The depot is now more or less complete and on Friday 22nd it was formally opened by guests from Go North-East, The Reece Group and the Heritage Lottery Fund.
The Northern sign, including original depot letters, has now been hung. A clock will also be hung above this sign in due course. Note the black and white stripes around the doorways. These are something often seen on depot doorways to aid drivers in reversing buses into depots. They are particularly noticeable from 1939 onward, when the blackout conditions made driving more hazardous. Other signs have been affixed around the depot area, these originating from the closed Go North-East depot at Stanley and recovered specifically for Beamish.Buses at rest in their new surroundings… Two Northern buses together. We have, unfortunately, in trial opening of the depot, seen a small number of visitors misbehaving around and on the vehicles, risking injury and damage. We are now reconsidering how to enable safe access for visitors to the depot whilst protecting the buses but keeping them available for use (without extensive movement of barriers etc.)This is the view through the gallery window, showing the excellent workshop vista, and high quality of the lighting within the building.Jobs to finish… This is the heated bus-wash. To this we have the compressor and waste oil tank plus salt bin to add. They will then be screened by a wooden fence to hide them from view (and misuse!). The provision of modern washing facilities to clean our vehicles with has long been on the ‘wishlist’ and will enormously improve both their appearance (as the salt accumulation in the winter can be spectacular) but also make them far more pleasant to maintain. The washer is heated (both to prevent it from freezing but also to give a hot-wash) and the detergent selected is environmentally sustainable as well as including additives to protect vehicle paintwork. The 21st Century has arrived!
Go North East had liveried this refurbished single decker in the SOS livery, complete with radiator!
The interior of the modern bus has period adverts reproduced from vehicles at Beamish
And this superb gallery vista at the rear of the bus. Note also the newly re-upholstered seating.
The original SOS upon which the Go North East bus was based
A Northern Routemaster also attended, this being a North East Bus Preservation Society vehicle, on loan to Go North East for heritage work and recently returned to service at Consett depot
A new, and what will become familiar, view…
A display of bus-related ephemera was on display within the workshop, along with Darlington 4
RHEC
A number of steam engines are now resident within the tram depot, marking the start of the adaptation of some of the space within this building for new purposes… The previous vehicle bay will become an area for the Friends of Beamish to use (Model Ts, horse tram and motorcycles), whilst the rear of Road 4/5 will become a heavy-engineering space, with good proximity to the machine shop. This will enable work to be carried out in far more convenient circumstances than has been the case previously.
This is the start of a number of phases of development in the workshops, to streamline the work and become more efficient.
The Steam Mule has been relocated to the tram depot/workshops for winter storage and preparation for its annual boiler exam. It is seen in company with Rambler, which has now been withdrawn for mechanical overhaul. As a major component in the Museum’s Have-a-go courses, Rambler sees regular use throughout the years and so has worn out far quicker than we anticipated when we purchased the roller! A full ‘top end’ overhaul will take place, along with the replacement of the low-speed gears. We also think new cladding might be necessary, so a full repaint may also form part of this process. Work will start once Steam Elephant’s overhaul has been completed (which in turn will start once the Gallopers Centre Engine overhaul is finished, very soon).Here we see Steam Elephant and 721 (the ex Dundee Gas Works Kerr Stuart) inside the new engineering area. The horse tram, to the right here, will be moving shortly into the old vehicle workshop (just beyond Steam Elephant in this view). Steam Elephant is to have a heavy mechanical overhaul, whilst 721 is having some exploratory and investigative work with a view to carrying out its restoration as an apprentice project. It’s owners, the Narrow Gauge Railway Museum at Tywyn in Wales, have agreed to us carrying out this work and then reporting back what we find…721’s boiler has been stripped for removal, so that the condition can be assessed. One of two survivors of what was quite a numerous class of locomotives (built by five manufacturers), it is certainly diminutive. The other survivor is Bonnie Dundee, converted to 15″ gauge and owned by the Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway, though under overhaul for the Cleethorpes Coast Light Railway to whom it has been placed on loan – so there is the prospect of reuniting the pair at Beamish in the future! We would be interested to see any images of the Dundee locomotives – we have a small number available to us but would like to see more if anyone has any images in their collection (not already published). I should also point out that these are different locomotives to the Andrew Barclay engines, of which we had No.5 from Granton Gas Works on loan to us for a while. Nor the type that Dougal on the Welshpool & Llanfair Railway is.David Young has been busy with his homework… Making and refurbishing components for the gallopers centre engine (built by Savage in 1895). Here are various cocks, complete with handles – all of which now have bespoke (and rather beautiful!) handles made to fit each – no more will an adjustable spanner be seen in the vicinity of the working engine!Various unions have also been made by David for the water supply feed for the engine (the tank now being hidden away within the centre truck, rather than beneath the engine where it was previously located, and subject to all manner of oil contamination). The unions area seen being parted off on David’s lathe.The finished unions, ready for installation into the water feed pipework for the engine.
Rowley Station
One of the mens group volunteers at Rowley Station, Brian, has been restoring this NER trolley – its origin not previously being known to us, until the restoration work started (and by happy coincidence it proved to be of a suitable origin for the Station!).The NER stamping on one of the trolley axles – confirming its provenance.The overhaul and repaint of the Great Western Mink van is also nearing completion – the final touches currently being added…
New posters also feature in the waiting room at Rowley, seen in these photographs
Impressed! The advertising within the modern bus is priceless. Any’heritage’organisation would be very grateful of such publicity.
Gerry Balding / 11-27-2019 / ·
Seriously impressed with the excellent work being carried out on all forms of transport. Keep it up!
Gary Hayhoe / 11-29-2019 / ·
The NER trolley looks great and the GWR mink van too are there more railway wagons going to get the same make over? I see that the steam elephant is going to have a overhaul are any other locos going to get the same ie the second coffee pot or maybe the saddle tank loco Newcastle or perhaps malable iron No5 and is there any news on when Dunrobin will be in steam.
Paul Jarman / 11-29-2019 / ·
Hi Gary. No wagons are planned for attention any time soon. Though I think the NER fire engine wagon will be next if I can find some funds to overhaul the springs and replace the solebars. Then maybe the NER Birdcage brakevan.
The 1950s and Georgian developments are our priorities. With the Dodge bus to be done in house whilst the contractor completes the Leyland Cub bus.
Locomotive wise, no plans for Newcastle, Malleable or No.17 (the other coffee pot) at the moment. We have to balance not only the cost (which is several hundred thousand for this list!) with what we need and what we can maintain. Insurance for each, as well as the annual inspections have to be factors to consider too. I’d love to do No.17 as it’s a favourite, but in 2021 we will have No.18 to do a ten yearly overhaul on. Steam Elephant will take a year in all probability, Rambler won’t be far off that too. Throw in the work on Gateshead 10 (with Oporto 196 to follow) and you can see how there can be a saturation point.
Dunrobin will be first half of 2021 for completion and launch at Beamish, all being well.
I hope this helps answer your questions. As you can see, we have a lot on maintaining the existing running fleet, before we can do the ‘nice to haves’ – nice as these are. Also worth reading back to the earliest blog posts ten years plus ago to see just how much a small team has accomplished in the last decade – we must be one of the most vibrant and productive museums around for getting things done and the new bus depot is part of making what we’ve done sustainable… that’s really the big challenge for this sector.
However, we are enthusiasts as well as museum professionals (I know many people consider those things mutually exclusive!) so we will always look to do the odd interesting project along the way, which hopefully out visitors then appreciate seeing in action.
Best wishes
Paul
Rob / 11-30-2019 / ·
Hi paul,
Interesting post that you have written, however it doesnt present a good image for beamish when you have tatty wagons in the station yard for visitors to look at, could do a quick lick of paint just to tidy them up ready for full overhaul later, Any news when the headshunt is being relaid?, as you can offer the shunting demonstrations as you said the railway was built on mud, didnt they think to lay the line on proper ballast, I know you are going to sort NER 3071 out soon which will be good, as if you restore the other bogie coach you have it will make a difference capacity wise esp when you eventually extend the line, cheers Rob
Paul Jarman / 12-2-2019 / ·
Hi Rob. I agree regarding the wagons – however we are rather short of places to place them. We are working on the improvements that we can make, the GWR van being an example, the tanker would probably freshen up too. There are no staff resources available for this work however and we have been lucky that the station team have taken on these tasks themselves, not least the extensive cosmetic improvements to the buildings around that area. Any volunteers coming forward to paint rolling stock would receive a warm welcome…
In terms of renewal of trackwork around the signalbox, this will take place as soon as we are able to allocate the resources (the work includes relaying the headshunt, as described in the blog). Other works arise however, and we manage priorities based on the needs of both safety and the operation.
I was not here in the early 1970s so cannot comment on how the railway was laid, and why. I do know what we intend to do to improve the sub-base.
There are no plans to extend the passenger railway at Rowley so I’m not entirely sure about that point. It would be nice to do one day, but at present the current development programme is our focus and will be so for the next few years.
Best wishes
Paul
Gary Hayhoe / 12-2-2019 / ·
Hi Paul,Thanks your reply here is a job that can be done with not a lot of effort or expense or cost inside the loco depot at the pit village is a crane tank loco I know it is called ROKER but how many visiters see it and walk away wondering about it I am not saying get a name plate cast for it however there is a good print shop in the 1913 town maybe they can print off some info poster to put up near the loco or maybe a paper name plate just an idea
regards Gary
Rob / 12-15-2019 / ·
Hi paul, thanks for your reply, when you relay the headshunt that could be precursor to relaying the whole yard, with the track to the coal drops how bad is the track to it then? as that wagon has been marooned there for sometime, You have achieved so much over the past couple of years though so well done on that, I can make a suggestion, when you build the trolleybus route in the future, do it in a way so not to inhibit the extension of the railway, When you do build the extension to the new halt in the future, you could put in a small goods yard/siding there to demonstrate trip working on freight if the room is available, hope this helps cheers Rob
Paul Jarman / 12-17-2019 / ·
Hi Rob. The yard has received some spot-resleepering, but our priorities over the next few years (3 – 4) will be running lines. The headshunt is only to be tackled because it would be awkward to access once the main running line is operational, and it us useful to remove the headshunt to provide access for this work. If it weren’t relaid, it would be trickier to return to at a later date.
In terms of trolleybus route – when this is eventually installed, it will follow existing roads, or roads that will soon exist within the isolated 1950s area, so there is no danger of it inhibiting the railway line. Whether we build a halt at Rowley East or not I can’t say – there is no plan to do so and whilst an extension to Pockerely would be nice, it would only be possible by following a route slightly to the north and by widening the embankments – we would not disturb the road or tramway to do this as they are integral to our operation. Whilst I have a route in mind, this is no more than a sketch and ‘one day’ thought. For now we have to focus on the existing passenger carrying and operational lines, which are all due for some heavy attention in the short to medium term and will absorb all available resources to that end.
Thank you for your interest and input, Best wishes, Paul
Andrew Wood / 7-5-2020 / ·
Has Barclay No.5 from Granton Gas Works been returned to the National Museums of Scotland? he blogpost says it was on loan which suggests it is no longer at Beamish. Thanks
Paul Jarman / 7-6-2020 / ·
Hi Andrew, yes, the Barclay was returned to its owner and is in store at Granton once again. Best wishes, Paul
Andrew Wood / 7-7-2020 / ·
Thanks. Was there ever a plan to restore it or was that just a figment of my imagination? Andrew
Paul Jarman / 7-13-2020 / ·
Hi Andrew
We agreed with the museum that we would assess it with a view to a return to steam, if possible. It is still covered in (encased) asbestos and this, plus it’s rather over-boilered design meant that it wasn’t really the proposition we were hoping it would be (Nick Williams, who owns sister loco ‘Jack’ has carried out several modifications to make it a more manageable loco for the heritage era). We reassembled any bits removed and sent it back, as were also lining up the Dundee gas works loco from Tywyn, which is altogether more realistic for restoration to steam and had been previously dismantled so we were able to assess it thoroughly. Best wishes, Paul
Andrew Wood / 7-13-2020 / ·
Thanks Paul. That’s a pity but understandable. Would have been nice to have seen it in steam. When I last saw the Granton Loco it was on display at Biggar Gasworks Museum which had a large public park next to it and I often thought it would have been nice to restore the loco, knock a hole in the wall and lay down some track in the park to run it up and down.
In relation to the Dundee locos I take it you are aware of the Dundee City Archive photos – some are on line at https://www.flickr.com/photos/dundeecityarchives/sets/72157704842984622/ but I think there are more as I also have a digital copy of another one which I believe is in the archive but can’t now recall how I acquired it.
Thanks
Andrew
Paul Jarman / 7-15-2020 / ·
Thanks Andrew – re the Dundee locos, there will be something appearing in one of the magazines fairly soon about them… Thanks for the link – I bought a copy of that image as part of the project and it has, when enlarged, revealed a number of details that are of interest to us for the eventual restoration. Always on the look out for more, and we have been able to access the Ravenglass archive (for sister loco Bonnie Dundee) as well.
Best wishes
Paul
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Impressed! The advertising within the modern bus is priceless. Any’heritage’organisation would be very grateful of such publicity.
Seriously impressed with the excellent work being carried out on all forms of transport. Keep it up!
The NER trolley looks great and the GWR mink van too are there more railway wagons going to get the same make over? I see that the steam elephant is going to have a overhaul are any other locos going to get the same ie the second coffee pot or maybe the saddle tank loco Newcastle or perhaps malable iron No5 and is there any news on when Dunrobin will be in steam.
Hi Gary. No wagons are planned for attention any time soon. Though I think the NER fire engine wagon will be next if I can find some funds to overhaul the springs and replace the solebars. Then maybe the NER Birdcage brakevan.
The 1950s and Georgian developments are our priorities. With the Dodge bus to be done in house whilst the contractor completes the Leyland Cub bus.
Locomotive wise, no plans for Newcastle, Malleable or No.17 (the other coffee pot) at the moment. We have to balance not only the cost (which is several hundred thousand for this list!) with what we need and what we can maintain. Insurance for each, as well as the annual inspections have to be factors to consider too. I’d love to do No.17 as it’s a favourite, but in 2021 we will have No.18 to do a ten yearly overhaul on. Steam Elephant will take a year in all probability, Rambler won’t be far off that too. Throw in the work on Gateshead 10 (with Oporto 196 to follow) and you can see how there can be a saturation point.
Dunrobin will be first half of 2021 for completion and launch at Beamish, all being well.
I hope this helps answer your questions. As you can see, we have a lot on maintaining the existing running fleet, before we can do the ‘nice to haves’ – nice as these are. Also worth reading back to the earliest blog posts ten years plus ago to see just how much a small team has accomplished in the last decade – we must be one of the most vibrant and productive museums around for getting things done and the new bus depot is part of making what we’ve done sustainable… that’s really the big challenge for this sector.
However, we are enthusiasts as well as museum professionals (I know many people consider those things mutually exclusive!) so we will always look to do the odd interesting project along the way, which hopefully out visitors then appreciate seeing in action.
Best wishes
Paul
Hi paul,
Interesting post that you have written, however it doesnt present a good image for beamish when you have tatty wagons in the station yard for visitors to look at, could do a quick lick of paint just to tidy them up ready for full overhaul later, Any news when the headshunt is being relaid?, as you can offer the shunting demonstrations as you said the railway was built on mud, didnt they think to lay the line on proper ballast, I know you are going to sort NER 3071 out soon which will be good, as if you restore the other bogie coach you have it will make a difference capacity wise esp when you eventually extend the line, cheers Rob
Hi Rob. I agree regarding the wagons – however we are rather short of places to place them. We are working on the improvements that we can make, the GWR van being an example, the tanker would probably freshen up too. There are no staff resources available for this work however and we have been lucky that the station team have taken on these tasks themselves, not least the extensive cosmetic improvements to the buildings around that area. Any volunteers coming forward to paint rolling stock would receive a warm welcome…
In terms of renewal of trackwork around the signalbox, this will take place as soon as we are able to allocate the resources (the work includes relaying the headshunt, as described in the blog). Other works arise however, and we manage priorities based on the needs of both safety and the operation.
I was not here in the early 1970s so cannot comment on how the railway was laid, and why. I do know what we intend to do to improve the sub-base.
There are no plans to extend the passenger railway at Rowley so I’m not entirely sure about that point. It would be nice to do one day, but at present the current development programme is our focus and will be so for the next few years.
Best wishes
Paul
Hi Paul,Thanks your reply here is a job that can be done with not a lot of effort or expense or cost inside the loco depot at the pit village is a crane tank loco I know it is called ROKER but how many visiters see it and walk away wondering about it I am not saying get a name plate cast for it however there is a good print shop in the 1913 town maybe they can print off some info poster to put up near the loco or maybe a paper name plate just an idea
regards Gary
Hi paul, thanks for your reply, when you relay the headshunt that could be precursor to relaying the whole yard, with the track to the coal drops how bad is the track to it then? as that wagon has been marooned there for sometime, You have achieved so much over the past couple of years though so well done on that, I can make a suggestion, when you build the trolleybus route in the future, do it in a way so not to inhibit the extension of the railway, When you do build the extension to the new halt in the future, you could put in a small goods yard/siding there to demonstrate trip working on freight if the room is available, hope this helps cheers Rob
Hi Rob. The yard has received some spot-resleepering, but our priorities over the next few years (3 – 4) will be running lines. The headshunt is only to be tackled because it would be awkward to access once the main running line is operational, and it us useful to remove the headshunt to provide access for this work. If it weren’t relaid, it would be trickier to return to at a later date.
In terms of trolleybus route – when this is eventually installed, it will follow existing roads, or roads that will soon exist within the isolated 1950s area, so there is no danger of it inhibiting the railway line. Whether we build a halt at Rowley East or not I can’t say – there is no plan to do so and whilst an extension to Pockerely would be nice, it would only be possible by following a route slightly to the north and by widening the embankments – we would not disturb the road or tramway to do this as they are integral to our operation. Whilst I have a route in mind, this is no more than a sketch and ‘one day’ thought. For now we have to focus on the existing passenger carrying and operational lines, which are all due for some heavy attention in the short to medium term and will absorb all available resources to that end.
Thank you for your interest and input, Best wishes, Paul
Has Barclay No.5 from Granton Gas Works been returned to the National Museums of Scotland? he blogpost says it was on loan which suggests it is no longer at Beamish. Thanks
Hi Andrew, yes, the Barclay was returned to its owner and is in store at Granton once again. Best wishes, Paul
Thanks. Was there ever a plan to restore it or was that just a figment of my imagination? Andrew
Hi Andrew
We agreed with the museum that we would assess it with a view to a return to steam, if possible. It is still covered in (encased) asbestos and this, plus it’s rather over-boilered design meant that it wasn’t really the proposition we were hoping it would be (Nick Williams, who owns sister loco ‘Jack’ has carried out several modifications to make it a more manageable loco for the heritage era). We reassembled any bits removed and sent it back, as were also lining up the Dundee gas works loco from Tywyn, which is altogether more realistic for restoration to steam and had been previously dismantled so we were able to assess it thoroughly. Best wishes, Paul
Thanks Paul. That’s a pity but understandable. Would have been nice to have seen it in steam. When I last saw the Granton Loco it was on display at Biggar Gasworks Museum which had a large public park next to it and I often thought it would have been nice to restore the loco, knock a hole in the wall and lay down some track in the park to run it up and down.
In relation to the Dundee locos I take it you are aware of the Dundee City Archive photos – some are on line at https://www.flickr.com/photos/dundeecityarchives/sets/72157704842984622/ but I think there are more as I also have a digital copy of another one which I believe is in the archive but can’t now recall how I acquired it.
Thanks
Andrew
Thanks Andrew – re the Dundee locos, there will be something appearing in one of the magazines fairly soon about them… Thanks for the link – I bought a copy of that image as part of the project and it has, when enlarged, revealed a number of details that are of interest to us for the eventual restoration. Always on the look out for more, and we have been able to access the Ravenglass archive (for sister loco Bonnie Dundee) as well.
Best wishes
Paul