Friday 30 November 2018

08915 Fuel Fix

After today's work with 08915 was done the crew noticed there was a leak somewhere, photos below show Richard in the engine compartment locating the leak which was a cracked elbow fuel line. It was temporarily fixed and will be replaced completely at a later date



08915 work and shunting

Richard finishing fitting the new cells that George had sorted through the other day

Test driving in the yard

Drivers eye view looking down on the yard from the North end

After today's Schools Special, the CL and SLO carriages were swapped round in preparation for the first Santa Specials tomorrow

Thursday 29 November 2018

Machine Shop

The machine shop is currently undergoing quite the makeover with new equipment and storage facilities being installed

Wednesday 28 November 2018

08915 work

George sorting out old and new batteries for 08915

Decorating Ashington No.5

The before and after shots...volunteer Stefan has spent some of the afternoon giving Ashington No.5 whilst Steve added tinsel along the tank handrails



Festoon

Richard installing one of the speakers in the museum
Photos below of Michael and Richard installing festoon lighting along the pathway to the platform 




Monday 26 November 2018

Museum Decorations

Over the past few weeks, Tyne & Wear Museum staff and volunteers have made fantastic work with decorating the museum in readiness for the 2018 Santa Specials!




Santa Specials SOLD OUT

Tickets for our 2018 Santa Specials are now all sold out! Less than a week to go!

Saturday 24 November 2018

401 Update

Progress has been slow but steady the past couple weeks with the main attention going to Santa Specials prep work. Photos below show the current state of 401 which is now nearing the end of the rebuild, the boiler has been boxed up and will soon be filled with water for further tests

Both cab doors fitted

Whistle handle and linkage fitted
Whistle fitted


Rear firemans side spectacle fitted

Front firemans side spectacle fitted

Gauges, along with pipework fitted. From L to R, steam heating gauge, steam gauge and vacuum gauge

LHS injector water pipe fitted

Rear sandboxes and sand pipes fitted

RHS injector water pipe fitted, the cylinder drains rod and vacuum ejector pipe can also be seen in this photo

Monday 5 November 2018

Sunday 4 November 2018

End of 2018 Season Special

Photos from today's fantastic End of Season Special! Including Ashington No.5, D2078 and 08915 all out on passenger and freight services and carrying out various shunting manoeuvres. No.401, A.No.5 and CIC No.10 out the shed on display. As well as vintage buses from the Aycliffe and District Bus Preservation Group.

 It's been a very good running season, now it's time to start the prep work for Santa Specials!

















Today's volunteers that made it all happen. From L to R, Mark Beresford, John Hargreaves, Kevin O'Dowd, Tom Ashcroft, Adam Saunders, Richard Russell, Nigel Stuart, Keith McNally, Rob Clark, Paul Rowland. On the engine, Joe Stuart (L), Michael Darling (Centre) and Rob Kitching (R)

Morning work

Driver Keith (L) and Trainee Robert (R) go about their prep duties on Ashington No.5
D2078 arranging the yard







Later on, Ashington No.5 on the South end of the assembled freight train, getting ready to depart


Friday 2 November 2018

End of Season Special Prep

Volunteers have been busy today getting rolling stock and the site ready for Sundays End of Season Special. Michael and Joe spent the morning fitting barrels and a cable drum to the 4 wheeled wagon



Nigel and Joe also gave Ashington No.5 a good clean and polish