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(Old Engine for Young Boys)
1959, And the 180PSI Eight drive wheel with three very fat cylinders (Z Class) had Adhesion galore! So many times I would cut my teeth in going up n down St David’s steep bank to the Western region, when learning the Steam Engine tricks! With an equally young Driver who may well be a passed fireman, Out learning a new responsibility? To forget all his firing experience, and to concentrate on simply getting from A to B safely while drinking lots of Tea! A recent Riddles 80079 on here had so many viewings on U-Tube more recently when spinning crazily up to Queen street bridge where the fast centre (Through) lines curve to go into Platform 3 at Exeter Central? A proper catch you out spot when you think its ‘All over’, ‘We’ve made it’? 80080 was ‘Over the hump’! (80079 at Severn Gala)! Looking good! (pictures on here recently)! The Z would sit waiting, To ‘wake up’ so quickly as your train runs in from anywhere? And in any odd timespan? Do you panic early and couple fast, or give your engine time, talk to your engine and couple slow? You are buying time to replace that last bit of inactivity? Water sight glass good, Just a little more Steam needed! And that 1/37 steep bank is smiling at you? Just thought I would mention the old rail yarns! I very much doubt any footplate crews still about this day? The Old boys in young graves now! ex-fireman,
