401 in service

Photos of 401 in service on the penultimate Thursday running of the summer holidays, seen here heading onto the crossover to join the coaching stock

In the platform getting ready to take the first train out

At Percy Main

Ran round

Being shunted back into the running shed after disposal

Steaming up and line inspection

401 outside with the fire lit

03078 heading off on the line inspection

Down at Percy Main

Visiting Locomotive Announcement

We are very pleased to announce that ex-British Railways No.03079 will be visiting us for our upcoming diesel gala. 03079 worked at Gateshead TMD alongside our own 03078 between 1976 and 1988 and completes a line-up of three ex-Gateshead locomotives.

This will be the first time 03079 has left the Derwent Valley Light Railway in 21 years! It comes courtesy of Trevor Humbey and the Derwent Valley Light Railway Society.

You can see 03078 and 03079 working together for the first time since 1988 on September 28th & 29th. Find out more about the event over on our Facebook events page.

Our Locomotive Foreman begins his inspection of the loco alongside owner, Trevor

Carl taking notes

Michael having a drive

Carl driving

Michael having a look underneath

03079 will be coming to us the Thursday before the gala and running both Saturday and Sunday

Underkeep inspection

Steve has had the axlebox covers off on our MK1 Brake coach this afternoon to inspect the journals and underkeep pads and top them up with oil

The pad sits underneath the journal with wicks bathing in a well of oil to constantly feed the journal

The pads aren't in the greatest condition so we will be looking at replacing them in the near future

Flat wagon painting

The four wheeled flat wagon has received its first coat of primer on the inside frames as part of its transformation into a match wagon for our upcoming Diesel Gala in September

More progress to follow soon

401 in service

After the 03 had returned from the morning line inspection, 401 heads down Middle Engine Lane run-round loop to join the South end of the coaching stock which had already been stabled in the platform by the 03

Coupled up and loading ready for the first departure at 1130

Passengers watching 401 run round at Percy Main

Waiting for the fireman to change the points

Departing with the first train out of Percy Main

Arriving back at Percy Main with the next train

Running round

Backing onto the carriages

Katie coupling up

Trundling up the bank

Back at Middle Engine Lane with the last arrival

Lineside work on the morning line inspection

As part of today's morning line inspection volunteers took the opportunity to carry out some litter picking and lineside vegetation control

Starting with a litter pick under the Coast Road Bridge

Cutting foliage further down the line before heading further down for more litter picking

03 departing Percy Main

The group also went down on the first train of the day to finish off their work at Percy Main, here Michael cuts the grass as passengers watch 401 begin its run round

After the train had departed Carl begins strimming just North of the platform

Further on through the day we headed down the line once again for more strimming work

Foliage cutting back on the bankside