'North Shields by Rail' Exhibition

Volunteers have been busy setting up the NS800 exhibition inside the museum this morning.

An original headboard from 'The Norseman' boat trains (on loan to the NTSRA from a private collection) accompanied by a BR uniform and a selection of various BR-era items.

A Norseman carriage board (on loan from the same private collection) has also been displayed above the Norseman-themed corner of the exhibition...

...with an accompanying interpretation board.

A display board detailing the Blyth and Tyne railway positioned alongside Clio's cab, the only surviving component of an original B&T-built locomotive.

An interpretation board explaining the Tyneside Electrics aptly positioned in front of the sole-surviving vehicle from the Tyneside Electric system, the N.E.R. parcels van on loan to the museum from the NRM.

Interpretation boards explaining the history of the Tyne Improvement Commission (T.I.C.) displayed in front of the two T.I.C. vehicles.

The exhibition opens tomorrow and runs until June 29th. Come and see the exhibition for yourself to learn more about the history of railways in North Shields, from wooden Waggonways right up to the metro of today!

Front buffer beam removal from NCB No.69

Cameron has been busy over the past few weeks removing numerous countersunk bolts from the front buffer beam of NCB No.69 with the eventual plan to straighten the front buffer beam whilst the pistons and valves are removed for inspection.

Bolts numbered to associated holes.

The mag drill set up to drill out the countersunk bolts, there are 6 in total that require drilling and punching out.

After successfully drilling and punching, the first bolt is removed.

With more hands to help and the use of the forklift, the front buffer beam was manoeuvred from the frames to the ground.

Looking towards the rear of the locomotive, the frame faces and pistons can be seen after the removal of the front buffer beam.

Tank Wagon Priming

After several days of needle gunning and sanding, Norman has begun priming the barrel of tank 9836.

Delivery of T.I.C. No.35

We’re excited to announce that 1958-built T.I.C. No.35 has returned to North Shields for the first time in over three decades today, thanks to our friends at Tanfield Railway. No.35 will be the star exhibit of our ‘North Shields by Rail’ Exhibition (1st-29th June) before appearing in our Photographic Evening (4th July) and Diesel Gala (5th & 6th July). 

The Tyne Improvement Commission (T.I.C.) owned a sprawling network of tracks covering Whitehill Point and the docks, fanning out across the land almost immediately south of our current Percy Main terminus. No.35 was one of five diesel electric locomotives purchased by the T.I.C. to replace the steam engines at Albert Edward Dock in North Shields (the area now covered by Royal Quays Marina).

No.35 being carefully driven onto the low loader at East Tanfield station.

Robert and Aaran helping to dissasemble the ramp.

Ready to depart for North Tyneside. This is No.35's first trip away from Tanfield in preservation!

Joe, Robert and Aaron headed back to NTSR to shunt the yard ready to unload No.35.

No.35 arrives at Middle Engine Lane.

Back in North Shields for the first time in over three decades!

After assembling the ramp, the loco is carefully driven off the lorry.

Tanfield's diesel locomotive foreman, Ben, driving No.35 down to Percy Main on a proving run.

Loco and van at Percy Main.

No.35 sat at the bottom of Percy Main headshunt, only yards away from the once-boundary with the T.I.C. owned tracks that led down to Whitehill Point and the docks. 

Driver's eye view.

Joe driving No.35 away from Percy Main.

Back at Middle Engine Lane after a successful proving run.

03078 fired up to move the various wagons stabled on the flat road over to the crossover...

...so that the parcel van can be extracted from the museum.

Local railway history recreated: two ex-North Shields T.I.C. railway vehicles reunited at NTSR.

No.35 then shunted T.I.C. bolster wagon No.21 into the museum, where the two will be on display throughout June in our 'North Shields by Rail' exhibition - our contribution to the 'North Shields 800' celebrations.

03078 at rest after shunting the stock back onto the flat road.

T&W Metro Sign Installation

Cameron has installed a new sign in front of the volunteers' cabin this morning. It is a reproduction of an identical sign that used to stand on Middle Engine Lane when the museum was used as the test site for Tyne and Wear Metrocars 4001 and 4002 in the late 1970's.

T.I.C. Bolster Wagon Move

A Hiab has been on site today to move T.I.C. bolster wagon No.21 from its plinth back onto the railway ready for it to be used in the railway's upcoming North Shields 800 celebrations. The ex-LMS Iron Ore Hopper Wagon in the foreground is taking No.21's position on the plinth.

401 Hauling Trains Today

Robert driving 08915 to Percy Main on the morning line inspection.

Dan watching the fireman couple 401 up to his train ready for the 1130 departure.

Running round at Percy Main.

Callum on the shovel.

Adam and Kai have been operating the miniature railway today with 'Loki' in steam.

401 runs through No.2 points at Percy Main in the afternoon.

Cameron sounds the whistle on the approach to the Coast Road bridge.

'Loki' in steam on the miniature.

Duty Operations Manager Steve sorting through the paperwork from the day's running.

Callum raking out 401's fire during disposal.

Tank Wagon Restoration Begins

With the restoration of the Shell tank now complete, Norman has turned his attention to the next wagon in the restoration queue, tank 9836.

9836 was built in 1924 and owned by Charles Roberts, being hired to the Acme Kerosene Company. It ended its working life on hire to Wessoe Engineering in Darlington, being preserved from there in 1991.

Pit Clean-Up

Whilst trains have been running today, Cameron has carried out a clean-up of the running shed pit, sweeping out the pit and cleaning the floor.

08 Cleaning

Today, Nev and Paul have carried out some cleaning in the 08's engine bay.

Particular attention was paid to the engine drains, which have been cleaned out to prevent oil and grime pooling in the gutters...

Nev giving Duty Operations Manager Neil a driving lesson on 08915.