New Guard!

Having completed the necessary theoretical and practical exams, Tristan has passed out as a passenger guard today. Congratulations Tristan!

Work on No.69's Brake Hangers

George, Simon and Alan have been at work producing new bushes for the brake hangers on NCB No.69. The process began with the meticulous task of boring out the worn bushes using the milling machine. Care was taken to protect the integrity of the brake hanger bores, a job that spanned several days.

A brake hanger with the bore diameter chalked.

New bushes were machined using a surplus piece of cylindrical stock, precisely tailoring each bush to match the measured bore of each brake hanger while compensating for slight discrepancies in diameter. Here, Alan and George inspect the turning bar.

45 minutes per pass, down to a nominal diameter of 3" before final turning.

Each bush partially parted before being cut using the donkey saw. 

All bushes prior to final turning and boring. Once machined, three grease holes were filled evenly around the circumference of each bush prior to being pressed into the brake hangers. 

    Make shift press for bush pressing into the brake hangers.

Successful! 1 of 12 bush pressings complete. Test fitting of the brake hangers on No.69 is scheduled before the final steps of priming and painting.

The old brass grease nipples removed from the brake hangers will be scrapped and replaced with steel ones.

Today's Trains

Trainee Fireman Aadil carrying out the pre-light up checks of 401's smokebox as part of the locomotive's morning 'fitness to run' exam.

Aadil cleaning wheels and rods.

401's cab in immaculate condition.

Raising steam with 03078 ticking over behind.

Setting off on the line inspection, Aadil and Rob open the yard gates.

Steaming through Percy Main station after checking No.1 points.

Chad is today's shopkeeper in the guards' van shop.

Steaming towards the Tyne Tunnel Trading Estate foot crossing.

Taking water after the second train.

Buffering up to the carriages at Percy Main.

Aadil firing.

End of day shunting; 401 approaches the carriages to propel them into the north headshunt whilst 03078 hauls the brake van away from the coal road to make room for 401 to be coaled up.

Engine Cleaning

Some photos of an immaculately presented 401 having been polished by Aadil and Robert over the past couple of days.

Sunday Steam

A busy scene during this morning's prep as Katie tends to her fire, Aaran polishes the tank and Cameron and Callum clean the bottom end.

03078 at Percy Main during the morning line inspection...

Stabling the coal wagons in the north headshunt after returning to Middle Engine Lane.

401 sat at Percy Main, looking very clean after the team's efforts this morning.

Aaran keeps an eye on the vacuum gauge whilst making a brake application as Katie turns an injector on.

Running around at Percy Main.

Katie firing whilst Aaran keeps an eye on the road ahead.

Fireman Aaran (L), trainee Katie (centre) and driver Joe (R) at Middle Engine Lane at the end of a good day on the footplate.

401 in Steam Today

Michael W (L) and Michael D (R) take the opportunity before trains start to continue with re-railing the south crossover, seen here using the Ironmen to lift the rail into place.

Michael W cutting the rail down to the required length.

Taking over from 08915 for the rest of the month, 03078 makes a welcome return to shed pilot duties. 

Today's guard, Joe, undergoing his 03 driver's practical exam during the morning line inspection.

Cleaners preparing 401 for the day ahead.

401 being coupled up to the carriages before the first train.

Trainee Guard Oliver carrying out an essential part of the guard's fitness to run examination of the carriages - a 'continuity test'. Once the locomotive is coupled up to the carriages and has created 21in of vacuum, the guard removes the vacuum hose from its dummy on the opposite end of the train and checks that the brakes apply as a result. This proves that the braking system is continuous throughout the train and guarantees that if the train were to become divided, an immediate and automatic brake application would be made throughout.

With the carriages stabled in the platform, 401 propels the coal wagons into the north headshunt to free up the run-round loop.

Passengers watching the crew prepare 401 for departure from Percy Main.

Oliver giving 401's driver the right away to depart with the second train of the day.

The first stage of the Woodland Walk open to be enjoyed by the public.

Oliver guides the driver of 401 onto the carriages after lunch.

Passengers gather at Percy Main to watch 401 run round and visit the guard's van shop.

08915 stabled where it can be viewed by the public in the running shed.

Driver Steve begins to run 401 round the carriages on the last train.

The last arrival of the day into Middle Engine Lane.

03078 shunts the carriages away at the end of the day.