Weekly Progress Report - Back On Tracks!

Another great day's progress up at Steeple Grange with many different teams on site undertaking various tasks around the railway.

In the Motive Power Department work continued on Hibberd 4008, first removing the fuel pump for transport to Key Diesels at Burton Upon Trent for refurbishment, then it was hauled outside and onto the traverser for the brake rigging to be marked up ready for altering, finally ending up fitting a fuel filter to the newly installed tank and then a general tidy up of parts.

In the Rolling Stock Department Manrider 102 receives remedial work removing and replacing corroded tubing sections before its cosmetic restoration starts. Another piece of stock that was shunted out today is the MetroBug in order for its modification to start.

The Permanent Way Team tackled the line into the container at the back of the Engine Shed, moving the track across in order to allow some of our wider items of rolling stock and locomotives to be stored in there.

To continue with another week of progress at Steeple Grange.

Brake Rigging on Hibberd 4008

Fixing the track back down in the container

Hibberd 4008 in the sun

MetroBug is transported to Steeplehouse.



Weekly Progress Report - Covered Up

An overview of last week's progress!

Permanent Way were in action last Thursday doing the tedious but vital job of clearing the line of leaves which accumulate and make the track conditions treacherous. Thursday also saw the picking up of Greenbat's motor for transport to Dorlec in Chesterfield who will refurbish the motor ready for the 2015 operational season.

Sunday saw the Motive Power Department back in action on Hibberd 4008, manufacturing more parts for the cab, this time to cover up the Gearbox which protrudes into the cabin area and also measuring up the brake rigging ready for turning down from 2 foot gauge to 18 inch gauge. Greenbat was also having work completed on it this time the re-installation of the compressor which was removed for maintenance whilst the motor and gearboxes were out of the way at Dorlec. ZM32 received an overview by a potential lead to getting back on the mend as well.

 

Hibberd 4008's original brake rigging

All up in the air!



Weekly Progress Report - Going Loco!

At this point in the year work on our main parts of the railway (the track and motive power) picks up quite a pace and with Greenbat in pieces ready for the major part the rolling chassis going away for refurbishment at Dorlec Ltd in Chesterfield next week sparked other works on the locomotive to be undertaken.

In other news, work on Hibberd 4008 can also be reported as the cab's wooden interior starts to be manufactured and installed, alongside work on the engine in the shape of a new larger fuel tank which will allow for a much longer endurance needed at Steeple Grange.

Excellent progress in only the start of what will surely be a challenging year!

Rolling Chassis on Greenbat outside in the open

Hibberd 4008 in the back of the workshop at Steeplehouse

Starting on the Gearbox Cover on Hibberd 4008



End of Season & Santa Specials 2014 !

     The weekend dawned cold and frosty and in sparkling sunshine the Santa Express propelled even more happy visitors up to the Grotto to see Father Christmas than last year. The Sunday was not quite as sunny but just as many people came to see him. Many were SGLR regulars but more were first time visitors to our Christmas activities. Suffice to say we should have even more repeat trade next time and the proceeds of it all are going to be greatly needed in the near future.


Santa Special Train returning to collect next group of visitors.

 

tidying up afterwards
 



 

 

preparing for the weekend

 

The final week at the railway saw the usual group of volunteers sorting and drying out the equipment before storage for next year and the removal of the rear screen ready for the engine house to assume it's role as workshop in the new year.

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