We close the month with some images of Glyder in Cumbria, and an update on the Armstrong Whitworth car, which is now in the ‘keep it operational’ phase of the year, before any further significant work is undertaken on it this coming winter.  It made an appearance at the Rowley 50th anniversary celebrations (which unfortunately I missed – as I was away with Glyder).  There was some great coverage of the event on the museum’s social media, as well as on the website:

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Glyder visits Threlkeld Quarry

The narrow gauge railway located within the Threlkeld Quarry and Mining Museum near Keswick, Cumbria, is one of the most authentic narrow gauge railway settings that can be found, and the annual gala with a compliment of visiting locomotives is always a popular occasion.  This year, Glyder made what will probably be its only visit away from Beamish, attending the event between 23rd – 26th July.  I wasn’t able to get many photos myself whilst on driving duties, but here are a few to give a flavour of the occasion.  There have been some superb photographs emerging from the 23rd photo charter that took place, and no doubt readers will have seen these on social media and I don’t doubt they will appear in the printed railway press too – the spectacular backdrop of Blencathra in the sunshine combined with narrow gauge steam locomotives is an irresistible combination!

Below: It was very interesting to compare Glyder with Cegin and reflect upon the very varied destinations that some of the Penrhyn locomotives departed to – in the case of these two, Indiana and Puerto Rico respectively!

Below: Avonside Marchlyn (left) made up the third of the visiting trio at the event.  The photo charter on the Thursday had glorious weather, whilst it became somewhat cooler and damper as the week came to a close.

Below: By acting as a pilot locomotive on the steep gradient, Glyder was able to haul passenger trains with both Cegin and Marchlyn on a number of occasions during the visit – its first-ever passenger turns, and quite possibly its last.  There are no plans to fit it with air braking equipment so this was very much a one-off opportunity to experience some rare haulage!

Below: A number of excellent videos have been published on YouTube, capturing the photo charter day – here are two that are well worth a view…

Armstrong Whitworth Car

Below:  This expanding split rim tool has been used to stretch a tyre for the car.  New tyres are being fitted to the car.  Behind is the shot-blasted and primed Leyland petrol engine block for Crosville 716.

Below:  Ian, one of the Thursday volunteers, noted that the car was missing valve stem nuts on each of the wheels…

Below:  So he made and fitted four new ones – a small detail but one that makes a big difference to the overall quality of the work being carried out.

Below:  The nut in situ around the valve stem.

Photos in this post by Phil Doran and Paul Jarman