Samson progress - beginning of November 2013...

Samson progress – beginning of November 2013…

Project ‘Samson’ is continuing to make great progress on a number of fronts, as this brief update shows… Below: David has completed the patters for…

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RHEC Restoration, Replicas and Repairs...

RHEC Restoration, Replicas and Repairs…

The RHEC (pronounced ‘Wreck’) team has been busy on both repairs and restorations lately – here is a glimpse of some of those which take…

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Samson - Mid October update...

Samson – Mid October update…

Amongst the plethora of workshop projects and repairs, Samson forges ahead, largely through volunteer input but also with some assistance from the team in the…

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General T&I News Update...

General T&I News Update…

There are a variety of things to report this week, presenting an eclectic mix of news! Below: The Green Watch from Handenhold Fire Station, our…

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Samson - October update...

Samson – October update…

The construction of Samson is making good progress on various fronts as this selection of pictures shows: Below: The cylinder block is seen here, set…

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*Updated* Samson - Machining of reverser and pump stand completed...

*Updated* Samson – Machining of reverser and pump stand completed…

The current focus of work on Samson is centred around the cylinder block (seen in earlier posts) and the reverser/pump stand.  Here we look at…

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Samson build - latest news...

Samson build – latest news…

Work on Samson has continued at its usual impressive pace, largely through Dave’s strenuous efforts to drive the project forwards! Below: With the machine shop…

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Transport & Industry news update - 12th September 2013...

Transport & Industry news update – 12th September 2013…

After a few quiet days on the blog, here is some news from the T&I side at Beamish… Below: Gateshead 10 has been carefully nursed…

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A boring day for Samson...

A boring day for Samson…

Dave Young has spent another day in a private workshop boring Samson’s cylinder block.  The method of ‘boring’ is often referred to in the railway…

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General news from the RHEC team...

General news from the RHEC team…

As well as the recent event, there has been a certain amount of progress on other fronts, not least Samson and the Bread Van.  The…

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Transport & Industry news update...

Transport & Industry news update…

Here are some transport related snippets from around the site… Below: Michael is making great progress on wiring the machine shop.  Much remains to be…

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News from the RHEC...

News from the RHEC…

Progress continues on numerous projects, as well as the day-to-day work on the transport and industry exhibits across the Museum – summer is always the…

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Out and about with Beamish Transport & Industry...

Out and about with Beamish Transport & Industry…

Lots happening so here is an overview, in pictures of some of today’s activities… Below: Edward Sholto, which is on loan to us, failed last…

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Samson's main frame assembly completed...

Samson’s main frame assembly completed…

This week sees the completion of the main construction/assembly phase of Samson’s frames.  Here is the latest on progress: Below: Chris is seen welding up…

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Samson - Cylinder block machining commences...

Samson – Cylinder block machining commences…

With work on Samson progressing on a number of fronts, Dave made a start on machining the cylinder block today. Below: Setting up can be…

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RHEC News - the 1950s caravan progresses...

RHEC News – the 1950s caravan progresses…

The project to restore (or heavily ‘tart up’!) the Harry Vickers built 1950s caravan that we purchased earlier in the year is in its closing…

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Samson exists - officially - frames are permanently assembled...

Samson exists – officially – frames are permanently assembled…

A steam locomotive’s identity is always allocated to its frames – all other components can be swapped, changed or replaced, but its identity and traceability…

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Beamish Cranes in the wet... and the dry...

Beamish Cranes in the wet… and the dry…

Today has been a filthy wet day, with the site certainly looking lush this evening, if not particularly appealing!  In the workshops Brian and Tom…

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Samson's valve chest construction...

Samson’s valve chest construction…

The construction of Samson’s cylinder block and valve chest owes quite a lot to experience from work on No.18 and also the book ‘Traction Engines…

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Samson takes shape...

Samson takes shape…

David and Chris have been busy progressing Samson’s construction, with the water tanks welded and bolted into place between the frames. The boiler barrel has…

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Another day in the Genesis of Samson...

Another day in the Genesis of Samson…

Ok, so the title may be slightly mixing biblical history, but it neatly describes the current rapid progress in the construction of Samson’s frames.  Once…

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Samson update... and the A4s...

Samson update… and the A4s…

Here are a few photos that might be of interest.  Firstly, Samson, sporting its frame extensions and now with pretty much most of the metal…

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Samson frame erection progressing well...

Samson frame erection progressing well…

Progress on erecting and drilling Samson’s frame components is well underway, with Dave making full use of the mag-drill to enable the trial assembly by…

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Samson - March progress and the brake gear is coming together...

Samson – March progress and the brake gear is coming together…

Whilst the current focus for the team is on preparing for the season opening next week, completing the RHEC, working on a number of capital projects…

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Samson - first components manufactured...

Samson – first components manufactured…

It is always a pleasant experience when Dave Young wanders into the office looking tired and announcing he has something to show me! It means that he…

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