Hello Hugh and john.Yes,The Headcode for Canton Sheds here in Cardiff, was
86C.This was depicted on the front of the old Steam Locomotives on the
"Smokebox Door".
John,We used to leave it to the "Lighter-up"bloke to Light the Fires.But Ive
done it myself.We used the "Waste"[which was old Cotton Balls of Waste
material.] Soaked with Parrafin,and placed in to a Square of Nailed
together wooden sticks,which were set alight,then put in to the front of the
Firebox.A little coal was added.Then we would shut the Firebox door,Get off
the Engine,and go and light-up another locomotive,returning later to see how
the fire in the previous one was?Then we would put more Coal on to the
Fire,and move it further down the Firebox until the whole area was
covered,and we had "Steam-up!"
I joined the Railways at Canton Sheds just at the climax of the Steam Era.I
was only at Canton from January 1962 until September 1962.I cleaned the
Mighty "King Class"Steam Locomotives,that hauled the Cardiff to London
Passenger Trains.
The Shed shut for Steam in september 1962,and I was "Made A Fireman"in
October 1962 on my 16th;Birthday.I then Transfered down to East Dock Shed
Cardiff Docks.As most of the Steam Engines on our Region Ended up There.
British Railways in their wisdom, of course "Scrapped"all those lovely
Engines.Some of them only a few years old.
And down in East Dock Sheds,We ended up with most of the Rubbish Engines off
the Midland Area. Now of course,a
Long time ago.Seems like another lifetime to me?
Graham.[with B.R;1962-1981]
--
Graham Williams.of
Canton,Cardiff.
Glam;FHS;#551.