Elf Express Day #1

Immaculate new headboard ready to be used for the first time.

03078 and 401 in the shed as their crews go about their morning preparation.

Cameron and Robin attaching the headboard to 401...

... before it is hauled out of the shed.

Cameron adding the finishing touches to the second heaboard.

Joe polishing 401's smokebox door.

Raising steam.

The first Elf Express of 2024 after arrival at Percy Main.

All smiles from today's footplate crew!

(L-R): Cleaner Robert, Driver Robin and Fireman Cameron.

Robert firing.

The museum ready for passengers for the 16:20 Elf Express...

Fairy lights switched on for the last train of the day.

Arriving into Middle Engine Lane in the dark.

Robert cleaning out the smokebox at the end of the day.

Consett No.10 Fundraising

Help us to raise £2000 to return Consett No.10 to service for the 2025 season!

No.10 is coming to the end of a full electrical overhaul and the last thing we need is a full set of batteries used for starting the engine.

We're grateful for any donation, large or small. If you're able to donate, please click the link to our JustGiving page: http://bit.ly/3Zp3alP

First Class Seat Installation

John, Tom and David have been busy this week installing the recently reupholstered first class seats.

Job done and looking the business!

Decorating 401

Steve has been busy this afternoon decorating 401 ready for tomorrow's first Elf Express trains.

Ready to go with tinsel and fairy lights along the handrails.

Elf Express headboard construction

 Over the past two weeks Cameron has been painting a pair of new headboards which were constructed by joiners, John and Bob. 

Cut out of MDF, the boards have been layered and designed to emulate the traditional lettering design of LNER headboards of the 50's and 60's.

The two separate designs with the letters fixed to the main headboard. Each one is to be displayed over the Elf Express running period of December.

Now fully painted, the lettering, edges and perimeter details will be painted.

Cameron painting the edge and letters.

Then a sprinkling of glitter was added to add a bit of sparkle.

A final layer of varnish is sprayed on the front and back to protect from the weather when installed on the front of the engine over December for Elf Express.

Pony

Today we have taken delivery of Hawthorn Leslie No.2918, 'Pony'.

'Pony' was previously stored at Peak Rail in Derbyshire and has been purchased by a member of the NTSRA for restoration and use on the NTSR. 

The locomotive has local origins, being built in Newcastle in 1912 for Blyth Harbour Commission, where it was designated 'BCC No.2'. It entered preservation at the Embsay and Bolton Abbey Steam Railway (where it gained the name 'Pony') and last steamed at the Chatham Dockyard Railway in 2004.

Brake Van move to Peak Rail

 An item of rolling stock has left the North Tyneside Steam Railway moving down to Peak Rail in Derbyshire.

Brake van being loaded onto the low loader in the early hours of the morning.

All strapped down and ready to leave North Tyneside.

Elf Express Dry Run

Today has seen children from a local primary school visiting the railway for a test run of this year's Elf Express event.

08915 ready to leave Middle Engine Lane on the back of the train.

03078 at Percy Main on the south end.

After a successful dry run, the two diesels were put to use shunting the yard to bring the Sentinel down to the museum so work can start on its restoration. 

The 08 hauled the Lowmac, Salmon and Sentinel onto the crossover...

...allowing the 03 to pick up the Sentinel and stable it on the flat road.

Newly qualified Second Man Omar shunting 401 back into the shed at the end of the day.

Painting Inside the Peckett's Tank

Joe has continued painting inside the Peckett's tank this week... 

This tank, the original, isn't far from being life-expired and in need of replacement. It is hoped that this work will enable the tank to continue to be used for at least a couple of years before a new one must be fabricated.

Planning Miniature Work

With phase one of works progressing well, we took the opportunity to lay out and position where our level crossing across the path to the standard gauge platform will be. The work for this will hopefully commence in the new year.

At the moment we have just used existing panels to check alignment. These will be substituted with a fabricated panel which will be sunk into the path to create a level walkway.

Lighting for Elf Express

Richard and John have been busy this month setting up the museum for the Elf Express.

Giant baubles hung from the gantry throughout the museum.

Testing the lighting and sound for the performances.

Pin Fabrication for ACC5

George has been busy fabricating a new set of pins for the Peckett's valve gear recently.

Carrying out a trial fitting of a pin attaching the expansion link to the reverse eccentric rod and lifting links.