Morning line inspection

08915 down at Percy Main on the morning line inspection

Spring change continues

Following on from last nights work, 401 is jacked up again to allow volunteers to finish off fitting the new leaf spring this morning

CL running boards

New running boards made, painted and fitted to the CL carriage

Last minute maintenance on 401

During 401s last steam test it was found that the regulator wasn't opening. The valve, pictured above in the vice, was removed from inside the dome and found to be seized. It was then disassembled, cleaned, lapped in and re-fitted. In this photo, cable ties are being used to pinch the piston rings together so the valve can be tapped in

With the regulator valve and dome cover re-fitted, 401 is dragged outside and lit up

The next job was a last-minute spring change. In this photo, Tom is jacking and packing the rear end of the loco to relieve the weight on the broken spring (LHS centre)

Pictured above is the new spring fitted with retainer pins and shackles. Unfortunately, volunteers ran out of time last night, so after getting the new spring partially fitted and making it secure and safe to move, the loco was shunted back into the shed ready for the job to be finished in the morning

Shunting

08915 buffering up to the parcel van in the museum

03079 shunting A5 back into the museum

08915 shunting 69

New steam locomotive and new wagon

Today we have welcomed a new steam locomotive into our fleet, Hunslet Austerity No.69, works No.3785 built-in 1953, which worked at South Hetton Colliery. As well as a new wagon, NCB Lambton plate layers van No.21 to our carriage and wagon fleet. Both these vehicles have come from the Embsay and Bolton Abbey Steam Railway and are privately owned by NTSRA members/volunteers.

No.69 will be on display in the yard with its overhaul planned to start next year after the completion of Ashington No.5s overhaul. The Lambton van will have minor work carried out to prepare it for the winter months before heavier work on it can begin next year.

Yesterday (25th Aug) at Embsay Station. Hunslet Austerity 'Cumbria' ready to depart Embsay station with No.69 and Lambton van in tow (photos below)

En-route to the loading spur

Cumbria propelling 69 onto the loading spur

Joined by the Lambton van

Early this morning (26th), 69 being loaded

Lambton van being loaded

69 returns to the North East

Ramp being built on the loading spur to unload 69

Successfully off the low loader and coupled up to 08915

Shortly followed by the Lambton van being unloaded

Shunted over onto the pit road

Michael pressure washing 69

69 stabled in the yard

Line flailing

Photos of a contractor flailing the running line vegetation today