4144 passes the Teddy Bear at the end of service

Large Prairie tank 4144, on loan from the Didcot Railway Centre eases down the loop line at Rolvenden on its way to the shed and disposal at the end of the day’s service.

I was at Rolvenden signalbox returning the long section token that’s used to open up Wittersham Road signalbox in the morning and switch the box out at the end of service.

In between times we ran our standard 5 train service with three round trips with the A set hauled by 4144 and two with the DMU. We’re cutting back on the number of services and coaches to meet falls in demand caused by the economic situation. Coal is incredibly expensive, £500 a ton and it takes 2.5 tons to do the three round trips with 4144.

Mostly worked well despite some equipment failures at Northiam and at Wittersham Road. At Northiam the down inner home was stuck at danger and as Northiam box was shut it was my responsibility to authorise the drivers to pass that signal at danger.

At Wittersham the up train waiting treadle was not working which meant you didn’t know where the train was in relation to your signals. I had to go out onto the balcony and watch for steam before opening the level crossing gates.

Susan was with me for the morning. After lunch she went to Great Dixter, a superb garden started by Christopher Lloyd and now managed by Fergus Garrett.

Photos of a different box coming up next month as I have my first training turn at Rolvenden box, the largest and most complicated on the line.