Invitation to Ceilidh

Five weeks from today, first Friday in November, there'll be a Ceilidh at TR - (details deleted as expired)

East Tanfield Again

First pour of concrete of the day ....

East Tanfield Development

First pour of the day arrives to make the finished
concrete floor surface inside the station building

East Tanfield Work

Vic has cut back much of the lineside vegetation in the last week, using the flail on the New Holland digger

Vic flailing trackside growth at East Tanfield

Monday's Work

Malcolm checking Cochrane's reverser against No. 2's

Track Gang

Sleeper replacement continues in Causey Woods, today under traffic.

Chris, Matthew, Matthew and Owen at work

Today's Loco

Twizell will be hauling the passenger train today - first train 11 am, last at 4 pm.

Cleaning Twizell

Routine Maintenance

As happens on many days, most work today was routine - such as cutting back lineside vegetation, tidying up, repairing equipment, sourcing parts, machining castings, repairing a roof, and setting up similar jobs for later.   We would welcome more volunteers to help with maintenance - please see http://www.tanfield-railway.co.uk/volunteering.html

Rob repairing the roof

Sleeper Work

Malcolm patching a sleeper wall at Causey .....

Steam Tests

Twizell and Cochrane have steam tests - is Dave in charge?

Boiler Inspection and Testing

The boilers on Twizell and Cochrane are undergoing annual checks, have had satisfactory cold examinations, and are due steam tests tomorrow. 

Ian replacing firebars in Twizell

Tuesday's Trackwork and Training

More sleeper replacement in Causey Woods
with Graham, Simon and Malcolm

New Gadgets, Old Gadgies

I've added some Google gadgets down the right hand side of the blog - these should help you find stuff as the blog grows.   More may be added, amended or deleted, according as they are helpful.   Please email comments to

Richard has sent this picture showing interesting loco, dress and style of some of our predecessors.

MW 491/1874 at Forth Yard 25 June 1917

Engineering

Malcolm setting out with Vic and his flail

Refitting 32's Boiler

A sequence showing the boiler being turned and replaced in No. 32's frames, following replacement of some firebox stays, and prior to being taken off site for further work.

Loco Inspection Prep

Mark cleaning Twizell's smokebox

Today's Train

Renishaw Ironworks No. 6 will be hauling a mixed set of our 4-wheel wooden-bodied carriages; first train 11 am, last 4pm.   There are other events in the area (eg GNR), but with much recent publicity and reasonable weather forecast it could be a busy day!

The Armsrong being used to assemble the train

General Friday Work

Jobs such as coaling steam locos, collecting wood, taking coal to Andrews House, lubricating pointwork, and checking and cleaning the shop and toilets tend to get done before Sunday running.   Work areas, machinery and materials are made ready to enable jobs to start and run more smoothly.

Vic clearing ash

Boiler Inspections

Annual boiler inspections are due next week on
Twizell, Cochrane and 49;
plus preliminary inspections of Horden and 13

Resumption of Normal Service

Malcolm and Bill finishing the tubs for Marley Hill village

Birkenhead leaves East Tanfield

A bit of overkill by Alleleys heavy haulage

Publicity

The gala event has increased publicity for the railway - Mark says about £600,000 worth in newspapers, with articles in the Metro and Telegraph, plus big spreads in the Journal and Evening Chronicle today.   There was also a gala story in the Journal last Thursday, and we were featured on BBC1 TV on Saturday evening.   If you know of any more publicity, please let Mark know, or email this blog.   Hopefully, this publicity will turn into extra visitors.

Me being interviewed for BBC1
(photo courtesy Chris W)

Today at the railway, several people were involved in preparation for the five boiler inspections of next week.    Chris and others packed away tables, tents and a shed which was taking off in the gales.   John retrieved most of the temporary electrical installations.   Vic replaced the narrow gauge stock, then resumed lineside vegetation clearance.   Malcolm and I turned the visiting locos and shunted most stock back into place.   However, there is still a lot of post gala work to do, so volunteers are welcome to come in for an extra day or two .....

Gala Day 2

If anyone has a good shot showing workers or the public at the gala, please email it to us.

Preparing the three RSH 0-4-0s

Gala Day 1

As Twizell's driver, I've had fewer chances to record a full range of activities during the gala, and the situation will be similar tomorrow.   If anyone has a good shot showing workers or the public, please email it to this blog.

Seven locos in use, and Marley Hill shed looks bare

Preparation for the Gala (5)

Birkenhead arrives at Marley Hill .....

Preparation for the Gala (4)

Mark taking the pay booth ---

Other Work

Fred repairing picnic benches at Andrews House station

Preparation for the Gala (3)

Agecroft No 1 arrives

Preparation for the Gala (2)

Vic trimming at East Tanfield

Extra Work

Les and Graham start rebuilding one of a pair of tubs
which will go on display outside Marley Hill village hall

Preparation for the Gala (1)

Much shunting done today to arrive at 3 passenger trains, each of 3 carriages; plus for the 5 road shed, better layout for the public and easier access to get at necessary stock.   Meanwhile, most people have been involved with sweeping and cleaning.   Shunting and cleaning will never finish - unlike the Forth Bridge, where painting is reported today as next needed in 25 years!

Kearsley Nos.3 and 2 fleetingly get together

Engineering

Malcolm finishing a wooden former for No.6's firebars

Trains Today

Cochrane will be on a rake of Victorian carriages; first train 11 am, last 4pm from Andrews House station.

Visiting Locos for Gala

Tanfield Railway's "Legends of Industry" gala will take place next weekend, 10 and 11 September 2011, with the photographic evening being 6pm - 10pm on Friday 9th.

Visitors are confirmed as two Newcastle-built 14" 0-4-0ST ex-power station locos, Agecroft No.1 (see blog 26 Aug) and Birkenhead, RSH 7386 of 1948.

Birkenhead when on hire to the Lavender Line

There are videos and other photos of Birkenhead (and Agecroft No1) on the web.

Stock Lists

We have now made several stock lists available via the main Tanfield Railway web, by hovering over the Stock Lists button.

It would be helpful if those with knowledge of one or several items on any of these lists would check the detail, and let us know of any errors or omissions by email.

The completed 'spotting' lists could be available, printed, for a small price at the gala.

Structures (2) at Andrews House

..... and there are more structures to maintain going round to Andrews House.

Marley Hill Signalbox controlling the flat crossing
of the Tanfield Branch and the Bowes Railway