Throwback Thursday #5

The Tyne & Wear metro used the site at Middle Engine Lane as a test centre for the Tyne & Wear metro-cars. Here No.4002 is seen in the yard. 

A perfect end, to a perfect season...

With this years Santa Specials over, that brings the 2015 season to an end. 2016 will see 401s boiler returning in early February and the lads in the workshop are eager to get to work putting the locomotive back together. 

Behind the scenes photos of the workshop sessions are soon to follow, starting with both Ashington No.5 and A.No.5's annual examinations. 

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from all at the North Tyneside Steam Railway!

The engines tucked away in the shed for the rest of the winter months

Ashington No.5 sitting at Percy Main on one of the last trains of 2015

Season drawing to a close

Some photos of the last weekend of 2015s Santa Specials. Only one more day to go!

A.No.5 and Ashington No.5 being prepared for a days service 

Ashington No.5 preparing to move off to warm the coaching stock as the sun rises over Middle Engine Lane

A.No.5 ready to lead the double-header out of Percy Main

Michael building up his fire ready for the last run up to Middle Engine Lane of the day

Ashington No.5 standing on the pit road about to be disposed

New Qualified Enginemen!

 Congratulations are in order for some of our esteemed volunteers who have worked hard to become qualified in their respective roles! 

Ashington No.5 was used for the practical examination, seen here standing at Percy Main headshunt

Michael Wortley - Passed Fireman

Richard Maughan - Passed Fireman

(Left to Right) Robin Johnson, Stephen Thornton, Richard Russell - Firemen

Rise and shine!

Ashington No.5 and A.No.5 being prepared for today's services

Throwback Thursday #4

A.No.5 and visiting J27 No.2392 (65894) sit on the pit road outside of the shed, including the old water tower which has since been turned around to allow locomotives to be filled easier during running days operations.

Two Santa Special weekends, down. One to go!

Ashington No.5 & A.No.5 getting coaled up during a brisk winter morning

Ashington No.5 waits for A.No.5 to pull the coaches into the platform after completing the morning line inspection

A.No.5 sitting in the platform at Middle Engine Lane

Ashington No.5 waiting on the crossover

Taken from A.No.5's footplate whilst banking Ashington No.5 over the Rising Sun bridge passing Silverlink 

Let it snow!

Ashington No.5 sitting at Percy Main as it begins to snow during our second week of 2015's Santa Specials! 

Preparing for another Santa filled weekend!

Our engines are being prepared for another weekend of Santa Specials!

This weekend we will also be running an extra train in the dark utilising our new lighting systems in the carriages, platforms and pathways. 

Throwback Thursday #3

A scene from the former Percy Main station, with Ashington No.5 using the old run-round loop to run-round her train ready for departure to Middle Engine Lane. And with Class 24 No.D5061 (No.24061 - 'Experiment') sitting in the bay platform with the parcel van. D5061 is currently out of operation at the North Yorkshire Moors Railway. 

Last minute repairs

Some last minute repairs were made to Ashington No.5s ashpan this week after the ashpan door was jammed during disposal last Sunday night. With the work complete, ACC5s ashpan door was re-fitted this afternoon, ready for another weekend of Santa Specials! 

ACC5s Ashpan door ready for fitting

Robin & Tom putting the door into place 

Tom fitting the right hand side nuts & bolts

A5 banking ACC5

Here's a little clip of A5 making some noise, taken from the footplate when banking ACC5 on the last train on Sunday 6th December. A5 replaced our diesel 08915 on the last two trains of the day due to a technical fault. 

Our Santa Specials continue again next weekend! 

First Santa Specials of 2015

The first of this years Santa Specials kicked off today with Ashington No.5, seasonally decorated, Top N Tailed with 08915! 

Throwback Thursday #2

The black gang pose in front of No.401 during its first 10 year overhaul at North Tyneside. George (far left) is still an active member 20 years on.

Late night work on A.No.5

Steve & Tom ready to make a start on the front damper door

Steve slackening off the nuts holding the bracket on in readiness for further dismantling

Steve cleaning out A5s firebox

Cleaning down the rather grubby motion

Throwback Thursday #1

Welcome to the first Throwback Thursday on the blog. Every Thursday we will be uploading an image of the railway from the past, enjoy! 

A5 & 401 double heading up the 1in48 bank on their way up to Middle Engine Lane. 

More night time training

Another night time training session took place on the evening of 25/11/15 with another group of volunteers, led by Michael Darling (Steam/Diesel/Electric driver & Guard) and Mark Beresford (Operations Controller, Second-Man & Guard), both whom work on the railway for a living. 

Michael carrying out a line inspection on D2078 before the training session

08915 stabled outside the shed ready and waiting for the training session to begin

Volunteers being briefed before practising shunting manoeuvres with the use of bardic lamps

Robin coupling 08915 to the couches at Percy Main

The train sitting at Percy Main platform with the new mobile lighting gear in place on the platform

Wednesday Jobs

The spacer for Ashington No.5s new drawbar being cut down. This was due to the new drawbar not being the same length as the original. Material had to be taken off to allow the spring and locking nuts to be fitted. 

John machining the new locking nut for Ashington No.5's drawbar

Ashington No.5's new front drawbar, made by Riley & Son's

Saturday Jobs

The MK1 SLO coaches voltage regulator

Darren checking the refurbished lighting system in the coaches

Alan & George attend to a leaking steam heating pipe

Michael oiling up D2078

20t Brake Van receiving attention to the roof in the carriage & wagon shop

Steve cleaning Ashington No.5's frames

Robin, Davy & Steve collect used sleepers from Percy Main Curve

The works train standing at Percy Main station