Early morning steam raising

Prior to the commencement of today’s Santa Specials all there was a spectacular amount of steam lingering in the cold morning air.

The problems of yesterday remained today with my role at Wittersham Road signalbox relegated to that of being crossing keeper openings and closing the gates which made for a much easier and relaxing day than I was anticipating. Disappointing in a way but relived that I didn’t have insurmountable problems to manage.

Wittersham remained switched out of the signalling system as two significant faults to track circuits could not be rectified until late afternoon. The faults at Northiam were solved before service started which meant trains could be run from Rolvenden to Northiam without Wittersham being open.

Had there been problems with the timetable it would not have been possible to cross trains at Wittersham, fortunately, we got away with it.

Perishingly cold all day, leavened with bright sunshine and clear blue skies, ideal conditions for atmospheric displays of steam and exhaust. The extra shows Swiftsure at the back of a train passing the box on the way to Northiam and the second the impressive exhaust leaving Wittersham

Back on the railway at Tenterden next Saturday.