On Good Friday, West Hartlepool 36 (a 1942-built Leyland Titan TD7 fitted with Roe H48C bodywork) entered passenger service at Beamish following its recent change in ownership and an agreement to base it at Beamish for a period of time.  Work to commission it has focussed on what was necessary, being careful to retain originality as far as practicable.  The paintwork has been repaired, rather than renewed, the interior has been refreshed, seats re-upholstered and numerous other jobs carried out before it was inspected and then presented for service.

Below: Leylands now dominate at Beamish – with 36 seen here alongside Crosville 716.

Below: The centre entrance and split centre-staircase is a notable feature of No.36, and one that (as I sit and write these notes) is proving to be of great interest to visitors riding on the bus.

Below: Some of those involved in the revitalisation of No.36, including past and present owners and those members of the team who have carried out the work itself.

Below: With Rotherham 220 and Darlington 4 currently in the workshops, we have been grateful for the support of private owners in allowing us to operate their buses in service at Beamish.  No.18 (ex Rawtenstall) is a very regular performer on the circular route – seen here in the spring sunshine that briefly appeared before the rather wetter Easter weekend!

Below: Rotherham 220’s overhauled engine (right) is now alongside the original to allow transfer of components before it is refitted to the bus (behind).  Hopefully this work can be completed swiftly so that visitors can enjoy the re-upholstered seating in our hardworking Daimler CVG6.

Samson Update

Below:  As I haven’t yet had a chance to add any news to the new website, here is an update on Samson, showing the final painting/tidying up work taking place in Wales.

Below: The rear frame cover is now in place, with the blowdown valve and injector water valves visible.  The plate will prevent coal/footplate accessories finding their way into the recess beneath the firebox.

Below: Various other components had remained to be refitted – and these are now back on the locomotive.  After some safety valve adjustments, the loco was steamed and shunted around the yard at Boston Lodge to ensure that all was well and that the motion was running cool, following reassembly (the steam test having been undertaken before this was refitted).

Photographs in this post by Phil Doran, Matthew Ellis and Paul Jarman