03078 Hauling Trains Today

In what has become a bit of a rarity outside of special event days in recent years, 03078 has had a full day of hauling passenger trains today. 

Being prepared in the running shed.

Sat at Middle Engine Lane ready for the 1130 departure.

The 03 ready to depart Percy Main with the first train...

...and after arriving with the second.

Nev on the throttle back to Middle Engine Lane.

Running round at Percy Main.

The view from the second man's seat on the climb away from Wallsend Road.

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

The 03 will be hauling trains again this Thursday for half-term whilst 401 is being used for another BESTT boiler washout course. 401 will be back in action on Sunday 3rd November.

More Levelling on the Miniature

After our last miniature update it may seem a bit of a backwards step to remove the track after spending time getting it down; however, in places we noticed that more levelling was required. So, along with the groundwork for the platform area we took the opportunity to do more preparation on the trackbed to remove the niggles. Next steps are ballasting and relaying of the panels!

The completed groundworks using compacted ash as a base. The trackbed is to the left of the yellow marking, with the platform to the right.

Tom removing the top layer of waste material down to the hardcore below.

Compacting the ash with the roller.

401 in Service Today

401 climbing past the Tyne Tunnel Trading Estate with a train for Middle Engine Lane.

Cameron backs the loco onto the train at Percy Main.

Volunteers pause from their respective projects to watch the last train of the day depart from Middle Engine Lane.

Preparing ACC5 for NDT

Before Ashington No.5 can steam again, it must undergo an NDT (non-destructive testing) exam. This involves exposing 10% of the rivets on each section of the boiler (each lap joint, side sheet etc.) and testing them with an ultrasonic testing probe. To facilitate this, volunteers have been busy over the past few days removing the chimney, tank and cab to access the boiler.

Michael W uses the overhead gantry crane to lift out the chimney...

...followed by the cab, which is loaded onto the recently restored conflat wagon. 

Next, the tank is lifted up until it is clear of the steam dome.

03078 removing 08915, Consett No.10 and the conflat from the pit road.

Michael coupling up ACC5 to the flat wagon (which will carry its tank)...

...so that the 03 can carefully propel the locomotive forward from underneath the tank.

The tank is then lowered down onto the wagon behind ACC5 in the workshop. The next step is to remove the cladding and lagging to expose the boiler.

Painting and bolting of NCB No.69's frames.

 Progress continues on NCB No.69! Cameron has been applying the first coat of red paint to the plate which supports the slide bars for the Stephenson Valve Gear.

Before painting...

and after.

Cameron also prepped the rear buffer beam face around the bolt holes, ready for the new bolts to be tightened into the frames.

Cameron completing some sanding.

Robert lends a hand whilst the nuts are tightened.

12 bolts reunited with the frames.

Conflat Update

Michael cutting up metal to be used to create the conflat's side sheets.

Robert using the donkey saw to cut it to the required size.

The four side sheets cut out and being painted...

Aaran painting.

    Michael D welding the deck together...

...along with Michael W.

    The deck after receiving a layer of undercoat.

Davey applying the first coat of black...

Aaran and Steve fitting the side sheets.

C&W News

Norman has continued to make rapid progress in painting the association's tank wagon.

 

A concerted effort has seen the edges and deck now welded onto the conflat. Now the wagon just requires the side plates and van body to go on the top!

The north end of the Lambton van has had its planking completed and window restored.

John has now commenced fitting the East Side planking.

Miniature P-Way

More space was required for a headshunt to allow a run-round loop to be constructed at the southern terminus of the miniature railway, so volunteers have constructed a small embankment to facilitate this.

With a layer of ash (courtesy of Bagnall 401) applied and tamped down, the track panels are put in place ready for an inspection.

401 in Steam Today

Driver Robin oiling up.

Aadil cleaning the wheels.

08915 hauls the carriages into the platform ready for the first train.

401 joining the train in Middle Engine Lane platform.

Robin driving the first train away from Wallsend Road curve.

Trainee fireman Tom on the shovel.

Later building up his fire at Percy Main.

Emptying the smokebox at the end of the day.