A driver’s point of view
Much has been made of the very close working relationship between the MNLPS and DB Cargo, so it would seem somewhat
remiss if DB Cargo’s crews aren’t quoted in this feature. JAMES CLARKE, who drove Clan Line on the June 11 railtour,
very kindly wrote about his day for us.
Around 30 minutes before departure the support crew hand the locomotive over to us. From the fireman’s point of view there will be around about 160-180psi on the pressure gauge, half a glass of water and a small fire which has been pulled up under the door.
From the driver’s point of view, he can start to look around the locomotive and coach. Checking there are no ‘not to be moved’ boards on, no scotches, that the locomotive is in a fit state to be moved and, finally, that a head and tail lamp are on and working. A brake test is carried out, the GSM-R radio is set up and tested. Once the depot protection has been removed and authority has been obtained from the shunters, the handbrake is taken off, and we move outside of the shed under our own steam.
This is when the fireman can start to bring the fire around and test the injectors. It’s a very fine balancing act, as enough steam is needed to do the shunting but then not much as we will be sitting up at Victoria for up to 45 minutes.
We shunt out of the lane to Battersea yard to attach to the stock. Another brake continuity test is carried out. The signaller is contacted, and we are ready to pull the whole train out of the yard and up around the Battersea reversible.
Once clear of the yard, Clan Line is set up to be hauled on the back of the train. This involves the brake pipe pressure being reduced to zero and the brake pinned away. The TPWS is isolated and a tail lamp placed on the rear. The diesel then pulls us up to Victoria.
Once at Victoria the TPWS is reinstated, the GSM-R radio set up with the correct head code, the tail lamp taken off and headlamps lit. Once station duties have been carried out and it’s our departure time, we are given the right away. Throughout the trip we aim to keep to time, provide a very smooth ride for the passengers and be very economical with the coal and water.
Once we arrive back at Victoria and station duties are completed, we are pulled back down to Stewarts Lane. The diesel locomotive is cut off and Clan Line shunts the stock back into the shed.
Clan Line is taken out around the triangle of Stewarts Lane junction, Longhedge junction and Wandsworth Road to turn for the next trip. As the turning move takes place the fireman gets the locomotive ready for a blow down. This involves bringing the water level in the boiler up to near full. The fire is run down, but enough is needed to move the engine, to produce enough steam for the blow down and then to refill the boiler with water.
Once back on shed we position the locomotive just outside of the shed. The locomotive is secured and handed back to the support crew. They carry out the blow down and then fully dispose the loco.