Work Continues

Richard underneath working on Ashington No.5's rear damper door and linkages

Winter Maintenance Begins

It's cold but not quiet in the workshops today as the volunteers are straight back to work and are beginning the winter maintenance jobs on Ashington No.5

Tom up top painting Ashington No.5's chimney

Merry Christmas!

From all at the NTSRA, a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Double Heading the last day

Ashington No.5 and A.No.5 sat at Percy Main getting ready to depart

Ashington No.5's fire being chucked out at the end of the shift, marking the end of a successful 2017 season!

Curry Night

Volunteers and staff enjoying a curry in the NER Parcel Van last night, funds raised going towards the upkeep and maintenance of the Stephenson Railway Museum's garden

Santa Specials Today

Ready to depart Percy Main with the first train of the day

Driver/Chef Tom adding in the dumpling mix to the mince & gravy for the crew's lunch today

Trainee Fireman Robert Kitching on the shovel

Departing Percy Main

Slogging up to the curve with 140+ tons in tow

Fresh out the smokebox!

Tasted as good as it looks!

Braving the cold

Cleaners out in the cold this morning cleaning Ashington No.5's motion

Snowy Santa Specials

Cold start this morning

Ashington No.5 powering round Percy Main curve, about to start the climb

08915 banking at the rear

Harton Electric E4 lit up in the museum

Snow starting to lay thick towards the end of the day

Rolling into Middle Engine Lane with the last train of the day

Happy passengers saying their goodbyes to Santa Claus whilst Ashington No.5 rolls back into the yard before disposal

Santa Specials at Percy Main

Ran Tanners performing on the platform

Ashington No.5 simmering away just after arriving at Percy Main

Santa Claus having a quick warm up before handing out presents

Fireman Richard building up his fire prior to departure from Percy Main

Paint Job

Norman painting the temporary steam heating fixture on A.No.5

No.401 Work

Michael and John have been working on 401s axleboxes today, soon the axleboxes will be split in order to reveal the roller bearings, they will be inspected and have the old grease removed, be thoroughly cleaned and new fresh grease applied

John working on one of 401s axleboxes

A5 Joining In

A.No.5 joined the South end of the train today to Top N Tail with Ashington No.5

First Day of Santa Specials

Breakfast time!

Steaming up

Sat in Middle Engine Lane platform ready to depart with the first train of the day

Santa Claus greeting a train full of excited children at Percy Main

Steam crew from left to right, Cleaner Joe Stuart, Driver Michael Darling and Fireman Stephen Thornton

Battery operated fairy lights lit up on the handrails

Last Minute Santa Prep

ACC5 being disposed of after today's Schools Special and Staff Training trains

Back in the shed with Michael fixing tinsel to the locomotives handrails