JOURNAL of the Bahamas Locomotive Society No. 104 - Summer 2019 - £1.50

1 Ingrow Loco Museum, Ingrow Bridge, South Street, Keighley, West Yorkshire. BD21 5AX

Company limited by Guarantee and Registered in England (No.956100) ☎ 01535 690739 Registered Charity No.259626 Accredited Museum No.1883 Patron: Lady J McAlpine President: Dr B S Bryant

Committee of Management Chairman K A Whitmore 28 Scarisbrick Road, Levenshulme, Manchester, M19 2BS email: [email protected] Vice Chairman F Galvin 31 Tannery Way, Gorton, Manchester, M18 8LH Finance D Guest 3 Harvey Avenue, Nantwich, Cheshire, CW5 6LE Membership I Dixon 2 Meadowcroft Mews, Castleford, WF10 4SU Locomotives S C Allsop 55 Mersey Road, Sale, Manchester, M33 6LF S Peach 19 Birchside Avenue, Glossop, SK13 7BW G Howard 166 Clarendon Road, Hyde, SK14 2JY Corporate J R Hillier The Farmhouse, West Farm, Barrowden, Oakham, Rutland, LE15 8EQ tel: 01572 747706 or email: [email protected] J M Winderbank The Shippen, 8 The Old Hall Courtyard, Heath, Wakefield, WF1 5ST H Peach 19 Birchside Avenue, Glossop, SK13 7BW Sales P Smith 11 Clark Spring Rise, Morley, LS27 7UT Site G Bowler 15 Shirebrook Drive, Glossop, SK13 8R Museum/Journal P W Skellon 22 Windsor Street, Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, LA14 5JR tel: 01229 836866 or email: [email protected]

Websites www.bahamas45596.co.uk www.railstory.co.uk See ‘Rail Story’ and ‘Bahamas Locomotive Society’ on Facebook.

Front Cover: 45596 finds some sunshine beneath a grey and brooding sky at Birkett with ‘The Waverley’ on 18 August 2019. photo: John Cooper-Smith Rear Cover: The day previous and 45596 is outside the Railway Museum at York. Mark Winderbank takes the opportunity to do some polishing while the tender is being coaled. 2 Comment

Journal The successful completion of the Bahamas project supported by the No. 104 - Summer 2019 National Lottery Heritage Fund is, perhaps plain to see, now that the engine is doing rather well and probably performing better that it’s ever done. The one interesting, and hardly Contents publicised, fact was revealed at the From the Chair 4 AGM during David Guest’s financial statement, when he reported: The bard aboard 7 ‘Turning to Bahamas, the total Loco Report 8 expenditure on the project came out at £941,000. This compared to a budget 45596 Support Crew, 17-19 August 11 of £906,000. The overspend of less Marketing and Publicity Report 16 than 4% is a significant achievement given the size of the project and the Letters consider the Coal Tank 18 fact that the budget was set as far Learning & Community News 20 back as 2013’. How good is that! The Christmas Prize Draw tickets 21 I suggest this indicates the Sales Report 22 experience and expertise of our key personnel in the project planning, the The Mail 23 practical application of skills and the financial control. Undoubtedly, the volunteer factor of the project was an essential ingredient. The inherent Opinions expressed by contributors are not flexibility of this component enabled necessarily those of the Publisher or Editor. certain problems to be overcome and Unless otherwise individually credited, photographs are by the Editor. allowed cost effective solutions to be found. The Editor welcomes contributions for The financial backing of the Lottery inclusion in the Journal by post or email. has ended, and we face the immediate Please include an SAE for return of any future funded only by the income we material supplied. If no clear instructions generate. This then is a call to seek are received, the Editor will retain on file your support for cash generation. It any work submitted. could be as simple as buying a draw ticket, or volunteering for our sales Contributions for the Autumn 2019 edition team etc, or something we’ve not yet are requested by 24 November 2019. thought of. Any ideas? Published at 22 Windsor Street, Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria LA14 5JR, by the Bahamas Locomotive Society Pete Skellon 3 From the Chair

Chairman’s Report to the 48th Annual General Meeting of the Bahamas Locomotive Society Ltd Welcome to our 48th annual general around the city whilst the support meeting. [A minute silence followed in crew attended to the loco, and the memory of those who have lost loved sales team to a very full list of sales ones amidst the damage caused by requests from pin badges to gin sets. hurricane Dorian to the The Bahamas After a few hours we were back on islands]. our way to Keighley, again in the rain, There will be a voluntary collection and arrived back in the dark, tired taken to be presented to the High but very happy, on what had been a Commissioner for The Bahamas and challenging but successful day and a book of condolence has been opened knowing we were back in the mainline in the museum for anyone to sign. scene. The past year has probably been one The following Saturday could not of the busiest for our Society for many have been a greater contrast. We left a year. Of course the highlight has Oxenhope in the dry and it was not been to see our locomotive Bahamas even cold. Passing Hellifield the sun return to the main line following a 25 came out and was with us for the year gap. whole day. Sales were good, Bahamas It was on a very wet, windy and cold performed brilliantly to everyone’s February morning that we assembled delight, and there were compliments at Oxenhope station in the early hours all along the train on how good it of the morning for a safety briefing looked and performed. and I gave a 6.30am radio interview Before all this we had the official with Radio Leeds, who asked would launch of Bahamas at Tyseley works the train actually be running in view at the autumn open day and it was of the weather. I gave an assurance lovely to see so many members and to that it would. However no sooner had be joined by Lady Judy McAlpine, our we arrived at Keighley station just patron, who of course had earlier in travelling a few yards off the KWVR the year lost her husband Sir William. branch we were advised that there was Judy was so pleased to be with us and a tree on the line and wiring ahead. said Bill would have been very proud, After a little delay we were given the and I was absolutely delighted that all clear to move, the irony being that she agreed to continue as our patron. the only loco going anywhere was Following on from the 2 February ours, which somehow seemed rather main line trips, in March Bahamas appropriate. We then moved in very was star of the KWVR gala and wet conditions, and you could literally huge crowds turned out see the loco wring out the overalls of the support perform. Then later that month we crew. had the formal opening of the Learning We progressed well towards Carlisle Coach and the launch of Bahamas and the weather improved just a little performed by Sir Peter Hendy, Network for passengers to de-train for a walk Rail Chairman, and what a day that 4 was. We were particularly pleased to schools and the community and has see Garry Howard drive the loco into been responsible for substantially Ingrow who with Andy Hoyle made up increasing the number of events at a complete BLS footplate crew. Ingrow, ranging from Easter Egg Fun And so the year continued. On to Super Heroes fighting it out in the the 31st May we were honoured yard. to welcome the Duke of Kent who We also organised our first ever boarded Bahamas to celebrate 10 Yorkshire Day event in conjunction years as the KWVR patron. I was with our friends at the Vintage pleased to be able to introduce our Carriages Trust, with whom we have team to the Duke and our Chief continued to work closely on events Engineer, Steve Allsop was able to and at the Rail Story steering group show him round the footplate. The meetings. Duke of Kent was most impressed to Next week will see us again hosting hear about the history of the ‘Jubilee’ the launch of the Heritage Open Days class and the connection with his with John Grogan MP being our grandfather King George V. principal guest to launch the event. During the summer we have There will also be a performance by undertaken four more mainline Enjoy Arts on the life of Ann Lister, excursions, three with Vintage Trains, for which we are grateful for financial and it was good to be back at Tyseley support from Bradford Council and for these. Then followed a trip with the Keighley Town Council. On the same Rail Touring Company over the Settle day the first ever Keighley Pride will to Carlisle railway on 18th August. be held, and a special rainbow train Bahamas returned to Haworth shed will run from Keighley to Ingrow where last Wednesday and, of course, we there will be a second performance to have received good income from hire greet the passengers from the train. fees for the loco and from sales on We are also grateful to Yorkshire the trains. Museum Development for grant aid More on finances from our Finance to run two training days for our duty Director later. At the moment there is officers and museum volunteers, no further work planned for Bahamas. which has been most useful in not There is some concern that when only ensuring we operate in an the overhaul started there were few efficient manner, but also better mainline certificated engines but now working and coordination between there appears to be quite a glut with our staff. West Coast having several of their We are also currently working on own engines to choose from. There the re-accreditation of our museum is a competitive market at present in which is so important to us. Pete which we have to fight our corner. Skellon of course is leading on this. Turning to other issues I am very Our other locomotives have also not pleased to advise that Matt Arnold been idle. The locomotive team will joined us almost a year ago following report later on operational issues but the 2018 AGM. Matt is with us I am sure you will agree James looks today and will talk later about his superb in a new coat of green paint role in charge of the education offer and will be used on brakevan rides in in both the Learning Coach and in the yard as well as its shunting role. the Museum. Matt has very much Both the Coal Tank and Nunlow have strengthened our work with local been on their own travels visiting the

5 Hope Cement Works in the summer 12 months where our collection and to celebrate their 90th year. We have the Society have been in the railway formed a very close bond with the preservation limelight. I would like works and I am most encouraged to think that those of our pioneering that their management wants to work members who started out on our with us on the overhaul of Nunlow in journey back in 1967, and who are a practical way and to support the no longer with us, are looking down work we are doing with local schools and saying good job done: not only and the community. We will be sitting for keeping the Society going but for down with them shortly to make these returning Bahamas to steam and aspirations happen. giving pleasure to thousands, which We are currently discussing the is what it was all about all those years future of the Coal Tank as there ago when we first boughtBahamas . have been issues with weeping Finally can I announce that we tubes which will probably lead to welcome two new directors to our the early withdrawal of the engine. team; Helen Peach (hardly a newcomer We definitely want 1054 in ticket in to the Society) and Peter Smith who 2022 to celebrate the centenary of has taken on the role of sales director. the merger of the L&Y and LNWR Can I also thank all our directors for Companies as the Coal Tank will play their work and support over the last a major role in these celebrations. 12 months. This is just a glimpse of the past Keith Whitmore

During Heritage Open Day ‘EnJoy Arts’ perform in the Carriage Works to celebrate the life of Ann Lister (left), while the Mayor of Bradford councillor Doreen Lee, signs the condolence book for the residents of The Bahamas islands affected by Hurricane Dorian. photos: Craig Szlatoszlavek

6 The start of this year’s Keighley Heritage Open Days coincided with the Keighley Pride festival. Local dignitaries came to open the Heritage event at Ingrow, these included the Mayor, MP, and the vicar of St John’s, Ingrow. photo: Craig Szlatoszlavek

The bard aboard Graham Barton William Shakespeare, Sir Henry Falstaff and a pair of travelling minstrels were among the jubilant passengers that travelled aboard the ‘Shakespeare Express’ on 4 August 2019, when Bahamas headed two ‘specials’ between Birmingham (Snow Hill) and Stratford-upon-Avon. Throughout the journey, Will and Sir Henry entertained their fellow The Wise Old Owl Theatre Group at passengers with extracts from the Stratford. photo: John Hillier bard’s most famous works, while the minstrel duo accompanied these Prior to boarding the train for the performances with interludes of music return journey, Mr Shakespeare and and song. his companions took time to visit On reaching Stratford-upon-Avon, the BLS sales stand. Will was seen the Thespians paused to admire perusing the merchandise there our magnificent 4-6-0 and to avail displayed, perhaps with a view to themselves of a ‘photo opportunity’ acquiring a small memento to remind beside the locomotive, before departing him of this memorable occasion, or for a local theatrical engagement they perchance to purchase a small present had been booked to attend. to take home to Mistress Hathaway? 7 Loco Report

45596 Bahamas The loco ran light engine and coach With no further work planned down to Tyseley in June and was in the engine is destined to return to steam for their gala. The bogie was Haworth in early September having then taken out and the boss faces completed 28 Days and 2,320 miles on the trailing wheelset attended in 2019. to, at the same time a new set of steam brake cylinder piston rings 1054 were fitted, a new AWS cancel button The loco ran during the Hope works fitted, and the ground-level tender open day and for some more filming filling system modified so that we in May, the company needing some could use Tyseley’s water carrier to further footage. We decided to let the increase the capacity by 2000 gallons. loco complete this commitment which Both water-level gauge cocks were it did without fault, but we have now repacked. We also removed a section drained the boiler and it rests at of doorplate cladding to caulk a Ingrow awaiting a decision on what blowing longitudinal stay and removed to do next. some crown stay nuts to re-caulk the roof stays. We also nipped up some James weeping tubes. The loco is now back in use, some The engine completed a trip to further small painting jobs are being Worcester with no problems and then attended to. a trip to Hereford, during this trip an air leak caused the plate that is Southwick rivetted to the door ring to buckle The crankpins and axle journals and on opening the door to empty the have been made parallel and circular smoke box it became impossible to all done by hand. The wheels have shut it! It took two days work to get been painted and various items of the door airtight. We then ran from brake and running gear have been Tyseley to York and back again with no painted.. problems. The following week took us to Stratford-upon-Avon and next day 1704 Nunlow the engine and coach went to York. We The loco travelled with 1054 and then stabled at the National Railway was on static display and is now back Museum for two weeks before running at Ingrow on display in the museum. to Carlisle and back. The only repairs following the trip were to strip and RS1050/15 Breakdown Crane clean the exhaust injector changeover The railway intends to undertake valve and adjust the engine brakes. a bridge replacement at Ingrow and At Ingrow a set of water-level gauges have requested the use of our crane. are being re-furbished ready to change Because of the nature of the lift, the for the ones on the engine when time crane was taken down to Keighley permits. and turned using the turntable. It is 8 The driving wheelset of Southwick sporting new tyres and a fresh coat of paint. The journals of the crankpins are in the process of refurbishment by means of the long handled device resting on the floor on the far side of the pit. Who needs a posh machine when you can use a block of wood and some abrasive cloth! back at Ingrow where work continues when you consider each trip entails on platework renewal and painting of four days away from home.. the matchtruck. Workshop M14060 BR Mk2a support coach The capstan lathe, which has seen An expansion vessel has been very little use, has been taken out of fitted to the coach water system and the workshop and we intend to utilize an annoying habit of blowing lighting the extra space this has given us for circuit fuses traced and fixed by not better use. connecting to other people’s duff Steve Peach coaching stock. The coach continues to be a clean comfortable place to be

Ruston & Hornsby D165DE No.431763, James, shows off its new green livery, reminiscent of how it would have looked when new in 1959 on delivery to Bilston steelworks.. 9 45596 support crew, 17-19 August Pete Skellon

Coal is carefully stacked on the tender following coaling at the NRM York, Saturday 17 August 2019. I open the door to the smokebox to It’s Saturday the 17th, and I arrive reveal, what would turn out to be at the NRM York about 10.30, after a 16-barrow-loads of ash. quicker-than-expected drive across Commencing at 7-45 in the country. Steve Peach, our RO, had morning, the task of ash removal, arrived the day previous to prepare a dis-assembly and re assembly of the warming fire so that the engine would spark arrestor, and application of be ready for its fitness-to-run (FTR) graphite sealant to the smokebox door examination that Saturday morning. ring, was finished about six hours Theo Chapman and Dave Simpson later. Three of us had been involved are already overall clad and in the with this – and its completion was a process of cleaning the engine upon great relief. You only have to ask the my arrival. It was some time before I chimney to discover how exhausting saw Dave, as he was crawling about is work inside a smokebox! the ash-strewn track beneath the That was Monday 19 August, the engine cleaning the inside bits. This day following the Rail Touring Co’s is one area of the loco that no one return trip from York to Carlisle with else sees, except the examining fitter our ‘Jubilee’. and driver when oiling round. It is, Support crew duties are, perhaps however, just as important to keep the to some observers, a pleasurable inside as clean as the outside. Indeed, day-out behind a steam locomotive, it has been known for an engine to fail where those involved get to travel in its FTR because it was too dirty to be their own private coach without a examined. ticket, wear brightly coloured jackets, We were soon joined by Mark and drink tea, interspersed with the Winderbank, who came for the day occasional stop to put water in the to help with the cleaning. Helen tender, or even ride on the footplate. Peach was our ‘carer’ (support crew How good is that? Mmm…. support), supplying tea and food just 10 when it was needed. Both Steve and piece of ducting had previously done Helen had ‘attacked’ the cab brasses so. on Friday – the only cleaning task to This doesn’t stop the pigeons be accomplished that day because of from flitting around, and doing what torrential rain. Fortunately, Saturday pigeons do. No doubt pigeons firmly was both sunny and warm. believe that in the pecking order they While the engine comes up in are well above ducts. Meanwhile, steam, cleaning continues. The there is safety for those beneath the wheels and frames may look clean umbrella we call Bahamas. from a distance, but a wipe with Clive, accompanied by Steve, does a a clean rag proves otherwise. The methodical and thorough examination engine is parked alongside Flying and discovers that a cotter, retaining Scotsman (diplomacy on my part a nut on the inside eccentric rod, prevents me saying too much about was not as effective as it should this engine!), while sister engine, be, and went off to manufacture a Galatea, is also present. replacement. Our FTR examiner from West Coast, Meanwhile, as we could not enter Clive Goult, arrives and gets to work. the building, the only exposed part of There’s a lunch break with the loco was the tender. We attempted sandwiches and tea, by which time, to clean the tender wheels. Not an the engine has enough ‘puff’ for Clive easy task, for the greater segment of to move the Jub over the pit, inside each is hidden behind the frames. The the preparation area of the NRM. hope was that the next movement may It is unfortunate that access here expose the previously hidden portion. was severely limited because of the The risk of this cleaning procedure is insecurity of the overhead smoke that some parts remain un-cleaned, vents. These are seriously corroded, so that when the loco is moving one is and look as if they might rain down confronted by the irritating flickering upon anything beneath. Indeed one ‘now you see me, now you don’t; now

Saturday lunchtime. Clive Goult sat on the Weltrol, pauses from his FTR exam to chat and consume a ham butty and a brew while Steve, Dave, Helen, and Garry wonder if the tea is a part of the FTR. At least that should pass! 11 Support crew, Helen, Steve and Garry and, reflected in the mirror, Theo and Dave, watch the world go by while resting on the cushions in the support coach, Sunday 17 August.

you see me, now you don’t’; a feature ebbs away to provide some evening in which tender wheels excel, and one tranquillity. York Minster can be seen hated by Harold Moss, our Foreman illuminated as the light fades and a Cleaner during our days at Dinting. more soporific atmosphere pervades I’m sure he was looking down on us, our support coach as we head for the scrutinising our efforts as we wielded bunks and Zzzzzs. our paraffin-soaked rags. The day of the trip, was – well… Cotter replaced, more tea drunk, the day of the trip. An early morning the engine moved out into the brew, more cleaning while Theo sorts sunshine and safety, and then around the fire, Steve and Garry attend to for coaling. Care was needed to last minute oiling and replace the ensure we safely stacked as much trimmings in the oil boxes. The crew as possible – even onto the footplate. arrive. The driver was the fireman York–Carlisle–York is a long enough the last time Bahamas was out in trip and experience by others had 1994. It was he who suffered the shown that there is not much left in ignominy of being ‘down the nick’ after the tender upon return. One doesn’t the train’s 15-minute early departure wish to experience the embarrassment from Scarborough left him no time of sweeping dust from the tender on to prepare his fire before the right the way home. away. He had no kind words for his The rest of the team, Garry Howard driver that day, but perhaps the fault and John Howard (not related), were lay more with the Inspector and his here by now, and John Hillier also hurry-to-get-home attitude. arrives with sales stock for the support Clive is our fireman, and so has coach, and dons overalls to give a full knowledge that the engine is fit- hand. to-run. The engine is looking rather smart John Howard is volunteered to be in the evening sunshine, and Helen owner’s rep on the footplate, and thus has concocted a mild curry for each gives him the opportunity to see his of us to stave off the hunger pangs. house as we pass through Thwaites The constant clatter and whirring to enter Keighley. We’d made up the of passing trains, transporting 16-minute delay on departing York, passengers around the York environs and it didn’t seem long before we (a trainspotter’s paradise), slowly were into Hellifield for our water stop. 12 Here, the train was platform side, column. We’re running three minutes rather that in the goods loop – the early nearly all the way to Hellifield previous practise that made taking where we again replenish supplies, water easier. However, the hose was and I take my place on the footplate. already prepared, draped across the It’s an easy run along the Aire Valley loop, and even came with its own set with stops at Skipton, Keighley, and of lads to turn the tap. These were Shipley and it’s a delight to see how duly rewarded financially for their the crew work together, Danny calling help. Despite the effectiveness of the the signals and Mick occasionally pit-stop personnel, the mains water calling the features of the road ahead pressure is not all that great and it to help Danny plan his rate of firing. took twice the booked time to fill the With the sun setting, there are tender tank. changes in the feel of the footplate. The late departure though was The glow from signals becomes more eventually clawed back as the engine emphatic while the surrounding happily chirruped away up and down countryside begins to disappear into the hills, seemingly without any fuss blackness, until the view is an array other than its ability to make too much of approaching and passing lights of steam on occasion (and when going all colours. Leeds station brings about uphill!). The driver declined a water a familiarity, and on departure there stop at Lazonby and we arrived at are fleeting glimpses above street level Carlisle not far off right time. of city-goers on a Saturday night out. On leaving the stock, the engine and support coach head off to Upperby. This is a rather dismal looking dead- end siding rather than the once more interesting depot of that name. The driver of the water tanker was impressed by the cleanliness of the engine and the support coach and thought this unusual. The fire was cleaned, smokebox emptied, and some landscaping undertaken in an effort to diminish the carbon footprint we were leaving behind. I usually achieve this by ensuring I don’t step in the coal dust! It has to be said that facilities here for servicing are almost non-existent, and so more effort is required on our part than one would expect. We return to the station to collect the stock, and begin recovery from our exertions with a brew – except for Theo, who boards the footplate to accompany the new crew of driver Mick Kelly and fireman Danny Davin to head south. Danny ‘in the firebox glow, swings Water is taken at Appleby from the his shovel to and fro’. 13 Danny has prepared his fire for without too much effort required for the climb out of Leeds and he asks fire dropping (because it’s all in the if I would film him with his phone smokebox!). as he ‘swings his shovel to and It’s almost 11 before the engine and fro’ (as Don Bilston used to sing). support coach are finally stabled at The engine powers away up hill: the NRM. A farewell to the crew and Danny maintaining steam against two then we commence work on the usual injectors with apparent ease. disposal routines, with attention to The tender doors are open, for the the fire, water, trimmings, etc, and coal is disappearing towards the back cleaning down the wheels and frames. of the tender. Danny carefully uses We then commence our personal the rake to break up some caking disposal routines, with attention to of the fire caused by dregs from the cleaning, taking on ‘water’, etc, before tender. Mick says he’ll clear it later. eventually stabling ourselves in the Somewhere in the darkness we support coach bunks. are held at an anticipated red. We Garry has to be in work Monday rapidly accelerate away. Mick calls morning, so after about four or five out, “Fireworks”. Despite the spark hours sleep he’s up and on his way, arrestor fitted to the engine, there are while the rest of us slowly emerge to a few glowing escapees permeating the start the finishing routine. night sky. Mick turns to me to say, Steve works to overcome the “that’s how your smokebox gets full”. recalcitrant piston in the steam-brake I see 70 mph indicated on the speedo. cylinder by adjusting clearance in the Management of the fire has been brake rigging, while Theo and Dave ideal – so that as we run into York it’s clean out the firebox and ashpan – bright and thin – thus providing plenty both tasks made more difficult without of steam to get onto the museum access to the pit. I’m sure those

Mick Kelly and Danny Davin on arrival at York. 14 pigeons are laughing at us. Crawling about on the trackbed beneath the engine is far from ideal, although this method of disposal is standard practise at Ingrow, but long-handled spanners require swinging room to make them effective. Helen prepares breakfast before cleaning the kitchen and ensures the support coach is fit for habitation for its next foray on the mainline, and John sets about the wheels and frames with a paraffin rag. Meanwhile, I’ve opened the door to the smokebox… After eight barrow-loads of ash, John volunteers to take over – which he later regrets. However, while he is still enthusiastic, he muses at the striations and layers of differing colours and textures apparent in the vertical cliff face of ash into which he continues to dig. We consider that if we prepare an academic paper on the Carbonaceous period we could present it to the Ashmolean Museum. Mmmm… maybe we won’t! John takes a breather and looks over After breakfast (or was it lunch?), to do some trainspotting. Meanwhile cleaning up, tidying, and making full Dave has filled another barrow with use of the Museum’s amenity cabin ash he’s dragged from beneath the (luxury – it had showers! How good engine. it would be to have such an amenity cabin at Ingrow), I was ready to depart The cliff face of ash highlighting the for home by 2-ish – just as it started various carbonaceous periods which to rain. occurred during the home run. I keep trying to tell myself I had an enjoyable time! But time passes. I’ve now forgotten the weariness, total exhaustion, and aching limbs, so I’ll adjust my rose-tinted spectacles to recall the friendship, team spirit, and comradeship: the backbone of all we do, and what makes our endeavours so worthwhile and pleasurable. Yeah, it was good.

15 Marketing and Publicity Report

Railtour round up The bells of Leeds Minster were at 37 mph, the first time without rear ringing a welcome as 45596 glided into end assistance! Was this the first Leeds station on Sunday 18 August time that a ‘green’ Jubilee had hauled at the head of 1Z44 ‘The Waverley’, a ‘The Waverley’ since the mid-1960s? West Coast Railway Company service We think so! for tour promoter Railway Touring ‘The Waverley’ was 45596’s seventh Company. The train had been delayed trip and its third over the S&C by about 18 minutes leaving York but this year; other destinations with Bahamas had recovered half of the fare-paying passengers during the lost time on arrival at Leeds. All the loco’s first year after overhaul have time had been made up by the time been Worcester, Hereford, York and the KWVR 4F No. 43924 greeted us Stratford. Passengers, and support on arrival at Keighley. At Hellifield crew, were entertained ‘royally’ by water was taken at the platform rather the Wise Owl Theatre Group on than in the customary loop and this the Shakespeare Express and used resulted in a further 16 minute delay Bahamas as a background for a photo- but with a service train close behind shoot at Stratford. 45596 made a spirited ascent to Ais We have made many friends and Gill. We missed out the planned water admirers during 45596’s trips this stop at Lazonby and were greeted year given its performance and by a large crowd when we arrived at appearance on each of its trains, and Carlisle just seven minutes down. many people are anxious to know The loco produced a rather more when it will be out again. We were rousing performance on our return hoping that 45596 would have hauled south with an ‘on time’ arrival at a second ‘Waverley’ on 25 August but York having passed Ais Gill summit due to extensive engineering work on

Bahamas, Flying Scotsman and Galatea at York, Saturday 17 August 2019. photo: John Hillier 16 the ECML with requests for intending very pleasing to see that most of the passengers not to travel over the bank sales items sourced earlier this year holiday weekend, RTC cancelled the have been of interest to passengers. train. 45596 and support coach We hope that it will be possible before returned to the KWVR from York on too long to increase the range of items 4 September. available for sale on the website. As most of you will know it was Some excellent Christmas presents thanks to our purchase of 45596 in of course! 1967 that 45690 Leander and 45699 Don’t forget our Vintage Steam Galatea were subsequently preserved Calendar (£5) and the ‘Bahamas too and 45596 ‘met’ 45699 for the Recollections’ book (£8) – postage first time at York on 5 August when it extra – both of which are proving arrived from Tyseley. Alongside both to be excellent sellers... and then of ‘Jubilees’ at the NRM was 60103 course there are 45596 caps, three Flying Scotsman, a loco that Bahamas sizes of jigsaws, mugs, pens, badges, has encountered a few times over the jute bags, teddies, reusable mugs etc. years notably at Stockport Edgeley Phone Ingrow for more details 01535 MPD, at Dinting, and more recently 690 739 if you can’t see the items on at Railfest in York. the web site. So what plans have we now for 45596? Ingrow As you may have read elsewhere Ingrow has been a hive of activity 45596 and the coach are both about in recent weeks with many unique to have some maintenance over the and new events such as the Yorkshire winter before our thoughts turn to Day celebrations (with pies!) and the 2020. So far we have not made any Keighley Pride event. firm plans for next year although Visitor numbers are up by just over several enquiries are outstanding. five per cent when compared with We are however hoping that it might 2018, and visitors to the Learning be possible for us to use Bahamas in Coach continue to increase. Don’t some way to raise money for the terrible forget that if any member wishes to disaster in the Bahamas Islands and research the complete back issues of are currently in discussions with the Railway Magazine then a facility in Tourist Office, Network Rail, Mortons the coach is available specifically for Media, the Branch Line Society, and that purpose. Contact Matt Arnold at a TOC to see if a charity train can run Ingrow for details. during the early part of next year. It is early days, but we do hope it will be How time flies! possible to do something special to aid Its hard to believe that as I write the Disaster Fund which is necessary this it was on 27 September, almost to overcome the ravages of Hurricane a year ago that 45596 steamed for the Dorian. first time at Tyseley! What will the next year bring I wonder? 45596 Merchandising John Hillier It was great to welcome Graham Barton, John Barrance, Peter Smith, Stuart Paulley and Sam Steventon to join our existing ‘on train’ merchandising team and was

17 Letters consider the Coal Tank

Dear Member, these three people were the key It was 50 years ago, on the 14th figures in the success of securing and September 1959, that British Railways preserving the locomotive. cashed a cheque on Martins Bank The documents are held in two for the sum of £66. This represented archives; the Max Dunn items are a ten per cent deposit on the price held by ourselves at Ingrow, and the required to purchase LNWR Side Tank Geoffrey Platt items held by the LNWR Coal Engine BR No.58926. This sum Society at Kenilworth. came from the account of W O Skeat. Over two-thirds of the documents It would be another twelve months are from Max Dunn. Upon his before, what we now refer to as, the death in 1965 they were handed to Coal Tank, was paid for in full and Geoffrey Platt who eventually placed secured for preservation. them into the care of The National Some of the story of the preservation Trust at Penrhyn Castle. Here they of 1054 has been told previously, were mislaid, but were eventually although the significance of the discovered and catalogued by a small success of the Webb Coal Tank Engine group of volunteers involved with the Preservation Fund, masterminded care of the engineering objects in the by J M Dunn, is only just being museum. In 2014, with focus of the recognised: that is, the first mainline Castle’s collection moving towards its steam locomotive to be preserved as a core subject (i.e the Castle) and moving result of public subscription (it’s now away from the locomotive exhibits, one called ‘crowd funding’). The railway of the volunteers, Mr Gareth Parry, heritage movement owes as much arranged for the correspondence and to the preservation of this engine as other documents to be transferred it does the success of the Bluebell into our care. Railway or the Middleton Railway, Following the death of Geoffrey for much of what came later drew Platt in 1980, his collection of relevant inspiration from the pioneering spirit correspondence (many of which were embodied in these early achievements. from Max Dunn) eventually passed into It is very fortunate that almost all the care of W G Rear of Conway, North the records of the Webb Coal Tank Wales. The subsequent death of Bill Engine Preservation Fund survive and Rear saw this batch of correspondence have recently been sorted, filed, and being handed to the LNWR Society transcribed. Thus, the full story of archive, prior to which they passed saving 1054 can now be gleaned from through our hands, for sorting and some 604 items of correspondence preparation of transcriptions. covering a period of 20 years from Transcribing the documents 1959 to 1979, together with the was originally a means of recording minutes book and subscription record. the deciphering exercise that was The documents originate from two necessary to understand Max Dunn’s sources: J M Dunn’s correspondence handwriting, something he described files of the Webb Coal Tank Engine as ‘not over legible’. This task Preservation Fund, and the collection proved to have another benefit. The of G H Platt. Together with W O Skeat, combination of the two collections 18 An example of Max Dunn’s handwriting style. It is addressed to Geoffrey Platt and discusses how these two friends should address each other in their communications. Overleaf, Dunn goes on to say: ‘What I am really writing about is to say that if you DO want me to be treasurer of the STC fund I’m quite willing and in fact pleased to be able do something to help. It’s a funny world – the confounded things have given me more headaches, heartache, sleepless nights, and tearful mornings not to say weary days than almost any other class of engine – and here I am wanting to keep one as a memento! of transcripts has resulted in an it, and the community it served, but almost continual exchange between now expand that into the methods and writer and respondent. In so doing style of communication between those it provides a more complete narrative who had the foresight, forbearance, of events as they unfold than would and initiative to save something of normally be expected if, for example, our heritage. we only had one side of the story. We intend to publish extensive This is one of the collection’s extracts from these letters when time attributes. There is another. In the and opportunity permits. This will realms of social history, the means also include other relevant items and and methods of communication are photographs about the engine we’ve rarely considered, the focus usually discovered since the publication of being on the story and not how Bashers, Gadgets and Mourners in it is told. These letters, however, 2011. admirably convey the formality and This article was completed on the informality of address and the 18 September 2019 and, as the art of letter writing, all of which have publication of this Journal is running changed significantly in this age of a few weeks late, I now need to get this email, Facebook and Twitter etc. It is to the Printer’s asap. So I will sign yet another example of how the act of off in the manner often used by Max preserving an object also preserves a Dunn at a time when he was writing snapshot of society at that time. So, six letters each day; not only can we tell the story of the Yours in gt haste. locomotive, the people that worked on Pete Skellon 19

ING C N O Learning & Community News R A C A

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Looking Back The academic year numbers have “I really enjoyed eating on been added up and it’s been a great the train. It looked exactly like the year for engagement with schools. Hogwart’s Express and it felt like we We welcomed 714 children and 146 were going on an adventure.” - Lana teaching practitioners to Ingrow. In addition to these numbers, the “It was a great experience sitting Learning Coach received 2,624 visitors. on the old train because it was like Here’s a selection of comments from I had travelled back in time and children who have visited Rail Story: was a passenger from the past.” - Margot “It was really fun seeing the different artefacts and guessing what they Looking Forward were.” - Isla It’s the 50th anniversary of the Railway Children film in 2020 and “I learned lots of facts from the Rail Story is perfectly placed to Learning Coach.” - Rose commemorate this milestone. Our Railway Children workshop is “I am writing to you to say thank split between Ingrow and Oakworth, you for making Wednesday the the location for the 1970 film. best day of my life. Looking at the Learning facilitators Chris Mann carriages was my favourite part. I and Brenda Southwell, supported by will come back soon and bring my KWVR volunteers Christine and Jim family.” - Teagan Shipley, bring the story and film alive.

Members of the Summer Science Club take a break from their investigations to grab a picture with a locomotive. Photo: Matt Arnold 20 Meanwhile, the new academic year has begun and we’ve already received bookings for: Changes of State (our science workshop), Teddy Bears to the Rescue (our popular offer for Early Years), World War II and Railways & the Industrial Revolution. Matt Arnold

Amy-Jo (left) was our 2500th visitor in the Learning Coach. She is pictured with her sister Maisie and mum, Joanne. Photo: Matt Arnold

Learning Facilitator Chris Mann is pictured with our Duke of Edinburgh weekend volunteer, Neo. Photo: Liz Lynch.

The Christmas prize draw tickets

Once again this year we are running The Raffle produces a profit of more a Christmas Raffle on behalf of the than £2,000 each year for the Society Society and you will find enclosed and goes some way towards paying within this Journal two books of our fixed costs such as insurance, tickets, which we invite you to which are now substantial following purchase. our return to the main line. The tickets are £1 each, £5 for a Please support the Raffle and, if you complete book. Please return the do, good luck!’ ticket stubs (showing your name and Mark Winderbank a contact phone number at least on in aid of the overhaulBahamas and upkeep. of Southwick and

BahamasRegistered Locomotive Charity No Society259626 Ltd th December 2019 at stthe December ENGINE 2018SHED - Ingrow Prize Draw To be drawn on 15 Winners to be notified by 21 and published on the Society website at: each) and your cheque to me, details www.bahamas45596.co.uk

1st prize - Behind the scenes tour of the Railway Museum, York 2nd prize - Tram Driving experience – Heaton Park Tramway rd prize - Replica of 45596 smokebox numberplate Name 3 th prize - Bachmann 00 gauge model locomotive 4 Steam Railway magazine on the tickets. th Address 5 prize - Selection of books published by Silver Link Publishing Tickets - £1 each 6th prize - One year subscription to 7th prize - A ‘Bahamas Bundle’ of items from the BLS shop Bahamas Locomotive Society Ltd Registered Charity No.259626 Registered under the Gambling Act 2005 with the Stockport MBC As always, John Hillier has arranged Promoter: Mr J M Winderbank Telephone 1h Dec 2019 to: The Shippen, 8 The Old Hall Courtyard, Heath, Wakefield, WF1 5ST Return counterfoils by 12 Mr J M Winderbank some excellent prizes which must be The Shippen, 8 The Old Hall Courtyard, Heath, Wakefield, WF1 5ST won, so you are all encouraged to join in the fun! 21 Sales Report

Here is an introduction to my new role Hot off the press, and recommended, as ‘Sales Director’ - a grand sounding is John Hillier’s new book Locomotive title. In fact it’s been a number of Recollections 45596 Bahamas. My years since I’ve been a ‘new’ anything. favourite photo shows the author A commercial heating engineer lighting up Bahamas’ boiler for the by trade, for the last 19 years I’ve first time in 20 years, with a covering been working as a trainer/assessor of snow on the firebox top. £8 plus enabling gas engineers to renew their p&p five yearly ticket to continue to work Our 2020 Calendar has 12 safely with gas appliances and heating monochrome vintage photographs. systems. January’s photo shows a certain work- The College where I work offered stained ‘Jubilee’ hauling a long coal me flexible hours and, with another train, banked over a snowy Shap in significant birthday under my belt, February ‘62. £5 plus p&p it was too good to resist. I now work If you’d like to purchase these or typically two days a week. Shame I any of our other merchandise please couldn’t keep the full salary. With email [email protected], or phone more time available I decided to reply 01535 690739 to pay by card. to the calls for new volunteers at an Peter Smith exciting time for the Society, with Bahamas’ return to the main line. I’ve always been interested in railways and steam. My first recorded mainline run was with Flying Scotsman to Cleethorpes in the summer of ‘69. My first mainline run behind Bahamas had to wait a little longer, until February this year and almost 50 years later, as a member of the on-train sales team. I visited Dinting in September ‘88 and had a much shorter trip behind Bahamas at a previous return to VINTAGE STEAM CALENDAR steam. It is still a scenic drive over 2020 Holme Moss: the current trip to our base at Ingrow through Bradford just doesn’t compare. Each year we attend a number of outside events with our sales stand. Venues this year include Hope Cement Works, Tyseley, Wigan Model Railway Exhibition and Manchester Victoria

LOCOMOTIVE SOC IETY station. Please do get in touch if you’d PUBLICATION ERIC OLDHAMImages from the AND MARTIN WELCH like to help? COLLECTIONS £5 22 The Mail The Editor welcomes your letters, views and comments for inclusion in The Mail. Please forward your contribution to: 22 Windsor Street, Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, LA14 5JR. email: [email protected]

Hello Pete, I’ve just received my Journal for Spring Dinting Lane. This involved excavating a 2019 and really enjoyed your Comment 1-metre deep trench several hundred yards and page 16 article on ‘what we do’; it is up the site to the shed and tank. very grounding and I wonder if the newer There was no shortage of volunteers and members get-it the same as you intended. under the supervision of our dear Eddie You are spot-on with your comments and Hoskins, they certainly did ‘ dig for victory’ certainly not over emotional. ‘What we do’ and God bless ‘em all that were involved. has been the strength, or the muscle and The rest of the story from thereon, as the bone of the Society since its very inception; old cliché goes, is history. it was the very spirit of those meetings over From the Society’s formation that spirit the pub in Stockport in 1967 when all of has been the core of its being, and ‘its what us brimmed with pent-up enthusiasm to we do’ should be our motto. Of course it ‘do something’. applies the more so to the loco engineering I can only speak from my view as being crew starting with dear Fred Barnes and a Committee Member then in charge of continuing to this day with the stalwart restoring Dinting when it came along in Steve Allsop and Co. It is a spirit that the 1967. Following the wilderness days at whole Society has been wreathed in these Bury we were suddenly presented with last five decades. Long may it be so.... a 7-acre derelict MPD which, on quick Finally I wish the Society continued assessment, needed that most essential success in all its excellent efforts; after all, ingredient; water! We had a beautiful its what we do... parachute water tank that had been cut- John Waller off from its natural supply and we had to fetch a new 2-inch main into the site from by email

The start of ‘what we do.’ On the day of the first working party at Dinting, 18 August 1968. photo: Tony Renshaw 23 24