'Blazing Saddles'

'Blazing Saddles'? No, not the 1974 Mel Brooks film but the name given to the March 2013 Gala at Peak Rail.


John Alvin's poster for the politically
incorrect movie (Wikipedia).

It's 70 years since Hunslet's 18-inch shunter design was adapted for a wartime order of 'Austerity' six-coupled locomotives and Peak Rail's 'Blazing Saddles' event on Saturday 9th March 2013 and Sunday 10th March 2013 was intended as a tribute to the success and endurance of this class. Peak Rail had no less than five examples of the class in steam, plus a sixth on static display on the Rowsley turntable. The timetable featured two-passenger train working, with the two 4-coach trains passing at Darley Dale.

Residents 'Royal Pioneer' and 'Lord Phil' were joined by 'Sapper', 'Mech. Navvies' and 'Wilbert'. These five locomotives operated a variety of trains during the day whilst 'Swiftsure' (awaiting repairs) posed on the turntable.

On Saturday, I was driver on Dean Forest's 'Wilbert'. I'd not seen 'Wilbert' before but preparation and handling is generally similar to that for other 'Austerity' tanks. The locomotive was facing south and required to haul the 4-coach 'B Set' to Matlock Town, top-and-tailed with 'Lord Phil' facing north and hauling the train back to Rowsley.

'Wilbert' on arrival at Matlock Town, showing a tail lamp ready for the return journey.

On Sunday, I was driver on 'Sapper' which is one of the 'Austerities' (along with 'Lord Phil') modified by Hunslet after the war to incorporate the ideas of the Argentinian locomotive engineer L. D. Porta. (described here). Although much of the modification has been removed, the locomotive retains part of the improved draughting. First task was Preparation, which I've described for 'Sapper' in an earlier post.

To 'ring the changes', the locomotive was turned to face north and during the day we hauled the 4-coach 'A Set' to Rowsley. We were top-and-tailed with 'Lord Phil' facing south and hauling the train to Matlock Town.

'Sapper' (photographed on the Saturday, when facing south).

On both days, the final round trip from Rowsley to Matlock Town and back was an 8-coach train hauled by all five locomotives in steam (four on one end, one on the other).

Motive power for the last departure from Rowsley on Saturday. Left to right: 'Wilbert', 'Royal Pioneer', 'Mech. Navvies' and 'Sapper' plus 'Lord Phil' on the rear. (Click on picture above for the full view).

My Pictures

'Blazing Saddles' 9-March-2013.
'Blazing Saddles' 10-March-2013.
'Sapper' Austerity Tank Locomotive.

All my Peak Rail pictures form a Collection here.

References

The 18 in. Hunslets (Industrial Railway Society).
Hunslet Austerity 0-6-0ST (Wikipedia).
Austerity 0-6-0st as modified (Martyn Banes).