Easter Weekend Workshop Operations

Over the Easter Bank Holiday weekend, volunteers in the workshop have been continuing with ongoing project works.

Tom has been cleaning up engine components of 03078.

Steve and Michael have been discussing the fabrication of a new overflow pipe for 401's blowdown valve.

And in between welding the new bunker for Sentinel 9559, Robert and Bob talk over the remaining boiler work needed to the outer boiler sleeve.

Head Gasket Maintenance on 03078

This week Steve, Alan, Gordon and Tom have done the task of taking apart the head gasket of the engine of 03078 as part of some winter maintenance.

The engine bay doors have been removed for access to the engine in order to remove individual components to be assessed or stored.

Christmas Jumper Day on 03078

 The crew of 03078 helped spread a little Christmas cheer for the passengers of the Elf Express by all wearing Christmas jumpers.

Cameron, Joe and Aaran show off their Christmas jumpers.

03 078 Diesel Maintenance

Before Elf Express running today, Dan and Kev found a fault with the belts that run the air compressor on the 03.

Having identified the problem, Aaran offered to go within the frames of the Diesel to tighten them in readiness for the full days top and tailing with Ashington No.5.

A happy Kev, Dan and Aaran (within 03).

Model Railway Weekend Saturday

 

This weekend we are hosting our second annual model railway exhibition...

This year we had O, OO, N and 009 gauge layouts.

TRS Trains selling their models of our locomotives; 401, Consett 10, A.No.5 and ACC5.

'Loki' in steam and hauling passengers (and a couple of volunteers!) on the miniature railway.

Visitors and members enjoying the exhibition.

We were also joined by Chris Eden Green of 'Steam Locomotives in Profile'.

03078 has been hauling brake van rides to Percy Main throughout the day.

'Loki' departs 'Engine House Halt'.

Some more photos of this year's layouts...

Trade stalls from Durham Trains of Stanley.

03078 ready to depart Percy Main with the last brake van ride of the day.

Souvenir plaques for exhibitors - in the style of a locomotive's builders plate - already looking at home on some layouts!

They were designed and 3D printed by volunteer Paul Rowland.

Diesel Gala Sunday

The first train of the day is a brake van ride hauled by T.I.C. No.35.

At Percy Main, the brake van ride ran straight through the platform and continued to the buffer stop at the bottom of the headshunt. Not only was this the first timetabled passenger train to ever traverse this section of the railway, but also provided an opportunity to ride behind No.35 a stone's throw away from its former stomping ground. The T.I.C. system began just on the other side of the road bridge beyond the buffer stop.

Ran round and ready to return to Middle Engine Lane.

The view from the balcony.

The next train was a rake of tankers hauled by 08915.

The brake van ready to be gravitated into Percy Main platform.

Marshalling the train in Percy Main loop.

At Middle Engine Lane, Nev and Paul completed the shunt release with 03078.

Passengers waiting for the first passenger train of the day, hauled by No.35...

...and 08915.

Unfortunately, No.10 failed on the Saturday afternoon and was relegated to footplate access in Middle Engine Lane yard...

No.35 and 03078 arrive into Middle Engine Lane with a double header.

The two demonstration freight trains in Middle Engine Lane yard.

03078 shunting coal hoppers...

...ready for an afternoon demonstration coal train.

03078 and No.35 running round at Percy Main...

...and hauling the train through Wallsend Road bridges.

Passengers gathering for the next departure...

...hauled by 03078 and 08915.

Passengers waiting on Middle Engine Lane platform for the last train of the day...

...another brake van ride to the buffer stops at Percy Main with No.35.