Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th of March, ELR Spring Diesel Weekend
Report by project leader, Chris Baily

Saturday 3rd of March 2012

Well here goes! The day of D9531's first passenger service run for 15 years.

Final checks and preparations were made early on and with everything done, Ernest burst into life. The loco struggled to find a tickover point and keep the power unit running (with hindsight we should of known!) but eventually it settled. With air built up a brake test was done and D9531 headed out of the C&W shed up to carriage siding 1 to collect the air brake rake of coaches. Once the road was given and brake test made for the set, we shunted round to platform 2, forming the 10.44 shuttle for Ramsbottom.

As we stood waiting time the heavens opened, but everyone was in good spirits and keen to get underway. With the set well loaded, at 10.44 D9531 headed out of Bury on its first passenger run in 15 years. All was going well with the loco performing and sounding great, temperatures settled and holding steady. As we approached Ramsbottom, power was reduced and the speed brought down as we entered the platform. As soon as the power handle was put to off, the engine shut down, with no apparent cause.

We coasted along the platform then came to a stand on the air train brake. Investigations were made, and attempts made to restart the power unit, but it wouldn't maintain at idle without assistance. The train was driven into the sidings manually, where further investigations were made into the governor oil system while we sat awaiting rescue. The system was stripped down and checked for holed pipes or anything obvious. We couldn't find anything, so it was then built back up and started first time, so a mystery!

20087 was sent to assist and hooked to the rear of the set. Arrangements were made for our return to Bury ECS. Upon arrival we felt happy enough to make the next shuttle run at 14.14, keeping 20087 on the back as insurance. In the meantime the opportunity was taken to do some general remedial work around the loco including greasing of shafts and a rattling issue taken care of.

At 14.00 Ernest was started again and the air reservoir allowed to build up. With the train pipe created an air leak was apparent, Chris investigated and found it to be the supply for the air train pipe gauge. Chris decided to nip up the connection and, with hardly any force the pipe snapped and rendered the loco a complete failure as we were unable to create a train brake. Arrangements were hastily made to have Martin Tottle carry out an emergency soldering repair and 50015 shunted D9531 into Buckley wells. Martin successfully repaired the problem and whilst on shed the opportunity was also taken to clean out the heat exchanger filter gauze.

We then headed out of the shed for the 16.04 departure, 20087 still with us for insurance. The run to ramsbottom was far more successful, running round onto the front of the dead 20087 for the return which was also trouble free. 20087 was then taken off and, with everyone feeling more positive, the 17.44 departure for ramsbottom was completed solo with no problems.

The next run was the 'Beerex' at 19.30 with D7076, originally it was diagrammed as top & tail, but with the previous overheating issues, we decided it would be best double headed. And what a run it was, the BHG 'Beerex' will be a memory I will take to my grave, both D7076 and D9531 performed faultlessly, and the noise from the pair was amazing.

On arriving back in Bury there was a great atmosphere as the locos were detached outside the Trackside on Platform 2. The two were split with D7076 going off onto Castlecroft and D9531 returning to C & W for a nights rest ...

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Sunday 4th of March 2012

An early start again, the coolant was drained down and the heat exchanger gauze cleaned out. The gauze had again collected debris from the coolant pipes but quite a bit less than we've extracted previously.

D9531 then headed out for a days work on the Ramsbottom shuttles, the first being the 10.44 ex Bury. Ernest performed faultlessly all day, with some very spirited running from the loco.

The last run was the 16.04 to Ramsbottom and back and on arrival at Bury, D9531 shunted the set away into the carriage sidings before heading back into Buckley wells shed.

A weekend of highs and lows with a very topsey turvey, semi-successful return to traffic, but we did it. The problems we encountered will need further investigation and fettling but we really are all but there.

A big thanks to everyone who came out to see and ride behind D9531/56 and especially to those involved in preparations in the weeks and days running up to the event.

A full running day relaunch for D9531 has been arranged for Saturday the 19th of May 2012 with the whole restoration team gathering to see Ernest into traffic. We hope to see you there too!