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From: Tom Lewis
Date: 12/11/00 13:34
RE: Footplate Experience - 8 November
(E-mail copied to MHR by an American customer.
He was thanking an associate company for
arranging a MHR Footplate Experience (Advanced) Course for him by way of
corporate hospitality)
...snip (of his own company business)...
I've done this before at other railroads, and I've accompanied others on
still more railroads, so I can say with personal knowledge that the Watercress
Line takes it to a new standard. Why?
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They are a railway preservation group .... not a locomotive preservation
group .... so it's a total railway experience.
The course is structured to be just that .... a course .... not a ride on
the footplate. You do it (completely), they manage and critique it. You're
not a remote control pair of hands, you're in charge!
It's all day, and everything: firing, driving, signalling, throwing points,
coupling / uncoupling. I'm here to tell you, I was wrung out by the time
it was over.
It's completely authentic. When I got home, I got out my Bulleid engine book,
found the engine and read about it again. This time it meant something. When
the book said the engine had been fitted with a screw type reverser with
a drum indicator, I could not only picture it, I could still feel it! |
Mike (the driver) and Tony (the fireman)
were superb. I couldn't come up with either a practical or theory question
that Tony couldn't answer. Most impressive.
It was a great day, and a great experience ... fixed in my mind forever.
Heartfelt thanks, to ...snip... , to Mike, to
Tony, and the whole Watercress team for a great day.
Sincerely yours,
Tom
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From: Mike Bechley
Sent: 29 March 2009 15:31
Subject: Loco driving experience - Thursday 19 March 2009
Dear Tony
As last year, my Christmas present from my wife was a driving
experience; last year produced #41312, and 2009 the peak of one's
enjoyment on #34007 with Doug as driver and Greg as fireman. I could
not fail to be impressed by their patience, skills and huge
knowledge.
Doug (who was also with me in 2008) was at pains to point out the
little differences between #34007 and #34016, which we visited in the
break period at Ropley; the techniques of driving a tank engine and a
Bulleid Pacific were very different and surprisingly complex.
Please pass on my thanks to both of them for a wonderful afternoon.
Next year, I hope to be a volunteer on the railway and also to do the full driving experience, complete with train!
Bets regards
Mike Bechley
(MHRPS Life Member)
From: Ric Ellis
Sent: 20 March 2009 21:49
Subject: Experience
Hi Tony
I just wanted to drop a few lines to say what a great experience I had on the Introductory Footplate driving and firing.
The crew were brilliant and the passion they had for the railway and
the trains was great to see but to drive a "Spam Can" just completed a
superb morning.
Kind regards
Ric Ellis
From: Nic Greene
Sent: 30 November 2008 18:19
Subject: Footplate Experience movie
Hi Tony - little movie I made on the 23 October of the Footplate Experience (13MB, 23rd October 2008)
Keep warm
Nic
From: Derick Payne
Sent: 09 November 2008 12:27
Subject: Wonderful Day
Dear Sirs
I have recently completed your “Advanced Driving and Firing
Experience” and I would like to say what a wonderful day it was.
Thanks are due to all concerned but especially to Doug, Gregg and
Richard, driver, fireman and guard respectively. Their competence,
humour and friendliness made it an experience I shall never forget.
I have attached three photos which, hopefully, sum up the day. If you should choose to use any of them then I have no objection.
Very best regards and success in the future
Derick Payne
From: Pat Holley
Sent: 20 October 2008 22:45
Subject: Bittern Experience - 17th October 2008
Hello Tony
Having
seen A4's on the East Coast Main Line from when I was 10 (1957) until
16 I never thought I would ever get the chance to ride on the footplate
let alone sit in the left hand seat of one. Bittern was not as common as most A4's locos seen through Hornsey so it was a great experience to spend the day on her.
We
were welcomed and looked after by Adrian - our guard for the day and a
great job he did - full of info about the railway and the various
procedures and safety checks we needed to observe during our visit. Our
Driver Ron & Fireman Greg took us through the basic operation of Bittern before we split into the crews.
Our
constant questions to Ron & Greg must have driven them mad but they
were very patient and showed us all the skills needed to get the best
out of a large locomotive on a preserved railway.
The power of Bittern
is immense - she was smooth when running and very comfortable to ride
on; a great credit to those who toiled many hours on her restoration.
All too soon we made our last return trip and took our final photos.
I
want to thank all those who made this possible as it will provide me
with many great memories for the rest of my life. The bonus was that my
wife enjoyed it too!! A great day!! Thanks again
Pat Holley
From: Richard W Poynter
Sent: 16 October 2008 19:47
Subject: Driving "Bittern"
Dear Tony
When
I saw that a drive on "Bittern" was up for grabs last February, I just
knew there was no way I could resist. As a dedicated "trainspotter" of
the fifties, with an uncle who drove for the LNER - and as a 52B Heaton
man, he almost certainly would have driven this loco many times - it
just had to be.
Two years ago to the day on Oct 13th I drove and
fired "Bodmin" which was a memorable day then but this year I travelled
the 110 miles to Alresford to achieve one of my life-long ambitions -
to drive a Gresley A4.
Words cannot describe what this meant to me and to be allowed to drive it 20 miles was a bonus.
Many
thanks to Bob and John in the cab and Bert the guard who made this day
so good and also the kind lady for the Shepherds Pie!
I hope Uncle
Jack would have been proud of me: he always said he knew exactly where
he was between Newcastle and Grantham by listening.
I am very impressed by the Watercress Line and I will certainly come again and recommend it to others.
Yours sincerely
Richard W Poynter
From: Roy Winn
Sent: 02 October 2008 22:07
Subject: Advanced Driving & Firing Course on the 25th Sept 2008
Tony
Just a quick email to thank you all at the Mid Hants railway for a
wonderful day on Thursday 25th Sept (even the weather was nice) and for
your friendliness and hospitality you showed to us all. I
really enjoyed the advanced course with John and Barney on the
footplate of 73096. Though I had to work hard on the shovel as
the fire had run down after lunch (I was sweating buckets) but Barney
made it look so easy. But I did have the engine on the "red line"
at Alton (a bit late !) and the safety valves lifted so my work
had some effect. Its made me determined to have another go on the
shovel and improve my performance but it'll have to wait till I'm in
the UK again.
Regards
Roy Winn
Brooklyn
NY
USA
From: Tim Ward
Sent: 23 September 2008 21:03
Subject: Driving and Firing Experience
Hello Tony
Thanks to the great generosity of my friends and family, I was able to
have an Introductory Footplate Experience at MHR on 11th September.
Would you please pass on my grateful thanks to everyone who made my day
so special, not least the crew Doug and Graham who were friendly,
patient and a great pleasure to work with. Having the
opportunity to drive a steam locomotive was truly unforgettable, and
the friendly staff at Alresford made sure everything went perfectly.
Best regards to all at MHR
Tim Ward
From: Christopher J Wilson
Sent: 03 June 2008 12:53
Subject: Advanced Driving & Firing Experience
Dear Tony
I'd
just like to say a big thanks to all the staff who made my Advanced
Driving & Firing Experience on May 18th such a great day!
Particular mention should go to Doug the driver and Alan the fireman
whose patience and teaching skills excelled! And of course a big
thank you my partner Sharon who arranged the whole thing. It was great
to be able to invite my Dad and Mum, David and Cathy along too for the
ride - my Dad has just had an operation for cancer and the day was a
real tonic for him too.
All the very best
Chris Wilson
From: Ian Scott
Sent: 18 March 2007 11:39
Subject: Advanced Driving Experience
Having just successfully completed the above I would like to thank you
for a truly fantastic time. Please give my thanks to John and Barney
for making it so memorable. My guests also enjoyed themselves very
much.
We all had the steam bug before, and at least two of us have been
severely bitten and two of us have been seduced by the gentleman who
showed us around the shed at Ropley, and we would like to volunteer to
do anything around there; we don't mind getting dirty if you can
provide overalls! Please let me know how we can apply.
Again thanks very much for a brilliant day. The DVD my friend made of the day is a fantastic memento.
Sincerely
Ian Scott
From: Graeme Peers
Sent: 08 May 2006 09:48
Subject: Advanced Footplate Experience, 28th April 2006
Just
a line to say thanks, firstly to my family for giving me this
experience for my 60th birthday, also to my wife Lyn & good friends
June & John, for being my guests for the day and who I know all
enjoyed themselves. To the MHR -Watercress Line staff, a big thanks,
especially to Chris the Guard, John the Driver and the man with the
most important job, Graham the fireman.
The "Loco of the Day" was
Ex BR Standard 5MT 73096, which was a joy to drive, plus 3 coaches, one
set aside for the guests. I was given the first run of the day, running
loco first to Alton. Up hill through Ropley and on to the summit at
Medstead was quite easy, the run downhill to Alton though, was a
constant watch at speed, brake pressure and the track ahead, so you
needed to be looking everywhere at once. Still, I did it and am quite
pleased with my attempt. No slipping when starting, no sudden jerky
stops and no overrunning of platforms or at the only signal we had to
stop at, just outside Alton.
My fire experience was a tender first
run back to Alresford which was surprisingly easy. Graham explained
that if the firebox is loaded right at Alton it would see the train
over The Alps and down to Alresford, as was the case. It was mainly a
case of watching the water level in the boiler, the track ahead and
enjoying the ride.
If you are thinking of the possibility of taking
part in one of these experiences, there is a modern day saying that
applies here.... DON'T THINK, JUST DO IT! I had a great day!
Thanks again all!
One Two Three
From: Ric
Yates
Sent: 17 March 2005 23:04
Subject: Advanced Footplate Experience
Hello Tony
Just a quick note to say thank you to everyone at the railway (and especially
Mike and Graham) for a fantastic day on the footplate of 73096 today.
I am a keen amateur photographer and run my own website, there's
quite a few photos from
today on the site.
Today was everything I expected and more - my last driving experience was
quite a few years ago driving seven and a quarter inch gauge!
Thanks once again
Ric Yates
From: Robert Sutherland
Sent: 13 September 2004 14:38
To: tonywood@watercressline.co.uk
Subject: driving/firing experiences
From: Bob Sutherland (East Kilbride)
For a recent (heavy type) Birthday (i.e. one that ends with a zero!) my wife
& two sons presented me with vouchers for Introductory &
Advanced footplate experiences. Best present ever!!
I was there on 8th & 10th Sept. & I want to thank David & John,
Mike & Rod for their explanations, guidance & forbearance. To you
too, Tony, and for your kindness to my son & wife who accompanied me
on the 10th - neither are "railway buffs" and I frankly expected them to
become bored - far from it; you "rode herd" on them beautifully! Thanks too
to the Catering Manageress - great!
To all your other correspondents who come up with impressive photos, remarks
about this loco or that viewed at speed at some remote South of England location
- lads, that's fine and well admired BUT start saving your pounds and book
yourself on the footplate at Ropley or Alresford - there's nothing else quite
like it!! Wind forward the reverser, release the steam brake, edge the regulator
open a fraction and - nothing! - for about 30 seconds and then she moves!
A bit more reg., a bit more, take the cut off back to 60 per cent and she
starts to bark at you! WOW!!! what a feeling! The guidance given is so well
presented and is never intrusive (unless you are going badly wrong, it's
make your own mind up time).
I have probably missed naming many people who contributed to the two days
(for example, the wee signalman who turned up at the footplate with a tray
of teas & coffees on the Wednesday) but all are appreciated and the
friendliness of the whole staff added to the two days. Thank you again, it
was all just wonderful.
Bob Sutherland
(Bob took our FPX Introductory course on 8th Sept
'04 on Douglas, and the FPX Advanced course on 10th Sept '04 on
#73096)
From: Adrian Wood
Date: 07/07/2003 08:19 +0100
Subject: Advanced Footplate Experience
Hi Tony
I had a wonderful day on the footplate on Friday. Could I thank you Mike
and John for giving me one of those experiences of a lifetime.
Your course has a very light touch but you realise that at the end of the
day you have actually driven and fired safely. During the course of the day
you learn the small disciplines which the apprentice would have started with
years ago. An example is where to put your shovel and how to walk on the
ballast between the tracks. The huge thrills were the first start when you
open the regulator and nothing happens until the system fills up with steam
and then there is the first feel of the power that is in front of you.. There
was also great satisfaction in the firing. It is a real mind game as well
as being physically satisfying.
You said in your introduction that the grin would last for five days. I am
sure that is an underestimate, mine is going to last for ages.
Once again many thanks to all at the Watercress line for such a wonderful
experience.
Adrian Wood
From: Tony Kerwood
Date: Tue, 3 Jun 2003 02:59:52 EDT
Subject: Advanced Footplate Experience
Hi Tony
I have been a working volunteer in the Traffic Department with the Watercress
line for a good many years and have the long service badge as proof. Although
I have been on the footplate many times I have never had the pleasure of
driving or firing before yesterday. I have left hints about the driving and
firing experience around the house for a number of years so I was more than
delighted when for my last birthday the present from my wife was the footplate
experience. I had no expectations for the day except that I knew I would
enjoy myself.
| My wife Diane is not a railway fan and I was very pleased
that she agreed to accompany me. I expected her to be bored. She
wasn't, and I have you to thank for that. Diane had no idea that she
would be taking part working alongside you as guard for some of the
time. 'I don't wave off trains' she said, 'or do the brake test, but
when Tony said to me do it, I just had to. It was great'. |
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I for my part am still at least a foot off the ground with a smile from ear
to ear. Mike Burke and Rod Tye were great encouragers as instructors for
driving and firing. What do I remember most? Well it has to be sitting in
the drivers seat and lifting the regulator for the first time. Just a gentle
lift to the mark Mike had made. Then this great beast of a 9F moved. Awesome.
Thank you all for a splendid birthday treat.
regards
Tony
We share your happiness, Tony. Thank you for taking
the trouble to write such very kind words (and for your photo of Diane giving
the right away) ... tw
Subject: Footplate experience
Date: 01/07/2002 12:43 +0100
Tony,
Just to say many thanks for your help and guidance on the Advanced Footplate
Experience on Friday 28 June, which my father and I enjoyed very much. For
my part, having had some footplate experience before, I particularly appreciated
being allowed to get on with it and to make my own mistakes, which I did.
However much experience anybody may have had previously, I would recommend
your Advanced Experience to all. There is little that can prepare anyone
for the combination of a big engine and demanding gradients offered by the
MHR. Thanks also to our driving and firing instructors who have the subtle
gift of knowing when to offer advice and knowing when to stand back. This
made for a real sense of achievement. However, is it not slightly irresponsible
to start people on this slippery slope? Can it not become addictive?
Many thanks,
Stephen Hoadley
What's it like on a Footplate Experience (Introductory)?
From: Hannah Nevett
Sent: 29 March 2008 22:01
I would like to say thank you very much for my first footplate experience for my sixteenth birthday.
I have been waiting for this for almost a year; it was the best birthday present I ever had!
I have driven a train on a computer simulator, but I the real thing was much, much better!
The day was over too quickly for me and I wished that I could've driven
the engine a little longer, but I still had a great day; and I hope
that I'll do it again on the advanced course. See you
soon.
Hannah Nevett
From: Rory Mackean
Sent: 09 March 2007 12:17
Subject: Footplate Experience Introductory: driving & firing
I'd like to thank you for the great experience I had yesterday afternoon on the Introductory driving & firing course.
Of course it was a wonderful sunny day but the standard of friendly and
knowledgeable tuition from both driver and fireman was a major
contribution to having a worthwhile experience.
Needless to say I'm hooked and I'll have to book an Advanced Course.
Kind regards
Rory Mackean
From: Steve Franklin
Sent: 09 March 2005 00:01
This afternoon I had the pleasure of attending an Introductory Firing
and Driving session and I had an absolutely super time. I'd like to convey
my thanks to our supervising driver and fireman (Mike and Tom) for their
giving us all a most interesting and informative time on the J94 locomotive.
I certainly hope to return for the next level session soon but in the meantime,
keep up the good work on the railway.
My wife Annie took a few photographs and I attach three of them - please
feel free to post on the website.
Once again, many thanks to all for a super afternoon.
Best regards
Steve Franklin
One
Two
Three
From: Richard Dawes
Subject: This morning's Intro to Driving & Firing course
Date: Thu, 10 Jul 2003 19:30:13 +0100
Hello Tony
Many thanks to you and everybody I met at Ropley (and Medstead) for making
my 60th birthday present the most memorable of all. I haven't been as sweaty
and filthy for years (well it was the hottest day of the year so far) and
as happy as I'm sure everyone who does your courses is.
As it's whetted my appetite for more could you please email the photos you
took. I can then use these to apprise my benefactors of my next birthday
requirements - if I can wait that long, and I probably can't!
Many thanks
Dick Dawes |
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From: Mike Berry
Date: 23/02/01 03:39
RE: Footplate Experience Introductory Course
I want to thank Mike and Tony from the bottom of my heart for a fantastic
experience on Sunday.
At the beginning, Tony told us we would leave walking six inches above the
ground. Well, I don't think I have come down, yet, five days later!
What I appreciated most was that this was a proper course, not just a bit
of fun - although it WAS fun, as well. As a professional trainer myself,
I am full of respect for the job that Mike and Tony did.
I am now saving up for the Advanced Course.
Best wishes
Mike Berry
Please ring, e-mail or fax for
any further information you may need
The Watercress Line, The Railway Station, Alresford, Hampshire,
England, SO24 9JG
Tel No: 01962 733810 Fax No: 01962
735448
Main website: http://www.watercressline.co.uk/index.htm
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