Having wondered what had happened to the summer, it has appeared this week with glorious (almost tropical) weather all week. As usual there has been a lot of progress on a lot of fronts.

Boringly, from the blog point of view, little of this features here because it is either paperwork or not yet ready to be unveiled, however, we should get back into the swing of regular updates here later in October.

In the meantime, here are some of the things that have been going on:

Below: The work on the Colliery Railway has reached a temporary end with the installation of a buffer stop at the end of the now usable running lines to the north of the system. This is purely a temporary measure and the aim is to extend along the cutting as and when time/materials permit. Here are a couple of views showing the work.

Below: The main reason for finishing the Colliery work where we have is to enable the track team to move on to remove the siding on the Tramway at Pockerley. Little used this has no real use for the operation but its removal will liberate a very good set of right hand points of Ri60 profile to be installed outside the depot to create a fourth road into the shed. This work, phased into four sections, will commence shortly… The siding itself may see further use in the Colliery, enabling a headshunt to be installed and the buffer stop seen above to be moved eastwards.

Below: A new station volunteer group is making good progress as they establish themselves (more welcome!). A retired street mason has been leading the construction of a rather better pedestrian route from the tarmacced station path to the level crossing, as seen here. There is still some way to go but progress is good. Elsewhere the team are cleaing, pointing and painting as well as preparing the GW goods van for repairs and a repaint to use as their base. Anyone interested in joining this team is invited to contact the Volunteer Coordinator Sarah Leach at sarahleach@beamish.org.uk

Below: 101 is nearly there! Brian Williams is seen here working on the spring supporting bracket which required welding (by Davy Sheen) to enable the tram to operate here. With Brian, Tom and the Beamish Tramway Group progress on the final stages has been completed (though there will always be something left to do!) and the tram will begin work with the operations team next week for driver training.

Below: Blackpool 31 has also re-entered service (just in time for this weather!) and is seen in a couple of photos taken this morning. It is still carrying the ‘Circular Tour’ headboards (which I happen to like!) and will do so for a little while longer…