Put simply, Joyce was forced out. I will try to explain.
2nd July 2025 at Chinnor: the photo above shows Joyce's responsible person inspecting her boiler prior to initial steam testing after fitting the new superheater.
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| Hands-on Boiler Inspection |
As can be seen, the inspector is underneath Joyce examining the boiler.
So why do I make this point?
In January 2022, I came to an understanding with the S&DRHT trustees for the purchase of Joyce in line with my obligations to the agreement which had been in place for many years. Funds were raised from donations by many trust members indicating a definite intention to purchase.
Inconveniently, in June 2022, a hole appeared in Joyce's super heater tubing. Without going into details, it took 18 months for a new one to be made but it was faulty on arrival and I've covered this in a previous blog-post. It had been a very unpleasant experience with the contractor recommended to me so it was inconceivable that repairs could be done by him.
I had the rework done by Sentinel experts and certified by my boiler inspector, the responsible person for Joyce's boiler since 2009.
When I returned to MSN station with the new super heater to begin its reinstallation, it was clear that all was not well and barriers to reassembly were being put in my way. However I don't give up easily and Joyce was ready for steam testing in February this year. I submitted detailed plans for inspection followed by hydraulic and steam testing but these were cast aside.
I was told that 'due diligence' was being applied by the trustees to ensure that Joyce would be a safe purchase. In principle, that's fine but instead of properly seeking assurance from the responsible person, another person was brought in to do the inspection. This person never inspected Joyce, never consulted me as owner and never consulted the responsible person. Arguably this was an attempt to discredit the responsible person.
Without actually inspecting the boiler, this person came to the conclusion that Joyce should not even be tested. Compare to the photo above showing how it should be done.
Clearly there is a competence issue here in failing to understand the purpose of testing (to non-engineers, it is part of the process of finding if there are any problems, correcting them and ensuring all is well).
As a loco owner, I cannot afford to use incompetent people and muck around pretending that things are good if they are not. I know the limits of my competence and when other more qualified people need to be involved. Having spent 10 years operating and maintaining Joyce and many years of restoration work before that, I have been the only person at Midsomer Norton to bring a steam locomotive back into operation and all that that entails.
Pitting one boiler inspector against another is a pretty serious issue but this is what took place.
[For reference, my inspector carries out his duties at a number of railways. Among them are the Bluebell, Mid-hants (including Kilmersdon), Swanage, Strathspey, Spa valley, Avon Valley, GWSR as well as his other non-railway clients. He has particular knowledge of big Sentinel loco boilers and is responsible for the only two in existence. He is undoubtedly the best person for this job].
After moving Joyce to the Chinnor and Princess Risborough railway, three boiler inspectors were involved in checking out Joyce, one of whom is now the new owner. It is inconceivable that there was ever any problem with Joyce other than conjured-up at Midsomer Norton.
It is impossible to function in an organisation that does not listen to professionals with intimate knowledge of critical processes.
As far as exercising 'due diligence' goes, it only makes sense if the right people are involved in the process. Using the wrong people enables any outcome to be fabricated and manipulated to a desired conclusion.
So I moved Joyce to another railway.
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| Back in steam 17th July 2025 |
