Steam Test on A.No.5

A.No.5 stabled on the loading spur undergoing it's steam test

08915 in service today

Approaching Percy Main curve

Stabled in the North headshunt at Middle Engine Lane

Waiting to depart Middle Engine Lane with the next train

A visit to Discovery

Some of our volunteers went to Discovery Museum today in Newcastle to meet their volunteering group. They showed us some of their projects and collections and discussed ideas for sharing knowledge and skills.

P-Way Maintenance

Volunteers made use of the good weather today and carried out some p-way maintenance. Broken chairs in the yard were replaced along with some work to the crossover points

Volunteers from L-R, Adam Saunders, Joe Stuart, Kevin O'Dowd, Richard Russell, Michael Sanderson, Michael Wortley and Thomas Ashcroft

Today's Diesel Day

D2078 and 08915 arriving back at Middle Engine Lane

The museum was slightly reshuffled today, the Metro cab was positioned next to Killingworth Billy to allow visitor access and Ashington No.5 was placed opposite

A Message from the Chairman...

We'd like to apologise to those who visited us today expecting to see No.10 and E4 in action. Sadly we had 'one of those days'. No.10 is currently laid up in the workshop due to overrunning maintenance and E4 unfortunately developed a fault with the battery during the charging process yesterday which will take time to rectify. 08915 also failed on us yesterday with a fuel supply problem which was causing the engine to cut out. Thanks to a mammoth effort by our volunteers and some good friends of the railway, we were able to get it fixed in time for the first passenger service today alongside D2078.

Further work on ACC5

After its boiler washout Ashington No.5 was put back in shed so Michael W and Steve could set about removing the locomotives safety valves, Michael seen here removing the dome cover

Loosening off the LHS safety valve

Michael heating up the RHS steam injector valve to loosen it so it can be separated from the main manifold

View from the sky!

The view of the yard from the sky, took with a DJI Mavic Pro

Boiler Washout

Michael using the pressure washer to wash down the top of the inner firebox

Pressure washing the RHS centre spring

Work on Ashington No.5

Volunteers have spent today dismantling Ashington No.5's backhead in preparation for the locomotives annual examination

Loco Roster Change

Due to mechanical issues, Harton E4 will be replacing Consett No.10 this Sunday on shunting demonstrations

DIESEL DAY - Sunday 22nd April

08915 and D2078 will both be in action next week hauling passenger and freight trains! The Stephenson Railway Museum will be open from 11am and the site will be open all morning so you can get a good view of D2078 & CIC10 shunting in the yard as well as 08915 arriving back into Middle Engine Lane with the freight train at 11:10am!

Passenger services depart Middle Engine Lane at 11:40am, 12:30pm, 2:10pm and 3:00pm

Coaling Up

Coaling up Ashington No.5 at the end of the day ready for Sundays trains

New Fireman

Congratulations to John Allen who passed his practical firing exam this afternoon! Pictured here with Traction Inspector Michael

Ashington No.5 in service today

John lighting the fire

Driver Tom oiling up

Steaming up

Later on in the day...

Rounding Percy Main curve

Onto the straight

Approaching the Coast Road bridge

Early morning litter pick

D2078 with the Salmon wagon stopped on Percy Main curve to pick up litter under the Wallsend Road Bridge

Driver Michael at the controls of the 03

Just some of the litter picked up from Percy Main

Diesel Day!

The first Diesel Day of 2018 is fast approaching!

More details to follow soon, timetable below

More Landscaping!

 More landscaping and clearing up was carried out after hours today with the use of the dumper truck and John Deere tractor

Ready to Go

Ashington No.5 cleaned and ready to go this morning

Landscaping

Photos below showing the landscaping and general tidy up carried out today in the backfield, mainly around the South headshunt

Using the tractor to drag out an old signal post that is planned to be restored and used