'Lion' Running Weekend Gala Day One

The first day of our 'Lion' Running Weekend Gala has went down a treat!

With the morning Sun shining, Peckett & Sons locomotives 'Lion' and 'Ashington No.5' are stabled for steam raising.

Aadil then commences cleaning of 'Ashington No.5', finishing with buffing the smokebox door.

After running round at Percy Main, 'Lion' waits for the green flag from the freight guard with the first train of the day hauling coal wagons back up to Middle Engine Lane.

With a break in the timetable down at Percy Main, the crews of both 'Lion' and 'Ashington No.5' couldn't pass up on the opportunity of a photo on their respective locomotives.

With passenger and freight demonstration trains concluded for the day, Robert guides 'Lion' in marshalling the coal wagons for the photo evening event.

'Lion's' crew are pictured before heading down to Percy Main with photographers awaiting their arrival for staged run-bys as part of the photo evening schedule.

Flat Wagon Buffer Painting

With the swift application of the top coat of Charcoal Grey across the entire soleplate of the Flat Wagon, Davey proceeds to paint the buffers and draw hooks at both ends.

Next job is to complete the painting of primer and top coat on the remaining side of the wagon. Then onto the wheels.

Flat Wagon Frame Painting

 With on side of the flat wagon having been completely primed, Davey has begun applying the first coat of Charcoal Grey top coat.

A thorough stir and mix of the paint is required before...

... applying to the frames.

And after two days work, one side (minus the wheels) is complete!

"ACME" Kerosene Wagon Reveal

 After months of work by Norman, the "ACME" Kerosene tank wagon was pulled out of the workshop into Middle Engine Lane for the first time.

Some minor cosmetic work remains still outstanding, including the fixture of a new makers plate and some paint touch up along the sole plate.

Flat Wagon Restoration Begins

This week Davey has made a start to the cosmetic restoration of one of our flat wagons in Middle Engine Lane Yard. First needle-gunning the outside of the wagon's frames before applying red oxide primer.

And then masking taping wagon components such as the buffers and draw hooks.

Before applying the first coats of undercoat.

Charles Roberts Tank Signwriting

With the sides of the tank sign-written, Norman can be seen in the pit painting the undersides of the wagons frames.

Another wagon nearing completion!

Lambton Van Plank Removal

John has been in the carriage shop this past weekend to begin removing waste timber boards from the South end of the Lambton Van.

Charles Roberts Tank Wagon Progress

Norman hasn't stopped since the last update regarding the cosmetic overhaul of the Charles Roberts Tank Wagon.

Having applied a secondary layer of primer to the tank, he has begun painting the top coat red.

Guards Van Shop set-up for 2026 season

Numerous members of the Youth Group took the time to set-up the 'Guards Van Shop' in the guards compartment in readiness for the start of the 2026 running season.

Visit the Guards Van Shop during operational days to purchase North Tyneside Steam Railway Association merchandise, soft drinks and confectionary to enjoy on your journey.

Charles Roberts Tank Wagon Progress

Norman has returned after his Christmas break to carry on with the cosmetic overhaul of the Charles Roberts tank wagon.

Having been shunted into the workshop due to the conclusion of Elf Express, he has continued with applying primer to the tank and frames.

Tank Wagon and Yard Shunt

Preparation work for winter maintenance on numerous locomotives has begun with a shunt of Middle Engine Lane yard and workshop.

This coincided with the first snowfall of 2026 - 08915 sits outside as the locomotive completing shunting duties.

One of the vehicles that was brought into the workshop was the Charles Roberts Tank wagon in readiness for Norman to resume cosmetic restoration.

Carriage Window Repair

 During the final passenger trip of the Elf Express one of the window mechanisms within one of our coaches malfunctioned resulting in the window pane shattering. Luckily no passengers were harmed.

Cameron and Richard sprung into action to take apart the door and remove all of the glass shards. With the help of David a replacement pane was found and replaced.

Cameron removing the wooden panels to gain access to the spring mechanism behind.

With all the glass removed from the door cavity. The process of fitting the new window pane can begin.

With the new window pane in, Richard begins screwing all the wooden panels and fixtures back onto the door.

Painting of the Conflat decking

Since being outshopped earlier this year, Callum and Davey have spent the afternoon adding an additional coat of bitumen paint to the decking to better resist the elements whilst being stored in the yard.

Work on the conflat is planned to begin again in the near future as construction work on the Lambton Platelayers Van is progressing at good pace.

Restoration of LMS Iron Ore Hopper Wagon begins

With the completion of painting the new lats for the platform fence, Davey has taken the task on of cosmetically restoring a privately owned modified LMS Iron Ore Hopper Wagon.

Before being moved out of the yard in place of the T.I.C Bolster wagon for the Association's Diesel Gala, he takes the opportunity to needle gun, wire brush then prime sections of the wagons frame.

Tank Wagon Priming

After several days of needle gunning and sanding, Norman has begun priming the barrel of tank 9836.

T.I.C. Bolster Wagon Move

A Hiab has been on site today to move T.I.C. bolster wagon No.21 from its plinth back onto the railway ready for it to be used in the railway's upcoming North Shields 800 celebrations. The ex-LMS Iron Ore Hopper Wagon in the foreground is taking No.21's position on the plinth.

Tank Wagon Restoration Begins

With the restoration of the Shell tank now complete, Norman has turned his attention to the next wagon in the restoration queue, tank 9836.

9836 was built in 1924 and owned by Charles Roberts, being hired to the Acme Kerosene Company. It ended its working life on hire to Wessoe Engineering in Darlington, being preserved from there in 1991.

Tank Wagon Outshopped

The Shell tank wagon gleaming in the sun this afternoon after being recently outshopped.

Lambton Van Progress

The Lambton van is inching closer to completion. Top coat is being applied to the North and East sides and dismantling of the other side is now underway.

LNER Wagon Plates donation

Last year at The North Tyneside Railway Association's Model Railway Weekend a member of the public donated a handful of wagon plates for the NTSRA to sell to raise funds for their numerous projects which are currently ongoing.

With a few already being sold in the Guard's Van Shop during the 2024 and 2025 running seasons, the final pair of LNER wagon plates have recently been restored. The pair joins current stock of Great Western Railway (GWR) and LMS wagon plates in both unrestored and restored condition.