Reportable news has been a bit thin on the ground over the last week or so – as I don’t want to endlessly repeat the same views of maintenance taking place, despite the importance of this work and its current domination of the team’s activity.  There will be a report later this week, but for now, here is a look at the narrow gauge railway, for those who haven’t been able to see what we are doing in this area of the Colliery in person.  The photos were taken today at a bitterly cold and snowbound Museum – the engine was in steam as part of the interview process for new members of the Transport & Industry department (apply for a job with us and you might get to drive a steam locomotive!). If nothing else it was a pleasant day for me to spend with one of the most original Quarry Hunslets.  We’re working on something very special along this theme for later in the year, as part of our ‘Power from the Past’ programme.  The March theme will be announced shortly, and others will follow – the aim is to give a monthly (March to November) heightened performance on the transport side of things at Beamish, and to develop attractive themes with particular appeal to enthusiasts.  More on this in due course…

Below: A driver’s eye view of the World as we reverse off shed, drain cocks open and clouds of steam condensing in the cold air as the sun valiantly competes to break through the atmosphere!

Below: Posing at the current limit of shunt with the fields that will eventually contain the 1950s Spains Field upland farm beyond.  Behind Edward Sholto is the present limit of shunt for the standard gauge.  The plan here is to extend the narrow gauge to the left of this view, with a siding into the area between the gauges at this point and possibly a water tower (as this is where one of our main water pipes passes under the railways).  A further headshunt will take the narrow gauge behind my position for taking this photo, and up into the stockyard area giving a second route into this area.  There are also long-term thoughts about constructing a brickworks/yard here too.

Below: I’ve moved, the engine hasn’t, if that helps orientate the viewer. The standard gauge will extend along the cutting towards Pockerley in due course, parallel to the narrow gauge, this being the latter’s northern leg of a triangle, presently being developed when opportunity allows.  The branch to the right is the western cord, leading up the steep gradient into the pit yard.

Below: Off we go.  With a little steam to get us rolling as we enter the diverging point, the regulator is opened and Edward Sholto begins the short sharp ascent of the western cord.  Pockerley Old Hall is visible in the trees to the left of the view. The present extent of narrow gauge track laying is visible to left.  We have enough rail to take this to the gate, after which it will be a case of seeing what we can do to procure two turnouts and sufficient rail for the eastern cord – probably about £10,000 if purchased new…

Below: The locomotive is now confidently striding up into the yard, with the narrow gauge storage shed prominent in this view.  When the eastern cord is laid, the shed will be relocated, to a siding off the cord and located parallel to the north cord in the clearing just to the left of Edward Sholto’s dome.  The cutting we are passing through will be narrowed this year and the area tidied and graded, to give a natural edge to the colliery area.

Below: We are now approaching the shed area and main colliery complex, passing over two points, the first will head to the right of the view and then parallel the standard gauge siding for exchange purposes, with a kick back towards the brickworks etc.  The second point leads to the siding serving the colliery stockyard and also a planned shaft sinking display.  We have a large amount of colliery building material in store and this will be relocated to this area to ensure the sidings have real purpose in accessing these materials.

Below: While Matt and Tony had a go, I took this photo showing how much steam is apparent when it is really cold!!!

Below: Parked alongside the new water tower (the tank is still under construction).  Just beyond the tower will be an improved coal platform, and beyond this can be seen the running shed – this is likely to be upgraded and extended to include a store as we are now operating more often than was the case when what was a storage shed built to contain Edward Sholto over two years ago, was constructed. To the left is a siding to the boilerhouse and ‘Samson’s Shed’ which will be a stone building around the current pit and preparation area (the building being based on Chadwick Nick on he Crich Mineral Tramway).  Both sheds will have an element of public access to enable the engines to be viewed even when not in operation.

Below: A final view of today’s activity as ES heads for its shed through the industrial wilderness…