Charles Roberts Tank Signwriting

With the sides of the tank sign-written, Norman can be seen in the pit painting the undersides of the wagons frames.

Another wagon nearing completion!

Personal Track Safety Training

A cohort of new and existing railway volunteers have been undertaking their Personal Track Safety (PTS) training.

Delivered by classroom theory and practical demonstration, Steve and the volunteers are in the yard at Middle Engine Lane walking through the types of permanent way features on our line.

Easter Weekend Workshop Operations

Over the Easter Bank Holiday weekend, volunteers in the workshop have been continuing with ongoing project works.

Tom has been cleaning up engine components of 03078.

Steve and Michael have been discussing the fabrication of a new overflow pipe for 401's blowdown valve.

And in between welding the new bunker for Sentinel 9559, Robert and Bob talk over the remaining boiler work needed to the outer boiler sleeve.

Easter Sunday Passenger Trains

08915 was the rostered locomotive for this year's Easter Sunday passenger trains.

08915 running round at Percy Main on the first train of the day.

During this, passengers are able to alight from the carriages to watch the locomotive couple up prior to departure back to Middle Engine Lane.

Ben second manning.

With Paul driving.

New Railway Signage

Michael and Steve have been continuing with the installation of new signage at Middle Engine Lane and at the Coast Road Bridge.

A warning sign to passengers before crossing over the railway to get to Middle Engine Lane platform.

And a new 15mph speed sign South of the Coast Road Bridge heading down to Percy Main.

Vegetation Clearing at Wallsend Road Bridge

Michael, Richard, Ben, James and Omar have been down the line to complete some clearance of encroaching vegetation South of the Wallsend Road Bridge.

James and Richard using the brush cutter and chainsaw make light work of the bushes and tree branches.

Omar stands in anticipation to collect the cut branches to store on the conflat to take them back to Middle Engine Lane.

All clear!

Fishplate Greasing at Middle Engine Lane

Last week David led a party of Youth Group volunteers greasing fishplates within the yard at Middle Engine Lane.

Lambton Van Plank Removal

John has been in the carriage shop this past weekend to begin removing waste timber boards from the South end of the Lambton Van.

Head Gasket Maintenance on 03078

This week Steve, Alan, Gordon and Tom have done the task of taking apart the head gasket of the engine of 03078 as part of some winter maintenance.

The engine bay doors have been removed for access to the engine in order to remove individual components to be assessed or stored.

Miniature Steam Engine Winter Maintenance

Last weekend the miniature steam engine was in the running shed to have some maintenance work completed on it's valve gear.

Aidan and Maxwell inspect the left-hand valve gear in preparation to complete some small maintenance tasks.

Percy Main Anniversary Headboard Exhibit

This past week, Cameron has fabricated a headboard bracket to be installed on the wall in the museum to accommodate the anniversary headboard of Percy Main shed.

He cut a section of scrap angle iron, before welding to the shape of a headboard bracket.

    Once all welded, the bracket is painted and fixed on the wall.

It was only fitting that it was placed above the enamel BR(NE) Percy Main station sign.

Capstan Lathe Coolant Pump Re-build

This past weekend, Steve and Tom removed and dismantled the coolant pump for the Capstan Lathe.

With re-wiring works being taken care of by Alan and Gordon, Steve and Tom have their eyes on other components which they want to make sure work as good once the coolant pump is re-assembled and working.

P-Way Trolley Maintenance

Davy has been completing some maintenance work on one of the P-Way trolleys.

This has included sanding, painting and re-fitting the plywood top.

And fitting a new turn buckle to the brake mechanism.

Waggonway Tearoom Signage

With the new chalkboard signage installed by John last week, this week Fiona has filled out the board with popular Waggonway Tearoom food items and prices.

Re-Wiring work on Ward Capstan Lathe

Alan, Steve and Gordon have began to re-wire the electrics within the Ward No.2 Capstan Lathe.

An acquisition by one of the Workshop Volunteers, the lathe will be used (once up and running) to reproduce large numbers of bolts, nuts, etc. in a quicker time than using either of the Colchester lathes already in the workshop. 

Charles Roberts Tank Wagon Progress

Norman hasn't stopped since the last update regarding the cosmetic overhaul of the Charles Roberts Tank Wagon.

Having applied a secondary layer of primer to the tank, he has begun painting the top coat red.

Re-Sleepering Works at Wallsend Road Curve

Today Michael lead a P-Way gang down to Wallsend Road Curve where 6 sleepers where change out over the course of a day.

The section of track in question requiring re-sleepering and checking of gauge.

The first task is to dig out the ballast around the sleepers to be changed.

Then unscrewing the chair screws to free the sleeper from the track.

With the sleeper replaced, new plugs are put into the chair before screwed by hand, or impact wrench.

Ben tightens down the chair screws under the watchful eye of Michael.

Installation of Waggonway Tearoom Signage

This week John has been in the Waggonway Tearoom install new menu signage in preparation for the Tearooms first opening in February.

 

Painting to Joiner's Shop floor

Alongside completing joinery jobs since New Year, John has completed a full tidy and clear out of the Joiner's Shop and completed a rejuvenation of the floor by painting new walkways and working areas.

Guards Van Shop set-up for 2026 season

Numerous members of the Youth Group took the time to set-up the 'Guards Van Shop' in the guards compartment in readiness for the start of the 2026 running season.

Visit the Guards Van Shop during operational days to purchase North Tyneside Steam Railway Association merchandise, soft drinks and confectionary to enjoy on your journey.

Volunteer Fire Marshal and Fire Extinguisher Training

This past weekend 8 volunteers undertook training to become Fire Marshals and competent in the use of various fire extinguishers.

A mixture pf practical and classroom learning, the course covered the types of fires, how to safely raise the alarm, extinguish different fires and which type of fire extinguishers to use.

Part of the training included demonstration and tests on fire extinguisher, with all volunteers on the course passing!

Upgrades to Middle Engine Lane Lineside Signage

This week, John and Steve have been completing tasks to upgrade the lineside signage in Middle Engine Lane yard. This has included digging holes for new signage posts and upgrading the current state of existing signage from temporary to more permanent fixtures.

Next to No.6 points, Steve digs a post hole to its final depths.

Whilst John, up near the water tower and No. 5 points, concretes a new fence post in place.

Elsewhere in the yard, the 'Stop whistle and proceed' and 'Mike 4' stop boards have been upgraded from plywood to di-bond.