The target: one rather dull and dirty looking loco. The mission: make it nice and presentable. Two problems: as can be seen, the dome and safety valve bonnet are highly tarnished brass, and for about half an hour I was convinced that they were laquered, as no amount of elbow grease would shift the brown stain. However, after changing the cleaning rag from cotton to denim, it very slowly started to shift. Then the second problem, I was called into action for a spell on 80151, which occupied the rest of the day. Two round trips on the Golden Arrow. The noxious coal made the footplate unbearable for about an hour after lighting up, and there seemed to be as much acrid smoke coming through the firebox doors as there was the chimney! However, after a while it settled down, and people could see across the yard again....
