A Lifetime first

John B · Post by **John B** » Thu Jan 03, 2008 9:43 am

Just in case anyone maybe interested, I achieved another lifetime's dream, or put another way, one more tick on the list of 100 things to do before I die.

I drove a steam engine for a whole hour just a few days ago, I have been training as a fireman now for nearly a year at the Glenbrook Vintage Railway in New Zealand. Last Friday the driver said you can have a go on the regulator now (after I had been firing nearly all day).

The regulator and cut-off are a cinch to operate compared to learning to work the Westinghouse brakes, that is serious stuff and takes a bit of focus to get it right. I really, REALLY enjoyed myself and to feel the power of a Ja class 4-8-2 NZR mainline locomotive was quite an awesome experience.

I am back on the footplate again this Sunday, so here's hoping

bricam5 · Post by **bricam5** » Thu Jan 03, 2008 10:51 pm

Yes John,it's a great feeling when you get handed the regulator and the responsibility hits you,no wonder your chuffed.

Downloaded your picture and I note that it's not a "Mucky engine!"
Try cleaning the smokebox in a strong wind,that should do the trick.

John B · Post by **John B** » Mon Jan 07, 2008 10:49 am

Thanks Bricam.

I was well chuffed indeed

Guilty as charged - the engine is not mucky. Ja 1250 is a much loved engine and we are "expected" to clean it before use, I would be labeled "lazy" if I tried not cleaning her. I believe my position as an assistant fireman would become untenable if I made my radical proposal to leave her mucky.

The photo shows my mornings handiwork using a mixture of kerosene and oil, an application cloth and a polishing cloth.

Oh! and I have emptied the smokebox in high wind and had some very stern instructions about not letting any of the ash get into the motion. The smoke box front is rarely opened (for clearing the spark arrestor) On the Ja class, you use a small side opening access door to clean out the smokebox ash.

bricam5 · Post by **bricam5** » Mon Jan 07, 2008 11:34 pm

John B.
A trapdoor in the smokebox! Now that really is sneaky. It deprives you of the pleasure of standing balanced on the buffer beam in a howling gale and trying to keep the ash clear of the lubricators as well as the motions.

Getting to grips with Westinghouse is something that I never quite mastered. Some of the G5's and D20 (EX NE class R) had Westinghouse engine brakes as did the first two L1's to arrive at Botanic Gardens in green livery (7719,7721) and I always had the feeling that they were all or nowt as the saying goes. If you can get it right then more power to your brake elbow.