This morning we had two significant arrivals – Glasgow 1068 arrived from Crich and is currently being unloaded, whilst the frames for Samson also appeared and are now displayed in the Erecting Shop where the locomotive will be built.  The Robey Portable is also on site, along with Ayesha (A&P steam roller) and later today the Fowler Crane Engine is due in.  This, like all road steam engines, will be placed in the goods yard at Rowley Station in readiness for the Great North Steam Fair next week.

To clarify – the visiting trams, 730 and 1068, will be in operation (subject to all usual caveats) from Thurs – Sun of each weekend of the festival, with 730 now in operation (see below) and 1068 due to join it tomorrow.  I will try to keep the posts as up to date as actually unloading the things etc. allows!  In total there is something like 37 heavy haulage moves associated with this event (excluding the road steam engines) so logistically it can be quite challenging.  Regarding some comments elsewhere regarding ‘strange’ and ‘unnecessary’ haulage movement of Leeds 6 to Heaton Park earlier in the week – it is worth noting that many of the moves are interlinked and wherever possible we try to ensure a lorry does not run empty (as you have to pay whether they have a load on or not!).  Thus a complex web of moves builds up (often involving loads that are nothing to do with our own event) to maximise the use of the lorry and minimise the costs. A logistical nightmare at times!

Here are some photos of the tramway taken this morning.  G&I 26 was taken out of service in the afternoon, being substituted with Newcastle 114.  1068 is now sat on the pit awaiting test running after close of play today, much of the commissioning work having already been undertaken at Crich.

Below: The B&P Motor Roller has now made it into the workshops, where it is temporarily straddled by two of the reconditioned gantry cranes.  We also have a five ton crane to assemble (those shown being a 500kg and 2000kg capacity).

Below: This morning also saw the arrival of Samson’s frames, fresh from profile cutting and not laid out for display in the Erecting Shop, along with bunkers and sundry other items for the loco.

Below: With so many tram movements around the depot yard, the track team of Mark (left) and Darren (right) have been attending to some niggly track issues.  Whilst the passenger circuit is all on new (in relative terms!) rail, the depot fan was created from well worn recovered material which is very much showing its age.  It will be replaced in the future, but for now Darren and Mark keep on top of it in the manner shown below!

Afternoon Update:

Below: I really liked this scene – 31 encounters a flock of sheep as they are moved between fields.  Not a great composition but somehow very ‘everyday’ – and the sun was shining!

Below: A short series of views around the depot yard this afternoon, with 1068 waiting to go out on test, 26 with newly straightened trolleypole (after dewiring this morning) and 101.

Below: An early arrival for next weekend, the Fowler crane engine ‘Duke of York’, now parked in the station goods yard.

Below:And finally… an unsung hero of any event at Beamish – or JCB Telehandler (or Teleporter to some!).  Without this being at our beck and call to load and unload lorries we would really struggle to do what we do!