Rear buffer beam angle fitted to NCB No.69

Volunteers have been fitting items back onto the frames of NCB No.69. This week it was the rear buffer beam angle which supports the back of the cab/bunker.

With Cameron (C) threading the bolts through, Alfie (L) and Robert (R) hold the angle level and flush with the top of the buffer beam. 

The running board support angle brackets were also fitted on the internal face having been primed and painted on the buffer beam interface.

More work is required to fit the cab floor support angle bracket, after fitting the cab floor support brace behind the drawhook hole.

Fire lighting Ashington No.5

 For the first time in 7 years since being removed from traffic for its overhaul.

Smoke rises from the chimney courtesy of Robert.

With the fire burning, Robert completes the balance pipe valve in order to fill up the saddle tank.

Along with the Peckett, 401 was lit with a warming fire in preparation for our Father's Day Special running event.

A vary rare occasion in recent years with two home locomotives raising steam!

Shunt of Ashington No.5 and Consett No.10 test running

Today, volunteers have taken the opportunity to shunt the Peckett over the two 'mini' pits in the running shed to enable completion of the brake rigging and fitting of the sand pipes.

Previously, Aaran and Robert have been completing work of putting ancillary items back in the cab and on the frames; namely the injector bodies and feed pipes, as well as backhead components such as the gauge glasses.

As well as the many shunting manoeuvres carried out, Consett No.10 was fired up to test the work which Alan and Steve have completed on the engine and loco batteries. In the above picture, No.10 is sat on the crossover having been driven up and down the yard.

Killingworth Road Bridge Construction

Down in the Woodland Walk, James and Michael have been lifting sections of the Killingworth Road Metro Bridge, progressing toward the completion of another section of the trail.

Using a telehandler, Michael carefully positions the first section of the bridge side onto the concrete blocks.

Once both sides of the bridge are securely installed, they will form part of the walking route through the Woodland Walk.

A Google Maps image showing the sections of the bridge prior to dismantling for upgrade works to the Metro system.

NCB No.69 cylinder and valve cover removal

 With the front buffer beam now removed, greater access has been achieved to remove the remaining Driver's side cylinder cover and central valve cover.

To aid in removal, Cameron has welded spare nuts to the remaining studs in order to turn them out of the cylinder block.

Cameron welds the remaining nuts to the rest of the studs.

Restoration of LMS Iron Ore Hopper Wagon begins

With the completion of painting the new lats for the platform fence, Davey has taken the task on of cosmetically restoring a privately owned modified LMS Iron Ore Hopper Wagon.

Before being moved out of the yard in place of the T.I.C Bolster wagon for the Association's Diesel Gala, he takes the opportunity to needle gun, wire brush then prime sections of the wagons frame.

Our NS800 Celebrations Begin

Guard Tristan shows 08915's driver a green flag to dispatch the 1130 train.

08915 deputised for 401 on the first train due to some steaming issues.

401 waiting in the south headshunt for 08915 to return.

Chad getting his train ready for departure.

03078 on the move in the yard at Middle Engine Lane.

401 ready to depart Percy Main.

In addition to the exhibition in the museum, we are celebrating NS800 by hosting a series of talks in the John Storey room on Sundays in June. Today's talk was delivered by long-serving volunteer Bob Stapley, the secretary of the North Tyneside Steam Railway Association. Bob's talk, on the history of passenger trains in North Shields, provided an insightful survey of the development of passenger railways and stations in the area, from the embryonic Newcastle and North Shields Railway right up to the roll-out of the Tyne and Wear Metro.

The upcoming NS800 talks in the John Storey room are taking place as follows:

Sunday 8th June at 1400

Ed Orwin: 'Rails to Tyne Commission Quay'

Sunday 22nd June at 1400

David Fraser: 'N.E.R. Tyneside Electrics - A Pictorial Survey'