Aln Valley Railway

Longhoughton Goods Yard - RJ, BS, DMS, MH, TS, KSW, IC, a continuation of work to overhaul the brake rigging from the Ruston 165DE; a continuation of work to overhaul the brake rigging from the Ruston 48DS; general tidying; sorting of tools; checking over of the tractor, Once he gained entry to the yard Roland continued working on DS1749, the rail crane. Dave unclipped the panel that the 165DE had been sitting on and then used the tractor to move the wooden sleepers. Baz and Kay continued with repairs to the toilet block. Mark set up a new oil store, and all drums, cans, etc. were moved into it. Ian and Dave emptied the ticket office / tool cabin, and it was re-levelled on old sleepers, and the tools put back in. The radiator on the tractor was found to be leaking again so the bonnet was taken off to allow the rad to be removed for repairs. Normal passing services – a few toots, including from Virgin. 1S49 which was an MML HST vice a Virgin voyager, was running on the rear power car only (43074 front, 43052 pushing). Hydrex’s Colmar T4300FS Road/Rail 360° excavator no. 2893 was collected and taken back to depot. Today’s photos at http://www.daveshell.fotopic.net/c1194649.html

Longhoughton Goods Yard - BS, DMS, MH, TS, IC, KSW, a continuation of work to overhaul the brake rigging from the Ruston 165DE; a continuation of work to overhaul the brake rigging from the Ruston 48DS; moving the crane (north); moving the 165DE onto siding 1; general tidying; sorting of tools; checking over of the tractor, Baz and Dave started by getting a fire going in the brazier to dispose on some of the waste paper, etc. Had a look at the bearing on the left hand rear axlebox - it is a bit of a problem. Dave and Ian disengaged the traction motor drive in the gearbox, while Mark and Baz tried to get the brake hangers and side rods off. We later laid out some rail in order to start the move of the 165 onto siding 1. We were interupted by the delivery of a Story Rexquote/JCB JS160W ready for some work tonight. We then tried to move the 165 - it is now off the FB panel, unfortunatly it is currently in the dirt…

Longhoughton Goods Yard - MH, IC, KSW, DT., a continuation of work to release the brakes on the Ruston 165DE; completion of the fencing at the road entrance; general tidying; sorting of tools; checking over of the tractor, A half day due to the weather. The extremely stubborn pin on the 165DE’s brakes was finally removed with the assistance of some heat, brute force and ignorance. The upper crossmember has a little more freedom but is being restricted by the air cylinder. Feel this now requires a stripdown. The lower crossmember was still seized, an application of heat and Plus Gas seems to have freed up the nearside, but the offside is stil solid. Even had a few toots from a passing Voyager (a first?), the northbound EWS coal train and a GNER HST.

Longhoughton Goods Yard - IC, KSW, MH, BS, DMS, attempt to release the brakes on the Ruston 165DE, Kay was working on effecting repairs to the toilet block following its relocation. After discussion with Tom, Baz and Ian set about completing the hard landscaping works at the North end of the site. Mark and Dave made a start on freeing off the brake rigging on the 165 DE. We were assisted by Ian after lunch, while Baz made a start on the fence. We also had a look at the crane, and it got a dose of Altrans while we had it.