Ribble Steam Railway

Do you want to be an Engine Driver?

2011-12-23T17:01:21Z

Do you like getting up at 6am on a freezing winters morning? Do you like getting coal dust where you never thought it could get?
Do you like polishing great lumps of metal?
Do you fancy staying on at the end of the day long after everyone else has gone home, so you can dispose of a fire, clean out a smoke box and ash pan, water and coal the engine?
Have you got the passion for all things steam?
Do you feel you could get used to being photographed hundreds of times by visitors whilst on the steam engine?
Aged over 16 and physically fit?
If the answer to the above is YES, then you truly could, make the grade and one day become a steam engine driver.
So before the stampede starts, here’s what it takes…..
First thing is to be a fully paid up member of the society .
Second, become a working member of the society by turning up and mucking in, now I know what your thinking, just how does that happen? Been somewhere else where your ignored have you, worried that it will happen again? Well that should not be the case.
Make yourself known to any of the operating staff and they should point you in the right direction towards the loco shed.
Now’s where you start to get a little dirty as your time as a loco cleaner begins and the dirt off the loco gets transferred onto you. Not just cleaning the working fleet but also being let loose on the Museum exhibits as well. During this process not only does the steam engine look cleaner and is therefore nicer for the crew (and the public), but you start to learn all about what the parts of the locomotive are, how they work and what they do. You can help with the loco preparation on operating days and even get a ride down the yard on the footplate if invited by the driver. (You’ll never forget that first trip, the smell of a hot engine and the motion of the pistons) That’s how it began for me over 15 years ago at Southport, a chance conversation and a footplate ride and that was it, hooked for life.
Never be afraid to ask those questions, that’s how we all learn.
This is the period where man, or woman and machine become one and having been active at loco cleaning for some time you will be invited to take some trips with the crew on operating days so you can learn the ways of the footplate, Look and learn is still as good advice today as it ever was. Very soon you’ll have the shovel thrust in your hands and “sling a couple in the back corners mate” will ring in your ears
This is the start of stage 2 of the learning process, that of the fireman’s role. Now you will learn the art of boiler management. I say art, because that’s exactly what it is. No two engines are the same to fire or to keep the correct level of water and steam in the boiler as you’ll soon find out. Then there’s the puzzling little things, take the other week when the crew on Hunslet 3155 couldn’t work out why there were 3 shovels with differing length handles on the footplate. Did we have Firemen with odd length arms, well no, as the coal was used in the bunker and supplies were further back we needed a longer shovel to reach it !! Puzzle solved then.
So, having purchased a set of blue cotton footplate overalls off you go. You’ll get to know what to check first thing in the morning and before lighting up. You’ll learn the art of fire lighting and gently warming the boiler through so as not to over stress the different metals in the firebox and boiler whilst you gradually raise steam for the driver to use. You’ll learn how to manage the boiler so time and effort are not wasted and hopefully the smoke emissions will be kept to a minimum.
You’ll learn the safe way to couple up to the carriages and connect the vacuum brake bags (Ah, you’ll really enjoy that) and in the winter also the steam heat pipes. The working of the ground frames and learning the railway’s layout must also be memorised.
Having been issued with a copy of the operating rules, which must be learned and adhered to at all times you’ll be invited, when ready, to take the fireman’s test and with a successful medical you are now a Fireman. Training and learning now continues, not this time with another fireman but just you with the Driver.
Several years may now pass with you covering as many rostered turns as you can, (no maximum or minimum) constantly learning (and still being photographed), talking with the public and representing the railway company. Eventually you’ll be taught how to drive and so will be on the last and final leg towards becoming a steam loco driver.
There are no given timescales in the ranks of footplate promotion, it’s rather as and when there is a vacancy.
Still interested? Good because we need loco cleaners to start anytime now.

2012 Operating Dates Announced

2011-11-16T21:30:14Z

JAN - CLOSED

FEB - W15 HALF TERM
FEB - 18/19 GALA (FR20)

MAR - CLOSED

APR - SUN 1 (FR20)
APR - 7/ 8 / 9 EASTER EGGS STEAM (FR20)

APR - 11 HALF TERM

APR - SUN 15 (FR20)
APR - SUN 22 (FR20)
APR - SUN 29 (FR20) HONDA GOLDWINGS DAY

MAY - 5/6/7 FRIENDLY ENGINES
MAY 12/13 Weekend Steam Trains
MAY 19/20 Weekend Steam Trains
MAY 26/27/28/29 TORNADO

JUN 2/3/4 TEDDY BEARS KIDS PARTY
(JUN 5 QUEEN'S DIAMOND JUBILEE - CLOSED)
JUN 6 - HALF TERM
JUN 9/10 HANDS ON GANG - KIDS FOR A QUID WEEKEND
JUN 16 Weekend Steam Trains
JUN 17 - CLASSIC CARS
JUN 23/24 Weekend Steam Trains
JUN 30 Weekend Steam Trains

JULY 1 Weekend Steam Trains
JULY 7/8 Weekend Steam Trains
JULY 14/15 FRIENDLY ENGINES
JULY 21/22 FRIENDLY ENGINES / RIVERSWAY FESTIVAL
JULY 28/29 Weekend Steam Trains

AUG WED 1
AUG 4/5 PRESTON DOCK EVENT (TBC)
AUG WED 8
AUG 11/12 Weekend Steam Trains
AUG WED 15
AUG 18/19 Weekend Steam Trains
AUG WED 22
AUG 25/26/27 FRIENDLY ENGINES GALA PARTY
AUG WED 29

SEPT 1/2 Weekend Steam Trains
SEPT 8/9 Weekend Steam Trains
SEPT 15/16 STEAM GALA
SEPT 22/23 Weekend Steam Trains
SEPT 29/30 Weekend Steam Trains

OCT 6/7 DIESELS WEEKEND
OCT 27/28 HALLOWEEN
OCT WED 31 SPOOKY TRAINS

NOV - CLOSED

DEC 1/2 8/9 15/16 22/23 SANTA SPECIALS (Provisional Dates)

This list is subject to minor changes ahead of 2012 Preston Guild year but should act as a guide only to our operating days. Always check the website before travelling to visit us.

Industrial Railways

2011-08-16T11:54:33Z

Ever since mankind settled in one place there has been a need to move large objects such as stone or wood for building, or later to move commodities, for example coal, or ironstone, in bulk, sometimes over long distances. Naturally the wheel, the horse drawn cart, and the boat, played an important part in transportation across land, and via rivers and waterways.

It is known from old manuscripts and prints from the 16th century that in Germany metal miners used crude wagons pulled by men or horses to bring ore to the surface, and when coal began to become exploited for its mineral value, then improved methods of transport became essential for this bulky commodity. Wooden tramways were known in Elizabethan times; simple wagons based on carts ran on crude timber rails. Increasing demand lead to further experiment, and in 1804 Trevithick’s locomotive ran on cast iron rails on the industrial tram road at Penydarran in South Wales. In 1813 Hedley’s “Puffing Billy” was in use at a colliery at Wylam in Northumberland. As he watched these engines at work George Stephenson was inspired to develop the locomotive to move increasing loads over longer distances reliably. Others pioneered steam, George Stephenson made it work; with his son Robert he laid the foundations of practical rail transport.

By displacing horse-drawn transport and the canal the industrial railway was the parent of the freight and passenger carrying trains we know today.

During the 19th century the pace of development of industry, commerce, mechanisation, and exports increased rapidly. The aim of Victorian entrepreneurs was to move goods at a profit; main line railways were built by private companies, and during that century the railways of Britain replaced the canals and developed into a interconnected network of main lines joining towns and cities, and branch lines connecting the sidings of factories and works to the main network. The notion of passenger transport was secondary to the profit of moving goods to market. Britain became “the workshop of the world.” At the end of the 19th century when Britain’s railways were at their greatest extent it is said that nowhere in the whole of the mainland of the British Isles was more than 18 miles from a railway line.

Ribble Steam Railway has a locomotive collection based on the industrial locos which worked in the sidings of factories, warehouses, and docks, usually away from the public eye. The locos on display in the museum and those in steam were developed to work as economically and as efficiently as possible, just as their more distinguished passenger brethren were built for speed and style. Many of the locos had very long working lives, for example those made by Barclays of Kilmarnock and Hunslet at Leeds. Thousands were made both for the home and overseas markets. Many can still be steamed and perform useful work nearly 100 years after they were made, although most of the mechanical working parts will have been renewed or replaced over time.

The development of industrial railways generally followed that of the main lines. Larger, heavier, more economical locos appeared, together with many adapted by the makers for specific purposes or locations. The first flame-free fireless design for industrial use was produced by Borsig of Berlin in 1901 and quickly copied. Electric locos appeared in the early years of the 20th century, and the first practical diesel shunters in the 1930s.

Some industrial complexes were very large. For example the railway at the Beckton Gas Works in east London, which supplied gas to the Greater London area, had 70 miles of tracks in 360 acres, its own signalling system, 34 locos, and 1000 privately owned wagons to cope with the enormous input of coal to produce town gas. Closer to home the Manchester Ship Canal Co had an extensive network to service and maintain the canal; in Preston the Preston Dock Co had 28 miles of tracks and up to 8 locomotives in operation.

Unseen and uncelebrated industrial locomotives spent unglamorous years trundling up and down pushing or pulling wagons, making up outgoing, or dividing down incoming trains, or just standing about waiting to be told about the next job. They were usually quite well maintained, mostly by the driver and fireman; their crews often took great pride in their appearance, although the occasional neglected loco that was allowed to run down was, and is, a sorry spectacle. A 1989 survey revealed 11 steam locos still at work in private industry; 7 Barclays – one fireless, 1 Hunslet, 1 Peckett, and 2 by Robert Stephenson & Hawthorns. The fireless Barclay was built in 1917. A tribute to good design and sound workmanship; we hear more than 100 examples of locos from this famous Scottish maker are in preservation today. Engine makers were proud of their locos and often attached handsome works plates to the cab sides to proclaim their origin.

Just as important as the locos that moved them were the goods wagons and vans that earned the revenue to keep industry in business. The first crude wagons were modelled on horse-drawn carts; these were replaced over time by higher capacity wagons when steam loco power replaced the horse. For many years the industrial scene was dominated by the 4 wheeled wagon, built of timber on a timber or steel frame and with a carrying capacity of 10-12 tons. As demand increased wagons became larger and heavier to carry greater loads and specialised wagons were developed for specific purposes, for example the bottom discharge hopper wagons which can be seen on our sidings. Plain grease lubricated axle bearings gave way to oil-filled boxes, and to roller bearings in the most sophisticated wagons. Simple hand applied brakes on each individual wagon became compulsory after 1887, but, incredibly, continuous train brakes applied from the loco were not generally adopted until after 1948 – hence the guard’s brake van.

Produced for Visitors To The Museum, Ribble Steam Railway.

Preston Guild 2012 - Advance News - 2

2011-05-24T14:15:39Z

More great news for Preston Guild year 2012....

'Thomas The Tank Engine' is provisionally booked for the Riversway Festival Weekend of July 21/22 2012

and the railway are hoping that the oldest running locomotive in the UK, FR20 built in 1863, will be able to join in the celebrations early in the year, possibly at the Gala!

(all engines are subject to availabilty at the time)

More news to come soon....

Colour & Make A Steam Train

2011-05-05T15:52:31Z

CLICK TO ENLARGE

Kids Party Entertainment

2011-05-05T15:36:51Z

If you want entertainment at your train party,

why not have face painting on the train....

Gina
Tiger Feet Entertainment
tel 01704 233572
07725 668471
email: tigerfeet1@yahoo.co.uk
www.tigerfeet-gina.co.uk

Preston Guild 2012 - Advance News

2011-05-03T23:06:53Z

Preston Guild 2012

What is Preston Guild (LINK)

The oldest running locomotive in the UK, FR20 built in 1863, will be joining the celebrations early in the year at the Gala and at Easter.

The Furness Railway Trust's FR20 will be the main attraction at Ribble Steam Railway for the start of the 2012 Guild Year steamings.

**********************************

Made in Preston (late May – end October)

Come and see our Guild year exhibition celebrating Preston’s key role in the development of electric and diesel trains. Did you know that electric motors made in Preston still power many trains all over the world? Come and see “Deltic” – Britain’s first 100mph diesel locomotive – and it was made in Preston!

(all engines are subject to availability at the time)

More news to come soon....

Explore - Lancaster Canal

2011-05-03T14:07:56Z

CLICK TO ENLARGE PAGE