Bowes Coal Train Weekend

17/18th October 2009

The Bowes Railway held its annual coal train weekend over the 17/18th Oct, the guest engine being our own Locomotion No.1. The event ran well though visitor numbers were low. Some photographers took advantage of the crisp autumn weather but from the footplate the best views would have been the first train up on the Sunday morning - but not a soul was to be seen! Below are some images kindly supplied by Neville Whaler (signalman on duty for the weekend) which show Locomotion at large around the Springwell site...

Coffee Pot Work Update

16th October 2009

I thought readers might be interested in a progress update on Coffee Pot No.1. The steam test for the boiler is booked for November 5th, so Vince is working to have the boiler ready for this, which also involves fitting and lining up the cylinders, crank axle and valve gear etc. The following selection of images gives an idea of what is involved so far...

Below: The copper cap for the chimney, locally spun and ready for fitting!

Below: Setting up the cylinders.

Below: A view of the top of the boiler. Note the blastpipe and exhaust pipe from the cylinders.

Below: The hinge for the smokebox lid.

Below: The antler-like exhaust steam pipes.

Below: The piston rod guides, which have taken a great deal of work to align and set up.

Below: An overall view of the boiler.

Below: The new smokebox.

Below: Another general view of the boiler.

Below: And finally another view of my favorite bit!!!

11th October 2009

Cold, bright autumn days are always particularly appealing and today has been no exception as a variety of steam traction could be enjoyed in Co Durham. The Tees Cottage Pumping Station at Darlington was in operation and Mark Sutherland was roading home his Wallis & Steevens traction engine, giving plenty of opportunity for the crew to enjoy the run and the weather.

Taking a step back firstly, below are some photographs of Guy Rutter's newly restored 6 ton Wallis & Steevens 'Advance' roller, at the Banks works of George Hudson who has carried out an extensive overhaul plus repaint of this engine. It was steam tested on Thursday and after passing this successfully was loaded and taken up to Guy's yard.

Below: Lining up with the low-loader.

Below: Earlier on and making its first moves. Alongside is a Fowler T3 roller, also undergoing its steam test but still a little way from completion.

Below: Proud owner and restorer!

Below: Lit up this morning ready for a first road test (which showed the little Wallis to be a lively performer and requiring careful firing but very pleasing, especially its high potential top speed). I am hoping this engine will make an appearance at Beamish next month...

Below: Tees Cottage pumping station and filter ponds.

Below: Mike, when not assisting on traction engines also finds time to stoke at Tees Cottage! Seen here firing one side of one of a pair of original Lancashire boilers still in situ.

Below: Mark's Wallis in the evening sunshine, after leaving Tees Cottage a few hours previously on the 22 mile run home.

Below: Out on the road.

Below: Catching the glint on the road to Sedgefield.

Below: Three short clips of the Wallis at work, taken at various locations along the route.

General Update

9th October 2009

For those who wait avidly for the next blog update I can only apologise for the long break in service - I have been away from the office so there is much to report but little time to report it in!
For various reasons there are no images today, so next week I will update things. However, a summary of progress reads as follows:
Coffee Pot No.1 - Ongoing work, steam test due soon.
We have agreed to purchase two Model T Fords (a van and a lorry), both in working order, for use on the museum site in place of the increasingly unreliable and generally awful replica vans.
We have reviewed this years events and have set dates for next years. Similar format to this year but possibly with a February steam weekend/working weekend to beat the winter blues... This should see Coffee Pot in action plus one other surprise guest engine!
The living van is nearly re-skinned, with attention being turned to the window frames. Painting will begin soon.
We are planning an informal 'steam up' probably for November 21st, with a variety of road steam in action around the site.
Halloween shortly - pre booked tickets and featuing 'evil engines'!
Work to restore a Robinson saw bench has begun, Davy Sheen in charge.
The replica snowplough tub is underway at Bowes.
Dave Young continues to produce an amazing amount of work, the latest being the pattern for the 'Steam Mule' engine base.

I'm bound to have forgotten some things but will place more info and images on the site next week...