Tidying Up

Vic tidying up the site and collecting firewood

Today's Tasks

Malcolm & Dan cleaning Horden's rods

Twizell's Last Turns of 2013

A few more shots of Twizell in use yesterday and on Boxing Day - it's now out of use pending its ten year boiler exam.

Passing Causey car park on Boxing Day
(photo courtesy of Henry Elliott)

Last Running Day of 2013

 Guy & Rod dedecorating the north North Pole ready for its disassembly

Tomorrow's Trains

Twizell will haul trains from Andrews House for Sunniside, Causey & return at 11 am, 12.30, 2 and 3.30 pm.    There will be no passenger trains beyond Causey due to track relaying on East Tanfield bank.

Twizell approaching Sunniside on Boxing Day
(photo courtesy of Dave Hewitt)

North Pole People

All photos below were taken on North Pole Express days, and are

courtesy of Carl Chambers, except where otherwise noted

A queue to see Santa in his grotto at the North Pole

Winter Warmers

David shunting the empty stock with Twizell
(photo courtesy of Stu Armstrong)

Tomorrow's Trains

Twizell will haul 'Winter Warmers' tomorrow, Boxing Day.   Trains will leave Andrews House for Sunniside, Causey & return at 11 am, 12.30, 2 and 3.30 pm.    There will be no passenger trains beyond Causey due to track relaying on East Tanfield bank.

Twizell at AH on Boxing Day 2012
(photo courtesy of Carl Chambers)

Merry Christmas!

Wishing all our readers and contributors a very merry Christmas

The penultimate Express of 2013 arriving at the North Pole
(photo courtesy of Dave Hewitt)

The man in red is on holiday until next year

North Pole Express Day 10

In today's better weather, an elf waits at the grotto

North Pole Express Day 9

Ian coaling Twizell in the twilight

North Pole Express Day 8

George on Cochrane heading for the first
North Pole Express this morning

North Pole Express Day 7

Ian cleans up!
(photo courtesy of Ian Cowan)

A Request to Photographers

I would appreciate a few photos for publication on the blog, especially over the next week or so, because I will not always be taking shots, and to get some variety.   Please send photos to

All published photos will be scaled down to about 800 x 600, and acknowledged.   I aim to publish on the day the shot is taken, but sometimes assemble a feature post later.

Stop or go?
(photo courtesy of Stu Armstrong)

A Few Jobs

Me steaming Twizell & Cochrane for tomorrow's NPE

Trains until Christmas Eve

The North Pole Express runs on Saturday, Sunday, Monday & Tuesday hauled by Twizell & either Cochrane or HL No.2.   All seats to see Santa are now fully booked.   See the TR web site for more information.

Note that trains start at our main site at  Marley Hill  NE16 5ET - please arrive 20 to 30 minutes before departure, and dress for a winter outdoor event.   Email queries to santa@tanfield-railway.co.uk.

Twizell & the grotto queue just before Christmas 2012
(photo courtesy of Dave Hewitt)

After Christmas, the railway will be operating on 26 & 29 December.

General Jobs

Geoff & Rob tidying up part of the 5 road shed

Wednesday Track team

Replacing more sleepers at Causey
(photo courtesy of Nigel Wheeler)

Boring a Tyre for Horden

Ian boring a tyre for Horden - click photo for video 

Causey Resleepering

Colin, Rob & Dave inserting a sleeper

Gathered at the Goose

The social event of the season ..... 19 Tanfield volunteers at the Goose last night ..... let me introduce you to .....

Colin, Malcolm, Ken, Dave & Geoff

Another Week Starts

Eric & Dave covering Horden's wheels to protect
them following yesterday's removal of tyres

North Pole Express Day 6

Matthew cleaning HL No,2 .....

North Pole Express Day 5

 Peter & Danny preparing Twizell outside Marley Hill shed this mornng

(photos courtesy of Matthew Pickering)

Friday Preparation

 Matthew & mother firing HL No.2 & Twizell ready for tomorrow's North Pole Express

This Weekend's Trains

The North Pole Express runs on Saturday and Sunday, hauled by Twizell & HL No.2.   There are a few seats available on Saturday to see Santa, but these must be pre-booked.   See the TR web site for more information, and please contact us to book places.

Note that trains start at our main site at  Marley Hill  NE16 5ET - please arrive 20 to 30 minutes before departure, and dress for a winter outdoor event.   Email queries to santa@tanfield-railway.co.uk.

Twizell heads the NP Express at Causey
(photo courtesy of Henry Elliott)

Gathering at the Goose

At the instigation of the Tuesday & Wednesday workers, there will be a meeting at 7.30 pm next Monday 16 December in the Goose on Percy Street, Newcastle (near Haymarket & Eldon Square).

There may be special appearances of our star of the screen, Bob, works convenor Geoff, ace banksman Nigel, Scots Bill, local lad Ken, captain Steve, Plymouth Dave, Tyne Tess Dave, and more ..... all TR volunteers are invited.

General Work Today

Geoff on jacks

More Sleepers at Causey

 Two work sites today, either side of the northern foot crossing at Causey

Tuesday Trackwork

Unloading sleepers at Causey this morning

Monday around Marley Hill

Vic shovelling ash into the boxes of the point
under the footbridge at Andrews House

North Pole Express Day 4

Twizell & Cochrane head out for their day's work
(photo courtesy Jon-Paul Harris)

North Pole Express Day 3

All photos below courtesy of Matthew Pickering:

Passengers board the Express at the north North Pole

Friday Work

Brian & Malcolm doing final fitting .....

This Weekend's Trains

The North Pole Express runs on Saturday and Sunday, hauled by Twizell & Cochrane.   There are seats available on the 4 o'clock Express to see Santa, but these must be pre-booked.   See the TR web site for more information, and please contact us to book places.

Note that trains start at our main site at  Marley Hill  NE16 5ET - please arrive 20 to 30 minutes before departure, and dress for a winter outdoor event.   Email queries to santa@tanfield-railway.co.uk.

The North Pole Express passing Causey Bankwell House
last Saturday (photo courtesy of Ken Snowdon)

North Pole Express Replay

There are seats available on the 4 o'clock North Pole Express to see Santa this Saturday & Sunday, but these must be pre-booked.   See the TR web site for more information, and please contact us to book places.

Some photos from last Saturday kindly submitted by  Carl Chambers (CC),  Henry Elliott (HE)  &  Ken Snowdon (KS):

At Causey, Twizell restarts for the North Pole (KS)

Mainly Trackwork

Brian working on the Planet's Dorman engine

Mainly Sleepers

More spot resleepering at Andrews House:

Steve, Colin & Dave remove a
batch of defective sleepers .....

Monday Work

Jim changing milling heads while working on Horden parts, and Richard welding

parts of the press to remove Horden's crank pins

Track Talk Tomorrow

Trevor Horner will give a talk on the Weardale Railway to the Permanent Way Institution at 6.30 pm on Tuesday 3 December at the Railway Athletic Club, Brinkburn Road, Darlington DL3 9LF, and all are welcome.

North Pole Express Day 2

Steve lighting up HL No.2.   Twizell heads the first empty stock train (photo Jack Sherriff)