It has been a while since I posted – a reflection on our workload rather than lack of things to report!

You may have read in the latest issue of Steam Railway that we have been in talks with PKP Cargo – operators of the railways in Poland.  Originally an approach was made to borrow Puffing Billy but this proved impractical.  No.18 was suggested as an alternative, with Coffee Pot as back up.  This then developed into taking the pair!  However, I have just been informed by our contact at PKP that the estimated haulage costs (nearly £20,000…) were unaffordable within their event budget and that therefore this trip is now off.  A shame but perhaps a relief as it would have followed our own transport festival rather too closely.

In other news, sadly it seems highly unlikely (though not impossible) that either Rambler or No.18 will be available for the Festival.  This is due to an insurance issue and is a beauracratic matter rather than one to do with either engine directly.  A range of options are on the table for discussion to expedite a solution to this, meanwhile I am looking to substitute No.18 at the event with a suitable industrial locomotive.  The timing couldn’t be more frustrating for all of us here involved in the steam operations and event but we will, of course, do whatever we can to ensure we put on a great show for everyone visiting.  In the short term we are hiring No.22 from the Bowes Railway to ensure some cover and variety in the Colliery area during the event and I am following up one other possibility for a visiting loco for this area.

A very interesting programme – ‘The man who was given a gasworks’ has been uploaded onto the Museum Youtube section.  The link is: http://youtu.be/Y5yUU3PvRys and highlights include Gateshead 10 (in its original BR green!) and a very leaky No.18 at work at Seaham as well as plenty of shots of items now in regular use or that even today remain in store awaiting their turn in the restoration queue!  Don’t miss the 1986 follow up programme that looked at how far the Museum had developed in the period between.  This includes various transport shots from that year including Sheffield 264 in open top guise and Sheffield 513 on the newly extended tramway to the entrance.  Fascinating stuff!