Progress Report - Sunday 17 January

Hi All, sorry for the late blog report!

On this day we were battling the elements with a dusting of snow, nevertheless we battled through completing some shunting manoeuvres in Dark Lane Quarry. Hibberd 4008 blazed a trail to allow other locomotives to follow, before commencing the shunting operations which allow us to release some of the wagon stock needed for further extension of the line.

As most of the locomotives were out of the Engine House the team also decided to have a good tidy up which the Engine House looks much better for.

Progress Report - Sunday 10th January

This week the Motive Power Team and Permanent Way Team were both working in their respective areas.

Back again after last weeks successes the team working on Hibberd 4008 having sourced the leaks and dealt with them started to reassemble the locomotive back into working order once again, this started with the basics re-fitting the radiator for the coolant and fuel tank for the fuel the engine needs. With these both on it was a case of bleeding both systems and after final checks were done turning the key! We must stress that at Steeple Grange with the absence of an extractor fan diesel engines arent to be started in the shed however the team used ingenuity and with the absence of a locomotive to move 4008 out of the shed meant the exhaust would need to be extended to the outside which was completed using a rather large plastic waster pipe!

One of the tasks for the Permanent Way team in our short window of on track maintenance is the relaying of Lawson's Loop, which would see the removal of the West Y-Point in order for it to be replaced with a right hand turnout which would be of a lesser radius turn than the existing point meaning that it would give for a smoother ride through the loop. Today the team dealt with connecting up the East point for the loop before relaying the track and joining up with the other point ready to go in.

On a side from this another member of the team was offering trips from Steeplehouse Station to Recreation Ground Station in return for donations which went down very well with the general public who all left with large smiles!

Ingenuity!

Relaying for Lawson's Loop

Hibberd 4008 setting up for a test run

Progress Report - Sunday 3rd January

The first work to take place after the new year with only a small team turning up to work on Hibberd 4008.

As the only ones on site the opportunity was seized to lift the locomotive and change the front suspension springs of which were past their best and caused it to lean forward meaning it was quite close to the railhead itself. With the new springs in place it has levelled the locomotive completely; a massive relief. With the majority of the front end of the locomotive in bits trying to source a leak on the front of the engine other diesel pipes were also given a good going over and tightening after the season and being a newly restored locomotive before a full running season this year.

It is hoped to use the locomotive on demonstration freight trains on marked days, the two mixed traction events on the 9/10 April and also on the 27/28/29 of August and also on selected dates throughout the summer on passenger trains with our new compressor wagon.

Up in the air whilst the springs are changed.

Gently setting the locomotive back down on the axle boxes.

Sunshine and Success! - Weekly Progress Report

The Easter Weekend was a great success and we were blessed with some of the hottest days of 2015, making it even more pleasant. Greenbat and Manrider 103 handled the services to Middleton up the mainline and re-launched Peggy operated on the smaller branch line down into Steeplehouse Quarry.

The Motive Power Department has also had great successes over the weekend, the first being the trial and successful return to working order of ZM32, which has had an oil change in readiness for the summer operating season. Attentions then turned to Manrider 104, which has languished in the Carriage and Wagon Shed all winter, finally breaking away to have its pre-season examination in readiness for operations. It passed successfully and was taken out on a test run coupled with ZM32 as this is its designated partner.

The major success was with Hibberd 4008, the locomotive has had various successes and stoppers with regard to its brake rigging in the last couple of weeks, but finally the brake rigging was fitted and trialled, adjusted and then trialled again. Late on Monday the locomotive left the workshops at Steeplehouse on a solo run up the line, the first time it has moved under its own power in preservation, a major achievement for the team!

A successful weekend all round!

Manrider 104 on the traverser during the exam

Hibberd 4008 passes the service train at Lawson's Loop

The Hibberd 4008 team after the run was complete

Hibberd 4008 on the traverser at the end of the day

ZM32 and the service train pass at Lawson's Loop





Clocking On! - Weekly Progress Report

The clocks have gone forward, the tell tale sign that Easter isn't very far away! In fact its just next week, will you be joining us?

Last Thursday concentrations turned to the continuation of the re-painting of Greenbat, as the paintwork after major overhaul hasn't faired so well, currently the locomotive sports a grey primer livery, and will do until after Easter where the top coat of green can be applied. Other attentions were on the new compressor wagon, which will provide air to our Manrider stock and air tools for permanent way, the vehicle has had the air compressor fitted to the chassis with fittings currently on order ready to turn the vehicle into a useful edition to the fleet, then finally a body will be constructed for the wagon.

Sunday saw a rather wash out day as the clocks went forward ironically to British Summertime. The Motive Power Team carried out remedial shunting movements in preparation for Easter, first releasing Manrider 104 and Manrider 103 which will both most likely called into service at some point in the coming weeks, after re-shuffling our wagon stock currently re-siding in the Carriage and Wagon Shed. In the afternoon as the weather cleared the opportunity was grasped to take Greenbat and Manrider 103 out on test before next weekend and we are safe to say that tests proved successful.

The Passenger Department also dealt with the transport of the display stands needed for the merchandise over the Easter Weekend, these will be put together next weekend and re-stocked ready.

The days are counting down very quickly now into the last week!

Peter in Porter Lane Tunnel after shunting is completed

Manrider 102 after its re-paint

Greenbat and the Manrider at Lawson's Loop

Greenbat part way through its re-paint



Going Loco! - Weekly Progress Report

Last week saw operational locomotives being put back into service ready for the season which starts in just over a week's time.

The Motive Power Department have been under the gun for the last month busily trying to return Greenbat back into service, rigorously testing ZM32 to make sure it is perfect for the operational season, getting L16 Peggy and Peter checked over. Alongside this Lizzie has had its brakes returned and completely restored back to operational services with tests undertaken. Hibberd 4008 is slowly having the brake rigging fitted, adjusted and tried, hopefully this will be in service in the not so distant future.

More preparations for Easter will continue this weekend and into next week!

ZM32 having its chain tensions adjusted

Lizzie having its front brakes attached

Greenbat being trialled

Hibberd 4008 on the edge!



Back on Tracks!! - Weekly Progress Report

Apologies for the lack of progress reports over the last couple of weeks we have been very busy! Although news has been flowing slowly work definitely hasn't, with much to report in the Motive Power Department section and Rolling Stock Section.

In the Motive Power Department we have seen the rise of one locomotive from the depths, with two more following in close pursuit. "HORWICH" ZM32 threw a major challenge at us at Christmas just after the Santa Specials whereby Forward or Reverse drive wasn't able to be selected, deeming the locomotive out of service with an unknown return to service date. Within the first couple of weeks the problem was sourced and over the last couple of months a solution as to how the problem was to be dealt with was weighed up, finally last week after many different new parts being manufactured the locomotive moved under its own power for the first time. Battery electric locomotive "GREENBAT" had its running gear returned as well last week which had been away in Chesterfield at Dorlec for motor cleaning, now back on its wheels all that remains to get the locomotive wired back up again and the battery box returned to the locomotive. The last locomotive which has come on in leaps and bounds over the last couple of weeks is Hibberd 4008 "ULLR", which currently is awaiting its new brake rigging to be manufactured, this all be and well should be fitted next weekend and the locomotive run on its own for the first time in 42 years. Bumbling along in the background is Lister Hybrid "LIZZIE" which is currently having its brake rigging and blocks seen to, new ones recently cast with only the hanger bars awaiting manufacture before it can all go back together and form one of the operational fleet again.

In the rolling stock corner one of the large 16 seat passenger carrying vehicles "MANRIDER 103" had its examination ready for the running season, "MANRIDER 104" remains to have its done at a later date. Another vehicle taking great strides at the moment is the compressor wagon, this vehicle will provide an independent air brake system for our larger man riders and for works trains. Another of our smaller passenger carrying vehicles "MANRIDER 102" has had a significant amount of new metal welded in and a full repaint done ready for Easter.

With Easter fast approaching the countdown is on!

"HORWICH" ZM32 on the traverser at Steeplehouse

Hibberd 4008 stands in the sunshine.

The compressor wagon in construction.

GREENBAT's motor back in the loco.