Once again, 'Austerity' 0-6-0T saddle tank No. 72, facing south, was to be coupled at the south (Matlock) end of the train with diesel-electric stalwart 'Penyghent' marshalled at the north end. For the first time, an 8-coach train was in use. Previously, passenger trains were formed of up to 7-coaches (5 coaches plus kitchen/dining car and the beautiful restored LMS coach 7828 forming the 'Palatine Dining Set'). In 2019, an additional Brake Composite Corridor coach (code 'BCK' number 21268) was added which was air-braked but also 'through piped' for vacuum.
It's acceptable to include a coach without working brakes in a passenger train provided it is 'sandwiched' between vehicles with operative brakes so that, in the event of such a train becoming divided, both parts of the train will be automatically stopped. Of course, when the Guard informs the driver of the load, he should remind the driver of the unbraked vehicle. The 'Special Trains Notice' issued by the Operating Department covering the Santa Special Trains also gave special authorisation for 'Penyghent' to provide assistance to Up Trains in case of problematic railhead conditions.
I was rostered driver on Sunday 22nd December 2019 with Phil M. as fireman and R. Newman as cleaner.
In 2019 been the United Kingdom had suffered a particularly wet November and December with flooding in many areas, including the Derwent Valley, through part of which Peak Rail runs. I knew that extreme river levels had caused some damage to railway bridge 35, just north of Matlock Riverside station and a 5 m.p.h. speed restriction had been imposed, together with weekly bridge inspections.
The 22nd of December was the Winter Solstice - the shortest day of the year so I was not surprised that it was still very dark when I arrived at Rowsley shed at about 06:45. On my journey from home to Rowsley, we'd passed through fairly heavy rain so I was relieved that it was dry at Rowsley. It rained a bit later in the day but it wasn't bad and the temperature wasn't too low. Phil and the cleaner had matters well in hand with the fire so I concentrated on oiling-round and daily exam.
The 0-6-0ST 'Austerities are powerful and reliable locomotives but I have been known on occasion to call them, rather unkindly, 'boring'. However, on this winter morning I was very appreciative of the relative simplicity of oiling an 'Austerity' as compared with Great Western 'light Prairie' 5542 and 'modified Hall' 6989 I'd been on recently at the Battlefield Line. But there's still a fair bit of 'squirming around' to get at the inside motion.
Once we were ready, we decided to go across to our 8-coach train nice and early to start carriage warming. Of course, we had an ulterior motive: on the platform we could enjoy the facilities of Rowsley Station Buffet so tea and a breakfast bap made us ready for the rest of the day.
The Special Timetable called four round trips to Matlock Town leaving Rowsley at 10:30, 12:05, 13:40 and 15:15 with our 8-coach train (plus the trailing load of 'Pehyghent'). 'Santa Specials' are often late departing from Rowsley, as late-arriving booked passengers are usually given a little leeway and it was about 10:45 when we set off.
The railhead was quite damp and there was plenty of drifting steam from the cylinder drain cocks condensing in front of us but, as I hoped, No. 72 moved away without a trace of slip. With no carrying wheels, the whole of the 48 ton weight of the locomotive is adhesive and the generous size of the cylinders (18 inches diameter with a 26 inch stroke) combined with relatively small wheels (4 foot 3 inches diameter) produces a tractive effort of 23,870 pounds (at 85% boiler pressure). The 'Austerity' was designed to shift freight trains well above 1,000 tons - it just isn't very quick about it - so assistance from 'Penyghent' was not required.
Phil was ably assisted by a 'Christmas Elf' (Santa Specials at Peak Rail 2019)
We completed our first run to Matlock Town without incident, crossing Bridge 35 gently at 5 m.p.h. The damage to the bridge was not visible from above but I was told that uprooted trees carried downstream in the floods had struck the bridge piers and displaced some steel supporting brackets. Some tree branches were still deposited on the river bank normally well above water level, together with a number of large hay bales transferred by the floods from a field somewhere upstream.
Crossing Bridge 35: Two large hay bales, wrapped in black polythene, are visible on the river bank near the centre of the picture (Santa Specials at Peak Rail 2019)
We stood in Matlock Town for a while whilst Santa proceeded through the train with his helpers, distributing presents then 'Penyghent' hauled the train back to Rowsley, with the 'Austerity' trailing behind as 'Tail-end Charlie'. Back at Rowsley, we took the opportunity of replenishing the saddle tank with water.
Phil at the 'Brown Tank Wagon' at Rowsley as we take water using a portable pump and fire hoses. Note the 'DOGFISH' hopper ballast wagons on the siding.(Santa Specials at Peak Rail 2019)
In addition to passengers joining the train to meet Santa, the 12:05 boarded diners for Christmas lunch.
A winter Sun illuminates Rowsley as diners join the train for Christmas lunch (Santa Specials at Peak Rail 2019)
As the train left Rowsley, we could seen that the top end of the large car park was now quite full.
By noon, the top end of the car park had filled-up (Santa Specials at Peak Rail 2019)
Our platform at Matlock Town was unusually quiet because, on Santa Specials, passengers only join or leave the train at Rowsley.
Matlock Town (Santa Specials at Peak Rail 2019)
Once again, 'Penyghent' hauled our long train back to Rowsley.
'Penyghent' shown entering the loop at Matlock Riverside as it returns our long train to Rowsley (Santa Specials at Peak Rail 2019)
As we waited at Darley Dale to give Santa a chance to finish his present distribution, I took a couple of pictures.
View from Down platform at Darley Dale, looking north, as we return to Rowsley (Santa Specials at Peak Rail 2019)
View from Down platform at Darley Dale, looking south showing crossing gates and signal box, as we return to Rowsley (Santa Specials at Peak Rail 2019)
By the time we arrived back at Rowsley, the train was well-warmed and we were able to discontinue steam heating.
Disembarking happy passengers at Rowsley (Santa Specials at Peak Rail 2019)
We were able to invite Newman family members to view the footplate before they received a special greeting from Santa himself.
Newman family members chatting to Santa alongside our engine (Santa Specials at Peak Rail 2019)
As it grew dusk, we made our fourth round trip to Matlock Town then, leaving the coaching stock in the platform at Rowsley, we moved light engine to the shed and disposal after a successful and enjoyable day.
Related posts on this website
The 'Austerity' 0-6-0ST locomotive.
Peak Rail 2019.
All my Peak Rail posts.
My photograph albums
Where necessary, clicking on an image above will display an 'uncropped' view or, alternately, pictures may be selected, viewed or downloaded, in various sizes, from the albums listed:-
Peak Rail Santa Trains 2019.
No. 72 Austerity Tank.
'Penyghent'.
Restored coach 7828.
All my Peak Rail pictures.
