Below: Darren and Mark, assisted by Jonathan and Jack, have started their winter maintenance work on the railway line at Rowley.  This includes replacement of a small number of broken chairs, packing joints and re-aligning the ‘high’ (outer) rail to ensure the check rail performs its proper function.  The problems we have had with one of the Y7’s tyre profiles is attributed to this.  Work involves removing the chair screws and inserting wooden plugs using the chair as a guide and a suitable drift to drive the plug home.  The rail, on its loosened chairs will then be eased outwards to fit a new gauge, per the BR track standards handbook, and the holes will be re-drilled and the chairs re-screwed.  This method avoids having to lift the line or to lose the overall positioning of the rail.  As plant access to most of the line is also limited it is a solution to the limitations of mechanised assistance in this area.  Here the team are seen at work, having removed all of the screws and inserted the plugs, with only a few lengths of work to go – not bad progress given they only started yesterday!  However, re-alignment and re-drilling will take time so any ground gained now will be useful later in the week as the job progresses.  The station will not be running this coming weekend, but all being well will re-commence operation on the 17th November.

Below: Meanwhile, in the Colliery, David and Chris are preparing Coffee Pot No.1 for its annual boiler inspection as well as carrying out a long list of small repairs flagged up on the fitness to run (FTR) sheets over the season.  Many of these are small jobs, but one we want to tackle is that of the crankshaft casting mountings which currently require regular tightening.  In order to get at them the tank will be removed, which will also provide an opportunity to give this area a thorough clean.  The smokebox has been removed and the tubeplate cleaned for inspection.

Below: The gallopers are also being dismantled after finishing operation at last nights Firework display.  They will move to the Waggonway for re-erection and are due to return to operation on the 17th November, like Rowley Station.  The winter maintenance is something of a challenge to plan and programme now that the Museum is open all-year round, the benefits being the increased visitor numbers and thus revenue to enable us to run Beamish.  As soon as the Christmas season finishes, the gallopers and Y7 will require heavy maintenance and so an ongoing programme is being devised rather than relying on the once lengthy winter closures we used in the past.  By tackling some of the work required during short shut-downs, it reduces the workload when the main shut downs become due.