News from south of the county...

26th February 2011

Exciting news from Anthony Coulls in Shildon, who has in his care the ex Northumberland County Council Aveling 15 ton roller which has a long association with Beamish. The engine was steamed yesterday for the first time in 52 years! A great moment for those involved and a sure step along the road to completion of the restoration later this year. The engine is an impressive beast, being much bigger than most of the rollers we are used to seeing. Hopefully Anthony and his family will be able to attend one of the Beamish steam events or steam-ups in due course...

Chip Shop Chipper update

25th February 2011

David Young, true to his word, is busily overhauling the chip shop gas engine (as we shall now refer to this Robinson X type as). He has replaced numerous studs and has carried out some other work to the now stripped down engine.

Below: The engine as it arrived on David's bench on Tuesday...

Below: And the engine earlier today! The final finish will be 'Manchester Red', applied in high-build engine enamel from the Craftmaster range.

Below: Here is a period trade advert from around 1913 (a guide for chip shop friers!) showing how Robinson specifically pitched themselves into this market. We have been unable to find a chip peeler like the one shown, but are having a later example restored for the chip shop. With the period tiling and restored ranges, it will be a wonderfully evocative period space - and the smell should bring customers in droves!

Coffee Pot the shunting engine!

25th February 2011

In 1871 Head Wrightson built a small shunting locomotive, one of a tiny number built, and of a design not perpetuated. 140 years later, at Beamish, that same shunting engine was hard at work on a bright February day carrying out shunting duties not for pleasure of demonstration, but as a working shift. Not bad really!

Coffee Pot was returned from Tanfield and unloaded for use at Rowley. Watered and prepared on Wednesday I lit up on Thursday in order to carry out a large amount of shunting at Rowley in association with returning stock to the Regional Museum Store after some movements there, including installation of a concrete floor. Here is a sample of the day in pictures...

Below: Basking in the sunlight of a glorious day - not all shunting takes place in such ideal conditions!

Below: Making use of the drop buffers on the NER (we think) open, to shunt L25, the specimen chaldron waggon.

Below: Looking into the void as the snowplough and NER compartment coach are returned to deep storage.

Below: An unlikely combination! A crowd gathers to watch the ecs movement of the GER Royal Saloon at Rowley.

Below: David and Goliath! Despite a valiant effort, Coffee Pot couldn't move the Consett steam crane more than three lengths of itself, however, it was then near enough for the tele-handler (seen in the background) to reach it and pull the crane inside.

Below: A colourful combination! After this Coffee Pot was serviced and stood by to move the Y7, as seen in the separate posting. It performed wonderfully - a tribute to the versatility of steam as well as the endurance of this particular design. All on one tankful of water and bunkerful of coal - and the bunker really is tiny!

Y7 Arrives!

25th February 2011

Yesterday the long anticipated arrival of the Y7 from the North Norfolk Railway, freshly overhauled and newly painted. Dave Antell moved the engine and it was swiftly unloaded (slightly awkwardly to ensure it faces east), the trailer made up and Coffee Pot moved in to carry out the transfer of the engine to the RMS shed. The trailer was reset, the other way round then Coffee Pot was loaded. A lot of mud caused some lengthy difficulty in reattaching the tractor unit to the trailer, but by dark this was accomplished and this morning Coffee Pot was back at the Colliery - but that's another post...

Below: The Y7 aboard the trailer...

Below: ... touchdown! Onto Beamish metals.

Below: Later on the engine is seen placed inside the RMS, the culmination of a massive days shunting!

Potato chipper for chip shop - a tongue twister!

24th February 2011

As part of the chip shop development we have been keen to incorporate as much original material as possible in what is, after all, a new build. You will have read about the chip van in these pages in the past, we also have three coal fired ranges/fryers (two of which will operate), some gorgeous tiling from a wet fish shop in Berwick and we have just acquired (through the kindness of Geoff Challinor at Anson Engine Museum) this Robinson gas engine and potato chipper.

Robinson advertised in the chip-shop press (yes, there was such a thing!) their range of stationary engines that could be used to drive various mechanical aids in a chip shop, including peelers and chippers. This one is an X type built in around 1900 and made by the famous L Gardner & Sons under licence (they produced these Robinson engines at their Cornbrook, Manchester, works from 1894 until 1919). The engine is in running order and it comes with a potato chipper, which has been used recently for the production of fast food for hungry volunteers at Anson!

The pair were collected on Tuesday and are already stripped in David Young's workshop for overhaul and repainting, which he confidently predicts will be completed next week! We can then install them in the chip shop and plumb in a low and high gas supply for its operation. The low pressure supplies the cylinder whilst the high pressure goes to the hot tube (which provides the ignition for the gas in the cylinder). Originally using town gas, it will use Calor gas (propane).

The inclined cylinder is clever in allowing partial submersion into the water space, saving on complicated casting and coring. The casting is very slender - something we hope we will be repeating with the sandboxes for Lewin.

As ever, watch this space for restoration progress...

Below: A selection of views taken of the engine and chipper.

Beamish at Tanfield!

21st February 2011

This weekend, the Tanfield Railway held its late winter Coal Train Weekend, which featured no less than three Beamish items in operation... Despite the pretty grim weather over the weekend

Below: The NER bogie brake composite No.3071 was running as part of the passenger service. This coach is likely to visit the North Yorkshire Moors Railway for an event there in May, then return to Beamish thereafter. It requires some remedial work, and a repaint, before becoming the regular coach in use at Beamish...

Below: Coffee Pot and Twizell reunited, in steam!

Below: Another view of these two locomotives, both steamed together in the 1970s but now, after both have received extensive and comprehensive overhauls, both should be in steam for very many years to come.

Below: Coffee Pot was generally engaged in shunting duties around Marley Hill shed.

Below: CP is seen with newly restored ex Harton 'spilled coal' wagon No.225M.

Below: Also in steam were Renishaw No.6, Sir Cecil Cochrane and No.49, seen here, making for an impressive line up of five in steam plus the Armstrong diesel electric shunter.

Y7 - final test before delivery!

21st February 2011

Below: The Y7 has had a final test on the NNR, now wearing its LNER livery. Thanks to Harvey Smith for the photograph. The plan is to move the loco this week, place it undercover then arrange commissioning at Beamish and some crew familiarisation runs in March sometime. I will announce on this blog when the engine will be making its public debut at Beamish, so ask that in the meantime (as it will be locked away) that readers remain patient if visiting the Museum!

Sheffield 513's takes up its new residence in East Anglia

21st February 2011

Here are four views, courtesy of David Jordan, showing 513 arriving at Carlton Coalville last Friday after its long trip from Blackpool. As ever, Scotts provided the haulage and the move went very well. 513 was unloaded, commissioned, and as the last photo shows, was given a short test run. A number of minor details remain to be attended to but I for one very much look forward to seeing 513 enjoying this new venue on the east coast, after so many years on the west coast. One of Britain's most traveled trams? Maybe... Sheffield - Leeds - Oxonhope - Beamish - Blackpool - Beamish - Blackpool - Carlton Coalville. That would make an interesting set of destination blinds!

Lewin handrail stanchions finished

18th February 2011

A busy end to the week so I haven't had much time to update the blog in the last few days...

However, Dave Young has completed the handrail stanchions for Lewin's saddle tank. These will bolt through into blind bushes, enabling a watertight weld to retain the nut inside - a neat and tidy solution and one that follows the practice of blind bushing we have employed on Steam Elephant, Puffing Billy and Coffee Pot. Dave had a real difficulty machining these as the iron had 'chilled' as a result of cooling too quickly after pouring. This makes it glass-like and very difficult to work with. He reports that it is relief that these are complete!

Lewin latest - w/c 14th Feb 2011

15th February 2011

Here are the latest components for Lewin, made from patters by David Young and subsequently machined and finished by him. The four oil pots will provide for various lubrication needs on the engine and are based on a NER design, as what was originally fitted is not known and has not survived. It was felt that replicating something of the Gateshead style was an acceptable alternative. The pots locate to the rear of the four stanchions which support the saddle tank and will be finished in black. Dave also made all of the fittings in his own workshop, and not to be left waiting for more work, is making the sandboxes and handrail stanchions for the engine!

More news from around the site

15th February 2011

Below: Locomotion No.1 has been in steam today, warming through ready for its working steam test later this week. Unusual to see in the Colliery these days, and facing west, here are some images of the engine this afternoon. It will continue in restricted use throughout the season, in deference to its greater age and less robust construction as compared to the other two Waggonway engines which were built with daily operation in mind. The general pattern will be to steam one of Elephant of Billy for three weeks, with Locomotion being steamed for one weekend as the other two are changed over, then repeat this over and over. There will be changes as Locomotion and Puffing Billy have a number of commitments for appearing at other venues in May/June time.

Below: Some landscaping and tidying has taken place in the vicinity of the Colliery Engine Works, enabling improved access to the shed area for period vehicles delivering wood etc. The new wood shed will be located in the centre of this scene, and once installed we will continue to add ash and soot to the ground to blacken the area convincingly. We will also remove the tyre marks from modern plant working here!

Below: During the collections movements, the long inaccessible chaldron stored in the RMS has returned to floor level. The lettered boards will be salvaged but the waggon has been replaced by two better type specimens which are in more complete and stable condition as well as being in original condition.

Below: The new storage barn, in the process of being filled with items transferred from the RMS. It seems spacious now...

Below: The new wood shed, as made at the Bowes Railway and recently delivered.

News round-up

15th February 2011

Here is a summary of numerous activities from around the site.

Below: Last week trial excavations were made at Pockerley (below the Old Hall) before the imminent re-erection of St Helens Church, from Eston. This is a Medieval church that was taken down in the mid 1990s to save it from eventual destruction by vandals - it had lost parts of its walls, the roof and all the internal features. It is to be placed in the field opposite the pond and Gin Pit, at the crossroads in this area of the site.

Below: Progress continues on the Colliery track and the completion of the headshunt to enable us to run-around trains. This will be an important part of the demonstration as it will enable two-engine two-train working to take place and give a meaningful sense of operation in a colliery.

Below: Alan Milburn has completed the chaldron flat waggon. Once Coffee Pot returns next week we will carry out some shunting to liberate the waggons completed and re-order the shed, which also needs a very good clean before the new season.

Below: An arty shot from last week when Coffee Pot was steamed in order to get it to the loading/unloading area. Rays of sun penetrate the smoke filled atmosphere as the other Coffee Pot, No.17, looks on.

Below: For many years we have had the remains of part of the island platform canopy from Malton Station (on the York - Scarborough line) in store. They had been purchased from a scrapyard but have no future use at Rowley. As a result of a conversation with the project team re-covering Pickering Station on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway the remains have been collected by the NYMR for use in this exciting project. Here is the HIAB which came for the rather tricky to reach components!

Below: While Newcastle 114's truck is in pieces, the opportunity is being taken to completely repaint this inside and out. Here it is seen rubbed down and ready for priming. The aim is still to have this tram ready for the GNSF...

Below: The Friends have been making good progress on various projects, and I for one am looking forward to seeing the SOS bus make an appearance at the GNSF! Here is the roadsweep, complete with trial section of shaft in place.

Below: One of the two trolleys overhauled for use in the Colliery, seen here drying. In the background is a North Eastern Railway cast sign (and post), the Friends currently refurbishing several items of station furniture for the Museum.

Below: The other trolley, complete and awaiting relocation to the Colliery.

Great North Steam Fair - some exhibits confirmed!

13th February 2011

April 14th looms large now in the calendar as the Great North Steam Fair approaches at speed. This year I hope the range of exhibits will be as exciting and interesting as at previous events. There is no particular theme for this one, I am saving that for a rather special idea for September, but there will be a good number of attending exhibits new to the area and to the event. Rather than keep referring back to the blog, we are going to try and create a Flickr page specifically for the exhibits which you will see next week some time to the right hand side - I will initially populate this with confirmed exhibits, then add to it as the event approaches. Hopefully you, the reader, will find this rather easier to access than was the arrangement last year.

Below: Just to give a taste of what is to come, the Ingalls brother's McLaren heavy haulage engine will be attending (along with another large engine, in the form of a Fowler B5 gun tractor) and be active on the road circuit as part of the Vintage & Veteran Traffic... Photo by Peter Ingall

Below: A very exciting attendee, and one I have wanted for some time, is 1877 built Fletcher Jennings 0-4-0T 'Baxter' or 'Captain Baxter' depending on which period of its life you favour. Coming courtesy of the Bluebell Railway, Baxter will run alongside Coffee Pot No.1 on the Colliery Railway - the first time the pair have been in steam together since 1949 we reckon. Both were supplied to the Dorking Greystone Lime Company at Betchworth in Surrey, and both led long and active lives there. Coffee Pot left the quarry after many years out of action in 1960, returning to its manufacturer Head Wrightson for restoration and display. Baxter headed for the Bluebell Railway, along with one of the narrow gauge Fletcher Jennings variants, Townsend Hook. We might have one other attraction to create a trio of ex Betchworth exhibits, so watch this space! I am very grateful to the Bluebell for enabling this reunion to take place, and it is anticipated that Coffee Pot will make a visit to the Bluebell in the future in return. Some Fletcher Jennings did work in the North East so it will be good to welcome one back to the region in steam! Thanks to Andrew Prime for the photo, taken upon completion of Baxter's latest overhaul in 2010. You can see more photos on the excellent Bluebell website and blog.

So, lots more exhibits to be announced and as I said above, these should appear in a dedicated window to the right for you to see and browse through at your leisure. I will be including the home based attractions as many readers may not be familiar with what we have in operation at Beamish. You will also be able to download the new stocklist in time for the event, links to the right hand side of this page. The Autumn 2010 one is still available there and is largely up to date. By the event there will hopefully be two books available on the transport collections, a small colour album/souvenir and a more detailed volume on the history of the Beamish collection and railways/tramway.