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Monday 30 April 2018

Another Week Starts

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

Sunday 29 April 2018

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

Saturday 28 April 2018

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)

Thursday 26 April 2018

A Delivery & Other Jobs

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

Wednesday 25 April 2018

More East Tanfield

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

Tuesday 24 April 2018

Monday 23 April 2018

Today's Work

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

Sunday 22 April 2018

Another Sunday

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

Saturday 21 April 2018

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

Friday 20 April 2018

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 

Tuesday 17 April 2018

Monday 16 April 2018

Sunday 15 April 2018

Friday 13 April 2018

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

Thursday 12 April 2018

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.

Tuesday 10 April 2018

A Wall at East Tanfield

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

Monday 9 April 2018

Sunday 8 April 2018

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)

Saturday 7 April 2018

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

Friday 6 April 2018

49's Smokebox

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

Thursday 5 April 2018

Wednesday 4 April 2018

Tuesday 3 April 2018