With the swift application of the top coat of Charcoal Grey across the entire soleplate of the Flat Wagon, Davey proceeds to paint the buffers and draw hooks at both ends.
With on side of the flat wagon having been completely primed, Davey has begun applying the first coat of Charcoal Grey top coat.
A thorough stir and mix of the paint is required before...
... applying to the frames.
And after two days work, one side (minus the wheels) is complete!
After months of work by Norman, the "ACME" Kerosene tank wagon was pulled out of the workshop into Middle Engine Lane for the first time.
Some minor cosmetic work remains still outstanding, including the fixture of a new makers plate and some paint touch up along the sole plate.
With the first of the glorious Summer weather upon us, volunteers have been adding some colour to Middle Engine Lane.
The first supplies of top soil and compost were brought in by Davey for Michael and Rob to seed and plant flowers along Middle Engine Lane platform.
And Cameron to plant flowers in the new planter in the visitors entrance to Middle Engine Lane.
This week Davey has made a start to the cosmetic restoration of one of our flat wagons in Middle Engine Lane Yard. First needle-gunning the outside of the wagon's frames before applying red oxide primer.
And then masking taping wagon components such as the buffers and draw hooks.
Before applying the first coats of undercoat.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
Last week David led a party of Youth Group volunteers greasing fishplates within the yard at Middle Engine Lane.
John has been in the carriage shop this past weekend to begin removing waste timber boards from the South end of the Lambton Van.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Today Michael lead a P-Way gang down to Wallsend Road Curve where 6 sleepers where change out over the course of a day.
