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