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.

Tool Cabinet Finishing Touches

The freshly painted tool cabinets are now complete, with plywood tops for protection against damage during tool storage.

 

With the plywood precisely cut to size, both standard and coach bolts hold the respective cabinet tops in place.

Sentinel 9559 Engine Re-build Continues

The re-build of Sentinel 9559's engine is quickly advancing to the state where it can be timed and components for oiling have been re-fitted to aid in this process. With the mechanical lubricator cleaned and bolted back to the engine frame, Robert and Steve have started rebuilding the extensive lubrication system.

Aside from the engine, Aaran and Robert have dismantled and are in the process of reassembling the reverser mechanism, reach rod and associated gear selection components used in timing the engine, pistons and cylinders. Machined by Aaran and Robert, new pins for the reverser mechanisms replace previous ones which were life expired and unfit for re-use.

Also, Robert has been completing some painting duties of the new cylinder covers, gear changing mechanisms and oil reservoir tank that feeds the drive chains of the engine.

Steven working on refitting the oil filler pipe to divert the oil feed onto the gears.

Robert cleans and de-greases the oil reservoir tank prior to priming.

Once primed, painting can progress prior to attaching back to the front of the water tank.

Charles Roberts Tank Wagon Progress

Norman has returned after his Christmas break to carry on with the cosmetic overhaul of the Charles Roberts tank wagon.

Having been shunted into the workshop due to the conclusion of Elf Express, he has continued with applying primer to the tank and frames.

P-Way Re-sleeper Works

Last weekend Michael D lead a P-Way party to complete re-sleepering works a short distance south of the Wallsend Road Bridge, swapping 3 sleepers that had becoming unfit for use.

Ben uses the impact wrench to loosen the chair screws. The surrounding ballast has already been shovelled out by Barnaby, Dylan and Jacob.

Having loosened the chair screws and removed the track keys, Barnaby and Dylan further shovel out the surrounding ballast with Tyler and Aiden watching on, allowing for the sleeper to be removed from under the track.

On-Site Maintenance

This weekend there have been a couple of jobs completed that have been outstanding for a few weeks now.

With members of the Youth Group cleaning and tidying the oil store out, Cameron has replaced the rotary hand pumps in the oil drums for lever-action hand pumps, making dispensing oil and paraffin more efficient and less messy.

With a new Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) system installed in the Joiners Shop, Michael and John complete the construction of exhaust ductwork to numerous wood working machines.

With the Mobile Elevated Working Platform (MEWP) in service for LEV installation duties, Michael took the time to inspect the Pit Road roller shutter door due to reports of brief periods of faulty operation. No reportable works were required so operational problems ma have been due to the recent cold weather.

Finally, Ben was found in the Guard's Compartment removing the shelving from Elf Express in preparation to set-up the 'Guard's Van Shop' ready for the start of the 2026 running season.

New Workshop Tool Cabinets

 The workshop has received a donation of three workshop cabinets.

The work to rejuvenate the appearance of the cabinets has been the job of Cameron, with removal of the old paint and painting again to be done. Michael has completed welding work on the legs to make the cabinets more sturdy.

Colours of blue, red and green have been chosen as new paint job is required.

Over the coming weeks, workshop and machine tools will populate the cabinets

Tank Wagon and Yard Shunt

Preparation work for winter maintenance on numerous locomotives has begun with a shunt of Middle Engine Lane yard and workshop.

This coincided with the first snowfall of 2026 - 08915 sits outside as the locomotive completing shunting duties.

One of the vehicles that was brought into the workshop was the Charles Roberts Tank wagon in readiness for Norman to resume cosmetic restoration.

Happy New Year

Everyone at the NTSRA would like to wish all our passengers, supporters and volunteers a very Happy New Year. 

We are all looking forward to another big year for our railway!