Norman has started needle gunning and priming the association's tank wagon, which is currently still in 'Leeds Brewery' livery from its time at the Middleton Railway ..read more

Following on from the previous update, George has continued his work on the steam brake piston and cylinder cover. A completed sketch with measurements has been produced to indicate any ovality and taper with the brake piston shaft as well as the bush for the cylinder cover. As a result, George will be completing work to ensure that the bush and piston shaft correctly fit one another to ensure that the seal between the two is steam tight before being put back on the engine. George's sketch showing measurements taken at different points of both the cylinder cover, bush and piston shaft. A ..read more

Steaming up on the coal road. The first outing of the new 'Birthday Special' headboard, which has been painted by volunteer Michael D. Whilst firemen usually provide 'secondary air' through the firehole doors to aid the combustion of volatile gasses given off by burning coal, here Aaran keeps the doors firmly shut to protect the firebox tubeplate from cold air in the absence of the brick arch, which collapsed last week. The result is some thick black smoke! A replacement brick arch is to be fitted this week. Fireman Aaron driving and Cleaner Callum firing under the tuition of Tracti ..read more

Stalwart volunteer Davy has been busy today painting the underframe of the Conflat chassis... The next stage of the wagon's restoration will involve new decking being installed ..read more

Michael W drilling planks to be fitted to the north end of the Lambton Van... ...which is carried out by James ..read more

Trainee Guard Oliver flagging away the train from Middle Engine Lane... ...and Percy Main... ...and waving 08915 onto the stock in preparation for the second train of the day. Ready for departure at Percy Main. Shunting at the end of the day to swap over the CL and SLO carriages. The CL (composite lavatory) stabled in Middle Engine Lane platform. Second Man Matt shunting the brake carriage back into the loop to collect the SLO (Third Lavatory Open)... ...which will then be propelled onto the south end of the CL in the platform ..read more

Some photos of 03078 and 08915 working trains together today after 401 failed with a collapsed brick arch... Ready to leave Percy Main with a double header back to Middle Engine Lane... Another double header later on, this time with 03078 leading ..read more

This week George has been completing some maintenance work on the steam brake piston. Due to it being cleaned a couple of weeks ago, any signs of damage or wear can be properly inspected. Plans are being put in place to complete work on the piston, piston cover and steam brake cylinder to ensure that it is fully operational when it is put back together. George flogging a 1 1/8" whitworth spanner trying to remove the piston head from the shaft, which proved unsuccessful. The piston now put in the lathe to enable removal of the seized piston rings. The use of a brass drift allowed for t ..read more

Michael D has been busy this afternoon clearing vegetation from the Coast Road bank in order to open the area up for the photographic evening later on today ..read more

David, the railway's Engineering and Operations Manager, delivering a tool box talk to some of our younger volunteers on the topic of safe angle grinder use ..read more