This morning the first of our visiting steam locomotives for the Festival of Transport arrived, in the shape of ‘Vulcan’, the former Vulcan works shunter (built by them for use in their own workshops).  After unloading it was towed to the engine shed by Coffee Pot where a start was made on the Fitness to Run, which will continue tomorrow, part of its introduction to our system and railway.  It will be staying with us for a few months, initially at the Colliery but later at the Station, where it will receive a final coat of paint and lining out as part of the arrangement with its owning trust.  I have mentioned this engine here before – it is a particular favorite and when it is seen sat in the Colliery environment it is surely easy to understand why?!

As ever, and with all locomotives, no matter how small they are, it dwarfs Coffee Pot!  It is planned to steam it Sunday, then the four days of Edwardians at Play and four days of the Great North Steam Fair.  It will commence operation at Rowley in May.

In the meantime, here are some photographs showing it around the Colliery – I hope that once it is in steam the sun might grace us with its presence and some rather brighter pictures will be possible!