Good Friday - Miniature Railway Grand Opening

Fireman Aaran talking trainee Callum through his pre-light up checks of 401's firebox.

'Loki' in steam on the miniature.

401 raising steam on the pit road...

...before moving to the new road to be coaled up.

Tom, Adam and Paul bring 'Loki' up to the ribbon ready for the miniature railway's Grand Opening ceremony.

Following a short speech by chairman Michael, Engineering and Railway Operations Manager David cuts the ribbon and officially opens the miniature railway in front of a crowd of visitors.

Bank holidays are brown timetable days, whereby two out of five trips are diesel hauled. Here, Driver Nev eases 08915 into Middle Engine Lane after completing the first run of the day to Percy Main.

401 moving into position to take over from the diesel for the next departure.

Battery, petrol and steam locos lined up on the miniature on its first day of public operation.

Passengers had the choice between riding behind 'Kibworth Castle' or 'Loki'.

401 running round at Percy Main later on in the day.

Callum operating an injector on the way back to Middle Engine Lane.

Aaran checks back down the train as it rounds Rising Sun curve.

401 ready to shunt the carriages away at the end of the day.

Miniature stock on the crossing ready to be brought back into the museum.

After disposal, 401 is shunted back into the shed and wiped down ready for Sunday's crew.

Thursday Trains

08915 has been hauling trains today - seen here passing Aaran and Aadil tending to the planters on Middle Engine Lane platform.

Preparing for the Grand Opening

 The miniature railway team have been doing some final preparation work to get the railway ready for opening to the public tomorrow...

Water tower at the museum station complete.

Signals, built by Volunteer Rob Kitching, have been installed around the station area.

The area around the traverser pit has been tidied up and new fencing installed.

Rob has also brightened up the two stations with these planters...

Miniature Training Evening

Today, a group of volunteers have received training on the miniature railway - primarily in the roles of guard and petrol locomotive driver.

Tom taking a train over the crossing.

Concrete Delivery

Today we have taken delivery of concrete to complete foundations for the quayside section of the woodland walk. The trenches had previously been dug out by Michael and James.

More Sentinel Painting

Yesterday, Robert painted 9559's fireman's side frames with black gloss top coat. This brings both frames to the same stage ready to get a second coat before refitting of frame mounted components such as the sand boxes. 

Robert painting the frames.

After completion...

Michael and Aaron have applied two coats of red to the cab.

Spring Sun and Steam

Consett No.10 and the Shell tank being hauled out of the workshop...

...to be displayed where they can be viewed by the public.

401 raising steam on the pit road.

Ready to leave shed after being checked over, cleaned and oiled up.

03078 on the new road.

Tristan filling 401's tank.

The first train of the day arrives at Percy Main.

401 stabled next to the apron so the public can get up close to it over lunchtime. 

Today's driver, fireman and guard - Joe, Aaran, and Paul.

Picking up passengers at Percy Main on the third train of the day.

Tristan keeping an eye on the road ahead whilst running round at Percy Main.

The area under Wallsend Road bridges looking tidy after recent litter picking by volunteer Nigel.

This recent batch of coal produces some monster lumps of clinker that have to be shovelled out rather than dropped into the ashpan via the rocking grate.

The 08 shunts 401 back into the shed, and No.10 and the tank wagon back into the workshop, at the end of the day.

Daffodils in full bloom behind the Lambton hopper.

Super-Fairytale Express

08915 shunting the yard this morning to allow for the parcel van to be hauled out of the museum for today's 'Fairytale Express' performances.

08915 propelling 401 onto the new road.

Gleaming in the sun after being cleaned by Robert, Jack and Joe.

David topping up 401's coal bunker before the first train.

More wagons being brought into the yard to be stabled for the day in order to keep the north headshunt clear for Fairtyale Expresses.

Percy Main looking the tidiest it has in a long time after further litter picking by Nigel.

Fireman Aaran building up his fire.

After 35 minutes at Percy Main for passengers to take photos with two dozen princesses and superheroes, Guard Paul prepares the train for departure.

After each train gets back to the museum, the engine runs round and propels the carriages into the north headshunt. This allows various characters to quickly leave the show in the museum and board the carriages whilst the public walk along to the platform.

Guard Paul helping princesses onto the train ready for the 1400 Fairytale Express.

Trainee fireman Jack coupling 401 up ready for the 1600 train.

At the end of the day, Robert and Aaron completed their work on 03078's compressor belts. The locomotive was then started for proving and moved to the new road for display.