Trackwork

We plan to replace some bullhead sections of the mainline currently on wooden sleepers with bullhead on concrete sleepers (CS1s).   This will ease maintenance in areas where it is difficult to replace individual sleepers, interface well with adjacent sections, utilise materials from stock, maintain the axle loading, and give a better 'heritage' appearance than modern heavy flat bottom rail on F27 (or similar) sleepers.

Ian bringing in temporary 30' lengths of 90lb bullhead rail

The Working Week Continues

On East Tanfield curve, Ken and Bill fix replacement
sleepers while Vic tidies the side of the formation

Another Week Begins

In the workshop: Alec, Dave, hi-vis Walter, Jim and Ian discuss work for the day, then get down to this.

Happy Birthday Malcolm

Pink feather boa on No.6

David and Steve pose with their pink feather boas,
as part of the Guiness book of Records attempt
on The World Wide Scavenger Hunt

North Pole Express Day 2

Neville is signalman today
(photo courtesy of Carl Chambers)

North Pole Express Day 1

Robson cleaning Twizell

North Pole Express Preparations

New helper Donna is seen posing on Saturday's locomotive,
Twizell, which will be hauling trains to the North Pole

The North Pole Awaits

Tomorrow sees the start of 5 weekends of North Pole Expresses.   Trains on Saturday 26 Nov will be hauled by Twizell, first train at 11.20 and last at 2pm from East Tanfield, heading for the North Pole where Santa will greet everyone in his grotto.   (There are additonal set up and set down trains outside of these times, and No.6 will be on standby.)   All trains in December are fully booked - there are a few seats available on 26 & 27 Nov.

Colin and Matthew with xmas tree at the North Pole
(photo courtesy David W)

Various

Rubbish in, rubbish out, in preparation for catering disposal
and firing the North Pole Expresses which start this weekend

Further Engineering

Geoff and Bill replacing more sleepers ....

More Engineering

Twizell being steamed in order to check motion repairs

Engineering

I'm hoping that by now readers will know the sequence for resleepering track, so if anyone wants to test their knowledge practically, they would be most welcome to join in ....

The ballast in areas of Andrews House station west platform road was dug out yesterday thanks to the youth team, but everything was left intact because the line was in use (with the usual 5 mph limit).

Remove chairs and old sleepers .....
(the team are Mark, Phil, Malcolm, Malcolm and me)

Loco Work

Peter as a contortionist attending to
Twizell's intermediate valve rod cotter pins

Today's Trains

Renishaw Ironworks No.6 will be the loco for trains at 11, 12.30, 2 and 3.30 from Andrews House station.

Ian starting the FTR (fitness to run) examination .....

Information

1.  TR Co shareholders - there is an open meeting with the board on Sunday at 9.30 am in the bait room.

2.  This blog does not enable comments to be made against posts.  To write about the railway, try Facebook (eg http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tanfield-Railway/108957235311) or the likes of Trip Advisor (http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowUserReviews-g190793-d1487934-r120451939-Tanfield_Railway-Gateshead_Tyne_and_Wear_England.html)

3.  This Sunday No.6 will be hauling the last normal services of 2011 at 11, 12.30, 2 and 3.30 from Andrews House.   The North Pole Express starts next weekend.

Various Items

Turning a side thrust face on one of Norwood's axles
(photo courtesy of Ian)

32 has Moved

32 (AB 1659 of 1920) at East Tanfield colliery site,
where it worked in NCB days.

Continuation Work

Malcolm, Geoff and Bill packing yesterday's work .....

On Track Again

The Tuesday track gang have moved south to the end of Andrews House platforms, to take on replacement of the first section of timberwork of the point.

Crossing timbers under the nose section have to be moved
by hand, because the crane cannot lift under the footbridge.

Monday's Work

John working on valves to comply with water regs

Conservation

Some conservation work has been undertaken on locos in longer term storage.

James oiling the front tubeplate of Stagshaw

Today's Train

Cochrane will be hauling trains from Andrews House at 11, 12.30, 2 and 3.30.

The signalman making routine checks at the start of the day

Maintenance Work

Vic has been reorganising the stocking ground
behind Marley Hill station

Everyday Events

20 tonnes of Daw Mill's best should power us much
of the way through the North Pole Expresses

Today at Andrews House

Andrews House north point nearing completion .....

Bill fastening down the last few chairs

Other Stuff

Bait room discussions

The Tuesday Track Team

Other Monday Items

As usual, the volunteer machinists were in today.

Alec on the small lathe

Track Work (cont)

Work continues on the second stage of retimbering the north point at Andrews House.

Lifting out the closure rails

Public Rating for TR

Watch Trip Advisor about attractions in Gateshead to see where Tanfield lies compared with the Sage, Metro Centre, etc.   This may be a comment on what there is to do in Gateshead (compared with Newcastle), rather than how good people find TR, but at least it shows public recognition.   We seem to be important for locals and visitors to Gateshead, but need to develop and enhance our good points - we are mainly up against seven day a week attractions.

Under the Footplate

Bobby welding the boss on No.6's new balance pipe ....

Today's Trains

Cochrane will be hauling trains at 11, 12.30, 2 and 3.30 from Andrews House.

Steve and Sarah preparing Cochrane

Track Work at AH

Work continues in the rain to get the point at
Andrews House ready for Easter

Some of Today's Work

Chris cutting screw threads for an HSI project

Track Maintenance

The north point at Andrews House is being resleepered and retimbered.

Removing rails from the old crossing timbers

Twizell Returns

Twizell has returned from its visit to NRM Shildon

A Fine Day

Vic levelling the site for North Pole Express temporary
reception containers next to ET station foundations