Percy Main Working Party

Volunteers have spent today carrying out a variety of tasks at Percy Main...

Chad painting the 5mph board.

Nev scrapes old grease off the points before applying fresh grease.

Aadil tackling vegetation.

Ben with the lawnmower.

Nev at the controls of 08915.

The team stopped off at the Coast Road Bridge on the way back to the museum.

Overhanging trees chopped back.

Joss and Aadil cutting back vegetation.

Loco Swap

After a successful locomotive exchange with the Embsay and Bolton Abbey Railway, 401 and 1208 are returning to their home railways. Here, 1208 is seen ready to leave NTSR on October 25th.

401 is now surplus to requirements at Embsay and was returned to NTSR following its recent visit to the Dean Forest Railway. 

Back in the museum.

Tea Room Improvement

New LED lighting being installed in the Waggonway Team Room this afternoon... 

Sleeper Sort Out

Michael D has been sorting out spent sleepers ready for disposal this afternoon.

Tool Van Cosmetic Work

Norman has been busy this week needle gunning and repainting the frames of the tool van...

Illingworth's Last Day

   Some photos of 1208 'Illingworth' (currently in its 'Robert McAlpine & Sons No.88' guise) during its last running day at NTSR before returning home to the Embsay and Bolton Abbey Steam Railway. 

1208 has spent the last 14 months at NTSR whilst our Bagnall 401 satisfied the need for a bigger engine at E&BASR. As 401 is no longer required by Embsay, it is set to return back to North Tyneside later this month.

Back on shed with cleaners Aaran (left), Chad (centre) and Aadil (right) on the running board.

401at Dean Forest Railway

The last stop on 401's Autumn tour was the Dean Forest Railway's Autumn Gala (14th-15th October).

All photos courtesy of George Matthews.

Arriving into Norchard with a mixed train.

At Lydney Junction...

...and later double heading away with 5541.

Departing Norchard with the mixed train.

NTSR locomotive foreman Michael Wortley on the footplate.

401, 5541 and 9681 at Lydney Junction.

Work on the Lambton Van

Work on the Lambton van has continued thanks to John and Richard. The hinges and metal work are now in place, allowing recording to commence on the East Side.

Work has also commenced on dismantling and assessing the West Side of the van. 

John painting.

A Day of Assessments...

 

Adam brushing 1208's tubes during this morning's prep.

08915 shunting 1208 onto the coal road.

Robin up top polishing the tank.

Robin and Adam on the footplate of 1208.

Running round at Percy Main.

The last train of the day arrives back at Middle Engine Lane.

A trio of volunteers have passed out in new roles today! Congratulations to newly qualified diesel second man Dan Southern (left), diesel driver Nev Bilton (centre) and steam driver Robin Johnson (right).

401 at the Mid Hants Railway

The latest stop on 401's autumn tour is the Mid Hants Railway, where it has starred in their Autumn Steam Gala (6-8th October). The following photos are from the Saturday of the event...

In the company of SR Schools class 'Cheltenham', 401 heads away from Ropley shed...

...and off to collect its train.

Sat at Alresford station with a mixed train for Ropley.

Back in Ropley yard.

Ready to depart Ropley for a trip 'over the alps'; a four-mile 1-in-60 climb up to Medstead and Four Marks.

Over the summit at Medstead and down the long straight into Alton. 

Stopped at the board in Alton passing loop. Directly ahead is the Network Rail connection to Alton station - the closest 401 has got to the mainline in how long?

Taking water at Alton.

Working hard on the three miles of 1-in-60 back out of Alton. 

Passing a 7F at Ropley.

 Back on shed at the end of the day.