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Archived News
Santa Specials 23/11/07
Santa Specials kicked off last weekend with Monckton, 140, visiting
Pannier No.1369 and 31 119 taking charge of the trains. The Pannier and 140 were paired during
the day owing to 140's difficulties in starting from Bolton Abbey on the wet rails.
A bus link between Ilkley and Bolton Abbey stations is in place for all Sundays in December when the Santa Specials are running.
Details of teh service, operated by Keighley Bus Museum can be found under Santa Specials.
On the steam loco front, work continues on Beatrice, Annie as well as
Revenge and Warspite. Beatrice sees work carried out re-attaching linkages and
preparing to connect up the boiler, as well as additional painting work. The pistons have had the require machining carried
out and should be back in the cylinders shortly. Annie is having the new smokebox front made, and John Jnr. and John Snr.
are working away on Revenge's firebox and a front tubeplate for Warspite. 140 is now running as an 0-6-0T following attention
to rod brasses.
On the diesel front, my apologies must go to Chris for not mentioning his efforts in helping re-fit the rods to
No.36... you've been mentioned now! Work has continued with the engine rebuild of No.36 and progress
is rapid when not tackling work on the Class 14... which has now been started up for the first time
in quite a while! All available hands saw a good deal of clag and the sound of the 14's engine running again! Well done to
all those involved!
Dates are yet to be confirmed, but plans are shaping up for an early Summer Diesel Gala for 2008, hopefully featuring the
Class 14 as well as other things...
The S&T department continue to work on Embsay's bracket signal, Bolton Abbey's new
groundframe (which only really need painting and reassembly) and preparing Sleights Sidings East signalbox for moving to
Bolton Abbey immminently. The bracket signal has now had the first pieces of drive rods made, the main arm castings machined
and will be able to be dismantled shortly for painting. On the theme of bracket signals, we are going to have to replace the
landing of Stoneacre's bracket soon. The new groundframe for Bolton Abbey is being painted at the moment and legs are being
made to support it. The trip down to prepare Sleight Sidings East signalbox (SSE) saw all conduit removed, woodwork assessed
and partial dismantling in preparation for the lifting. Oh, and a team photo with TEA involved!
A team have now started to explore the possibility of overhauling the steamcrane, with work being
carried out to assess what is required. Whether or not this can proceed will depend upon the results and the cost of the
works required.
Visiting Locomotive 1/11/07
It has just been confirmed that ex-Weymouth Docks GWR Pannier tank number 1369 will be visiting from the South Devon Railway
and will arrive on Friday 16th November. Although it is a small engine, and has a weight limit, it will take part in the
Santa's Specials in November and December, double heading with another loco. The picture is
copyright (c) South Devon Railway - many thanks for their co-operation!
Updates 30/10/07
140 has passed her annual boiler inspection, and has been re-united with her rods following attention
to correct a hot axlebox. She has now completed a test run with no ill effects, and should be out this weekend in full
traffic. Beatrice has had the boiler craned back into the frames, and is now back in the shed for
everything to be connected up. Warspite is having a new front tube-plate made by its owners - the boiler
will be that belonging to Harry, which they also own. Work also continues on the inner firebox for
Revenge which is receiving attention at the moment.
On the diesel front, D.1524 (47 004) is being worked on to re-commission the steam heat boiler which is due to be lifted out
shortly. 31 119 continues to be the back up loco. M.D.H.B. No.36 is progressing well with Les and Danny
having replaced the rods following cleaning up, straightening and checking. Work on the engine continues with progress being
made on the rebuild - components are now going back together (and they're shiny)!
On the carriage fleet, work continues on YDR No.4 - a CK which is undergoing a very comprehensive rebuild as well as preparing
the carriages for the Santa Specials later in November.
S&T have completed Skibden's replacement groundframe, designed and made the interlocking for Bolon Abbey's groundframe,
tidied up at Embsay and continued with the bracket signal. On top of this time has been spent tidying up wire runs, carrying
out maintenance and planning the movement of Sleights Sidings East signalbox to Bolton Abbey as a demonstration box. And
drinking tea.
More work has been carried out in the new shed with additional concrete now in place and machines being cleaned up and
prepared to go into the machine shop. Work benches and so forth are being painted up (and repaired) so that everything
will be spot on!
A backlog of pictures will hopefully make it onto the website in the coming weeks with both recent and historic views being
at the moment!
140 goes GWR 02/10/07
140 has had its rear section of rods removed to try and determine the cause of its overheating rear
axleboxes. This has eased things somewhat, but led to it running as an 0-4-2T. Unfortunately the 'Bouncy Castle' nameplates
were not available on this occasion,and so it was renumbered by its owner!
140 will hopefully see work carried out in a couple of weeks to return its rods and finally determine the cause of the
overheating. Meanwhile, Beatrice is set for its boiler to be returned to the frames in two weeks' time
- the chassis was rolled along in the shed this weekend for the first time with everything attached. Work continues on both
Revenge and Warspite with boilerwork being the focus now.
Further shed work: Machine Shop 02/10/07
The machine shop floor has now been painted, the mesh and sheet sides installed and painted (as well as being modified to
suit) and benches are being refurbished to go inside. We even have our very own colour of blue - kindly modelled by chief
'smurf' Dave! The block retaining wall is very nearly complete, and dry stone walling can be started as soon as Russ is
ready.
S&T News: Working hard, (&) Drinking Tea 02/10/07
S&T have acquired another project -we've got our hands on another signalbox! This is the former Sleights Sidings East
signalbox which will move to Bolton Abbey station where it will be fitted out as a demonstration signalbox for visitors to
use. It is in excellent condition, and will be moving shortly! It is the same type as the original 'box, although slighty
shorter, and at present does not have a frame. We will therefore be on the lookout for a 16 lever Midland Tumbler frame to
install.
Not content with a new project we have continued with the bracket signal, having completed the landing's metalwork as can be
seen in the photos. Now we need to machine two castings and fabricate the drive rods before we can paint the structure.
Rob, Steve and Matt have been making excellent progress with one of the ex-Houghton groundframes for Bolton Abbey, which even
includes a signalman! The remnants from the other of the two frames wil be put in stock for future projects.
Other 02/10/07
Stephen Middleton's GER Saloon, No.8, which is currently grounded at Bolton Abbey, has been cleaned up and varnished on one
side so far. This is the first of his coaches whose panels have been able to be re-used, and so will be outshopped in varnished
teak livery.
D&P are working on the crawler crane, with sheet in stock to form new body panels. This will take place once the crane is back in running order.
Bus Link to Bolton Priory
A bus link between Bolton Abbey station and Bolton Priory is being operated using heritage buses on Summer Sundays in August
and September when there are no special events. The service is being operated by Keighley Bus Museum, using an open-topped
double-decker, subject to availability and weather conditions(!). Buses run every 45 minutes between 11:00 and 16:15 from
Bolton Abbey station, connecting with the trains, and every 45 minutes from Bolton Abbey village car park between 11:15
and 16:30. Tickets can be bought on the bus or at the ticket offices and are priced £1 for and adult return and 50p for a
child return. There are no Passes or Senior Concessions. Further details are available here.
To check whether the bus service is operating, click on the date you require on the Timetable.
New Bus Service
A new regular bus service has recently been launched providing new Sunday links to Embsay Station from both Ilkley and
Skipton Railway Stations. The Cravenlink link runs every Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday until at least 11th November 2007 –
for timetable details see www.dalesbus.org/cravenlink. A family day return
ticket on the Cravenlink bus costs just £5, allowing unlimited travel on the route throughout the day.
Details of the bus services can be found on the location page. Many thanks to Paul Chattwood for all the bus information!
Shed floor! 31/08/07
The shed floor has been laid for the machine shop / mezzanine floor, and the mezzanine floor has been installed. Current work
is centred on painting the floor and preparing to set up the machine shop with the existing machines which have been in
storage whilst all the shed work has been carried out. The forktruck access ramp is now just awaiting concrete, and work has
been restarted on the retaining wall in the top yard.
The MR Goods Shed from Embsay has all been taken to Bolton Abbey, barring the last two roof trusses which are awaiting a
wagon for their transport. The goods shed, being identical to Bolton Abbey's original, will be rebuilt in the original
location, and once complete will become something else to see for visitors.
Monckton and 140 worked through the Day out with Thomas event with no problems -
140's trailing axleboxes now seem to be bedding in after several attempts. A video clip of 140 working through its first
tunnel with a passenger train (whilst visiting the East Lancs) is now available. This was taken whilst the engine wasn't
working particularly hard... (1.22MB - .wmv file)
31 119 and D.1524 also hauled trains during the event, and despite the 31 sulking with flat batteries on Monday, they both
performed well.
Beatrice is almost ready for the boiler to be lowered back into the frames having had several minor
bits of work carried out on the boiler, as well as a test boil. The pistons should now be making hteir way back to the
engine having been machined up and had new rings made.
MORE photos
Pete Burke's collection of photos from his youth of various industrial locations has now begun to be scanned and put on the
website. The photos can be found here, and lots more will follow soon!
Terrier or not Terrier? 31/07/07
Terrier 'Knowle' No.32678, which was supposed to be visiting during August / September is in doubt following its recent
boilerwork. It will certainly be delayed in making an appearance, but may not be able to visit at all, depending on how long
the additional repairs take. Further information will be posted when it is available. Consequently, plans for the Harvest of
Steam have been put on hold until we know what is likely to be available, bu thte event is still going to go ahead.
Recent happenings 31/07/07
East Lancashire Railway-based Jinty No.47324 has visited and left in an exchange deal which saw 140
visit for their anniversary specials. Some video footage of 140 in action will be posted shortly.
Work continues on the shed, with the floor for the machine shop and the foundations for the mezzanine floor being underway. By
Friday night about two-thirds of the floor should have been poured, and the mezzanine floor will be delivered shortly. The
four roller shutter doors have now been installed, as have the emergency escape doors.
D&P have been working on M.D.H.B. No.36 once more with the engine being dismantled for overhaul and
lots of components being cleaned up ready for re-assembly. Some work has been carried out on the Class 14 (N.C.B.
No.38) to replace various sections of pipework which leaked when previous attempts to fire it up were
made. Subject to the completion of No.36, the next project looks like being the Fowler from
Selby, which was recently fired up and moved within the siding.
Stephen Middleton has been working on his LNWR Directors' Saloon recently. The roof has been recanvassed, the new glass fitted
(just awaiting the glazing beads) and the bodywork has received some paint. He has been assissted by a number of people, and
the coach is now making really good progress - almost unrecognisable from the wreck that arrived a couple of years ago!
Unfortunately we have suffered several more mindless graffitti attacks and so projects have been put on hold to clear up the
damage caused.
S&T have continued to work on Skibeden's groundframe as well as the replacement
bracket signal for Embsay, and the recent arrival of two ex-Network Rail groundframes should help Bolton Abbey's groundframe
project to speed up.
140 suffered a hot box on the rear axle which required lifting, new oil pads fitting and attention to
the brass, but was able to attend the East Lancashire Railway's event with seemingly no ill effects.
Monckton was successfully outshopped in apple green livery - Hunslet's original colour scheme, and has
drawn many favourable comments. Several slides of it at work in NCB days have come to light from Pete Burke's collection, and
will be posted here in the coming weeks.
FREE to a good home 15/06/07
This generator set, pictured below, is offered free to a good home. It has been on the Railway for a good length of time,
but has no place here. It was acquired in seized condition, and nothing has changed! I do have further photographs available
if you are interested - please get in touch!
webmaster AT embsayboltonabbeyrailway.org.uk
Shed cladding latest 15/06/07
The contractors have now almost finished the shed cladding, and the next task will be the installation of the doors. Various
views are included below, including the last one showing the difference in size between the old goods shed (the concrete
flooring) and the new shed. For further photographs of the project, see our shed page.
Beatrice, Revenge and Monckton
Progress on Beatrice continues, although it is proving frustrating at times. John is currently trying to
make the water gauge fittings seal. Work on Revenge has seen the inner firebox separated from the
boiler, and the exact nature of the repairs can now be ascertained.
Monckton's new paint job continues in the shed along with other bits and pieces of minor work. She will
carry the initial livery she was outshopped in when built new, but still retinaing the gas producer chimney which was fitted
later in life. A photograph of Monckton when two years old has recently come from Joh Furness' collection, and gives some
impression of the livery with close study.
Shed cladding latest 18/05/07
The contractors have now made a great start to the shed with all the purlins fitted and cladding well under way.
More recent photos of the cladding (17/05/07)
Ivor success 18/05/07
The All Aboard with Ivor the Engine event that we held over May Day Bank Holiday weekend proved to be a success, and we are
looking at ways of developing this event further next year... Ivor ran properly for the first time since overhaul, allowing
minor problems to be ironed out over the weekend, and even hauled its first train at the end of the weekend, piloting the last
train back from Stoneacre.
Skipton Feasibility 18/05/07
A feasibility study has been commissioned covering the reinstatement of Embsay Junction and operating services down into
Skipton's disused platforms 5 and 6. Meetings with Northern Rail (who run Skipton Station) are to take place shortly. The
study is being supported by a number of parties and hte results are eagerly awaited on all sides.
Other news from about the Railway 18/05/07
Work continues on Beatrice with the boiler having been 'boiled' and ready for steam testing.
Revenge is having the inner firebox removed and being made ready to be sent away for use as the
pattern for a replacement innner firebox to be made. 140 is back in traffic and performing well, allowing
Monckton to be withdrawn for a repaint, replacement brake blocks and the refitting of its steam
generator, although this will not be plumbed in just yet. Annie's boiler will not be going away just yet,
but the firebox work has been completed.
Negotiations are underway for the visit of the East Lancs. based Jinty in exchange for 140 visiting them for their celebrations.
Terrier KNOWLE is still set to visit us and take part in the Harvest of Steam.
S&T have continued to work on the bracket signal for Embsay and the new groundframe for Skibeden with both projects
nearing completion. Sadly graffiti attacks on the carriages have taken up quite a lot of C&W's time recently. Stupidly,
the sentences for the offenders are substantially less than the effort required to put their mindless damage to rights.
Visiting Locomotives 10/04/07
Jessie from the Llangollen Railway is currently visiting the Railway, and has already taken part in the Day Out with Thomas
event over Easter. It will remain on the line until the beginning of June.
Ivor the Engine will be visiting in early May, over the Bank Holiday weekend, in the first 'All Aboard with Ivor the Engine'
event. Further details.
A TERRIER IN NORTH YORKSHIRE? - Yes!!
The latter part of the Stately Trains season (August - September) will see the 6-wheelers hauled by visiting Terrier 'Knowle',
running as BR No. 32678 (subject to availability). This will be the first time a Terrier has
worked so far North for more than a one off event, and should be well worth a visit. It will also feature in the
Harvest of Steam in October before leaving.
Other loco matters
Beatrice has taken a further step towards a return to steam with the return of the completed boiler after
the fitting of a new firebox. The new ashpan has been attached and progress should now be more visible! 140
has had the boiler work and mechanical work completed allowing it to re-enter traffic in time for Easter. Monckton
should be able to be wothdrawn for the various jobs to be carried out, as well as a full repaint which has been long-promised!
Having said that, the temporary job carried out several years ago has lasted very well indeed!
31 119 ran during the Diesel Gala in its new Railfreight redstripe livery, looking incredibly smart. D.1524 (47 004) featured
on the Sunday after suffering problems the day before which were corrected.
P-Way
Permanent Way continue to carry out work on the siding at Bolton Abbey which will become the third platform road. In between
this they have relaid another stretch of the main line at Embsay, carried out spot re-sleepering in the carriage sidings as
well as close to Skibeden.
S&T
Signal and Telegraph have been building up a replacement groundframe for Skibeden, along with continuing works on the bracket
signal for Embsay, utilising levers from stock and recently acquired castings. This will operate the points allowing access
into Skibeden Siding using a Midland Railway economic lock. This in turn has freed up the levers from the old groundframe for
use at Bolton Abbey... Photographs are available here
SHED
Cladding works have now started with the roof purlins being fitted in preparation for the actual cladding. Progress should
now be very fast indeed. The wooden Goods shed is en route to Bolton Abbey where it will be re-erected and eventually equipped
as a goods shed once more where it can fulfill several purposes including that of a small museum. Dave Anderson is tackling
the next section of the retaining wall with foundations continuing to be dug out in anticipation of pouring concrete.
Stately Trains
The work continues on the LNWR Directors' Saloon with the bodywork now complete and being painted. Glazing is in hand and a
new roof canvas will be the next major step prior to the interior being tackled further. The 6-wheelers are undergoing a heavy
program of maintenence over the Winter months with axlebox inspections and new seals being made. Several panels on GER No.37
have been replaced and are now waiting to be repainted. Pete Burke's brakevan is to see further efforts to replace one of
the corner posts and several sections of life-expired cladding. Hopefully some progress will be reported as to the LNWR
horseboxes shortly...
Diesel Weekend 16/03/07
The full timetable for the Diesel Weekend which takes place over the 24th and 25th March 2007 can now be found on the website.
REMEMBER THE CLOCKS CHANGE!!
31 119 will be appearing in a new livery AT THE EVENT (NOT BEFORE), 47 004 will take part, as
will 20 189 following repairs. 08 773 and D.2203 will be on shuttles and Saturday evening see the BEEREX running once more.
FURTHER DETAILS
S&T
Excellent progress has been made on the bracket signal with all the holes drilled (by hand!) for the main bolts which will
hold it all together. When it has been fully constructed it will be dismantled for painting before reassembly and
commissioning.
YDR News
The new-look magazine has been published and is available on-line as a pdf file. The YDR News website will shortly be
undergoing a bit of a re-launch to reflect the new magazine. YDR NEWS
Locos
Monckton is still performing well. A repaint is on the cards later this year as the 'temporary' paint
job carried out when it was first outshopped is past its best. 140 is close to completion after a
considerable amount of work has been carried out, including copper welding. 69 is due a repaint this
Summer by Tom and others, although this is only to be a cosmetic improvement. Work continues on Annie's
boiler which will go away for specialist work later on in the year. Beatrice's boiler was due to be
delivered back to the Railway yesterday, hydraulicaly tested and ready for steam testing. Beatrice should be running in
during the latter part of 2007!
Photos of work 19/02/07
The photos below show comparative views from the footbridge at Embsay over the years, starting in 1959 and ending in 2007.
A HUGE thankyou to all those who have helped in the first stage of this project to dismantle the goods shed - we couldn't
have done it without you. Roll on the next step!
S&T have been working away on the replacement Midland Railway bracket signal - see their
Current Projects for further pictures and information.
Stephen Middleton has continued his work towards complete the LNWR Directors' Saloon. The second side now has all its beading,
the doors are operational once more and some windows have already been changed. The next major job will be the fitting of a
new roof canvas.
Goods shed dismantled 31/01/07
Embsay's Midland Railway timber goods shed, built in 1887/8, and thought to be the last of its type, has been successfully
dismantled. Work was completed on Sunday, leaving the site for the new shed closer to being ready for the cladders to come on
site. The remaining steelwork for the new shed will be craned into position over the coming weeks, and any remaining materials
removed from the area. The goods shed itself is now in kit form and it has been agreed that it will be transported to Bolton
Abbey where it is to be rebuilt into its original form. Bolton Abbey station originally had an identical structure, but this
was demolished in the 1950s - the same time as Embsay's was being repaired. Could parts have been used from the
demolition of Bolton Abbey's goods shed in the repairs BR carried out on Embsay's?
Photos of the work being undertaken on the shed project can be found here.
Restructured!! 26/01/07
Saturday 20th January saw a historic moment in the existence of the Railway. We are now the Yorkshire Dales Railway Museum
Trust (Holdings) Company, run by a board of directors. Under the old structure the directors took the responsibility but the
Railway was run by the executive committee. This has now been simplified for this and other reasons and we look forward to
continuing to make progress!
Shed 26/01/07
On the shed front, the Midland Railway goods shed is now almost dismantled with recoverable materials (a lot, actually!)
being prepared to be moved to Bolton Abbey for rebuilding. A lot more photos have been added to the shed
project page showing progress being made with all aspects of the project. One photo that emerged from recent batches I
have received is reproduced below showing our latest recruited crane driver (!) {For those of you panicing at the
thought of this, PLEASE relax as this is a posed photo!}
Work on 140 continues in the cramped conditions of the new shed with work on the firebox due to start
shortly and work on brasses already in hand. More work on the motion (including the slide bars) and valve gear(?) is planned
and underway.
Jessie from the Llangollen Railway will be visiting from the week before Easter until the beginning of June. Work on
Beatrice continues at Embsay as well as on the boiler which is due to return to the line very soon
having been hydraulically tested. Watch this space!
The rest of the older news articles can now be found on previous Archived News pages.
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P-Way
