Astley Green Colliery Museum

Yesterday we visited the East Lancashire Railway again, and popped into the Fusilier Museum in Bury - well worth a visit, and the rainy weather didn't detract too much from our day. Cable thieves had prevented the Manchester Metrolink Tram from running between Victoria and Crumpsall in the morning and we had to use the tram-replacement bus, but by our return in the evening to Altrincham and then the 88 bus from there to Wilmslow, that had been repaired.

The weather looked more promising for today, so we fired up the little bikes and headed..... to the Bollin Fee in Wilmslow! We had planned a day at the Astley Green Colliery Museum but that doesn't open until 13:30, so we called at the 'Fee' on the way for a late breakfast and cup of tea before we set off. That would obviate the need to take any lunch with us.

From the 'Fee' we rode through Morely Green, Mobberley, Ashley, Hale, Bowden, Dunham, and over the Manchester Ship Canal on the Warburton high level bridge. From Irlam we headed over Chat Moss on narrow and pot holed dirt tracks direct to Astley, arriving just after the museum had opened.

Me and the bikes at Astley; C90, Townmate, SS50

Astley N0.1 pit head gear towers over the site

The winding engine for No.1 pit is still in place - a double tandem compound of 3,300hp

I take a look at the right hand low pressure cylinder's Corliss valve gear on the winding engine

Malc examines the right hand side of the engine

Me and Malc by the winding drum, between the two halves of the engine

Malc, in front of the left hand high pressure cylinder

A nicely restored Hunslet 2 foot gauge locomotive that runs on about half a mile of track at the Astley site.

The Hunslet was hauling a waggon load of Japanese Knot weed that had been pulled up at the bottom end of the site. It was transferred to the dumper truck for disposal.

The Astley No.1 pit head gear and engine house

Malc chats up a lady he found hanging around the museum

Astley is a superb place, with a great deal of mining-related memorabilia. The star of the museum is undoubtedly the giant pit winding engine, but there are also many displays related to mining, a large mine locomotive selection, industrial machines, and much, much more. It's well worth a visit!

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Peppa Pig at the Churnet Valley

I was rostered as Consall signalman again today, and that normally peaceful spot in the valley was a bit different. The Railway holds a 'Peppa Pig' event each year, and it certainly attracts visitors. This year, the event was centred on our lovely Consall station and I have never seen it so active.

As usual, please click on any picture for a larger image.

Consall this morning, just after I arrived at about 08:45; setting up for the event in somewhat dull weather

 The first train brought the first visitors

 

 The numbers grew with each arrival; here the DMU stops in the down (main line) platform on its journey up the valley from Froghall to Cheddleton via Leekbrook Junction

 Les stands on the foot crossing to see any passengers safely across the line before giving the 'right away' to the N7 tank locomotive in the 'up loop' platform on a Froghall train

  Seen through the windows of the 'box, face painting, magic shows, Punch & Judy, games, Peppa herself, and other attractions draw the crowds of parents, grand parents, and of course, lots of children!

 Howard mans the foot crossing as the N7 tank returns from Froghall

 Lots of 'corporate pink' in evidence for the Peppa branding. The brightening weather helped to swell the visitor numbers; far more than I've seen at Consall before. Let's hope it's reflected in improved financial returns for the Railway.

It was a good day in the 'box, with the trains running to time and the Signal & Telegraph guys visiting to sort out some long standing minor faults and check the gauging of our loop points. 

And the children certainly seemed to enjoy the combination of Peppa, the other attractions at Consall today, and of course steam trains. Who knows, some might have been inspired by our Railway and in years to come will be back to join us as volunteers.

The event continues tomorrow and on Wednesday, when I shall once more be on duty in Consall 'box.

Update Wednesday 14th August: I was rostered signalman again today, and Consall was even busier than it had been on Saturday. Hopefully, good news for the Railway's finances.

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'North Wales Coast Express' at Wilmslow and Mobberley

We fired up the little bikes early (for us on a Sunday!) this morning to see a steam locomotive in our area. The 'North Wales Coast Express' originated at Crewe hauled by a class 47 diesel locomotive, with Black Five 45231 'The Sherwood Forester' on the rear, calling at Wilmslow at 10:00 en route for Manchester Piccadilly. At Piccadilly, the train reversed and the Black Five became the train engine with the 47 on the rear. The route from Manchester was back to Stockport, then on to the Mid Cheshire Line via Altrincham and Mobberley to Chester, and then via the North Wales coast line to Holyhead.

We (me, Malc, Ivan; the usual suspects) were at Wilmslow in plenty of time to see it.

'The Sherwood Forester' on the rear of 'The North Wales Coast Express' at Wilmslow this morning

On the journey into Manchester the loco had little work to do as the Class 47 diesel at the front of the train took the strain

Black Fives were not usually named in BR steam days. This one acquired its name when it was preserved following its years as a BR workhorse. 842 Black Fives  were built, and 45231, built in 1936, was one of 227built by Armstrong Whitworth.

45231's crew can relax for now, but they will be working hard once the train leaves Manchester

After a hearty breakfast at 'The Bollin Fee' we rode the little bikes through Morley Green to Mobberley, where we caught 45231 again, this time heading the train along the Mid Cheshire Line to North Wales

We also saw this 175 unit, not a type normally seen on this line. Presumably it was a diversion from the Chat Moss line during Sunday electrification work there.

Malc's Yamaha Townmate, Malc, my Honda C90, Ivan's Honda SS50, and Ivan by the stile where we took the Mobberley lineside pictures

Time for a lunchtime pint at the appropriately named pub in Mobberley, complete with a home signal by the bowling green!

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'Nine' at Chelford this evening

Following 'The Great Gathering' of A4 Pacific locomotives at the National Railway Museum, York, (see http://vinchad.blogspot.co.uk/2013/07/the-great-gathering-york.html on this blog) the 'Streaks' have dispersed. 'Bittern' has run 'specials' on the main line, and 60009 'Union of South Africa' today returned from the NRM to to its home at Crewe Heritage Centre.

60009 (known simply as 'Nine') was due through Chelford at about 18:40 this evening on that homeward journey, being held in the Up Loop at Chelford for about twenty minutes for following service trains to pass. However, she was slightly early and running well, so the signallers gave her a clear road through Chelford, and omitted the scheduled loop stop.

Malc and me arranged to ride our 'steppers' (small motorcycles - C90 and Townmate) the short distance to Chelford to witness the locomotive's passing. Mike drove there and met us, and afterwards we retired to 'The Bollin Fee' in Wilmslow where we were joined by Ivan for a pint and a bite to eat.

No. 60009 A4 Pacific 'Union of South Africa' and its support coach approach Chelford en route from the NRM to Crewe at about 18:40 this evening

A closer look at 'Nine' as she approaches Chelford

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Getting to know the Griso

The lovely weather (so far) of this summer has enabled me to get out and about on my new bike to 'get the feel of her'. I've been up in the Peak District, and around Cheshire in the days since I rode her home from Rossendale over a week ago.

Today was perhaps the best ride yet. Hazy cloud kept the temperatures a tad lower than the recent high 20s, but with long standing high pressure the visibility was not so good for my ride today with a haze killing the distant views.

I filled the tank in Wilmslow and set off via Prestbury to ride up through Bollington to 'The Highwayman' at Rainow. I crossed the Macclesfield to Whalley Bridge road and continued to Lamaload, noting the reservoir is down a bit (we've had no rain for weeks). Then up to the Macclesfield to Buxton road which I followed, through its well known twisty bends, past the Cat & Fiddle pub and then turning off that road for the minor road across Axe Edge Moor to join the Buxton to Leek road, which after a few miles I turned off towards Longnor. From Longnor there is a lovely road into the Dove valley through Crowdecote, which took me over the river and up the hairpins on the far side, then past the former Cromford & High Peak Railway (later the former Buxton to Ashbourne line) at Hurdlow, now a cycleway, to emerge at the Buxton to Ashbourne road.

Soon I was in Monyash where I'd intended to stop for a cup of tea at the cafe by the village green, but it was crowded with cars so I turned right and rode on to Hartington, and then Hulme End where there's a cafe in the old engine shed of the Waterhouses to Hulme End narrow gauge railway. The railway closed in the 1930s and the cafe was closed today, so I took to the delightful ridge-top minor road between the valleys of the Manifold to the left, and the Dove to the right, back to Longnor, and on to Earl Sterndale and 'The Quiet Woman' for lunch.

A pint of hoppy ale, the remains of a pork pie, my helmet, and the Griso at Earl Sterndale at lunchtime today

The 'Quiet Woman' (with its inn sign of a headless lady) was open, and I had the traditional pint and pork pie this pub is famous for.

After lunch, a blast up to the Ashbourne road enabled me to cross that and take to one of my favourite roads in the White Peak - the A5270 from here to the A6 at Blackwell, where I did a 180 degree turn - and rode it back again!

The ride home was via Harper Hill, the Cat & Fiddle, Macclesfield, and Prestbury.

What a great ride out!

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The Great Gathering; York

The Great Gathering in The Great Hall; five of the six 'streaks'

Steve Davies used to be director of the Manchester Museum of Science & Industry when I joined as volunteer locomotive footplate crew. Steve was a superb director and the MoSI railway blossomed under his leadership. Unfortunately for us he went on to greater things, being appointed director of the National Railway Museum in York. He inherited the poisoned chalice of the money-pit 'Flying Scotsman' restoration disaster. However, he will be remembered not for that, but for his initiative in making 'The Great Gathering' happen this summer.

To celebrate the 75th anniversary of A4 Pacific steam locomotive 'Mallard' setting the world speed record for steam in 1938 at126mph (which still stands today) he arranged to have all six extant A4 Pacifics (nicknamed 'Streaks') gather at the York museum. Four were in UK; 'Mallard' herself, 'Union of South Africa', 'Bittern', and 'Sir Nigel Gresley' (named after the locomotive's designer). The other two had to be imported; 'Dwight D. Eisenhower' from the USA, and 'Dominion of Canada' from that country.

Of the four UK locomotives, all but the most famous, 'Mallard', are operational. That the most famous of all steam locomotives, the fastest in the world, is merely a static exhibit does not speak well (in my opinion) for the NRM pre-Steve management in deciding to throw limitless funds at populist 'Scotsman' instead of funding the return to steam of more deserving locomotives in the national collection.

The two locomotives from across the Atlantic were given a cosmetic restoration (and very well done, too) for the 'Gathering' as part of the deal with their home museums.

I'm no fan of Gresley's locomotives as I think they are technically inferior in design compared to the lineage that came from Churchwood and Collett at Swindon on the Great Western Railway, culminating in the superb 'Castles' and 'Kings'. These ideas were further developed by William Stanier, who was headhunted from the Great Western and took Swindon ideas with him to Crewe when he was appointed Cheif Mechanical Engineer of the LMS (London, Midland, and Scottish railway). Stanier went on to produce what is arguably the ultimate passenger express steam locomotive, the 'Coronation' class Pacific.

It's no co-incidence that when Robert Riddles was charged with designing the very last classes of steam locomotives for British Railways in the early 1950s he took the best features of what each company had hitherto produced, they were either developments of Stanier's designs or completely new designs largely incorporating Stanier's design participles.

Nonetheless, the 'Mallard' record stands and 'The Great Gathering' is an event we just had to attend. So this morning  Malcolm, Mike, and me travelled (by train of course!) to the NRM at York.

It's not particularly easy to get all six A4s in one picture. The Great Hall turntable was open to public access for the event.

Its good to see that the sectioned Merchant Navy pacific 'Ellerman Lines' is still on display

Here's another National Collection locomotive that should arguably be in the restoration queue ahead of 'Scotsman'; the last steam locomotive built for British Railways, class 9F 2-10-0 'Evening Star'

'Dominion of Canada' carries a steam-operated bell and US-style whistle

'Mallard' carries a plaque commemorating the speed record, but here's the lesser-known one carried by 'Sir Nigel Gresley'

The exposed wheels and motion of 60009. I think Streaks look better with the side valences fitted....

....As here on 'Mallard and 'Dominion of Canada'

The ultimate in Great Western power, Collett's magnificent 'King' class. The GWR achieved this level of steam locomotive design advance by 1927; why did they stop there? 

A visitor from North Wales. a double Fairlie from the Ffestiniog Railway

Skulking in the back of the workshop, trying to hide, is the 'money pit'. If locos could wear a dunce's cap, this one would be.

More 'Streak Action' in the Great Hall; blue ones with valences....

.....And green ones without

There were long queues to gain access to the footplates of the Streaks

Outside in the yard Mike and Malc admire another example of Sir William Stanier's work - the highly successful 8F freight locomotive which I remember as plentiful in the North West of England at the end of steam on BR

I've driven this! The replica 'Rocket' owned by the NRM

To round off a great day, once we'd returned to Wilmslow Chris joined us at 'The Bollin Fee' where we took advantage of their book of vouchers delivered to Wilmslow households promoting food and drink. Very good it was too! Mike being silly, Malc tucking into his steak, Chris wondering what Mike's up to!

The sun shone in this July 2013 heatwave, the trains were on time, and the exhibits at NRM well presented (though it would have been nice to have seen a 'Duchess' there to show up the 'Streaks'!).

And so ended another excellent day out. Where to next?

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So what has replaced the Bonnie?

This has! A 2009 Moto Guzzi Griso 8V; a big V-twin of 1,200cc capacity and with 4 valves per cylinder. Although it's four years old it's in showroom condition, having only done just over 1,000 miles from new. It's fitted with a Moto Guzzi approved Termignoni high performance exhaust system in place of the standard system. And it sounds just gorgeous!

Moto Guzzi motorcycles are conceived and built in Mandello del Lario on Lake Como (Lecco arm, if you know the lake), in Italy. So they have a bit of style.

(As ever, click on any picture for a larger image)



The Termignoni exhaust, a Moto Guzzi option

I bought the bike from a charming chap up in Rossendale, who as well as his day job keeps bantams and makes cheese for sale, and lives in an ancient farm house above Rawtenstall. Malcolm and I rode the Freewinds up to see the bike on Wednesday, and I did the deal there and then. On Friday (yesterday), I went up to Whitefield by train and Metrolink tram where the owner picked me up (avoiding the military funeral which was taking place in Bury) and drove me to his house, from where I rode the bike home.

It is just brilliant to ride. A bottomless pit of power and torque, lots of character as you'd expect from a big low-stressed V-twin. And then there's that fabulous exhaust note. I took a ride on her yesterday afternoon despite the summer heat, and I'm still picking the flies out of my teeth!

Here's some pictures of the current fleet....

Moto Guzzi Griso, Suzuki Freewind, Honda C90

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