First loco drive

[jones]

Well, someone finally asked me if I would like to drive their steam loco and I grudgingly accepted ;D. Had a good 2 laps around Galston Valley Railway (in Australia, www.sdr.com.au/hmecl/index.html) on his Simplex and it was GREAT. It has really made me much more enthusiastic about building my Simplex, but it's still just as hard to find time while I am still at school

[AndrewP]

Congratulations Andrew on your first drive, my first was only this year and apparently I walked round for the rest of the day with a silly grin on my face! There is nothing like smoke in the eyes and ash in the teeth to get the enthusiasm going.

Your club site looks really impressive and will surely spur you on - it would me. Most of my driving seems to be done on our club's portable track at gala's etc. where the other members are heartily sick of running straight up and down. Firing on the move is going to be whole new experience for me when I get to it.

[Boadicea]

agatehouse said:

Firing on the move is going to be whole new experience for me when I get to it.

It will come naturally when you get more confidence and can relax a little. Looking where you are going at the same time - well that takes a while!

[AndrewP]

Hey Bo, it wasn't me who bent the buffers t'other week - it was our 'professional' driver
I do seem to have a mental block regarding drain cocks though - better try automatic ones if I ever finish one of my locos.

[lordsimon]

I can still remember my first drive

nearly 16 years ago i had wobbly legs with nerves and excitment that was on a halen lasie (i spelt that wrong i think)

but i meet a great friend who used to work on the rhdr driving.

and he tought me loads. and have gained a few tricks like fireing and watering and most of the time i just sit back at let the engine work and when you can do that you no you can drive.

i drive a steam engine better than a car

i even now teach exprienced drivers diffrent skills

have fun

simon