Slideshow - by the Club Members

During this period of staying at home, the club membership are encouraged to send in photos that they would like to share with the rest of the club membership.

Simply Email them to Jack if you have some of broadcast quality, about 1Mb in size – not too many post boxes or Bulleid pacific’s please!
My last steam firing turn on British Railways may be of interest to your members. You could keep your racing cars and motor bikes our racing track was the Bournemouth to Waterloo railway track with steam locomotives I had some really fast runs on that road mainly on the Bulleid pacifics although we had standard type locomotives has well.

All came to an end on the 8/7/1967 when I fired 35023, which was then nameless, up to waterloo on the last steam hauled Channel Island Express. It was a good steady run up to Waterloo but how I wish those days could have lasted forever.

Here is a log of the run plus a photograph of 35023 at Southampton I am stood behind the driver who has a grease top hat on.

Keith Bannister, ex Tewkesbury lad.
Slideshow by Mike Dodd.
Working Steam In The Balkans May 2010 – Part 1

In May 2010 there was still daily operational steam locomotive activity taking place within Europe. The country of Bosnia and Herzegovina being part of former Yugoslavia, had several mining company’s employing steam power on a regular basis.
A cheap and “Easy” flight from Bristol to Prague, on the 27th May 2010, started a week long bus tour around the Balkans on a self organized visit to Bosnia by a group of Czech rail enthusiasts, who had chartered their own bus.

Joining the tour bus at Prague station the following day, the journey commenced travelling through the Czech republic, Slovakia and into Hungary. Very little English was spoken by the Czech enthusiasts, however, interpretation services were offered via a friendly Slovakian, who was also a tour participant. Whilst in Hungary, a visit to Csomoder narrow gauge forest railway system was made, which runs for approx 103Km, with parts of it now in preservation. After Hungary the route went via Croatia, into Zagreb for a short stop, and then eventually crossing over the border into Bosnia.

On Monday 31st May 2010, in very wet weather, the first regular steam operation was encountered at the Catici-Kakanj colliery in Bosnia. Here a 0-6-0 side tank loco Number 62-366 built by Duro Dakovic in 1953, as works number 366 was in use.

The locomotive was broadly based on the United States Army Transport Corps 0-6-0T and had the simple job of shunting the trucks under the loading shoots & conveyers to receive coal from the colliery.
Many heavy industries such as coal mining make use of large buildings and structures to house the processing equipment required, and to maximise the output.

Similar large scale industrial concerns in the UK have all but vanished, so it was interesting to observe the sheer scale of operations that were in use.

With a readily available source of fuel, the retention of steam locomotives at the colliery makes operational and economic sense. Quite fitting at the end of the steam age in the 21st century, that the steam locomotive should still be used as it was originally designed & intended, for the transportation of coal.
A very primitive servicing facility was available to top up the locomotive with water every now & then. The crew for the locomotive sensibly take shelter in the locomotive cab whilst the deluge continues.
The following morning on the 1st June 2010 dawned dull, overcast and very wet. A journey in the tour coach northwards from Sarajevo for 3 ½ hours, provided a further opportunity to photograph regularly operating steam locomotives on the Kreka colliery railway system in Tuzla.

Arrival at the Kreka colliery railway system repair shops at Bukinje, sees a further class 62 locomotive 62-376 similarly built by Duro Dakovic in 1953 as works number 376.
As the weather conditions continue to deteriorate further, and with no knowledge of the next planned operational movements, a final view of the colliery complex and loco 62-366 was taken before departure for overnight accommodation in Sarajevo.
Also in the works yard alongside 62-376 is locomotive 33-236 a Kriegslok, formerly 52-817 built by Borsig in 1944, one of several manufacturers for this prolific class of engine, that numbered over 6,700.
Alongside the engineering workshop is a line of locomotives either awaiting repair, or being used as a source of spares to keep others running. Locomotive 62-637 built by Duro Dakovic in 1955, is in the centre of the photo below.
After exploring the yard area outside of the workshops it was time to go inside to view the repair activities being undertaken. Locomotive number 62-123 was present and receiving some minor attention.
Also in the workshops receiving some valve repairs, is locomotive 33-248 formerly 52 4779 built by Maschinenbau und Bahnbedarf AG Berlin in 1943 for German the war effort, and still in use well into the 21st century

MIKE DODD
Having concluded the workshop visit a final view of locomotives 62-376 and 33-236 is taken in the incessant rain prior to a visit to some other steam outposts of the Kreka colliery railway system.
A Visit To Barrow Hill Roundhouse 2nd June 1990 - Part 1
 
In 1870 the Midland Railway opened a locomotive roundhouse at Barrow Hill, situated just off the railway line from Chesterfield to Sheffield and formerly Worksop.

The rail atlas extract (right) shows the rail network as it is today. Going back even further in time, prior to the grouping performed on the 1st January 1923, a more complex railway scene was evident (below). Comparing the two maps it is surprising that the vast majority of railway lines in the area survived the rationalisation of the 1960’s.

For Barrow Hill station the passenger services were withdrawn as early as 5th July 1954, with the role of the line changing to more of a diversionary or freight route, serving the numerous heavy industries in the area.
The roundhouse originally provided servicing facilities for the steam locomotives associated with the nearby ironworks at Staveley as part of a 100 year contract signed by the Midland Railway.

On the 2nd June 1990, at the time of the visit, the Barrow Hill roundhouse by then had lost its locomotive allocation and was relegated to a locomotive servicing point and signing-on facility. For a small donation to the local Railway benevolent (beer) fund, it was possible to gain access to view and photograph the roundhouse.

As expected due to the nature of the heavy industry in the area, the locomotives viewed during the visit were mostly used for freight operations. Just 8 months after the accompanying photographs were taken, the facility closed for good on the 9th February 1991, having a working life of 121 years.
A steam age wooden sign is viewed on the outside of the roundhouse.
Class 58 Number 58047 about to enter the roundhouse, passing underneath the sand hopper.
A little further round are locomotives 56012 named “Maltby Colliery” with an unidentified class 56 alongside 58022. The chassis from 58022 is being used as the basis of the new-build heritage diesel number 10000.
Inside the roundhouse locomotive 58047 has just entered, alongside 56002 and a further class 5804x.
Picture

The nameplate carried by locomotive 56012. Maltby Colliery was close to Barrow Hill, and can be seen directly North East of the roundhouse on the map at the beginning of these notes.
The railfreight coal sector chevron, introduced in 1987, has been applied to the side of 58035.
The roundhouse turntable is 54 feet 8 ½ “ diameter being constructed by Cowans of Sheldon and installed in 1962. It serves 24 roads around the turntable pit and is capable of both manual and electric operation.
A further view sees 56002, 5804x and 56015, awaiting their next turn of duty in the roundhouse.
A campaign group was set up to save the roundhouse in 1989 before the final closure of the site. In  February 1991, the Borough Council granted the roundhouse grade 2 listed building status, being purchased by the Council from British Railways in December 1996.

Much funding work and restoration of the premises has followed over the years, culminating in the recent granting of museum status. In July 1998 the roundhouse opened for visitors who were once again able to visit the facility and learn about its history.

MIKE DODD