Aln Valley Railway

Longhoughton Goods Yard - BS, DMS, continuation of general tasks as required, To make up for not being able to get up on 26th Baz and Dave went up today. Area for “trolley line” levelled a bit more then sleepers moved over and laid out (economical sleeper spacing at present). Two lengths of 113A FB rail were moved over and clipped in to give an idea of how final formation will look. Other lengths are 98Lb FB and are better suited to the wooden sleepers. 66051 passed with the Railtrack auto-ballasters the driver waving and pointing to the HPA that was ousted by these new wagons!

Longhoughton Goods Yard - KSW, SY, RJ, TS, continuation of general tasks as required, Tom replaced missing grease nipple on 37995 linkage and put that back together. Scott cleaned arm of ditcher and started painting, ready for return of cylinders. Kay and Tom placed two more sleepers on Clockwork Ruston’s panel and used 37995 to move Ruston along (next time, remember to take chocks out first) so she’s now sitting safely on panel. Roland continued work on crane - I don’t think it will hold out much longer against this sustained attack.

Longhoughton Goods Yard - BS, DMS, DT, RJ, KSW , continuation of general tasks as required, reasonable day mainly sunny (despite the forecast!) - Baz and Dave arrived just after nine and started by unloading supplies of paint, nuts bolts, etc. then set about checking over 37995, checking diesel, oil, and coolant levels. Dave Thornton arrived and finished of the painting of the 48DS’s buffers with bitumastic black. Roland continued with his challenge of freeing up the rail crane. Measurements for the new storage siding were taken and marker pegs driven in every 30ft (our standard rail length). Once the tractor was sorted Baz set about moving the soil fill with Dave S acting as banks man. Kay continued cleaning up the Jones yard crane. During the day the following item of note passed: 43013 leading a 5 coach formation with 43062 trailing on 1Z19 the New Measurement Train to Craigentinny; and a Northern Rail 158 DMU presumably caught up in yesterday’s signalling problems.

Longhoughton Goods Yard - BS, DMS, DT, TS, RJ, SY, GH, KSW, continuation of overhaul of the brake rigging on the 48DS, checking over the tractor, and site tidying, Reasonable day mainly sunny - Baz and Dave arrived just after nine and started by checking over the tractor, checking diesel, oil, and coolant levels. Dave S attended to an errant hydraulic hose with new hose clips being put on for now; ultimately all hoses will be replaced. Once the tractor was sorted Baz set about moving the soil fill. Dave Thornton and Scott prepared the buffers, and gave them a coat of hammerite, and then a coat of bitumastic black – they are now looking very smart. Some of the black was also used to cover the graffiti on the HPA, its also now looking smarter. Roland has taken on the challenge of freeing up the rail crane. Kay continued cleaning up the Jones yard crane, and the cable drum has been removed to allow the brake to be checked. Tom and Gavin have made a start on checking over the McConnell back actor attachment. During the day the following item of note passed: 43062 & 43013 on 1Z19 the New Measurement Train to Craigentinny (Serco lads giving a blast); 87028 on 1Z68 08:18 Kings X-Edinburgh ‘Blue Pullman’ charter (the FM driver giving a quick toot!). 67029 on 1Z70 London Victoria-Edinburgh Northern Belle.

Longhoughton Goods Yard - BS, DMS, DT, TS, RJ, SY, BC, continuation of overhaul of the brake rigging on the 48DS, checking over the tractor, and site tidying, A reasonable day mainly sunny. Baz and Dave arrived just after nine and started by checking over the tractor, checking diesel, oil, and coolant levels. But on attempting to start the tractor, it was found the battery was flat. The battery was quickly swapped out for the one off Mitzi, and we managed to get the tractor started so Baz set about moving the soil fill. Dave continued trying to free up seized bits of brake rigging from the 48DS. The others, including another new volunteer – Roland, helped with sorting stones and other waste materials out of the soil before Baz moved it. During the day the following passed: 66610/615 0S66 Leeds Midland Road – Oxwellmains light engine movement (FLHH lads waving); 43013+975984+977993+977994+975814+977984+43062 on 1Z19 the New Measurement Train to Craigentinny (Serco lads giving a quick toot); 87022+9513+3350+3392+80042+3326+3278+3313+3431+1657+3352+3385 1Z68 FM Rail Blue Pullman charter (the FM driver giving a good two tone blast!)