I’ve had a couple of weeks off work enjoying a bit of r&r but work has continued at Beamish on all fronts and there will be more to report in coming weeks.

Below: Jacob, the Baguley 0-4-0PM (Petrol Mechanical) built in 1916, presented to Beamish in 1968 but which resided at Dinting Railway Centre until 1990 is shortly moving to pastures new.

It has never operated at Beamish and with a pedigree in Manchester and Liverpool it has always been a low priority. However, despite its semi dismantled state it is in sound condition and extensive work has been carried out on rebuilding the engine unit, though this has remained dormant for a decade now. To this end I have been seeking a potential home for the locomotive, the oldest standard gauge internal combustion locomotive in the World. It is being transferred to Statfold Barn in Staffordshire where it will join the extensive collection there. Located down the road from its birthplace, it will no doubt be restored in record time to Hunslet’s (who are based there) usual high standards. Hunslet have very kindly agreed to support us with our restoration of Lewin, and will provide the cab, bunkers, backsheet and saddletank for this project. It is planned that Jacob, once restored, will visit Beamish for one of our transport events. For now it has been shunted in readiness for its imminent departure.

Below: The track team, having removed the Pockerley tram siding, have relocated this to create a headshunt on the Colliery Railway extension. Here are a couple of views of the work carried out. I am currently looking into a source of industrial track (in panels) with a view to rapidly completing the final 175 yards of this line.

Below: Two views of the siding at Pockerley as it is prepared for removal…

In other news the trams have been having fun, with Sunderland 16 breaking down with motor bush problems, fortunately quickly corrected. However, Gateshead 10 has joined in with a damaged motor bearing. The cause of this is being investigated as there was otherwise no damage. It appears the woolen wicks have been drawn through into the bearing. The motor is away for corrective work to the bearing, and boring of both of these to match (there are two on each motor which enable it to hang on the axle). On the plus side, Blackpool 704/Sunderland 101 is now ready for traffic and will join the fleet tomorrow. This afternoon the tramway group have been finishing off numerous cosmetic details including the removal of scratched in graffiti and re-varnishing. Mel is seen below carrying out some of this work.