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Series Ones 18/01/12
Bolton Abbey station will see a meeting of Series One Landrovers on Sunday 29th April 2012 from 10:00am. Normal steam trains
will be running throughout the day, with the added bonus of vehicles on display at Bolton Abbey from 10:00. The photos here
all date from some time ago - the late 1980s when we previously held a rally. All are (c) copyright Peter Galilee.
Updates 18/01/12
Santa's Specials went very well this year with the new arrangements. The hard work put in by the Carriage and Wagon team led
to well-illuminated, warm carriages and lots of very positive feedback, resulting in what we believe to be the best Santa's
Specials ever. Barring the very first weekend, we sold out tickets for the trains, and are looking at further improvements for
next year.
Volunteers have been working hard on all sorts of projects over the Winter with work carried out on Norman, work imminient
on 6619, lots happening with the Stately Trains rolling stock, including frame repairs to the L&Y Directors' Saloon,
repaints due on the 6-wheelers, more interior work on Balmoral and the LNWR Directors' Saloon and so forth.
The NER Petrol Electric Autocar has seen significant progress with the body and the chassis. The body has had the roof recanvassed and more woodworking completed, and the chassis has had
crossmembers replaced as well as headstocks, and the work is progressing very well now.
S&T have recovered components from Stoneacre Loop for overhaul and use elsewhere, as well as a signal arm for repainting as
it is much easier in the warmth than up a signal post battling the elements! LED signal lighting is being experimented with at
the moment, looking ahead to the searchlights at Bolton Abbey as well as the semaphore signals elsewhere. It looks as though the
filers will need replacing for green... Work is also progressing on the relay rack under Embsay signalbox.
A new Midland Railway design of running-in board for Bolton Abbey is having its details finalised and drawings prepared - a
replacement is also being readied for Embsay.
Some archive pictures of the line ... these will be added to the appropriate photo galleries later on. There are also more of F.W.Smith's photos to follow - I am just in the process of processing them...
Santa's Specials 26/11/11
This year's Santa's Specials got off to a very good start last weekend with 6619 on a 6-coach set. Despite the weather being
very misty and overcast, the trains were bright and (very) warm thanks to the efforts to re-wire the MkIs and attend to the
steam heat system. This has clearly paid off, judging by the passenger comments. PLEASE NOTE there are no tickets available
to buy on the day tomorrow as the trains are all SOLD OUT. Tickets are available for most other
trains for the rest of the season, online, and any unsold tickets will be available on the day. Contact the Railway for
details!
Work has been progressing on Illingworth, Annie and Beatrice
with returns to service moving appreciably nearer. Illingworth's new girder stays have been fitted to the firebox, and this
is now about ready to be lifted into the outer firebox for staying. Beatrice shold see the boiler inspector visiting at the
end of January for the final inspection which will allow running in to take place.
The Diesel and Plant department have returned Meaford to traffic following work to the governor,
M.D.H.B.No.36 after the engine rebuild to replace a smashed liner and have almost got the
Class 14 into traffic again after the replacement of cracked cylinder heads following the severe
frost last year.
The S&T department have been attending to all sorts of things recently, including facing point tests, adjustments, other
routine maintenance, tea drinking, signal lighting, wiring as well as scheming... Sleights East saw attention over the Summer
to reclad both ends downstairs, and a start was made to the blockwork to support what will be the new floor. The weather has
not really helped matters!
Carriage and Wagon outshopped the BG (YDR No.14) following a large amount of bodywork and interior improvements. It has
transformed the vehicle and it looks much better in lined maroon in the middle of the santa set (see the photo above left).
Another large consignment of Bill Smith's photos have now been scanned and will make an appearance shortly. They mainly
comprise of historic shots of the Ilkley area between the 1950s and 1980s. We were lucky enough to see Bill at the weekend
who donated the final Bolton Abbey train register to us to be used once the signalling is commissioned. There's nothing like
continuity!
The LNER brakevan has been repainted into Bauxite following the completion of the bodyside repairs by Pete and myself. It
will return to its NCB livery at the next repaint, and we are still having difficulty in tracing its LNER and BR identity.
Work can now concentrate on restoring the interior and the doors as it appears to be watertight at last! The handrails and
running number will be attended to in the new year, but now that it is watertight it can make room for other things!
Bolton Abbey Platform 2 21/09/11
An appeal has been launched to help re-instate the second platform at Bolton Abbey. All being well, we will be able to offer
the chance to donate via our website in a few weeks, but more information and pictures can be found on the:
Progress over Summer 21/09/11
A lot of work was carried out over Summer, along with the operation of services, which saw another increase in numbers of
passengers. Over the whole of the Summer, we only had one train on one day that was not steam-hauled as advertised, owing to
6619 running a warm axlebox. This was rectified straight away, and it was back out on the next trip!
On the locomotive front, Norman has been working hard and performing well, ably assisted by 6619. Beatrice
successfully passed the cold inspection and work has subsequently been carried out in readiness for its 'in steam' inspection.
Gothenburg visited over August, hauling the Stately Trains services on two separate weekends, prior to playing the role of
Thomas over the August Bank Holiday weekend. Illingworth has seen very little progress as the boiler
contractor has not been on site of late, but it is expected to make rapid progress once he returns. Annie
continues to move slowly towards re-wheeling, with new crankpins being the order of the day. 22's boiler
has had a lot of the work completed at Israel Newton & Sons works in Idle.
36 has had a successful engine rebuild following its destruction of one of its liners whilst out on
test. It was also discovered that the engine is not the same model as initially suspected. Work continues on the
Class 14 to rectify the frost damage and get it back into traffic. Next on the list is D.5600 which
has been found to have more work required than anticipated. Also seeing attention in the shed has been Ruston
887 (repaint and bodywork) and Fowler H.W.Robinson (frames stripped and
painted, re-wheeled, gearbox rebuild underway).
Carriage and Wagon have been tackling a lot of work on one of the BGs, with the other due to follow. The interior is now
much brighter, the exterior is much more complete and the holes that were in evidence no longer show up! A lot of time has
also been spent on re-wiring carriages and reinstating the electric side of things in readiness for the Santa Specials. To
the same end, steam heat repairs have been carried out to a number of vehicles with new pipes, repaiared heaters and much
more. Thought s being given to adding more heaters to the converted brake vehicles as they come into th workshops for major
work. On the wagon front, time has finally allowed progress to be made on the LNER brake van, and the LMS Shark brakevan
should see woodwork completed in January.
Permanent Way have been takling a number of jobs over the Summer, with dipped joints being sorted out, measured shovel
packing and re-alignment completed near Embsay's West Crossover, along with resleepering to suit the requirements of Signal
and Telegraph. They are now working at Bolton Abbey extending the headshunt for the sidings.
Signal and Telegraph successfully (with the help of P-Way) commissioned the new West Ground Frame to operate the M2 point motors
that have been fitted. This will allow for a very swift change-over to control from the signalbox once the new (larger) frame
is acquired. It is also fittted with a track circuit and features route-holding. Next time, however, we WILL be getting a
power-driven drill for the track circuit bonding!!
Telecommunications will be improving dramatically over the next eyar or so, as Virgin Media have very generously donated 11km
of fibre optic cable which can be used to link the two sites together. Many thanks go to Derrick for all his hard work towards
this! Hopefully we will also be able to use the tablet machines over this (with the correct interface...).
S&T are now tackling the groundframe at Bolton Abbey, fitting the detector boxes to the air machines in readiness for
fitting indications at the new groundframe and then commissioning it. In between all this, we have managed to reclad both ends
of the former Sleights Sidings East signalbox, and fit its new upstairs door!
Summer is upon us 01/08/11
We are now running every day until the end of August. Norman and 6619 have been handing the
services well, which have been well patronised so far! Beatrice finally nears completion, with a cold
boiler inspection planned for Monday the 8th of August. All being well, a steam test and running-in will follow.
Illingworth's boiler components have been rivetted back together, and it now awaits the inner
firebox being returned, along with the new girder stays. Annie is also progressing nicely: the frames
have been painted and the wheels have had the crankpins bored out ready for replacement.
On the diesel front, 36's engine is being reassembled steadily, with one replacement liner awaited.
Fowler H.W.Robinson has been re-wheeled, and the engine craned out for overhaul. This leaves the
gearbox accessible and work should be able to start rebuilding it.
Carriage and Wagon have been working hard on one of the BGs, carrying out a lot of bodywork repairs, as well as work to the
interior. A full repaint has been carried out on one side, the other side being well underway. Time has also been spent
working on the electrical side of the carriages, ensuring the lighting works 'through' the train with the jumpers. This is
reaping dividends, and will allow for a much better Santa experience. Also being tackled is the steam heat side, with lots
of new pipework to replace the corroded sections.
Signal & Telegraph have been working along with P-Way to replace the West Ground Frame at Embsay for a new one to work
motor points. This is almost complete, and in a few years' time will allow it to be controlled directly from the signalbox
with very little modification. The back breaking work is bonding across the rail joints for the track circuit: drilling the
rails by hand! Work has also been carried out to replace the solar panels at Stoneacre; the originals have lasted 13 years,
and only failed owing to the corrosion of the terminals! Time has also been spent on the former Sleights Sidings East
signalbox, recladding the Addingham end and preparing for painting. This gets it one step further towards looking like the
original.
Arrivals 24/05/11
We have had several arrivals at Embsay, top of the list being 6619 which has been based on the NYMR until now. Whilst the
loco remains up for sale, it is on hire for the time being and we are looking forward to using it!
Thomas also arrived from the ELR to take part in the Day Out With Thomas event this Bank Holiday Weekend
The former LMS Test Coach which was owned by the NRM has also arrived and this will be used towards the creation of an LMS
set featuring the Midland Railway-built TKs (Nos 238 and 241) and the LMS BTK. Also arrived recently was a former LNWR
carriage from Wolverton works which is to donate its underframe to Queen Victoria's LSWR Saloon, currently sheeted over at
Bolton Abbey station. This LNWR carriage is in very poor shape (worse than our Horseboxes) and the body is not salvageable!
On the theme of Horseboxes, the former Thompson BZ which resided at New Bridge on the NYMR, owned
formerly by the LNERCA, was purchased by myself for use as a donor underframe for TWO horseboxes. It will be a long and
complicated process to adapt this 6-wheeled underframe (the body was incredibly SHOT) into two 4-wheeled underframes, but
will look reasonably close to the original style. The underframe is currently in storage.
Another CCT has arrived to be converted into a Steam Heat van using components recently purchased by a member. This will
allow all locos on site to be able to steam heat carriages whilst providing traction, and should allow the vehicles to be
pre-heated for this year's all new Santa's Specials.
Other News
Beatrice is very close to steaming and it has now been moved into the single road part of the shed
comples at Embsay for completion. Annie is having new crankpins made and fitted. The axleboxes and
horns have been machined and test fitted, so hopefully this loco too will see some rapid progress over the coming months.
Also progressing at a rate is Illingworth, whose boiler has been fully stripped down following
the debacle of the previous contractor. The firebox has been removed, all stays removed, stay holes tidied up and re-tapped,
certain bits built up with weld and new components made. The boiler inspector has insisted that all the previous work
carried out by the former contractor be re-done following the problems encountered, and this is now well underway. The rest
of the loco is also moving along well and we look forward to seeing the sole Nidd Valley Light Railway engine moving under
its own power later this year.
Fowler H.W.Robinson is being re-wheeled and moved outside shortly to allow work to be carried out on
the bodywork of 37 294, which will culminate in a full repaint.
M.D.H.B.No.36 is having new liners fitted to at least one cylinder, along with a new piston following
damage which saw one liner pulled down and smashed. Hopefully this work will be completed by the end of the year.
Also needing a ot of attention is the Class 14 which suffered severe frost damage in the low
temperatures (-19 degrees and then possibly lower) over Winter. Although it had been drained when temperatures dropped, it
seems as though the water had already frozen in the heads. It was known that the oil cooller had suffered, but only when
this was repaired was it found that three heads had also been cracked. Spares have been tracked down.
Carriage and Wagon are working on the BG which has been in the shed for a while receiving a lot of new metal to the bodywork.
A lot of time is also being spent on re-instating the ETH gear on those carriages that have had it mothballed for a
considerable time. Steam heat leaks have been steadily dealt with, and more will be tackled as carriages are brought in to be
lifted.
The Petrol Electric's underframe (also newly arrived, stripped and shotblasted) is now in the main shed for work to be
carried out in readiness for it going away to have the new traction motors and engine fitted and other modifications made.
Meanwhile, the body is still sat on the former LNER underframe and having wooden framing replaced, having already had its
original interior finsh reinstated through the efforts of the team who have paistakingly stripped back all the old paint.
P-Way have been attending to various dipped joints and voids along the line, and are building up to carrying out work
towards replacing the West Ground Frame at Embsay in conjunction with S&T. A replacement groundframe has been
overhauled, cleaned up and re-locked, location cabinets planted, point machines overhauled and taken to site and track
circuit components are being made ready for installation. This will allow the crossover to be worked locally via motor
points, which will then be transferred onto the signalbox itself once the new frame is installed.
Lottery Success! 22/03/11
‘Grandfather of modern trains’ to be restored thanks to Heritage Lottery Fund
The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) has awarded a grant of £465,800 to restore the world’s first electric Autocar and
accompanying 1904 ‘autocoach’.
As the first train to be powered by a petrol electric engine, the York built 1903 ‘autocar’ is the forerunner of today’s
modern trains. The four-year volunteer-led project, to be run by the NER 1903 Electric Autocar Trust, will see the train and
accompanying autocoach restored and brought to life for use on heritage railways in the Craven area, North Yorkshire and the
North East. When complete, the train will carry passengers again for the first time in over 80 years.
The works will start shortly at Embsay, near Skipton, and will see the body restored, and a new engine, generator, controls
and brakes fitted. There will be lots of exciting opportunities for volunteers to get involved, in particular for people
with electrical, pipe fitting, welding, painting and woodworking skills keen to experience working in the heritage sector.
The train, when finished, will be fully accessible to all, and equipped with the latest audio visual techniques will act as
a ‘mobile classroom’ for schools and community groups so they can learn all about the development of rail transport from
steam travel, to present day.
Fiona Spiers, Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund for Yorkshire and the Humber said:
‘This project to restore the predecessor to modern rail transport is fascinating. Not only will it preserve a precious
relic from our industrial past, it will also provide many opportunities to get involved and develop skills as part of the
restoration, which is great news for people in the area.’
Stephen Middleton, Harrogate coach restorer and NER 1903 Electric Autocar Trust Chairman, originally bought the autocar body
from a landowner who had used it as a holiday home since 1930. He said:
‘We are delighted that the HLF has recognised the importance of this train and our restoration and educational plans. This,
with smaller grants from the Ken Hoole Trust and PRISM (The Fund for the PReservation of Industrial and Scientific Material)
has given us the boost we need to complete the project within an ambitious timetable.’
2011 Santa's Specials
Details of the new-look Santa's Specials can now be found on the website, including online ticketing.
Online ticketing is now available on almost all our running days. The Santa's Specials have been completely re-vamped to give
a much better product and be able to cater with very poor weather conditions, such as we have experienced for the last two years.
Norman & track
Norman successfully entered traffic for the beginning of the season (February 13th 2011) after work was completed by our
volunteer locomotive department. It has proved to be a powerful loco, and everything went smoothly with the running in. It is
owned by Southern Locomotives Limited, who completed a lot of the work prior to its arrival, and is on loan. Many thanks to
Ken Snowdon for the accompanying images.
P-Way had successfully completed the relaying at Holywell the day before the line was due to open. They relaid a section of
wooden sleepered bullhead track with flat bottomed rail on concrete sleepers. This section of the line is prone to flooding
and is right down onto bed rock - stemming back to the days when Holywell Bridge was rebuilt and hte trackbed lowered. The
recent efforts here to relay the track have also included drainage works to hopefully leave this problem a thing of the past!
Locos
Whilst Norman is in service, work continues on Beatrice whose cab fittings are being put on while other
work centres on painting the loco. Hopefully a trial steaming is not too far away now...
Illingworth's boiler has now been split down into its component parts to allow the boiler inspector
to visit. Hopefully this too will see further progress, although the owner is none-too-impressed with the previous contractor.
Annie has seen work continue on the new axleboxes, machining them to fit the horns. The boiler is ready
for this loco, so once hte bottom end is complete, it will not be far off running.
5643 is still at Embsay, undergoing mainenance work in the shed before heading off on its next hire. The Furness Railway
Trust members have been working on this over the last few months.
Skipton 16/01/11
The Economic Benefits Study has now been published and will feature on a page on the website shortly. This very positive
document should help unlock some funding towards the goal of running trains into Skipton Station over Network Rail.
New Year Works 16/01/11
P-Way are currently engaged in renewing the track between Holywell Halt and Stoneacre Loop. 08 773 has had the rods refitted,
axleboxes shimmed and other work completed enabling it to re-enter traffic following its slipped crank being re-set.
Carriage and Wagon are tackling damage caused by the ingress of water which will result in several new ceilings.
Signal and Telegraph are busy re-wiring the link boards and power boards underneath Embsay signalbox, with more jobs on the
cards as well. A replacement 3-lever groundframe has now been completely stripped down and prepared to replace the existing
West Ground Frame at Embsay which is now approaching life expiry! P-Way have replaced a couple of timbers here to allow motors
to be fitted as part of the longer term plan to control this directly from the signalbox.
Tom and his team have made good progress with Norman - the regulator has been sorted and the vacuum system is approaching
completion.
Santa's Specials 2011 16/01/11
The operations for the Santa Season in 2011 have been altered drastically to enable us to offer a far superior product.
Details and online booking will be published here in the coming months. All tickets will need to be bought in advance to
allow us to cater appropriately for the numbers.
Happy Christmas and New Year 24/12/10
Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from all at the Embsay & Bolton Abbey Steam Railway!
Weather 24/12/10
The Railway has done a fantastic job to keep running trains in the recent weather, with temperatures down to at least minus 12
on some occasions. This presented some problems with water supplies freezing up (!) as well as generally icy conditions. However,
the only running day to become a casualty is Boxing Day - we have currently got everything frozen up, so have had to make the
decision to cancel services planned for this day. New Year's Day will see a revised timetable in place to allow time to take
water at Embsay.
Skipton 15/12/10
The Economic Benefits Study has been completed and delivered to the Railway. It looks very encouraging! Further details will
appear here shortly, once it has been presented to the stake-holders. The response on one internet discussion forum suggested
we were going to link to Skipton and Bolton(!) We're only aiming for Skipton!
Boing? 12/12/10
Thanks to a fantastic effort by the Furness Railway Trust boys, 5643 was able to run over the weekend following the
replacement of a second broken spring.
Norman 12/12/10
Norman was steamed over the weekend to allow some tests to be carried out. Things went well until it moved itself without
the regulator having been opened. This is now been looked into with the regulator dismantled and hopefully it will prove to
be something simple.
Petrol Electric 30/11/10
The 'new' underframe for the NER Petrol Electric was delivered to the Railway this morning, the ex-Southern Region power
bogie having arrived some months previously. Most of the main components are now gathered together. It has also been
successful in obtaining the PRISM funding, and the final submission for the Lottery funding is approaching.
08 773
08 773 has had its crank re-set following its slip during the 2009 Diesel Gala. It will have its rods refitted shortly, and
has already been checked over and successfully fired up once again. It will hopefuly provide the motive power for the P-Way
works in January with the relaying at Holywell.
5643 and Relaying 22/11/10
5643 landed safely and saw service on the Santa's Specials yesterday. She will remain here until the New Year, operating on
the Santa's Specials. Darfield is also in service on these. Work on Norman continues with most parts assembled and efforts
focusing on the pipework at the moment.
In January next year (after the New Year's Day Specials), the line will be closed for relaying to take place near Holywell.
We will resume services in time for February Half Term.
SKIPTON 27/10/10
The Economic Benefit Study is due shortly which should make a strong case for our running down into Skipton. This is the
second of three studies required before work can start, and should hopefully unlock some grants towards theproject. More details
when the report is published!
Locos 27/10/10
Tom Ireland has taken over the position of Locomotive Operating Manager at Embsay, and is developing a team to maintain the
steam fleet. All offers of help will be gratefully received.
Cumbria failed with a cracked firebox that is not possible / worthwhile to repair given that it does not have much longer
left on its ticket. It will therefore be going back to the Furness Railway Trust when 5643 arrives for the Santa Season. We
look forward to this loco's return as it wasmuch liked by crews and visitors alike last year.
Another arrival has been Austerity 'Norman', which has come from Swanage. It has yet to run in preservation, but the loco's
overhaul (by its owners, Southern Locomotives Limited) is at an advanced stage. Our locomotive department are finishing it off and making
it fit for traffic, initially for 18 months. Darfield keeps on going strong, and the repaint should take place during the
Winter close-down period.
Illingworth's boiler requires a further large sum of money spending on it as the firebox needs to
be removed in order to rectify some of the work carried out by the contractor that was not up to the standard required by
the boiler inspector. It is still hoped to have this loco finished during 2011. Beatrice is also moving
ahead, albeit slowly, with only the painting and final finishing / running in to be carried out. This should be accomplished
in Spring 2011, but no firm guarantees. Warspite's boiler continues to have work done, thus bringing
this loco's return to steam a little closer.
22's boiler has gone away for the new firebox to be fitted, having had a lot of work completed by Aaron
at Embsay first. There are two patches to be welded into the barrel at the same time, but the aim is to have the boiler back
in 2011. Work also continues on Annie.
P-Way
The line will be closing down completely between New Year and February half term in 2011 to allow P-Way to relay a section of
track between Holywell Halt and Stoneacre and alleviate the problems with standing water. This year they have concentrated on
laying the third platform road at Bolton Abbey, and are currently engaged in stoneblowing to rectify some dipped joints as well
as extending the 6th road at Embsay slightly to allow vehicles to be stored better.
A P-Way blog is being investigated at the moment to better communicate their plans and works to everyone else - watch this space!
C&W
Carriage and Wagon are working on one of the MkI BGs which is having bodywork repairs and work carried out to the Commonwealth
bogies. A lot of time has also been spent tidying up the shed, painting the floor, carrying out running repairs to the passenger
fleet, and so on. The LNWR Directors' Saloon made its passenger-carrying debut in September at the Carriage Restorers'
convention which was held at the Railway. Whilst there are still some interior bits and pieces to tidy up and finish off,
this coach made a positive impact on those who travelled in it.
Balmoral continues to progress in leaps and bounds with the framework repairs now completed, and lots of panelling being done.
The arrival of the windowframes will be the next step forward. Also undergoing work is the NE brakevan which is having its
semi-rebuild continued, and the Ireland's boxvan which is now almost complete, requiring only the ends of the roof to be
finished.
The LNWR horseboxes will make some progress with the aquisition of an underframe that is suitable for conversion to provide
chassis for both vehicles. This should arrive in the next couple of weeks or so. LMS 5757 has had most of the leaks in the
roof plugged, and the first rotten sections of floor removed and replaced. This will allow us to use the vehicle as a
workshop to facilitate its restoration. It will be sheeted up for the winter, and the rof tackled next year.
S&T
The new bracket signal at Embsay has been fully commissioned, with the track circuit altered to suit. The old bracket signal
was removed, and the metal fittings are in the process of being recovered. The vast majority of wood had no redeeming
features (!), but the couple of good sections may well be used to make finials and such like.
The new doors for Sleights East (the demonstration signalbox at Bolton Abbey) have arrived / been made and await fitting when
(if?) the weather improves. Efforts over Summer (rainy season) saw the back of the box re-clad and painted into the same colours
as the station. Internal wiring is commencing thanks to our new electrician.
Richard has been working hard in the other signalbox at Bolton Abbey to begin the stage-work for the electro-pneumatic
signalling scheme. We have designed the interlocking, connected up various relays and proved the electric locks work. More
energies will be able to be devoted to this project next year.
SORRY, sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry! 18/04/10
Here's an attempt to put all the news together that's been piling up over the past few months (I can't believe it's been
that long!). The accompanying photos will follow shortly. So, in no particular order:
Slough goes on holiday
Slough travelled a lot further than she has for a very long time, and is off on holiday to Scunthorpe. "It's always sunny in
Scunny". Allegedly! The loco is going on loan for restoration and running, and may well come back at some point during that
time. The deal represents the best outcome for the loco whose restoration was not going to be coming along any time soon with
us. We look forward to seeing the results over the coming years. At the end of the loan, Slough will return to Embsay. The
pictures show Slough's first trip under Holywell Bridge, through Stoneacre and being loaded at Priors' Lane. But how long
will it be until she reaches Bolton Abbey?? (We were, admittedly, tempted to take her there en-route, but resisted!)
Shark Attack!!
Not connected to Slough holidaying in Scunthorpe, but rather the LMS Shark brakevan which is undergoing a thorough rebuild.
This vehicle is owned by the NRM and is on loan to us. The opportunity has been taken to fully overhaul the vehicle, carrying
out frame repairs / replacement where necessary and complete re-planking. One side and an end were tackled after Christmas,
and the other side, which required all-new framework, has been tackled in the last couple of weeks. The final end (including
sections of uprights) should be tackled soon.
New Arrival (LMS BTK No.5757 of 1935)
A small group of members have purchased LMS BTK (Brake Third Corridor) No.5757 from members at Llangollen for restoration to
run as part of a dedicated LMS set of carriages at Embsay. The coach includes four third-class compartments, a central toilet
(which will be adapted for disabled access) and a large brake area (which may include a bar as well as wheelchair seating).
Plans are still coming together for the exact details - we have basically got a blank canvas! The vehicle saw service last in
converted departmental form, complete with a shower! There are sections of wooden framework to replace, windows to put back
in, doors to unblock etc., but it seems a relatively straight-forward job.
It's a bit big!!
The S&T department's new bracket signal for Embsay was planted recently. Seeing it hanging from the crane proved how tall
it really is, which should aid the sighting. A big thankyou goes out to all those who assisted in planting it - particularly,
Tony, Dave and Chris. The castings are in the process of being attached, but it cannot be commissioned until the track
circuit has been altered to suit, as the new location is closer towards the point ends. And the track circuit needs to be
extended into the slip as well... Our new recruit, Richard, has been working on wiring up and fitting out the track circuit
feed cabinet in anticipation.
On a much less pleasant note, we have had the base castings from the Stanlow and Thornton frame stolen, along with an air dolly.
This will hit several future projects hard. The Police are investigating.
Other Departmental news
The Carriage and Wagon department have been working on several coaches, including YDR No.6, the BSOT, which has had a wheelset
swap and further attention to the bogies. The opportunity was also taken to repaint the wheelchair saloon and repair the
ceilings. Newly overhauled vacuum cylinders are being fitted to carriages in a rolling programme of maintenance. On the wagon
front, the Irelands' boxvan restoration continues with new spring hangers made and fitted, together with replacement springs.
The new doors should be arriving shortly, and the end really is in sight for this project. A new arrival was a Midland Railway
5-plank open wagon, which has been in store for a number of years. It is not serviceable, being on a wooden chassis whose 'newness'
has worn off. This will be rectified at some point, along with other similar vehicles.
Diesel and Plant have been busy with the Class 14, No.38 to replace the starter motor that
'disintegrated' as well as fit a new exhaust system. Work is now about complete, and the loco can hopefully enter traffic
properly.
Folwer H.W.Robinson is now stripped down and the chassis will be shotblasted before things get bolted
back on. Ruston 887 is still undergoing a repaint (the temperatures have been too low to do much of
late). Hudswell Clarke No.36 is doing well, but will be coming back in for some remedial work that has
come to light during the running in. This is not expected to take too long.
P-Way spent time preparing for a relaying job at Holywell that sadly had to be postponed. They have laid out several lengths
of sleepers at Bolton Abbey ready for the siding to be extended that will form platform 3.
An appeal for stamps and postcards to help raise funds for building the other platform at Bolton Abbey station has been
launched, so please start saving them NOW! Further details of the project will appear on a separate page shortly.
Loco updates
Cumbria, an Austerity owned by the Furness Railway Trust, is currently based on the Railway - visiting for a one year period.
A number of niggles have been attended to by both their group and our members, with the loco performing over Easter. Efforts
to improve loco cleanliness and presentation have been brought into place, and with Dafield's repaint looming, we should have
a very attractive fleet of engines once more. Headed by...
Beatrice continues to make progress, albeit slowly. The tank has had repairs carried out to replace a
section behind where the nameplate sits, which had suffered extensive corrosion. A new piece of steel was rolled to the correct
radius and welded in. However, a new tank will be needed before long. The rest of the loco is looking very complete now, and
once the tank is finished...
Illingworth has had work on the motion completed, but is being delayed by the boiler which still
requires some further work. This will then be craned back into the frames, allowing the new cab (which is of rivetted
construction) to be assembled. This loco is not far off now, either.
Warspite's 'new' boiler (formerly on Harry) is being worked on one day a week with the aim of getting this
loco running soon too.
22 has seen further progress, with the boiler being prepared for going away for some of the work to be
carried out by a contractor as a couple of previous repairs are needing further attention. The chassis is in a rolling state
with the slidebars set up and cab sections also fitted.
There is very little to report on Primrose or Annie as those involved have been
helping on other projects. Hopefully both locos will see further work soon.
The spare Austerity boiler has been sold back to its previous owner who has already taken it off site for overhaul.
Volunteering
A successful Open Day for new volunteers was held in March, with several new recruits being welcomed to the Railway. Their
assistance is greatly appreciated. However, if anyone else is interested in becoming involved, you can get in touch at any
time!
Tidying
Ryan and Mark in particular have continued to work away on fencing off the car park from the engineering workshops, replacing
temporary barriers with a wooden fence. A lot of other efforts have come together to improve the general appearance of the
stations. Ryan, Robert and Danny have continued to improve the members mess facilities, with the 'lounge' also providing meeting
and classroom facilities for MICs and such like.
Balmoral news
Work has progressed well on Balmoral. The end that had been chipboard has been replaced with one from Dunrobin. Once the screws
were UNDONE (they actually came out very easily), the end from the other coach simply slotted into position! Repairs have
been carried out to the rot present in this and the sections that had been removed to make a window. All the areas of floor
that had been cut away have also been replaced, and the missing section of side is being remedied, again with the components
from the second coach. It looks slightly less of a daunting project now!
If it moves, salute it; if it stands still, paint it!
Our Bolton Abbey station painters, Pete and Millie have been putting in a lot of time to sprucing up the interior of the
station. So far the toilets, booking hall and refreshment rooms have seen their magic touch. Next on the hit list is the
ticket office and hopefully the exterior over Summer. If we actually have a Summer without rain! Their efforts have been
greatly appreciated!
Older news articles can now be found on the Archived News pages.
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