Here are some transport related snippets from around the site…

Below: Michael is making great progress on wiring the machine shop.  Much remains to be done but as far as I know this will be the first time we’ve had such a facility at Beamish and it should enable much more (and large scale) to be undertaken in house.  He is seen here testing the loop of wire he had just made for length before finally running it into the trunking around the wall.  Each machine has five wires in a bundle (three phases, negative and earth) and there are nine machines plus some smaller bench tools and non three-phase items – so there is plenty of wiring to carry out and work should be completed over the coming weeks.

Below: Hughie has nearly completed the overhaul of the first of Sheffield 264’s controllers – and very impressive it is too!  The other one will receive the same attention before both are stored whilst other work progresses.

Below: The replica wooden snowplough is receiving some attention to its wheelsets at present, and will rpobably also receive a repaint.  To access the wheels, the whole thing has been sat on its back, giving the impression of a wishing well rather than waggon!

Below: Last week the Y7 celebrated its 90th birthday, with the owning trust in attendance for the day.  It is seen here complete with headboard (inspired by the Farne Islander board made for the Y7 operating the last services on the North Sunderland Railway) and posing with those who saved it for preservation.

A film from the day can be seen at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3pXyzqEx7A&feature=c4-overview&list=UUCPgXin-OtheebNQifsco7g

Below: Samson has once again been trial assembled to enable various components to be tried and other items to be measured.  The smokebox support brackets are in hand and will set the front end datum up for further alignments to be taken.  Various forgings for items such as handrails and stanchions are also in hand and should be delivered soon.