Coronavirus update #2

COVID-19 Update

Following the latest government advice, we have made the decision that our Victor and Vulcan Reunion Gala (May) and our Ale by Rail Beer & Music Festival (June) events are being postponed until next year.

Additionally, our social media (mainly this blog) will likely go quite quiet. With no volunteers able to get on-site there will be no new progress to report for the foreseeable future.

We thank you all for your support in these unprecedented times and hope you are all staying safe.

New coal hoppers

Today, volunteers were down at the Ribble Steam Railway & Museum helping to load up two 21ton coal hopper wagons that have been purchased by volunteers of the NTSRA

First wagon being loaded

Loading the second

Both loaded and ready for the journey home

Arrival at NTSR

Back on North East metals for the first time in many years

Second wagon successfully unloaded

Posing with 03078 in the headshunt

401 update

Volunteer Rob is making steady progress on 401s bottom end, sanding and painting. Here the tank support brackets have had their first undercoat and rub back as has the balancer, wayshaft and reverser reach rod. The frames have been thoroughly cleaned and given a fresh coat of gloss black. The connecting rods have also been removed to allow for crank pin and bearing inspection as well as easier access to the centre and leading wheels for painting

Connecting rods, return cranks and return crank rods from both sides of the loco laid out

Rob cleaning and prepping the frames on the other side for painting

Michael marking out plate for 401s smokebox door numberplate

Lineside work

Photos of today's working party tackling lineside foliage on the 1in48 bankside

Had a run down to Percy Main with 03078 to finish the day

03078 shunting

Some photos of 03078 out shunting in the sun this afternoon

Robert driving

Heading into the shed at the end of the day

Wagon FTR

Tool van over the pit this morning for its fitness to run exam and oil up

Foliage work

Rob tackling foliage in Middle Engine Lane north headshunt

Forklift servicing

Forklift having it's annual servicing out in the sun this morning

Coronavirus update

COVID-19

In light of recent government advice surrounding the Coronavirus, the Stephenson Railway Museum will not be re-opening in April and all events through to 1st May have been cancelled.

While there have been no reported cases of Coronavirus at the railway the well-being of staff, volunteers and visitors is, naturally, a priority.

From this, no passenger trains will operate at NTSR throughout April. We will be working alongside Tyne and Wear Archives and Museums to monitor the situation and review it throughout April and post updates as and when we can.

In the meantime, if you have any further enquires please email: info@stephensonrailwaymuseum.org.uk

From all at the North Tyneside Steam Railway Association please stay safe and we hope to be running trains again as soon as possible.

401 painting update

Heritage Painting have now finished their work on 401 this afternoon, the tank and cab have had 2 undercoats and 3 top coats followed by a varnish today. The rest (frames/wheels etc) is being completed by volunteers

Garden work

Tractor being used to dig up the garden outside the museum entrance this morning

Volunteers Jean and Robs progress today, this area will eventually be filled with wood chip

Mk1 seats

Back in September there was a post about Mk1 seats from our SLO being dropped off in Pickering for refurbishment, the majority of which finally arrived back yesterday with the rest due to be picked up this Friday

The seats are currently being stored in the south end of the SLO as there is still a little work to do before they can be re-fitted in the north end of the carriage

Sign writing on 401

A huge thank you to David Watchman from Tanfield Railway who very kindly did the sign writing/lettering on 401 today

David taking measurements last week

"The Steel Company of Wales Ltd." lettering being done on the tank

Shunting

Shunters view on the front of 03078 this morning

Picking up wagons

Picking up more wagons and shunting them out the way of the museum road

This was to allow access to E4 and Meaford No.1, these were being pulled out of the museum to allow the lighting to be replaced in the museum

Stabling Meaford No.1 on the pit road

401 update

Heritage Painting were back in today to carry on with 401, the tank has been rubbed back and has received its third coat of gloss

Bench testing safety valves

401's safety valves have been re-set and bench tested this afternoon