New Engine Cleaners Get Trained
An Engine Cleaners Induction Training Day took place at Havenstreet Station on Saturday, 5th June 2010. There were three participants; Phill Upsall, Jake Vivash and Alex Yemm. Driver Tony Barry had arranged a full and interesting day of training which started with a session on railway safety, including a briefing from Locomotive Support Manager Len Pullinger on the railway’s new Safety Management System.
The focus then switched to the loco yard where, with the assistance of Duty Fitter Mike Brittan, the practical techniques required to turn out the railway’s locomotives in spotless condition were explained and practiced. A further session on safe operation of locomotives and railway operating rules followed. The remainder of the day was spent gaining an understanding of the general arrangement of steam locomotives and the detail of how they work, the railway's two spare ‘Terrier’ boilers proving to be very useful training aids. Preparation, servicing and disposal of locomotives was also dealt with when the service locomotive returned to the shed at lunchtime and at the end of the day’s passenger services.
During a typical days work our Cleaners arrive at the Loco Yard at around 7.30am (or sometimes later!) and get stuck into cleaning the day’s service locomotives. Once the locos go ‘off shed’ a well earned tea break is taken and then the loco yard is cleaned up, including everyone’s favourite job – emptying the ash pits!
With the yard spick and span, the Cleaners then assist the Mechanical Engineering staff with whatever locomotive maintenance tasks need doing; this could include a boiler washout, carrying out mechanical examinations and adjustments or lighting up locomotives required for service on the following day.
Being an Engine Cleaner isn’t just about polishing locomotives and emptying ash pits, it’s very much a learning role and is the first step towards securing promotion to Fireman and eventually Driver and so, whenever possible, our Cleaners get to go out for at least one round trip on the service locomotive’s footplate. This is the opportunity to absorb the knowledge and skills required to be passed out as a Fireman; route knowledge, firing techniques and operating procedures.
When the locomotives return to the shed at the end of the working day the Cleaners assist the footplate crew with their engine disposal duties; cleaning the fire, filling up the boiler and emptying the smokebox, before going home with the satisfaction of a job well done!
Join the Team!
New Engine Cleaners are always welcome and, as the busy high season approaches, now is the time to join the team! As a first step please contact the railway’s Volunteer Coordinator, who can arrange a railway safety induction followed by an introduction to the Mechanical Engineering Department, which is responsible for Locomotive Operation.