What do people think of the Charlies back in the 50's/60's (Q1's)

Good Steamers

Bad Steamers

Average Steamers

Other??

The Charlies were great little engines, if they had a drawback it was that they were a bit light on their feet and with a loose coupled train braking was something of an art. Brake too hard and they'd just get their wheels up and slide. Very snug and warm on engineers trains too. They may have looked naff but they did the job, without drama or fuss, electric lights too - on a goods engine!!

Ive got to admit, that I didnt like the Charlies. Do you remember 119, and 120 Duty 35013 Blue Funnel, and squaring them up, with clinker right up to the door?

Also hitting your head on the lubricator, or being hit by the Regulator.

A definite No for me, give me a U, or an N class any day!

I think that these engines look and sound great! Shame there is only 1 left! And stuck at the NRM! Maybe the Bluebell will get her back one day! As I for one would love a go on it!

I must admit that they look good for the wartime effort, hence the design! Box-Pot wheels all the way!

Andy

Hi Ilfacombe,

I don't really remember too many duty numbers, was one of 119/120 the Chessie goods? I also had it in mind that the Charlies had a 'dropgrate' - am I imagining that bit? I know what you mean about the rather ott regulator, but I don't recall it hitting my head - maybe that's why I don't remember -mmm!

Before going to NE I had about 2 months at Stewarts Lane - biggest nightmare - U/N class on pit with fire up to door and all to shovel out!

Spent about half an hour looking for 'bar tongs' only to be told that SL didn't use them. We did at Farnley Jct, where I'd just come from' made fire cleaning much easier. Maybe this was why I thought Charlies were ok nothing could have been worse than that U / N class at SL.

Them were t' days eh!

atb

dave 'd'

Hi Blue Funnel

Yes, if my memory serves me correct, 119/120 Duties did involve Chessie Goods, amongst other places including Feltham. I believe the loco was active for nigh on 48 hours, with loco reqs at Feltham.

I wish they did have dropgrates, what I remember was a long hot Clinker Shovel, and Sweat! I would love to see Admin, with a long dart, and long clinker shovel squaring one of them up. (bliddy things).??

I don't think they do P&D work these days. They seem to just leave the fire to burn out and then clean the grate when they 'light-up' again. I remember them 'red hot' fire irons only too well - you could sweat more in an hour of P & D than in a run down to Bomo. Another one which always amuses me today is if the run is of more than 75 miles they require a second fireboy - mmm! Don't remember any of us getting an 'assistant' fireboy - they even have firemanesses these days - I'm might have stayed with the job longer if I'd known about that development.

atb

BF