The Foxfield Steam Gala, 17/18th July 2010.

Speaking with no experience of gala organising whatsoever, but plenty of experience of attending galas, what would people think to a Friday evening event? Say (just for example) the visiting locomotive and maybe one other (Whiston or 2842 would seem logical) take a passenger train up to Dilhorne, leaving Blythe Bridge at 6-7ish, then do a few runs on the bank with freights, before returning to Blythe Bridge? Maybe add a bbq and a few ales? Ok it maybe wouldn't justify a long journey, but for those fairly locally or those staying for the weekend, it could be a good addition to the gala...

 

As an annual visitor I think there is room for Foxfield to expand the event. Unfortunately I think the night shoot idea is a non starter. Firstly it doesn't get dark until about ten in July (tonight at Snibstone the sky was still blue at 2130), the engines are the wrong way round on the shed, the yard is very full and most importantly the bar is open....

 

Some interesting points in the last few days. Firstly there will be charter on the Monday following Gala, details will be made public at the end of the month.

There may be folk who just want to pop in but we have to charge the full rate, if we dont make a small profit each year it will kill future events. We do offer value for money. I will have a think about Sat morning but there are othr factors to consider. All good stuff.

 

2842 was moving again on Sat, Tank not quite sitting down at the moment but all in all looking good. The only thing the team are worried about is the piston rods - not doubt its on the "to do" list. We need a small engine to pilot Bellerophon, plans for it to be 2842 this year as things stand.

Conformation has been recieved that the cylinder liner has been fitted to the rather tired cylinder from Dubs @ Statfold. This was always a major concern as it was in very poor condition. Boiler lifts in around ten days for Whiston & Dubs so we have it all to play for. I hope to dig out the crane from store by next w/e. Our painting dept are keen to turn apply the finish to this area before its own lift around a month after the boiler, lagging sheets now looking a lot better. If any one wants to help with the final push they will be most welcome.

 

Final plans will be agreed tonight, I will release the ID of the visiting engine in a weeks time.

New ashpan for Dubs lands on Sat, tanks and cab to be removed on Sunday and the boiler should land in the frames next week. Cylinder is finished and will be delivered on Wednesday, this is going to be a close run race !.

 

Hope the providers of the guest engine know that it needs to be nice and dirty.....less time cleaning means more time in the bar!

Good luck with the race Dave - I will be in the Midlands again over the next few weeks so hopefully may be able to help one evening?

Picture of a real industrial shed taken this week attached. All it needs is a grubby austerity!

PS just heard the castle whistle as it passes through Bath light to Barton Hill.

 

Dave, do you envisage any longer term problems with your "very tired" cylinder?

Are you planning to replace it in the long run?

I take it the locomotive is only going to be restricted to pulling itself?

 

Matt,

The Engineer's at Statfold have worked to the highest standards, I hope that the cylinder is set for its second century. We are after all restoring Dubsy - not wanting to build a new one ( at times I have thought that it would be quicker !! ).

The thing with crane tanks, and Dubs in particular, is that they were designed to shunt as well as lift. With a large boiler and 14 1/2 cylinders she is only a tadge down on Hawarden - and I always made her bark.

If she makes it ( smoke box went on & new ashpan arrived today so we are going for it ) she will at be Foxfield as pilot & will also do lifting demo's. She will work the bank, no reason why she can play with half a dozen trucks. After a major rebuild we need to run her in with care - and get to know her as a working engine.

 

That's true!

 

....and a very good reason for getting Dubs finished is because North Staffordshire has been very much quieter ever since Hawarden has been parked in the shed! Who will be pushing Whiston this year??

 

Pure coincidence, as it finished on the same day as Heath... Dave, if you're reading, feel free to see that as a challenge for the future!

 

I hope to start Hawarden in the Autumn - after a rest and after Dubsy has run in. We plan to use Dubsy on the bank in anger afer gala, after 12 years I think a small play is in order, so initial plans are to lift the boiler and take if from there. Job will be "the works", I have no doubt that it will keep me good for a year or two !.

Whiston will be fresh out of the box for gala - at this stage its looking like double heading with Wimblebury.

 

Something to look forward to!

 

Removed...

 

I remember the days when you and my dad were pondering performance on the bank with a domeless boiler, its going to be quite a sight to see and a very interesting and challenging learning curve.

Dont remind me about you and Hawardens regulator, I still remember the look on my mums face after coming home from the gala when it and 4388 had been paired up (4388 as the trailing loco!!!) i do believe overalls went straight in the bin and it took 2 weeks of scrubbing before i was something like clean!

I wish you well with her and about time I got myself up there, i havent seen you all in ages and Ive got some scrap brake blocks for mr Tweedy (something about fire bars??) that ive been told need delivering as well.

 

Domeless it is in the conventional mode, the steam pipe and regulator are very strange - the pipe is just over half the length of the barrel. At midships the pipe has four tubes that protrude at 90 degrees and act as "dry" steam collectors - about 1" from the top of the barrel. My understanding is that there were never poblems at Cranmore - time will tell.

The madness continues, she was towed out in to the day light today along with Whiston. The valve gear, axleboxes and brakes all seemed to get along well with each other - cab and tanks removed to alllow the bolier to be fitted on Wednesday.

 

Really looking forward to seeing a crane tank at work for thr first time ever. In the meantime, is anyone organising a charter with the visiting loco?

 

Just finishing a Titantic Stout so thought it appropriate to comment on the great gala coverage in latest Steam Railway. Good to see guest confirmed - I obviously approve! Just hope the proud team can stop polishing their new toy for a while before its' visit to North Staffs. Be warned it might just be a cunning plan to sneak some minerals back home with their engine!

Triple header will be interesting and no doubt very loud. Hopefully on one day (the one when the sun is out and the last freight is only 12 wagons!) we can have two on the front and one on the back?

Cheers,

...

 

"Be warned it might just be a cunning plan to sneak some minerals back home with their engine! "

Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, you promised not to tell.

Of course if any do go missing we will deny all knowledge.

 

Two on the front, one on the back each day.

So there we have it, enjoy !.

Boilers for Whiston and Dubs are in the frames, that of Dubs now requires many holes to be drilled into the new Smoke Box. Cylinder arrived back yesterday and it and the valve were fitted by the gang whilst your scribe was working. New ashpan in place....