26th June 2010

A selection of views showing what has been happening around the site…

Below: FR20 was in steam yesterday for the big shunting operation – remember you can see it every Sat and Sun until the end of July…

Below: Davy Sheen welds the spokes on one of Rambler’s rear rolls, making good old repairs prior to repainting in time for the 40th anniversary event.

Below: Peter Barlow has set up a working area for the testing and refurbishment of the 3600 lights for the gallopers! This has greatly sped up progress on the work to some very old electrics!

Below: Blackpool 31 has regained its identity! Phil Anderson has begun the final numbering and lining jobs on this tram, with a roll out next week being the aim. The reluctance to get it dirty, or even wet will be very evident amongst crews I suspect!

Below: As well as scumbling the side panels, Phil has tackled the destination boxes with the same method.

Below: Phil begins to apply the lining to the decency panels…

Below: Adding the corner details to the decency panel lining.

Below: You can just discern the shape of the number panel – part of the revision of the livery to the 1924 – 1928 condition. We have a tracing of the original panel, but this has had to be enlarged as the current decency panels are deeper than the original – a concession made to H&S/HMRI during the late 1980s. This will make a dramatic difference to the livery, which we hope is as accurate recreation as possible – we await to stand corrected!!!

Below: Three views of some new acquisitions – a cornish style boiler and two open troughs, formerly part of boilers. The Cornish, by G E Black, boilermaker, of Tweedmouth, still has some fittings attached and we will shortly be researching this – maybe a supply for the long term Home Farm aspiration of returning a barn engine there to steam… The bicycle is a Sunbeam, used by staff as a means of getting around site!