Thursday

Jim milling a crosshead slipper for Stanley

Wednesday

The new signalbox podium being carried across the slimy yard .....
(photo courtesy of Geoff Lowe)

Tuesday

Dave removing a worn brake block from AW No.2

Monday

The photos below are courtesy of Peter Weightman:

Eric fitting split pins on 38.

Sunday

Mick generally cleaning a crosshead from Stanley before .....

Thursday

Colin preparing to cut a slot in a piece of oak for the chaldron waggon .....
(photo courtesy og Geoff Lowe)

Wednesday

Colin working on the crossing cabin windows
(photo courtesy of Geoff Lowe)

Tuesday

Ian & Richard refitting 49's LH eccentrics

Monday

The photos below are courtesy of Peter Weightman:

Jim machining part of an eccentric key for 49

Sunday

Richard milling a new cotter for 49's eccentric

Thursday

Mick checking a micrometer

Wednesday

Richard cleaning & checking 49's LH eccentrics

Tuesday Removals

Ian & Ian moving the new signal post to a waggon

Monday

The photos below are courtesy of Peter Weightman:

Eric repairing an eccentric strap bolt from 49

Sunday

Andy checking a head from a Henry ......

Thursday

Mick adjusting carriage door hinges for 456

Wednesday, with M2 Moving More

Martin ready with sand as Ian shunts a Kearsley electric loco

Shunting

Richard shunting locos around for better access during forthcoming maintenance

Snowy Sunday

The photos below are courtesy of Peter Weightman:

Marley Hill shed with a light covering of snow

Bowes & Coals to Windsor

The plaque below led me to look at the Bowes family tree, which I found to be very large with many branches;  I've picked a chain to link the Royal Family to Durham coal, based on details in geni.com

By convention the first-born male took the forename of his father.   If that son died before another was born, the new son also would be named after the father.   Because of repetition of names I've appended dates to differentiate.   Note that the first legitimate male heir would inherit titles, estates, etc, from his father.   Daughters, wives & widows could still be powerful & influential beyond bearing many children.

Sir William Bowes 1656-1707 of Gibside  &  Streatlam Castle  married Elizabeth Bowes 1651-1736.

Plaque commemorating Dame Elizabeth Bowes, John Bowes’ great-great grandmother,
"a pickaxe-wielding firebrand who fought to build the family’s fortune in coal".
She's interred in the chapel of St Mary the Less, on the opposite side of' South Bailey, Durham.
In the family tree, you could start with Dame Elizabeth .....

Thursday + frost precautions

The photos below are courtesy of Peter Weightman:

Dave removing the pressure gauge from Horden to protect from freezing.

Whistle Up an Audience

The photos below are courtesy of Barry Duncan:

A crowd gathering in front of Marley Hill shed for the noon whistles

New Years Day 2025 - Whistle Up

Visitors crowd Marley Hill shed front following this morning's
BBC Breakfast piece on 2025's Whistle Up 
(photo courtesy of Will Ireland)