Was back on the old shunter again today,  This time the engine concerned was 42513.  I am learning all the time and now I seem to be getting the hang of firing.  We had quite an eventful day really.  The first fireman shut off one of the water gauge cocks because he said it was about to blow.  However, the other fireman said that this was nonsense and simply tightened up the nuts.  Perhaps the highlight of the day came when we had to tow an electric multiple unit out of the platform because of a failure,  I really enjoyed this although there were some glum faces on the platform including that of the station master. 

Had my first trip out on the main line.  I caught the 08.55 up to Fenchurch Street and then came back on the 11.25.  I had some time in London during which time I went down to the Tower.  The up train was hauled by 42679 while I came back on 42681.  The up journey was quite exciting - the engine running bunker first, had quite a thump when the regulator was opened.  The down journey was good fun - the crew were very friendly and I had a good time.  The injector kept knocking off and we didn't have much water in the tank when we got back.  I did some firing.

Was third hand on 42681 all day today.  We went up on the "Spiv Special", the 09.05 from Southend Central stopping only at Westcliffe and making the journey in 50 minutes.  Consequently the run was quite exciting.  At one point we were six minutes up on schedule but we were stopped by signals because we were catching up the train in front.  I did an errand for Ben Diamond, the driver.  I took his watch into a shop in Holborn.  We came back on the 11.25 slow train.  I didn't do all that much today although they said I could do some more tomorrow.
80103 was derailed in the yard today.  It was eventually rerailed by the breakdown train hauled by a diesel.

I was on the same turn today as yesterday.  Terry, the fireman, filled the box up as much as possible before Southend while we were bringing the empty carriages, and then only put on a little once all the way to Fenchurch Street.  We then spent about half an hour in the first class compartment waiting to take the 11.25 out.

A lady asked Terry if the train was the quick one.
Reply "It all depends how quick you like it!"

I fired 42681 all the way back and also had a go at working the injector.  It was temperamental and kept knocking off.  I had a job to keep the boiler filled.
Went in Mike's Austin Seven to Southend to get the overalls washed at the laundrette.  I was quite a laugh.  We blew a gasket on the way back. We had to go to a different laundromat each time because our greasy overalls made a mess of the machines.

Was on the same turn today.  We were just going out of the yard when the inspector climbed up.  That would have been bad enough with four people but he told the fireman to go and sit in the Guards van so I had to fire all the way up to town.  Anyway we didn't lose any steam and arrived in London before time.  The ride back was quite exciting.  We had to retrieve pieces of brick arch out of the fire and also had a hole.  Quite an eventful day's work.

Went on at 08.00 this morning and shovelled ashes until 12.00.  I then went to Hastings.  We caught the 13.10 to Fenchurch Street and 15.20 from Charing Cross to Hastings arriving at about 17.00.  We had a look around, including a visit to the castle.  We came back via Ashford - just for the ride.  We had half an hour at Ashford to look around and eventually reached Charing Cross at 22.40.  We caught the 23.00 from Fenchurch Street and straight away ran into trouble. - somebody pulled the Communication Cord.  After Barking we made an unscheduled stop at Dagenham East - the guard came down and had an argument with the driver, all the time our fireman was using his fire irons.  We made another stop while the crew examined the big injector with a torch and we eventually had to change trains at Hornchurch - the engine was in terrible state - 42684.  I slept from Laindon.  We arrived at 01.10 instead of 00.17.

Worked up to Fenchurch Street on the 07.26 on 4227 this morning (third hand).  The engine was in bad condition and we were 15minutes late.  The brakes were bad and we were afraid of hitting the buffers at Fenchurch Street.  We had the doors open ready to bail out in a hurry if necessary.  The problem was that the fireman had let the steam get too low with the result that the brakes would go on alright but the steam pressure was insufficient to release the brakes quickly. 
Pedro, the fireman, standing in front of the firehole said "Goodness gracious, great balls of fire" - Elvis Presley.
We came back on the 09.08 and then worked some wagons to Benfleet.  Altogether it was quite a long day.  I think I will be able to pass out tomorrow.  Came off at 15.00.