69 Update

Red top coat trialed on the fireman's side rear buffer housing...

...and the rear wheel axle.

The leading wheel set has also been moved inside...

Conflat Progress

The Conflat chassis has recently been re-united with its wheels (and new axle box brasses) and work on painting the chassis has continued. 

Post-Gala Shunting

 

08915 has been re-organising the yard today after last weekend's steam gala.

Preparing to head through the new south crossover.

About to return to the shed after stabling the wagons from the freight train in the south headshunt.

Gala Sunday

Engines being prepared in the morning.

29 takes water before coupling up to the freight train.

The morning freight train on Rising Sun curve.

The brake van detached on Percy Main bank. The train then proceeded into the loop to allow the van to be gravitated into the headshunt.

29 climbing the Coast Road bank on the way back to Middle Engine Lane. Photo: Dave Hewitt.

60 begins re-marshalling the freight train.

Meanwhile, 29 heads into the loop to collect the carriages.

The first passenger train is top and tailed with 29 leading...

...and 1208 trailing. 

Driver Rob on 60.

Displays by Hetton Colliery Railway 200.

Live music with Backworth Colliery band joining us once again.

1208 hauls a train through Wallsend Road bridges. Photo: Henry Elliott.

Heading back into the yard after arriving at Middle Engine Lane.

The next train is hauled by 29, seen here approaching the Coast Road bridge. Photo: Dave Hewitt.

Thomas leading a workshop tour.

Backworth Colliery Band performing in front of the Lambton Colliery banner.

Driver Anthony changing over the lamp on 29.

60 and 1208 arrive with a double-headed train from Percy Main.

Robin on 60 and Anthony on 29 propelling the freight train into the north headshunt.

The view from the brake van.

After gravitating the brake van, 29 and 60 prepare to propel the wagons onto it in the headshunt.

The freight train complete in Percy Main headshunt...

...and approaching the Rising Sun bridge on the return journey.

60 and 29 lead the train into the north headshunt...

...before dropping onto the carriages in the loop.

The last train of the gala ready to depart with 1208 leading and 1208 and 29 trailing. The three locos will triple head the train on the return journey. 

Some of Sunday's crew (from Left to Right): Chris Cubitt (29's rep), Adam Saunders, Robin Johnson, Michael Darling, Cameron Calvert, Anthony Walker, Rob Kitching, Paul Rowland and Jack Devlin.

The triple header approaching the Coast Road bridge...

...and arriving back at Middle Engine Lane.

60's crew: Driver Rob Kitching (L) and Fireman Robin Johnson (R).

29 shunting tank wagons at the end of the day.

Gala Saturday

1208, 60 and 29 being prepared early on Saturday morning.

Oiling up between the frames on 29.

Raising steam.

29 is the first off shed, seen here leaving Middle Engine Lane with the first freight train of the day.

At Percy Main, the brake van is gravitated through the platform and into the headshunt...

...for 29 to then propel the wagons onto it. 

The re-marshalled freight train in Percy Main headshunt ready for departure.

The freight train arriving back at Middle Engine Lane, as viewed from the footplate of 1208.

The first passenger train of the day, top and tailed by 60 and 29, waiting for the green flag.

Meanwhile, 1208 is shunting wagons in the yard.

Visitors enjoying 29 at Percy Main.

'The Norseman' departs Percy Main.

Outside the museum there was a display of classic cars...

In the afternoon, 29 waits in the south headshunt with a coal train. 

And later, is seen departing the north headshunt for Percy Main.

After arrival at Percy Main, 1208 prepares to take over the train for the journey back up the hill.

1208 ready to depart with 29 stabled in the loop.

Setting off for Middle Engine Lane.

Cameron and Joe on 29.

At Middle Engine Lane, the coal train runs through the loop into the north headshunt...

...for 60 to return the wagons to the yard.

29's footplate.

Station Foreman Dan and Guard Matt converse as 29 and 60 prepare to double head the next train away from Percy Main.

3D printed model of Hetton Colliery 0-4-0 'Lyon' in front of 'Billy'. 

Kepier Colliery Model Railway.

Models of visiting No.60 and home-based No.69, which is currently undergoing overhaul.

There were also micro layouts by Durham Modellers.

29 stabled with the carriages in Middle Engine Lane loop.

60 plods through the station with another freight train.

Cameron watching the release shunt from 29's footplate...

...and later building up his fire.

The last train of the day arrives into Middle Engine Lane whilst 1208 sits in the south headshunt.