Ian Smeeton

Take the dog to work, for some company, says the Boss. Not much company, was he? Regards Ian

My assistant at Wymondham Crossing was not the most alert. Jim, Hard at Sleep! Fortunately, I was more awake as these came through No alert enough to not the numbers, though (there was anther one on the other end.) Regards Ian

It is great to see our younger members getting stuck in. But schools, colleges and universities have all gone back now, putting pressure on what few hours our youngsters have to spare. Evenings are out, as the nights draw in. The burden now falls on the older members, some well into their 70's (one recent newbie is in his 90's!!) as we move in to the closed season when a lot of heavy maintenance takes place. Heritage railways and museums need all the help that they can get. At least as a volunteer, there is no compunction to be there. We (and most other heritage attractions, not just railways) will happily accommodate whatever time someone can give. For me, an unexpected day off means that I can get a few hours in. I'm 58, no spring chicken, but I want to do my bit where and when I can. However, the weather can put the knackers on things. A couple of spare hours this afternoon to get on top of the mowing, lost due to rain. Pray for a dry day on Wednesday for me, please. Regards Ian

Before dawn in Lincolnshire... Even earlier than my last, Almost the New Moon Regards Ian

Lincolnshire dawn Very early yesterday morning (dog walking after a night shift) Regards Ian

Barclay Sand box lids, for your detailed delectation.... Forward Rear From 'Sir Thomas Royden' a 14" Barclay 2088/1940. I hope that these are useful. Regards Ian

Sentinel Sunday (Part 2) Over the last few years, Jean and Betty have been stalwarts around the Museum. Graham has spent the last 10 years or so awaiting electrical work and the addition of Vacuum brakes. While not original, the lack of AVB has limited operations to steam only. At least now, if we have another steam ban, voluntary or otherwise, we will be able to continue passenger operations. All 3 line up ready for a runpast. Our curator has a stock of nameplates, some original, some replica, and was chopping and changing identities all day. Graham and Jean shunting the yard to turn the train ready for another trip to the quarry. No faces on locos, no Thomas the Tank Engine here, posh in Rutland we are. In stead, 'Sir Tommy' climbs the bank with the Shark while Graham waits the next shunt-release in the headshunt. One of our younger members doesn't have a car licence yet, but he can drive a tractor. His own Leyland sits alongside a Fordson Major belonging to a local visitor More to follow, Regards Ian

Sentinel Sunday- Report I wasn't involved in the operational aspects of the day, but judging by the crowd of visitors cars, and the comments received, a good day was had by all (including the volunteers). All 3 of our sentinels were in operation, along with Barclay 2088 of 1940, 'Sir Thomas Royden' Preparing to run a double headed Iron Ore train up the bank, Jean and Graham wait in the head shunt. It was great to see both the Dragline and Face Shovel in operation, too. New member Rob was having great fun getting to grips with the RB22, He did ask if I would like to have a go, but time, unfortunately for me, was short. I will take lessons from him in the near future though More to show when I can upload the photos. Regards Ian

Sentinel Sunday & Steam-up Don't forget, short day tomorrow, 10.00 a.m. - 2.00 p.m. with Three Oxfordshire Ironstone Sentinels on dfuty along with Barclay 1931/1928. Regards Ian

Fuel Tank? Regards Ian

Sentinel Sunday and Oxfordshire Ironstone closure Anniversary. We had planned a full day of events, three Sentinels out to play along with Face Shovel and Dragline operations all the way through from 10.00 until 4.00 pm. However, with the Queen's Funeral taking place the following day, and people travelling either to family or to mourn her passing in person, we have decided to shorten the day. Instead, we will be finishing operations by 2 p.m. to allow volunteers to get to where they plan to be for the funeral. We are sorry if the shortened day disappoints anyone, but we hope that you will understand. Regards Ian

MUSEUM RECALLS NORTH OXFORDSHIRE IRONSTONE QUARRY PAST Sentinel Sunday It is now hard to envisage that the pleasant rolling countryside of North Oxfordshire was once host to opencast quarrying of ironstone for iron and steel production on a grand scale. The excavation of ironstone started around Wroxton near Banbury in 1919 with economic pressures finally forcing closure in 1967. The ironstone was moved by rail from the quarries to the distant steelworks firstly over the private railway of the Oxfordshire Ironstone Company (OIC) to mainline railway sidings north of Banbury. Over the life time of the quarries some 33 million tons of iron ore was removed. To mark the 55th anniversary of the closure of the Oxfordshire Ironstone Quarries a small museum in Rutland is holding a special open day on Sunday 18th September 2022. The volunteer run museum Rocks by Rail based near Cottesmore specialises in the industrial heritage associated with ironstone quarries and their associated quarry railways. In addition to visitor train trips the museum is to display three of the surviving Sentinel diesel locomotives once operated in the later years by the Oxfordshire Ironstone Company. It is also hoped that demonstrations will be carried out in the museum’s mock quarry to supplement a display on the history of the OIC. The museum will be open from 10am to 4pm and normal admission charges apply. For further information on where to find the museum see the museums website www.rocks-by-rail.org Peckett saddletank BASIC waits for its hopper wagons to be loaded at Wroxton. Hopefully @AY Mod and the team can reorientate this to stop the ore falling out. A Hunslet saddle tank arrives with empty wagons from the BR exchange sidings for filling with ironstone We don't have any of the Oxfordshire Steam Locos at the Museum, so we will have to make do with a 'Flypast' of all three Diesel Sentinels, Jean, Betty, and Graham. Hopefully Graham will be running under its own power. Work is ongoing Regards Ian

The Syston to Peterborough line is wall to wall 170's and 66's. Very little variation. Now and again, something else turns up, so I went out to phot the Duchess last Saturday. Vantage point chosen weather hazy. Not the best. Test shot before the 'Duchess' Just another 170 on 1L00 Coleshill Parkway to Cambridge. Regards Ian

I think that it was April '73 or '74, the Railway Magazine proposed running the entire Western Region timetable with preserved steam due to the oil crisis at the time. Worth a read if anyone has it. Regards Ian

Satisfying? Happy as pigs in..... Copyright Andrew Brett Regards Ian

Just looking at your turnout, the 'Set' seems to start a little too far to the right. It may be my eyes (or the Photo) , but you may find a tight spot or two there. Best of luck with the build Regards Ian

Duchess out to play today on Norwich - Chester and return Seen on a hazy morning just south of Oakham, about 4 minutes down this a.m. Regards Ian

Diesel Driver for a Fiver day tomorrow (Sunday) at Rocks by Rail. Betty is the likely suspect, but 1382 might be making an appearance. 1382 Betty has her new adornments. Weather looks pretty good, too, and I can smell the Bacon Butties from here. Regards Ian

After a few hiccups with the first electric bike, I have managed just over 500 miles in the 2 months since I took delivery. Just commuting to and from work and to Rocks by Rail, but I feel better for it. We'll have to see how my resolve holds up over the winter, but, As the fella said when he jumped off the Empire State Building as he passed every 10 floors, "So far so good" I am not up there with the likes of @big jim and @BR traction instructor for distance. I am certainly not in the MAMIL mould but I may invest some more money in pedal power in due course. Regards Ian

Busiest day of the year so far. The weather held (mostly). Barclay 1931 of 1928 did the honours on the passenger train. I lost count of the number of runs up and down the line that we did. A good number of young (and not so young) people invited on to the footplate, some seeing a steam loco for the very first time. YE 1382 on the quarry transfer freights with Sentinels Betty and Jean doing the necessary shunting at either end. The Sentinels were showing off their newly acquired decorations, cast for us by a visitor earlier in the year. The new owner of 1382 was wearing the biggest smile I have ever seen. Mind you, he IS a big chap. A couple of vintage vehicles appeared through the day. The little grey Fergie first thing in the morning, acting as personal transport for one of our younger members, and the Austin, looking absolutely beautiful belongs to a member whose whole family are train (and Rocks by Rail) mad. Next outing is this coming Sunday, with our ever popular 'Driver for a Fiver'. Should be a Sentinel, but 1382 Might be deputising. We'll have to see. Regards Ian

It was a pleasure to host you all that day and great fun with some very interesting and thought provoking discussion. I hope to see you all again in the future. Regards Ian

Big Quarry Day tomorrow (Monday) 3 Diesels in operation, Jean, and Betty (Sentinels ) and YE 1382 along with Barclay 1931 running the passenger trains. YT is knackered tonight after doing all sorts yesterday. Guard (2nd) redundant, Bacon Roll seller and tea maker for a couple of hours, then rescue fireman (unsuccessful) with our fantastic lady driver, Clova followed by mighty walking up and down as shunter. Dragline and Face Shovel should be in operation, so some serious photo ops available. Looking forward to going back to work for rest! Regards Ian

I love the beautifully signwritten "Condemned Wagon on loan to the Civil Engineers dept" Did whoever lent the wagons really want them back in then state tat some of them were in? Regards ian

A day out with Thomas? No, posh in Rutland, we are. SIR Thomas will be doing the honours tomorrow (Sunday) with a supporting cast. Bank Holiday Monday will have the Troublesome Trucks out i force, but the honours will be borne by Barclay 1931 as we have a full Quarry working day with both the Face Shovel and the Dragline in operation along with THREE Diesels. Yorkshire Engine Co's 1382 will be sharing the duties with two of our Lady Sentinels. The weather looks good, I can smell the Bacon Butties form here, so why not come and join us? Regards Ian

Thursday is our 'VJ Day' when we have an act of Remembrance for those who fell in the Far East in the Second World War. Singapore has been polished, and will be brought out into the sunshine (we hope) as the centrepiece. As she was captured in Feb 1942 along with 80,000 Allied service personnel and countless locals and civilians by the Japanese when they invaded, she has, since preservation, become a symbol to those who returned of those who didn't. This year, being the 40th anniversary of the Falklands We have representatives of all three services, both serving and retired, joining us along with local dignitaries, the Australian High Commission and COFEPOW and FEPOW members who will lay wreaths and single White Orchids (the Far East flower of Remembrance) and poppies to remember those who gave their all, and almost as importantly, those who returned. No matter what your feelings are with regard to war, those who failed to return made the ultimate sacrifice, and gave their tomorrows that we may enjoy our todays. Regards Ian