Aln Valley Railway

Longhoughton Goods Yard - BS, DMS, IC, MH, KSW & TS, KM for a bit, * Work ya christmas pud off day * Move the ballast wagon up to the south end of the yard., Baz and Dave put some supports in to keep the toilet block stationary! We then all set about moving the ballast wagon onto “siding 1”. Once this was completed some more ballast was levelled out where it had previously stood and also around the 165DE. 37995 then got a bit upset (again) and blew a joint on a hydraulic hose. We then had a look at the brakes on the 165DE in preparation for moving this too. Doesn’t sound much but… A big thank you to Ian Cairns of WR Cairns & Sons for providing the services of one of his mini 360°s for the last few days.

Longhoughton Goods Yard - DMS, IC, MH, continue leveling the yard and spread a little bit more ballast. Continue tiding up and sorting out the bits and pieces., back on site today. We contiued levelling/grading the yard and have spread a ballast base.

Longhoughton Goods Yard - DMS, IC, * Unofficial work day * arranged for those who are bored after Christams! Intended to level the yard and spread a little bit more ballast. Continue tiding up and sorting out the bits and pieces, a start at grading the rest of the site. In the process the line of one of the sidings was discovered with a few chairs being dug up too. Thank you to Mark for the coffee top-up too!

Longhoughton Goods Yard - BS, DMS, TS, IC, MH, continuation of general tasks, making sure the site is safe and secure, moving the 48DS and some pre christmas socialising, Baz and Dave arrived just before 9 and made a start on getting the Ruston 48DS safely on to the test track. This was achieved without too much difficulty. The BH rail used to move stock round was moved to a stockpile. The road trailers were moved to one point.and waste and rubbish was tidied up. All wood packing was stacked up in one place for future use up. The Toilet hut was moved to a new location to enable future extension of the test track. The majority of passing trains gave a toot. Pictures up at http://daveshell.fotopic.net/c1166617_1.html

Longhoughton Goods Yard - BS, DMS, TS, MH, KSW, IC, coninuation of general work, A bit of a tidy up. Dave and Mark made a start on moving building materials ready to create a storage area, while Tom and Baz disconnected the back actor from the tractor. We then moved some sleepers to a new stock pile and moved some rail down to move the Ruston 48DS onto the “test track”. Not all to plan, but at least we have something to do next time…

Longhoughton Goods Yard - TS, BS, DMS, KSW, IC, MH , continuation of general work, The back actor attachment is working (of sorts) but one of the rams needs to be sent off for repair again – the seal from the cylinder to the ram is passing oil. We currently have the grading bucket on and after a bit of practice Baz and Ian have managed to make a start al levelling some more of the yard. The Permaquip currently has it’s blue tarp back on to try and keep it dry. The NMT did not pass today, instead a set formed of a couple of Royal mails EMU thingies went past.

Longhoughton Goods Yard - RJ, TS, MH, KSW , continuation of general work, Roland continues working on the slew ring on the big rail crane. Kay on Jones to get worn drum shaft bearing free. Mark was working on the Permaquip & the Ruston 165DE. Tom on digger - hydraulics nearly there. Cold & windy though not too much rain.