An Experience Of a Lifetime

Nothing can prepare you for the sense of responsibility that some of life’s experiences throw at you. When, at the end of the day, you have been left in a state of absolute awe and wonder, you know that day will live in your memory for the rest of your life.

The day started with a very warm welcome from David Wotton our Guard for the day. The importance of the Guard cannot be overestimated. He has overall responsibility for the entire unit, its running and everyone’s safety, so it is understandable that it was he who ensured that my fellow ‘Footex’ colleague, Chris Coopey and I had completed appropriate paperwork and were suitably kitted out. At each stage, David emphasised safety precautions and explained the reasons for everything. As Sarah said in her account, and as it states in the excellent literature that SDR send to all ‘Footex’ participants, ‘The railway is not a dangerous place until you forget that it is’.  

Our locomotive for the day was to be 5526, but there was a lot to see before we got anywhere near the footplate. A tour of the site created a full, constructive and meaningful picture of the ethos, history, function and diverse activities of this gem of a railway.  Again, an outline of this is given in the literature, but the written word can’t do justice to the immensely friendly and helpful atmosphere on the SDR.

Our first stop was in the Museum which is undergoing major refurbishment. It’s impossible to miss Ashley’s vivid paintwork as he vies to take attention away from Tiny’s broad gauge frame. David’s conviction that SDR’s line will extend once again to Ashburton one day in the distant future, highlights the enormous potential of the railway. The feasibility of the new route on a map was explained to us.

The engineering achievements are also highlighted on the tour.  Axles awaiting their tyres were outside the workshop, but turning around, we were shown the turntable and the mammoth task of its installation in the alluvial area of the Dart . Continuing around the sheds, we were able to see the tyres ready to be fitted to the axles. Climbing the steps to the workshop’s viewing gallery, we saw for ourselves the stages through which tyres and axles must go to be effectively united.

Our tour continued in the signal box where we were introduced to Lou Mann and his trainee signalman, Barry Hanes. The signal box provides very different views of both the railway layout and trains as they are given permission to shunt, arrive and depart.

Whilst we waited for 5526 to pull in to the platform, David showed us the log that has to be kept on every journey by the Guard, this includes information that although common sense, may not be considered by the general public, such as weather conditions.

Our footplate crew consisted of Dave Dadds, fireman and Roger Bowden, driver who assured us that he would take care of us. Take care of us both he certainly did, as the experienced hand of a very sympathetic and experienced driver guided us patiently and efficiently through every step, assisting whenever necessary but allowing us to really feel, sense and be a part of the magnificent living creature. I started horse riding in my 30s, but sadly can no longer ride, but the analogy of riding a well tempered, efficient, powerful  cob horse comes to mind. It knows what it has to do, but you have the reins in your hand. You have to feel its every move, sense its requirements, give it its head, curb it and care for it. Nothing could really have prepared me for the sensitivity and responsiveness of 55, this being only my third time ever on any footplate. Everything sharpened senses. Your view of the line is not as you would expect. Visibility can be exceedingly reduced and the necessity for teamwork throughout was so apparent. Having the opportunity to observe the fire was fascinating; it responded to so many factors; its colour, intensity and dynamic altering and reflecting its care and requirements. It was a complete experience.

The knowledge at the end of the day ‘I’ve done that’, or ’I can do that’, or ‘I can do that with help’ and ‘I want to learn more about that!’ was simply wonderful, but the one thing that will stick in my mind for life is the incredible responsibility that the entire team share. As your eyes positively juggle to take in all the gauges, welfare of everyone, observations of everything that’s going on in the cab, observations along the line and co-ordinate actions and movements to try to get things right, a far greater appreciation dawned of the enormous responsibility, skill and experience that is needed on the footplate. The responsibility on the driver particularly is something for which I have greatly enhanced respect.

In e mail correspondence with Chris Coopey following the day, he said, ‘It was a great day, wasn’t it ... I’d have no hesitation in recommending the driving experience to anyone.’  For anyone wanting to sample it, it is an experience worth every penny. You can never put a price on lifetime events; its rewards are priceless.