Cadno in the morning passenger..
Another Caradoc class, JAMIE was out and about..
Crossing trains
Another occasion of two TR-a-like Caradocs meeting in service...
JAMIE
Meanwhile on the branchline, two tank engines of very different pedigress were being prepped. One was the classy MARION, still being run in but doing well, and the other was the ill-fated Starstrider. Suspicion had fallen on its motion as the reason for its constant failure, as the boiler fittings had been checked and tightened, I I had serviced the mating faces of the front motion and the reverser block had been cleaned out. I also had ensured that the steam seal was tight as per my discovery on other engines.
While this was going on the Caradocs were still running the main line
Matching topcoats....!
Then came the Goods train behind CADNO...
Troublesome Trucks...
And yes they did try and mess around during the two goods expeditions - there was a breakaway at Balloon Loop Hill! Thankfully CADNO was reversed to meet the tail of the train, and once the trucks and van had been caught, they came along quietly
On the branchline, a heritage passenger service was running, with the historic meths-fired "LADY OF SHERWOOD".
Crossing trains...
Back to the mainline goods...
Lord Punrhyme and the Quarry coaches built by Narrow Minded - in sight, they're a beauty to behold
Mastery of the troublesome trucks achieved
Meanwhile, a new Bertie owner visted the line, ready to learn how to drive his new acquisition. Although dusty and cold, once in steam it did rather well!
Slow Old Toby Tram was also chuntering about, surveying the line...
But he is sad too, because he knows that soon winter will be here and that the railway will be very quiet to the point of nearly not running.
And into the dusk he goes, on home to his shed where he will await next year...
Meanwhile, Cadno eyes up his 'Megatrain' sternly, while the now-failed 'Starstrider' can only look on.
At this point, STARSTRIDER had been oiled and steamed up. Steam remained tight but when the reverser was opened, it would make a few weak chuffs before stalling and leaking steam out of the cylinders. The conclusion was made - the industrial's cylinders were quite work and leaking. New pistons or preferably, cylinders will be needed at the time of speaking. With this failure and Swordbreaker now dormant, Cadno is the one working engine.
.The couplings were checked, the passengers got on, the trucks brakes were pulled off, the guard waved his flag and with a mighty puff, CADNO left...
Attacking the hill with powerful chuffs, 'Will the top never come?'
'Thank goodness for that! Away we go - come along, come along...'
Into the dusk CADNO chuffed, with the last train of the day, taking the passengers home from the Golden Valley...
VIDEO - 'Cadno's Megatrain'
Welcome to the club! 
