Stone Crusher Restoration Begins

30th November 2009

Almost as an antidote to the excitement of steam gallopers and steam rollers, Davy has started work on the Winget Type 2 stone crusher. As was seen earlier in these pages, this has been blast cleaned. It will now be dismantled for overhaul and repainting. The chassis is badly rotten and will be shortened as part of the work, the need to mount an internal combustion engine ahead of the crusher being obviated - this one will be belted for steam power!
After this project, I am considering the possibility for the cosmetic overhaul of the Phoenix tar boiler (see below). We then could really do with a towed scarifier...

Below: Davy Sheen is seen preparing to move the crusher into the workshop.

Weekend Christmas Events (and some tramway news!)

30th November 2009

We had our second Christmas event over the weekend (running every weekend until Christmas plus other selected dates - see main museum website for details). The decorations and preparation has been ongoing, with lessons learned from the first weekend being implemented for the second. The weather was good on Saturday and atrocious on Sunday - typically the day we had the engines out! However, here is a selection of views of the event and the various preparations for it...

Below: We have had numerous comments about the snow at the waggonway - currently acting as grotto! This is artificial matter (paper based) which is laid over sheets on the ground, and sprayed onto trees etc. The result is very effective and has proved to be extremely durable in the face of torrential rain and strong winds

Below: The application of the snow, pumped up to a nozzle directed by the operator in the cage.

Below: Some town decorations - Tram 196 was parked up in the street during such works, while the trams were turning at the west end (behind the photographer). This is to enable ongoing track grinding work to take place - I'll try and post some images of this work underway.

Below: A delivery of logs being reversed to the rear of Ravensworth Terrace.

Below: Tram 10 departs into the low sun from the west end of the town.

Below: Our new roller, Rambler, watering at the offices - this is the fastest place to obtain a tank full of water!

Below: The roundabout (in the gloom) flanked by Rambler and Mary Margaret.

Below: One weeks purchases! What are we going to do this week?!!!

Below: A close up of the horses - the strange patina behind is the roof of the waggonway shed.

Below: An overview of the gallopers on Saturday.

Below: Tram 31 - this is a shot from the photo session for our marketing material. I have included it as we can confirm that 31 is to receive a light overhaul and repaint into something approximating its Blackpool works livery (green and ivory) this winter. It will appear at our April gala in this guise before returning to the workshops for a full repaint into its 1920s passenger livery (as carried at present, but much in need of refreshing!).

Steam Gallopers assembled!

26th November 2009

The Ayers family completed assembly of the gallopers today and it is universally agreed that they look superb! After a test run they have been sheeted up until their inaugural run on Saturday - to be locally well publicised, so we are hoping that we will be busy! The location has been chosen as it is adjacent to the Santa's Grotto set up for visiting children - we had experienced queues in this area so hopefully the gallopers will be an attractive distraction...

Below: A view of the built-up ride at the waggonway.

Today a local contractor also carried out a low-pressure water based abrasive blasting of the Winget stone crusher, which Davy Sheen will be restoring next. This will form part of the council yard/roadmending display that we are developing.

Below: A couple of views of the process - which shows how well contained the 'debris field' is and also how clean the finished surface is left. The media used is water plus a powdered volcanic rock, and the application is both environmentally friendly and also much cleaner than many alternatives.

Stop Press!!! Beamish's new purchases arrive!!!

New for 2010!!!

25th November 2009

Today is a day of deliveries! And something of a red letter day for Beamish as two significant new acquisitions have arrived...

Firstly, we have agreed to purchase Fowler steam roller 'Rambler' - a regular attendee at Beamish over the past two years. Michael Davison delivered the engine last night and it is hoped that it will be in steam this coming Sunday, along with the Michael's Marshall, Guy Rutter's Wallis and the resident T3 roller 'Fiddler'.

Below: A photograph of Rambler earlier this year when visiting Beamish to take part in a number of summer steamings.

Below: Rambler at the May 'Power from the Past' event - see blog archive.

Below: Rambler stops for fuel! The service station at Coxoe receives an unusual visitor last night!

Secondly, and something we are still pinching ourselves about, Beamish has purchased the 1893 built Savage 3-abreast steam roundabout from the Ayers family. This is the famous Sally Beach set and is in remarkably original condition. We have been told it is probably one of the best sets in the UK in terms of this, and is complete with centre and organ engine (though both require work before the ride can be operated under steam - it is currently electrically powered).

It is planned to have the gallopers up and running from Saturday, and they will be in action every weekend through to Christmas when we will dismantle it in order to overhaul the centre engine. Once this work is complete it will be re-erected on a new fairground site adjacent to the town... We are thrilled to have secured the ride and hope the museum's visitors will appreciate it too! A common comment from visitors recently has been the lack of a fairground at the museum since the previous operator retired. This ride should make ammends!

Below: A photo of the ride in built up form. It is still fitted with the original (as far as we can ascertain) 87 key Gavioli organ.

Below: A close up view of the ride, showing the centre engine.

Below: Two views of the Savage centre engine 'May Queen' (Savage, 1895/627) and organ engine (mounted on top of the smokebox).

Below: The set as arrived today. Here are the lorries:

Below: A close up of 'May Queen' during the assembly of the gallopers at the waggonway. This will be completed on Thursday with testing and training on Friday before it begins to entertain the visitors on Saturday!

Below: One of the first jobs was to tune the organ, work carried out by an aknowledged expert in the field, which was done in the tram depot using the supplied generator - some impressive smoke effects resulted!

Needless to day I will update the blog this weekend with more photos of the exciting activities in action! We have also bought the accompanying living van, built in 1891 by Orton and Spooners - this travelled with these gallopers throughout owner Sally Beach's life, and is one of the best and most original in the UK. Also included in the sale is the original Savage water cart, coal cart and centre truck. These are incomplete and will be subject of a longer term restoration plan.

And finally...

Below: A reminder that we are generally steaming every Sunday at the moment with one or more of the road engines - the 1889 Marshall approaches the car park at the Resource Centre whilst navigating around the site and heading for the open road.

Below: Shaun has completed the re-skinning of the Tarmac living van and is currently working on the window frames and doors. He will then raise the body in order to replace the cross members of the chassis, before we repaint the van and Kate, the Keeper of Social History, stocks it with appropriate furniture and chattels!

Below: Davy Sheen has been restoring this Robinson sawbench. The main shaft is badly worn and attention to the bearings and journals is required. Next through his hands will be a Winget stone crusher, which is due for shotblasting this week, then dismantling and overhaul by Davy. He has also sealed the taps on the restored water cart and this is now complete and ready to accompany the living van next spring...

Steam Mule Progress

20th November 2009

Readers may recall me introducing the idea of the 'Beamish Steam Mule' some time ago. We have been quietly progressing this project as part of our 'Steam School' plan, the creation of a training facility for staff and others in the operation of steam equipment at Beamish. As part of the classroom activities, a sectioned boiler has been prepared, a valve gear model overhauled and the Steam Mule built. There will be other items added as we progress. We now have some funding for this and are hopeful that tuition will start next Spring...

Below: A reminder of the inspiration for the Steam Mule...

Below: David Young is single handedly rebuilding teh rather poor horizontal engine for incorporation into the mule. This proved so poor on dismantling that much of it has been re-made or replaced. This view shows the new bedplate (to replace the sheet of steel the original was mounted on!). David made the pattern for this - probably his most challenging job to date, and the result is superb. Note the cylinder (original) sans steam chest (a new one is being made) plus the phospher bronze cladding. A new end cover will also feature.

Below: David set up the bedplate for drilling and tapping the mounting holes. Tanfield had previously faced off the pads to create a true surface to work on.

Below: The bedplate turned for drilling through the reverser cross-shaft.

Below: The completed water pump. David has overhauled this and modified the hand actuated mechanism to make it both more efficient and improve the design. This will mount on a cross member of the frame, to be built shortly by John Moore at Bowes. This will also have a rivetted water tank slung underneath, which John will also make.

Sectionings and Snowploughs

19th November 2009

This afternoon I collected the newly sectioned boiler for Steam School from Bowes and also had a catch up with John and Derek Young re the progress on the narrow gauge snowplough.

Below: The completed project - the former O&K boiler, newly sectioned, cleaned and painted for use as a training tool at Beamish.

Below: A close up view showing the firebox and crown stays.

Below: The boiler had been de-tubed before it came to Beamish. Some tubes (one sectioned) have been added to complete the effect.

Below: Progress on the snowplough.

Below: Another view of the snowplough. The over-tall stanchions will be trimmed to length once the angled side boards have been fitted. It is then ready for the plough blade to be offered up for fitting, after which various details and the sideboards can be made and fitted.

Fair-ly wet!

14th November 2009

Here are a couple of shots from the Christmas festivities at Beamish today...

Below: The gallopers as seen last night when set up...

Below: After appalling weather last night, today dawned in a promising manner. It was not to last however... Renown is seen with the gallopers.

Below: Another shot of engine and ride.

Below: The sky is darkening and the rain has started. As I write this it is now pouring, as promised in the weather forecasts. Lets hope for better weather tomorrow. Santa's grotto has done well, with two hour queues however!

Below: Tram 264 is had made several public appearances this year - this weekend it is the festive tram parked in the town street.

Howard Brother's Fair comes to Beamish!

12th November 2009

This coming weekend marks the start of Beamish's Christmas season, and if you want to know more about the coming arrival of Father Christmas, markets and the snow covered grotto then have a look at the museum website.
However, far more exciting to those of a more mechanical persuasion is the imminent arrival of the Howard Brother's steam gallopers and Fowler Showmen's engine 'Renown'(as I write I am glancing out of the window awaiting their appearance!). We've hired these for this weekend only, to launch our festivities in traditional style. They will be running on Saturday and Sunday only so please come along if you want to see this spectacular site!

I'll post some more photos over the weekend, but as a taster here are a couple of shots of their gallopers and Renown when they appeared at the Herrington Steam Rally a few years ago...