Chaldron repairs continue...

Chaldron repairs continue…

Work on the chaldron fleet continues, with Tony and his apprentice Dan overhauling a further three waggons. The first of these, seen below, is 529,…

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Introducing another Stephen Lewin locomotive...

Introducing another Stephen Lewin locomotive…

The image below shows a delightful little locomotive named Samson. It was built by the Poole Foundry of Stephen Lewin in 1874 and was for…

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A few more views from the GNSF...

A few more views from the GNSF…

Here is a quick last look at the GNSF with some photographs I took whenever I had the chance, showing the vast array of exhibits…

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Lifting by steam...

Lifting by steam…

While we had the pleasure of entertaining ‘Duke of York’ over the weekend we took the opportunity to carry out a number of small lifts….

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Velocipede

Velocipede

One of our more unusual visiting forms of motive power…!!!

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GNSF - A gallery of images - the event so far...!!!

GNSF – A gallery of images – the event so far…!!!

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Narrow Gauge morning preparations...

Narrow Gauge morning preparations…

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Daimler bus shows its stunning new colours!

Daimler bus shows its stunning new colours!

The repaint (following overhaul) of the replica Daimler bus is complete and the bus made its first public debut in the new Northern colours this…

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An unusual pairing...

An unusual pairing…

Below: A first for our rejuvenated railway operation at Rowley Station – a double header, with the esoteric pairing of the Y7 and Captain Baxter…

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Blackpool Boat tram 233 launched into service!

Blackpool Boat tram 233 launched into service!

Below: 233 has entered service! As the afternoon cloud lifted slightly, 233 was brought into traffic and is seen below posing outside the depot, with…

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Highlights from the GNSF so far...

Highlights from the GNSF so far…

Below: Dave Young with the Steam Mule and water pump, all his own work. Also in this scene is the restored water cart (which Dave…

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Event build up reaches a peak with latest arrivals...

Event build up reaches a peak with latest arrivals…

Below: Bluebird Buses of Scarborough have sent their newly (and beautifully) restored 1929 Leyland Tiger TS2. This will be on display and performing demonstration runs…

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233 on test and ready for passengers!

233 on test and ready for passengers!

Below: The Boat ‘set sail’ this evening on a driver training run – Stuart is seen at the controls, familiarising himself with yet another tram…

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Nightime arrivals of the narrow gauge variety...

Nightime arrivals of the narrow gauge variety…

Below: Graham Morris delivered our visiting narrow gauge steam contingent last night, seen arriving aboard his specially adapted lorry. Apologies for the picture quality –…

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GNSF build up... First exhibits arrive!

GNSF build up… First exhibits arrive!

Below: We’ve started the build up for the GNSF with arrivals of some of the stars of the show… Here is Duke of York, the…

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Doing it the traditional way...

Doing it the traditional way…

Below: While great things are happening with the Daimler bus’s repaint, the details (and crew!) have not been forgotten either… Les Little, one of the…

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233 out in the open...

233 out in the open…

Below: 233 ventured outside this morning in order that the painter, Dave, could inspect his handywork in daylight. The tram looks superb and a final…

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Lewin latest - the boiler is replaced into the frames...

Lewin latest – the boiler is replaced into the frames…

Below: Here is a selection of images taken this morning showing a historic moment for our No.18 (or Lewin) – the re-fitting of the newly…

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General News Roundup

General News Roundup

Below: A couple of views showing the narrow gauge line rapidly advancing and also the first item of rolling stock to turn a wheel on…

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An early view of 'Durham'

An early view of ‘Durham’

This copy of a copy of an image which appeared in ‘The Durham County News, Thursday 17th May 1934’ reported on the reservoir construction at…

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What a difference a week makes...

What a difference a week makes…

Its snowing here – not ideal weather for open top trams and buses…!!!

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Boat regains its true colours...

Boat regains its true colours…

Below: A couple of photos (courtesy of Peter Barlow) showing 233 yesterday and the rate of progress on its repaint. It is now in familiar…

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Something for September...

Something for September…

It may be recalled by readers of the blog that some thought is being given to repainting Gateshead 10, temporarily, into British Railways green livery….

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Thoughts on Saturday 14th April's Photo Session - Beamish GNSF

Thoughts on Saturday 14th April’s Photo Session – Beamish GNSF

With less than two weeks to go until the Great North Steam Fair and the Saturday photo session, some thoughts regarding what we hope to…

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Boat progress...

Boat progress…

Below: Dave the Busworks painter is making good progress on 233 and has done a huge amount of preparation over a couple of very long…

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