Another Week Starts

Dennis cutting & Malcolm drilling plate for the platform at East Tanfield

Sunday Ops & Jobs

Antony & Ben preparing No.2 this morning

Engineers' 1871 Strikes

A short successful strike for a 9 hour working day by engineers in Sunderland in early 1871 led to engineers throughout NE England seeking limitation of normal working rime to 9 hours, 6 days a week.   The idea was not well received by employers, which led to engineers striking for several weeks.   At the time, unions were newly legitimate, and it wasn't long since strikes were usually treated as riots to be dealt with by troops.

European workers were shipped in to break strikes, but were persuaded by strikers
that they & all workers were being abused - they returned with their fare paid

From our Causey Crossing Correspondent

A vehicle approaching Causey Crossing
(photo courtesy of Bob Payne)

Tomorrow's Trains

Tomorrow, Sunday, ex-Keighley Gasworks No.2 will head passenger trains from Andrews House at 10.30 am, & thereafter from East Tanfield at 11.25 am, 12.45 pm, 2.15 pm & 3.35 pm for Sunniside & return.   The last passenger train leaves East Tanfield at 4.55 pm for Andrews House only.

Steve on HL No.2 leaving Andrews House with the last train of last Sunday
(photo courtesy of John Turnock)

A Few Jobs for Friday

Richard fitting a stud to 49's foundation ring

A Delivery & Other Jobs

49's boiler has returned from Newton's - the remnants of its old firebox are being slung

More East Tanfield

Nigel removing a square section drain pipe, fitting elbows .....

Drainage

Cochrane emerging from Marley Hill shed for its steam test

Today's Work

Boiler inspector Graham discussing Cochrane with Ian .....
(Graham Morris Engineering 07734560802)

Another Sunday

Ben, Matthew & Logan cleaning No.2 ready for work
(photo courtesy of Angela Pickering)

Tomorrow's Trains

Tomorrow, Sunday, ex-Keighley Gasworks No.2 will head passenger trains from Andrews House at 10.30 am, & thereafter from East Tanfield at 11.25 am, 12.45 pm, 2.15 pm & 3.35 pm for Sunniside & return.   The last passenger train leaves East Tanfield at 4.55 pm for Andrews House only.

No.2 at Causey in April 2016

Bobgins Environs

In the seventeenth century, around the North East (and other areas of England) there were many small industrial sites using water as a power source - people understood the mechanics of mills driven by wind or water.   Coal was used as a portable power source for heating, smelting & forging, but Newcomen engines (for pumping water) would only be developed in the eighteenth century.   In general 'bobgins' refers to a 'bobbing (or beam) engine', commonly used for pumping water out of mines in NE England - such water-powered engines were also called 'coal mills'.   Bobgins near Causey is the site of one such water driven pumping mill, being scheduled under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 - please read https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1018225 before reading on .....

The photos below were taken two weeks ago.

The site of Bobgins pumping engine at Causey
- the shaft is marked by a post in the ground shown forward & to the right of the sign board 

East Tanfield Shell Complete

Jim & Peter checking Cochrane's boiler plugs

East Tanfield Again

Steve doing a spot of packing .....

East Tanfield Jobs

Steve, Dave & Kyle loading a T-section beam

Monday Mix

Dave starting from bar to make boiler plugs .....

Sunday's Best

David & Logan cleaning HL No.2 this morning

Trains This Weekend

Tomorrow, Saturday, ex-Keighley Gasworks No.2 will head passenger trains from Andrews House at 10.30 am, & thereafter from East Tanfield at 11.25 am, 12.45 pm, 2.15 pm & 3.35 pm for Sunniside & return.   The last passenger train leaves East Tanfield at 4.55 pm for Andrews House only.

Bob coaling No.2 at Andrews House in April 2013

More ET Carriage Shed

At Marley Hill, Brian & Peter plan vacuum pipe runs on Horden

George & Robert Stephenson

There was an interesting programme on Radio 4 this morning with a discussion of the effect of George & Robert Stephenson on the development of railways.   Listen to In Our Time on BBC iPlayer to hear how these experienced & innovative Geordie engineers opened up Britain & the world for people & commerce.

All engineers, particularly those from NE England, should be inspired by George Stephenson & his son Robert Stephenson.

Walls of East Tanfield, etc

Nigel building a small return wall

A Wall at East Tanfield

Ian removing a chair in the way of the back wall of ET carriage shed

Another Day

Dennis drilling Horden's smokebox base patch

Sunday Tour

Jim making a new stop end for Twizell's injector steam valve

TR Volunteers' Visit

Under the station clock before last Thursday's behind the scenes tour of Newcastle Central
(photo courtesy of Tyler)

Tomorrow's Trains

Tomorrow, Sir Cecil A Cochrane will head passenger trains from Andrews House at 10.30 am, & thereafter from East Tanfield at 11.25 am, 12.45 pm, 2.15 pm & 3.35 pm for Sunniside & return.   The last passenger train leaves East Tanfield at 4.55 pm for Andrews House only.

Cochrane at Andrews House in April 2015

49's Smokebox

49's smokebox has been fabricated ......
(photo courtesy of John Eastwood at Newton's)

More Blockwork

Trevor & Rob clearing the strip foundation

More Mortar

George laying blocks in East Tanfield carriage shed

Blockwork

Rob laying mortar for blockwork at ET carriage shed

Easter Sunday

Dan flagging us away from Sunniside