401 in service

401 in service again today

 

Coal Train Day

Photos from todays Coal Train Day with 401 in service running demonstration freight trains and passenger trains along with 08915 on shunting duties in the yard

 

Pway and lineside work

Some photos of recent Permanent Way maintenance and vegetation cut back down the line

 

401 in service and shunting

First photo showing 401 arriving back at Middle Engine Lane with the last passenger train of the day followed by a couple of shunting taking place in preparation for Sunday’s coal train day

Recent work on the Lambton Van

Recent work on Lambton Van No.21 has included cutting square holes and routing the new main beam from the east side of the body

 

Works train at Percy Main

08915 with a small works train at Percy Main this morning

 

08915 out and about

08915 has been out for a trip to Percy Main and back this morning for diesel driver reassessments

 

Ashington No.5 overhaul progress

It's been a while since we have posted an update on Ashington No.5s overhaul progress! Over the months we have accumulated lots of photos of work taking place on the locomotive, however most of these have unfortunately got lost in the aether...

Nevertheless here are some recent photos and a small update on some of the machining work which continues to take place on components for Ashington No.5

Tom working on the mill to bore out holes on parts of the brake rigging

Meanwhile, Alan machines a new pin for said brake rigging

First of the new pins being trial fitted

With most of the axleboxes now re-fitted, Alan has made a start on tapping the holes to take the new oil pipe fittings

The next few photos show Alan soldering the axlebox oil pipe joints

 

New Fireman

A belated well done and congratulations to volunteer Cameron Calvert who passed his practical fireman’s assessment at the end of July and had his first solo firing turn today!

 

Today's trains

Another very hot day today, with 401 in passenger service

 

Morning prep

Trainee steam driver Joseph underneath 401 carrying out a fitness to run (FTR) examination

Dai shunting 401 out of the running shed

E4 being shunted out of the museum

401 being coaled up whilst Dai cleans the tank