2-8-0T locomotive 5224
was transferred from the LNWR workshops at Crewe to the Churnet
Valley Railway earlier today. After unloading the GWR engine,
the low loader collected 80136 which was going on loan to the
West Somerset Railway.
The load caused a tail-back
as the trailer negotiated the turn in to the car park.
The telegraph pole was
not ideally situated and to make matters worse the trailer grounded
on the entrance floor but eventually it was cleared and the traffic
jam was eased.
The police escort signed
off and disappeared until 80136 was ready to move.
Down the approach road
and a little bit of tree scraping only to reach the line and
find out that the loco was facing the wrong way. Astonishingly
the driver reversed all the way back to the car park and then
reversed back again to unload.
By this time 33102 had
arrived at the station with 80136 and was waiting for the GWR
tank.
33102 pulled forward.
The low-loader was by
now reversing through the trees to reach the rails.
The experts discussed
the matters in hand but seemed to be in full agreement.
Positioned over
the track.
Spare diesel engine.
The rail ramps were positioned,
bolted and suitably packed. The engine was attached to a steel
rope on the trailer winch before the securing chains were removed.
The class 33 pulled forward
and coupled up to drag the tank off the trailer.
Meanwhile 80136 was parked
at the station platform.
33102 dragged the
tank loco onto the loop but left it short of the platform in
case the GWR locomotive fouled the platform edge.
The diesel then ran round
to push 80136 to the waiting low loader.
After leaving 80136 to
be pulled onto the low loader, the class 33 ran round and reversed
onto 5224.
The engine was hauled
very slowly through the platform under close surveillance in
case of fouling. Safely through on the up side, the engine was
then taken through the down platform to confirm clearance and
then removed to Cheddleton.