature railway mob, who have paused operations to watch. A canter along Waterworks through Little Rock to Sterns, exactly at line speed on a breath of steam, is followed by an equally precise run up Eardington Bank. We are a couple of minutes ahead of time and I am in no hurry as we roll down Knowlesands Bank to a right – time arrival in Bridgnorth. As we pass a resplendent “Erlestoke Manor” waiting to depart in Platform 1, it feels as though I have never been away. That was my re – opening train.

Colin takes us back, an uneventful journey, except that, as we are rolling to a stand at Highley, a couple of people run across the barrow crossing in front of us, causing Colin to drop anchor a little sharper than he intended, to stop short of the crossing, instead of over it. The trains are extremely busy and the balcony at the Engine House is lined end to end with photters. Each time we enter Highley, the platform resembles Platform 11 at New Street at five o'clock at night, thankfully without the Stygian gloom, the fumes, the overhead wires and the extremely irritating electronic station announcer.

That evening, Denise at the "Waggon and Horses", feeds us regally, three chicken curries, rice and a bowl of chips. After that and two or three pints of Batham's (divine), I am drooping and ready for bed. The walk back to the station wakes me up, but after a short while in the van, with the Great Western stove roaring, I climb into my sleeping bag while Colin and Alf are still yakking and know nothing until the morning.

Tuesday

…is a repeat of Monday, same engine, different set and different timetable with slightly fewer passengers. In the evening, we bid farewell to Alf, off to hearth and home on the Wirral, with the bottle of 16 – year old Lagavulin, which I gave him to thank him for restoring my oil shunting lamp, an absolutely beautiful job. Colin and I head for the "Waggon," for dinner, a couple of pints and another early night.

Wednesday

We have swapped engines and have the Black Five today. I absolutely love this machine. Ivan Whitehouse arrives for his day, early enough, to my delight, to have an oil feeder thrust into his hand and be pointed at the left – hand valve gear, whilst I go underneath again. Ivan does his usual fine job on the shovel, and then takes the second trip back to Bridgnorth, happy as ever to be driving a Midland engine. He comes for couple of pints with us, before obligingly dropping us in Bewdley Town, where we partake of an entirely unexceptional Chinese meal before walking back to the "Waggon" to wash it down.

Thursday

This day starts beautifully, cold, crisp and clear. We are still on the Five, but are second engine off this time. We travel up coupled to the other engine, because we are ready early anyway. Phil Bilboe, on 5164, treats us to a sparkling run to Kidderminster. I have a vivid memory of the Prairie, white steam, lit underneath by the sun, bright against the sky, streaming over us on the Five, rushing into the tunnel, whistle shrieking. We split the engines at the gantry and go on to our respective water columns, before backing on to our stock. Pete Holder, a young Bewdley cleaner, is with us for the day and hooks on. We then push the stock back to the stop blocks and disappear sharpish to AJ's café on the adjacent industrial estate, for a mega – brek. We have a very good day, Pete making an extremely creditable job of firing the Five all day. That evening, we have a bit of a shunt, as 42968, which was in the Down Yard next to our van, is our engine for the morning. I dispose the Five, whilst Colin brings 2968 into steam, so that it can shunt over to us. We had earlier dropped 5164 behind the signal on Platform 3, as it is on a lunchtime charter tomorrow.

Friday

A cheery, “Good Morning, John,” announces the arrival of our guest today and a hand extends between the wheels of 42968, under which I am standing, to shake my oily mitt. Paul Lewin, the General Manager of the Ffestiniog Railway, has been invited by Colin to share our footplate today and I have been looking forward to meeting him. He proves an amiable companion and a most competent footplateman, only wanting to know the state of the “road” ahead of him and working the rest out himself. He fires the first double trip and makes a fine job of it, despite the Mogul being somewhat larger than his normal charges on the FR & WHR, although, from conversation, he reckons their coal consumption is very similar to ours! At Bewdley, on the way back, our G. M, Nick Ralls comes to say hello and he and Paul have time for a few minutes chat before Colin blasts us out, determined to recover the delay occasioned by the slightly late arrival of the Down train.
On the trip back to Bridgnorth, Paul takes the driver’s seat and, as with the firing, I merely give him information as to the line, signals and suggested stopping marks, so as not to interrupt his concentration and enjoyment. Like any experienced engineman, he quickly gets the feel of the train and a smooth and pleasant journey ensues. At Bridgnorth, we take 42968 on shed and transfer our gear to 4566, which is waiting on the departure road, oiled, coaled and watered, ready for us. Paul returns to the shovel to do battle with this new stranger.
Our journey back has two unusual interruptions. As I am chuffing steadily out of Bridgnorth towards the section signal, it goes back to danger in my face. This does absolutely nothing for a driver’s peace of mind and I bring the train quickly to a stand, much to the surprise of Colin and Paul, who could not see the signal because of the mound of coal in the bunker. We are a coach length past as I turn and look back at the signal, which is now clear again! Beginning to wonder if I’m seeing things and cursing under my breath, I ring the ‘box on my mobile to ask what is happening. “Sorry, driver,” says the signalman, “trainee threw the wrong lever back.”
Breathing a sigh of relief, I get us under way again and all goes swimmingly until we leave Highley. Here the Up Starter and Down Home signals have yet to be re-connected to the ‘box and handsignalmen are in position to clear the trains past the two signals, which are at danger. Chuffing past Dick Lewis, the handsignalman, I am looking back, watching the rest of the train out, when I see him throw his green flag down and scrabble for his red one. With a heavy sigh, I brake to a stop again and Dick scampers to close the part – open door he has spotted. The rest of the journey is seamless, all three of us noting how smoothly 4566 rides, compared to the tender – first antics of 42968. Roll on the second turntable. Well, that’s the week done, five twelve – hour days gone by in what feels like five minutes. I must be enjoying myself. So will you, dear reader; see you soon, I hope. We’re back.

PS This was written nearly 8 years ago. Colin is now a driver, Ivan Whitehouse, an ex - Bushbury fireman is an old friend and SVR volunteer and comes with me once or twice a year. Paul Lewin has become a good friend and visits as many times a year as he can get away from his demanding day job. In return, Colin and I have visited the F & WHR at least once a year for a couple of days and have a wonderful time amongst great people, a number of whom have visited the SVR in return. Olly5764 has been dragged around the Valley by me on several occasions and we have also shared a footplate. The SVR, thankfully, continues to prosper.
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olly5764 · Dec 23, 2014

I am pleasantly surprised how interest in two of my older tales has been re-awakened! I promise I will send this to the Magazine in time for the 10th anniversary!

Matt37401 · Dec 23, 2014

It's the way you tell 'em! As I say I think that evening has left a decent legacy not just at the SVR but around the country.

olly5764 · Dec 24, 2014

Matt37401 said: ↑

It's the way you tell 'em! As I say I think that evening has left a decent legacy not just at the SVR but around the country.
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I hope you are right mate!

jtx · Dec 24, 2014

olly5764 said: ↑

I hope you are right mate!
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Ian,

Merry Christmas!!

John

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