This week's T&I News update...

This week’s T&I News update…

The weeks seem to pass faster and faster, this week being no exception and it is hard to believe it is Friday once again, with so much remaining to be done but a very good week of progress preparing for our future developments.  The week also saw the latest Beamish Magazine published and I think there is more on this on the main website.  As usual here is a roundup of continuing projects and interesting transport & industry news…

RHEC Repairs

Below: The organ engine repairs have now been completed and the engine has been re-fitted and is working the organ once again.  Chris paid great attention to the crosshead before straightening the bent crankshaft.  This little engine works very hard, being in use all day every day and we may give the governor some further attention based on what we find over the next week or so.

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Below: Puffing Billy has been out of action so far this year waiting on work to the leading tender axle journals and repairs (indeed, replacement) of the simple bearing block which had suffered from a lack of lubrication.  This view shows the old and the new.  This damage occurred as a result of a ‘healing’ oilway in the timber frames of the tender, the crews having ensured the oiling routine was carried out.  The timber has swollen so restricting the passage of oil to the bearing and very quickly this damage occurred.  Some thought is been given to a solution to the ‘healing’ problem, which may entail inserting thin copper pipe to prevent closure again.  Note that the journal has been machined and so the new bearing is of a smaller radius to allow for this.

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Brayshaw Living Van

Work on the van forges ahead, with the clerestory sides fitted and varnished internally, internal paneling being made and fitted, following completion of the insulation and installation of electrical wiring routes, the wheels removed for re-tyring and progress on the paintwork advancing.  These photographs show the work this week as the team chase down the (rather flexible!) target of completion next month…

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Trolleybus adventure

Last Tuesday an event was held for the Museum’s partners and stakeholders to mark and celebrate the recent news regarding the HLF funding.  As part of this, a selection of exhibits relevant to the development plan were placed in the street for inspection.  The largest toy at the party was Newcastle 501, making what I think might be the first appearance of a trolleybus in our street (Peter might be able to correct me here?!) and possibly the last for a very long time, as the trolleybus route will take an alternative route via the 1950s area and the service road that connects with the circuit between Foulbridge and the Town street.  Here are some photographs showing the occasion.  For those who wonder, we towed 501 down (and back) as whilst it is fitted with batteries, this would have been a trip rather further than their capacity could have coped with!

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Late Edition…

The London Transport Museum unveiled their restored B-Type bus this week, completed as part of their WW1 commemoration ‘Battle-Bus’ project.  Here is a photo borrowed from the fascinating blog on this project and a link for those who wish to find out more about it.  From September B2737 will be re-finished into the livery applied during its army service and embark on a tour of France.  Definitely something to look out for…

http://blog.ltmuseum.co.uk/category/battle-bus/

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