30th July 2010

Alan continues to make progress on the first chaldron, number L1219. The next one will be L1833, recreating one of the vehicles dismantled at Beamish in the early 1990s. The aim will be for a working set of eight, with one cosmetic (L1115 – this has a split underframe) and two derelict for future restoration – L1220 and L1221. Add to this L189 which is our gate guardian plus L25, L434 and L1357 as three ‘type specimens’ in original condition and the large pile of spare parts accumulated over the years.

A full list will appear in due course and the whole tale will be printed in a limited edition publication, the availability of which will be publicised in due course (when I’ve finished writing it!).

Below: Alan aligns the first, lower, planks of the body.

Below: Two planks on each side now fitted – as these are fitted I will record progress to show the quite complex compound mitres needed to fit the planks as well as the unique shape of the Londonderry chaldrons.

Below: An overview of progress, now only weeks from completion!

Below: I also inspected L1357 this week, to investigate some of the original lettering. It is stored in the Regional Museum Store atop three containers so this view is quite unusual! It also bears lettering stating ‘Duff Only’ – presumably this relates to coal spillages. It may say more, I haven’t studied the faded lettering in detail yet…

Below: While on the container I took this view of the RMS interior (or rather, one part of the interior!). Tours of this are likely to run during the Great North Steam Fair so look out for those. Tours are available at other times – contact the Access Team at Beamish via the museum number.
Notable in this view is the living van of Sally Beach, a bow-top Gypsy caravan and beyond this another Gypsy caravan. In the foreground are farm carts and all around are shelves containing smaller items of machinery and domestic collections.