Weekly Progress Report - Splashing Out!

A rather steady week at SGLR, here's a round up of what has been going on!

In house at Steeple Grange our rear screen which will allow us to decorate the Engine House has been erected, the team today then cracked on with getting the Engine House decorated and ready to accept the Santa Special goers next weekend!

On the Permanent Way front packing and tamping of track between Steeplehouse and Killers Dale Halt has been undertaken to allow for a much smoother ride for our passengers over this festive weekend. Also measuring of the trackbed beyond Sandy Lane Crossing in order to progress our Push to Middleton Project.

Motive Power Department was slightly down on the team today, never the less jobs were completed on Hibberd 4008, draining and re-filling the water system with antifreeze ready for the Winter. ZM32 was also taken out on test despite suffering a flat battery which was sorted effectively and efficiently!

The Countdown really is on as we're into our final week before Santa's arrival, don't forget to come and join us!

Flushing the System on 4008

Track Packed at Killers Dale



Weekly Progress Report - Lift Off!

As Santa is only two weeks away from landing at Steeple Grange much of the tasks have been once again focused on readying for his arrival, however there has been other things happening to the side.

In the Motive Power Department, Thursday saw a very prominant day, an assessment on Greenbat from Chesterfield based electrical engineers Dorlec, the view is after Christmas is to have Greenbat stripped back down and the traction motor and gearboxes sent away for deep cleaning to try and source a long lost problem. On Sunday another shunt took place to move Hibberd 4008 out of the shed to allow for decorations to put up, alongside the testing of battery electric Greenbat, which performed despite its motor problem flawlessly.

On a Permanent Way front, the team fixed the benches to the Branchline platform which has over the past week had a fair amount of alteration, with our small mining tub also being moved onto the end of the platform. Another part of the team over the course of this weekend has made a valiant effort to clear leaves above Porter Lane Tunnel and around the Killers Dale Halt area where Santa's Grotto will be situated - every little helps!

Don't forget, Santa Specials only two weeks to go, December 13th and 14th!

Lifting the battery box on Greenbat



Weekly Progress Report - Shunt the Road Jack!

Another week swiftly passes us by, with much more work done, mostly related to Santa Specials!

The Motive Power Department tasked themselves with shunting the Carriage and Wagon Shed in preparation for Santa Specials, moving lesser used vehicles to the rear and the Santa Wagons and Carraiges to the front in readiness for the weekend - Don't forget! A paintbrush was also deployed on Hibberd 4008 in the regions of the gearbox.

The Permanent Way Department also was in action, checking and packing the branch line before Santa, and also at the top end of our line near Sandy Lane Crossing, moving a very generous load of spoil for the embankment, also laying another panel to allow filling further along our trackbed.

Never a dull moment here at Steeple Grange!

Shunting in Dark Lane Quarry

Hibberd 4008's freshly painted gearbox



Santa Specials 2014 - No Need to Book and Only a Fiver Each!

Once again we see ourselves at Christmas time with our Santa Specials, as usual there is no need to book, just turn up and you will be issued with a boarding card.

Ticket Prices - Adult - £5
                      - Child - £5
                      - Family (2+3) - £20

Hope to see you there!!



Weekly Progress Report - Motion amongst the ranks!

Apologies for the lack of reports over the summer, our IT department has been struggling some what! Here's a round up of what has been happening since the end of our running season a couple of weeks ago.

In the Motive Power Department the big news story is that after 12 months of hard restoration Hibberd 4008 took its first steps under its own power up the steeply graded 1 in 27 incline to Middleton, now the team turns to stopping the locomotive - a huge success for the team! Recently back in service L16 PEGGY has seen regular action along with PETER on Permanent Way Jobs.

In the Permanent Way Department much has been happening. The rear point onto the mainline at Steeplehouse has had work carried out on it to remove a large dip in the middle of the pointwork making it uncomfortable for passengers, this has now been fixed and is much smoother. Recently they have turned their attention to the branch line platform at Steeplehouse, extending it by a further locomotive length.

Until next week, where we continue with endeavours to prepare for Santa!

 

Permanent Way Department at Steeplehouse

Hibberd 4008 Test Train



Weekly Progress Report - 23/6/14 - 29/6/14

Another week passes at Steeple Grange and a rather cold snap is being experienced.

Thursday saw the Permanent Way team inspecting and seeing to various parts of the track work along the mainline to Middleton. Also the point levers along the line which haven’t been protected against the weather were all given a coat of red oxide.

Today saw the vegetation clearance team in action clearing much vegetation at Steeplehouse and along the first parts of the mainline. Motive Power were back in action with a view and succession of getting Hibberd 4008 running in order to put a volume of injector cleaner through it. Other work being completed today was the painting of various items for L16 Peggy.

A rather quiet week with a very swift turn in the weather from last weekend, hopefully next week will perk up slightly!

Hibberd 4008 in Dark Lane Quarry

Steeplehouse Station Overview

ZM32 rests at Steeplehouse.

Weekly Progress Report - 16/6/14 - 22/6/14

A rather intense week at Steeple Grange, here's what has been happening.

An early start was made Thursday as the arrival of 20 tons of aggregate was being delivered by Slinter Mining Ltd ready for our major events later in the summer, this would be laid allowing us more space to site gazebos out of the front of the Engine Shed. Our dedicated painter was also hard at work on Peggy completing the last of the black glossing on the cab. Later in the afternoon a quick shunt allowed for Manrider 103 to be brought to Steeplehouse for an examination, this revealed a need to rectify a suspension issue.

Today Manrider 103 was immediately brought to Steeplehouse and jacked up, axle rolled out allowed for the suspension issue to be rectified and test runs ran accordingly, the carriage passed off and ready for traffic for the summer season. Peggy was also pulled out of the Engine Shed and viewed for the first time since it went in for re-paint, now half way through the loco still has another 2 weeks of painting before complete.

Slinter delivering on Thursday

Things appear to be all up in the air!

Peggy and Peter on the rear concrete pad.

The test train at Recreation Ground Station



Weekly Progress Report - 9/6/14 - 15/6/14

Another rather steady week at Steeple Grange with various tasks being undertaken!

Thursday saw the Permanent Way Team undertake a track inspection along with remedial work which needed to be completed, this will be continued this coming Thursday with a view to hopefully evening out most of the "jolts" and dips in the track.

Today was a rather mixed day weatherwise with spells of persistant light rain which made the incline ascent rather interesting for ZM32, but not the less Father's Day service trains were ran on both the mainline and branch line. The Motive Power Department were in action today seeing to the repaint and refurbishment of L16 PEGGY, after its recent trip down the mainline to Steeplehouse, PEGGY's re-paint was started immediately, first with the removal of the rear light and control box to allow for access to the rear of the cab, once completely painted the control box was returned and the rest of the cab was painted, complete with an overall first coat of white undercoat to kill off the red oxide paint which had already been painted on, the locomotive is now well into its re-paint. Various other minor tasks were completed at Steeplehouse, including the manufacture of two new seats for Manrider 103 and the pacing out of our new shale base out of the front of roads one and two of the Engine Shed.

A rather damp Father's Day, but, a very productive day overall!

L16 PEGGY before re-paint commenced

L16 PEGGY at the end of the first day

ZM32 and Manrider 104 at Dark Lane Quarry



Weekly Progress Report - 2/6/14 - 8/6/14

Work has stepped up a pace at Steeple Grange, here's what's been happening.

Thursday saw the Permanent Way team taking a look into the point at Dark Lane Quarry, completing some routine maintenance to this rare section of pointwork. Further to that they also completed a monthly inspection of the mainline.

Today saw a bright day until the massive downpour at about 4:00pm. Early on in the morning Greenbat departed for Sandy Lane Crossing with a small freight train, with the aim of positioning our small mining tub on Sandy Lane, this was completed so now you can view this rare piece of rolling stock on temporary show.

The Motive Power Department were again looking into getting 4008's gearbox absolutely perfect, with the final drive positioned it was test ran with the engine running and all three gears able to be selected could be used. In the afternoon, 4008 was coupled up to Greenbat and shunted the short distance to Dark Lane Quarry - with only a few little niggles along the way, but nothing serious. 4008 was shunted into Dark Lane Quarry C&W shed, swopped with L16 PEGGY which was brought to Steeplehouse ready to have work started on restoring the cosmetic appearance of the locomotive.

All go at the SGLR!

The freight at Sandy Lane

Sorting the gearbox on 4008

Back on tracks again

4008 and Greenbat in Dark Lane Quarry

Greenbat and Peggy in Dark Lane Quarry

 

Weekly Progress Report - 19/05/14 - 26/05/14

Another quiet week at SGLR with a considerably damp bank holiday weekend.

A very damp Thursday saw the Permanent Way team fit the second point lever to the new loop which has allowed it to be put to good use over the bank holiday weekend. Weather did close down further work in the afternoon however.

The "Teddy Bear Weekend" which we always run every Spring Bank Holiday was rather dampened by this weekend's bad weather. Although, it didn't seem to put passengers off as they came in their numbers, two trains were ran accordingly over the weekend.

ZM32 on shunting duties Sunday morning.

ZM32 passes Greenbat in the loop

 

Weekly Progress Report - 12/05/14 - 18/05/14

A relatively short blog this week!

A few members took the opportunity to travel to the Amerton Railway in Staffordshire for their first diesel gala yesterday. An excellent fleet of various diesel locomotives were working or on display, from Simplex to Hunslet, Deutz to Ruston, all with various backgrounds and ages. Amerton's running shed and workshops were very impressive and dwarf our own at Steeplehouse. Many different operations sparked many ideas for us back at Steeple Grange, with the motive power department taking particular interest in the sophisticated air braking systems in use on the coaching stock, and with many of the different restoration projects being undertaken, including Hibberd 2025, a recent undertaking.



Dreadnought arrives back at Amerton

Running shed at Amerton.

Left to Right - Dorman, Deutz and Ruston in the yard.

Motor Rail Simplex Dorman arrives back at Amerton

Motor Rail Simplex arrives back at Amerton, in the background, Gordon and the Wickham Rail Trolley

 



Sunday saw a rather scorching day at Steeple Grange, with a basic service on the cards, a rather hectic day all round!






Weekly Progress Report - 6/5/14 - 11/05/14

A relatively quiet week this week leading up to the NGRS visit yesterday.

Thursday the engine house had a little spring clean before the weekend, ready to accept the visitors. After that was complete a quick re-shuffle of the stock ready for the movements on the Saturday morning.

Saturday morning was an early start with locomotives Peter, Greenbat and ZM32 prepared and off shed by 9. The running line up for the Narrow Gauge Railway Society was a double manrider coupled to ZM32, Greenbat headed a freight train and Peter did the normal branch returns. With sunshine early on some quite pleasant trips were made up the mainline, but as forecast, the rains came, unfortunately with Greenbat and ZM32 at Sandy Lane, making the return trip a battle against the elements, with torrential downpours ahead. After lunch, the rains did come to an end, and retained as an on and off rain and shine sequence, therefore the freight was stored away and Greenbat was coupled to the back of the double manrider, and Greenbat and ZM32 top and tailed for the rest of the afternoon. The afternoon was rounded off with chairman Lawson Little opening "Lawson's Loop", named in much gratefulness of the money which he has put in to allow the loop to be installed.

Locomotives ready to make a move

ZM32, 103 and 104 sat at Dark Lane Quarry

The freight in the loop

ZM32 passing the freight in the loop.

Coupled up!

Greenbat at the rear of the train after the first run

The Top and Tail train at Steeplehouse

The special Unveiling!

 

After the Saturday's event, Sunday did see more rain with a more simple service on the cards.

Weekly Progress Report - 28/04/14 - 05-05-14

Another successful bank holiday has come and gone, Rocks and Rails definitely a success!

Thursday saw the completion of the point change at the passing loop, finally back in action again after the y-point was removed two weeks ago. The jobs from there ranged into Rocks and Rails preparation including a range of shunting operations.

Rocks and Rails was an excellent weekend, all three days saw two train working on the mainline with Greenbat and ZM32, however, Greenbat did see some attention Sunday morning as the compressor failed, but was fixed in the couple of hours after the problem occurred. After the problem was fixed Greenbat joined the action.

Today saw the mainline services back in action, in the diesel department, ZM32 was prepared for the todays operations, first being pressed into action moving a double manrider train with Lizzie on the back, destination, Steeplehouse! Lizzie was propelled on the traverser in order for the brake blocks to be removed and sent away for a new set to be cast. Hibberd 4008 also was having attention to the engine, with the fuel pump timing re-set, the fight began to get the engine to remove an air lock, after constant turning, bleeding a firing, the engine finally kept a constant rate.

All in all, a mixed, tiring weekend at the SGLR!

Greenbat operating the Rocks and Rails service

ZM32 moving in charge of shunting this morning

Lizzie on the traverser

Meanwhile in the Diesel Department

Greenbat passes Lizzie in the headshunt



Weekly Progress Report - 22/04/14 - 27/04/14

A rather busy week at Steeple Grange with a lot of work focused on the Permanent Way.

After the Easter Weekend has passed it has shown up the weak points along the line. Literally! Starting with the passing loop the Permenent Way team marked up a replacement point for the Recreation Ground Station side point, this was then propelled up to the loop, once the old y- point was removed, the new right handed point was placed down in the gap. Connecting up would be completed early on the Sunday morning. In other news from thursday, Hibberd 4008 was also on the list, with the underframe being restored, by the end of the day the whole of the external underframe was protected with red oxide.

 

The new point installed

Work progressing on Hibberd 4008



Today started with the Permenent Way team starting early to re-connect the mainline, this was completed in good time to allow for the first proving run to be completed. ZM32 was also having attention, with the valve clearances being examined and other parts on the engine. With mainline services underway, the motive power department turned attention to Hibberd 4008, with red oxide being applied to the cab area, by the end of the day this was completed and is now looking splendid!

 

Hibberd 4008 at the end of the day

ZM32 being prepared

Greenbat arriving at Steeplehouse

 

 

Ready to bank the last train to Dark Lane Quarry

Weekly Progress Report - 14/04/14 - 21/04/14

There we have it, Easter all done and dusted!

Thursday saw the final test for the new loop, this was a test with a double manrider train made up of ZM32 and Manrider's 104 and 103, it was passed off with flying colours, after being tested to its absolute limits! The double manrider train was then bound for Steeplehouse, where after a quick wash and clean out, was re-shuffled and Manrider's swopped over ready for departure back to the Carriage and Wagon Shed. Thursday also meant the last day for the major work and the minor jobs to be done before the weekend, one on the list was to re-install "dukes platform", the small platform at Sandy Lane where the guard alights to flag the train across the road, a larger platform has been designed and build, this should be a lot more rugged and survive the season.

Ready to depart after a re-shuffle

Testing in the loop



The Easter Weekend started on Easter Saturday, with Greenbat operating with Manrider 103 on the mainline and Peter on the branchline, the day was fine and passenger numbers were steady. Easter Sunday was rather a fight with the weather forecasts, but, none the less, a start in the torrential rain saw ZM32 prepared for traffic, on collection of Manrider 103, the train made its way to the loop where training on how to use it properly was undertaken. After training was given, the train made its way to Steeplehouse where passengers awaited eagerly for the ride up the 1 in 27! The weather forecast turned out to be very wrong, as the sun blazed down, the passenger numbers continued steadyily. As volunteer numbers were in abundance, it was time to errect the marquee out the rear of the engine house which would allow for vehicles to be worked on outside in all conditions. Hibberd 4008 in no time was parked up under it wo allow for remidial work to be carried out on the starter motor which would hopefully turn the engine over without the need of hand cranking the engine.

The Easter Sunday Service

 Easter Monday was much better than either of the days beforehand, blessed with a good forecast and scorching temperatures of 17 degrees! The first two train operation was to be tested out as passenger numbers were on the increase. Early on in the morning the vegetation clearance team were laid up in the loop carrying out strimming duties at Sandy Lane to improve site lines. The afternoon saw work carried out on Hibberd 4008 regarding the body panels, the majority on the cab, which would allow it to be placed on and painted, the chassis was also rubbed down and given a coat of protective red oxide. However, ZM32 reared its ugly head on us at the end of today, as the call was given for a stationary train in Killers Dale, unfortunately the service was dead in the water with the locomotive suddenly only firing on 1 cylinder, giving for little power, certainly not enough to push the Manrider up the 1 in 27. ZM32 was brought to Steeplehouse and took out of service, after much investigation and tinkering, the verdict, a blocked diesel filter not allowing fuel to be delivered from the fuel tank to the rest of the engine. After this was finally sorted, it was clocking on 5:00, this locomotive was in need of a test, therefore a banking trip was in order and the loco was tasked with propelling Greenbat and Manrider 103 up to Dark Lane, which after an unblocked fuel pipe, it undertook flawlessly.

ZM32 and Manrider 104 at Steeplehouse

Rubbing down Hibberd 4008

Red Oxide starting to go on!

ZM32 finally at Dark Lane Quarry after Banking the mainline train.

After a very tiring and challenging weekend, its now time to think about the rest of the season........now, any volunteers!