Monday 5th September 2022

Another short update this week.

Anne and Phil Burton working on the chaise longue in GER No. 5More good progress has been made on the Great Eastern Railway Royal Saloon this week with Phil Bell having now replaced most of the damaged veneer. Anne and Phil Burton have been attending to the chaise longue in the larger saloon. We are still awaiting delivery of the new moquette which is being chased up. Attention is also being turned to replacing some missing light fittings and door straps.

Looking ahead, the Furness Railway Trust shed will be opened up to the public this coming Saturday, 10th September. Assistance from members in engaging with visitors and showing them around would be very much appreciated. It is a golden opportunity to publicise the work of our volunteer workforce and to recruit new members.

Tim and Alan in full voice at FleetwoodDoing their best to publicise the FRT this last weekend were Tim and Alan, in a reduced Live Steam formation, who performed an impromptu half hour set of mainly railway songs at Fleetwood Folk Club’s second Folk Festival on Sunday afternoon.

Next Tuesday evening, 13th September, will see the Furness Railway Trust AGM taking place in the Furness Railway Trust shed at Preston at 7.30 pm. Please remember, if possible, to bring along the paperwork which was circulated to members with the recent edition of The Iron Horse. It is a chance for members to view the shed and it is hoped that as many as possible will be able to attend. Alison has promised us some refreshments which will need to be eaten!!

Tuesday 30th August 2022

A short “After the Bank Holiday Monday” edition for you!

Ed removing yet more old varnish from GER No. 5John Dixon has formally announced that work on re-covering the roof of Great Eastern Railway Royal Saloon No. 5 had been completed – apart from renewing the cabling to the internal lights which Sam is planning. Inside, work has continued on renewing veneered panels, painting ceilings and cleaning light fittings. More time is also now being spent on sorting out the former kitchen compartment where Ed is seen removing yet more varnish from the woodwork.

Preparing to lift the water take off sump for Wootton Hall's tendertankAnother step forward was taken this week in the refurbishment of Wootton Hall’s tender tanks with the fitting of the reconstructed water take off sump. On Wednesday Ade operated the fork lift truck to lift it from the shed floor onto the tender tank.Up and away goes the water take off sump

The sump now neatly in place in the tender tankWe arrived on Friday to find that Keith and Matt had successfully used block and tackle to lift it into place, a perfect fit.

Cumbria's new tubes being fitted 16.08.22Andy Booth appeared on Friday to announce that Cumbria’s new tubes were now all fitted and that they would be beaded over when he returns from holiday.

RSR's latest locoFinally, we can reveal the latest loco to arrive at the Ribble Steam Railway. With no room available in the running shed it was shunted into the shop!

Monday 22nd August 2022

Phil Bell fits new veneer to GER No. 5With Ade driving RSR’s mid-week train on Wednesday and Alan away on holiday, it has been a slightly quieter week. However, work has continued on Great Eastern Railway Royal Saloon No. 5 where the much anticipated replacement veneer arrived just after lunch on Friday. Phil didn’t waste any time in starting to cut and fit some of the new veneer as can be seen here.

Meanwhile the painting of the large saloon ceiling has been completed and work started on the corridor ceiling, where Phil had previously undertaken repairs after it had been damaged by water ingress.John Dixon attends to GER 5 light fittingsThe next job in the saloon will be to re-fit the vents and light fittings which are currently receiving attention from John Dixon.

John Davis working on kitchen cupboard doors for GER 5John Davis has been continuing the job of removing old varnish from the kitchen compartment cupboard doors.

Fred chipping away at rust on spring hanger components for Wootton HallThe removal of the centre springs from Wootton Hall has given Fred the opportunity to clean up the spring hanger bolts, collars and washers.

Cumbria's new tubes being fitted 16.08.22Finally, over at Embsay good progress is being made with the fitting of new tubes to ‘Austerity’ 0-6-0ST Cumbria.

Monday 15th August 2022

Just a short update this week.

John Davis cleaning a piece of wooden beading from GER No.5Work has continued on Great Eastern Royal Saloon No. 5, with Tim completing the painting of the corniche mouldings and John Dixon installing the last of the re-built vents on the roof. The moquette for the chaise longue in the large saloon has been ordered and, in anticipation of this, the saloon ceiling is in the course of being repainted, hopefully to be completed this week. John Davis has been working on some of the wooden beading.

John Davis and Phil Bell in planning modeThe replacement veneer has also been ordered and John Davis and Phil are seen here planning its installation – or it could just be another “seats of the week” photo?!

Keith and Ron removing a stubborn nut from one of Wootton Hall's spring hanger boltsKeith has again been busy working on Wootton Hall‘s tender, seen here with Ron Crowe attempting to remove a stubborn nut from one of the spring hanger bolts.

Keith has also been across to Bury where he assisted with the fitting of two replacement springs on 5643, borrowed from GWR 2-8-0 3855 courtesy of Andy Booth – thanks Andy. It is hoped that 5643’s own springs will be returned from repair very shortly, delayed by a difficulty in procuring the correct specification of spring steel.

Finally, over at Embsay, the boiler surveyor has inspected the Trust’s ‘Austerity’ 0-6-0ST Cumbria and given the OK for the replacement tubes to be fitted, which should commence tomorrow.

Monday 8th August 2022

The blog may have had a week off, but there hasn’t been any let up in action at Preston.

The new front plate on Wootton Hall's tender, welded into place by Ian MasseyThere has been further progress with the repairs to Wootton Hall’s tender tank with Ian Massey welding in a new front plate last Tuesday.

Matt Crabtree using a magnet to position a new piece of steel on the back of Wootton Hall's tender tankMatt Crabtree has also continued his welding work on the tank, seen here last Friday using a magnet to hold a new piece of metal in place prior to tacking it in place with weld.

Phil Bell fixing down Fluff's cab roofFluff’s new cab roof is now well and truly in place with Phil Bell drilling some fixing holes.

The work on the roof on Great Eastern Railway Royal Saloon No.5 is also heading towards a conclusion. John Dixon has been fitting the last of the vents, including some new lead fittings. Let us pray?! John Dixon securing a replacement step board in place of GER No. 5He has also been replacing some missing step boards with wood from old church pews supplied by Fred. (Note the suitable kneeling position…!)

Old tubes being removed from Cumbria at EmbsayOver at Embsay, Andy Booth has been cutting out Cumbria‘s old tubes in readiness for a boiler examination last Thursday. Matt Anderson had removed the blast pipe, blower and brick arch in readiness for the re-tubing. The photo by Mike Rigg’s son last Wednesday shows the old tubes propped up against the front buffer beam.

Matt Crabtree loading Cumbria's new tubes at Preston for transportation to EmbsayThe new tubes were transported across to Embsay last Friday, with Matt Crabtreee on hand to perform the tricky exercise of extricating them from the FRT shed at Preston with the fork lift truck.

Monday 25th July 2022

Phil Bell and John Davies have been making further progress with the fitting of Fluff‘s new cab roof. Keith has fabricated a steel bridging piece to go above the cab door which should enable the roof sheet to be pulled and held into place. Phil Bell drilling holes in the new bridging piece for Fluff's cab roof.Phil is seen drilling fixing holes in the bridging piece, watched by John.

John Dixon and Tim managed to get the final coat of gloss white paint onto the roof of Great Eastern Railway Royal Saloon No. 5, despite the lingering heat from the day before.

Ade preparing one of Caliban's eccentric straps for fittingAde has been busy readying the eccentric straps for fitting on Caliban.

George applying heat to a recalcitrant nut on one of Wootton Hall's spring hangersGeorge appeared at Preston on Saturday and was given the task of removing the nuts and cups from Wootton Hall‘s spring hangers. The middle hangers proved particularly difficult and required the application of some heat and a sledge hammer to achieve success. George applies a sledge hammer to one of the spring hanger cups on Wootton Hall.It must have been around sixty years since they were fitted.

Live Steam in action at the Engine Inn, Cark-in-Cartmel on Friday, 22nd July 2022Our folk group Live Steam had a successful fund raising outing at the Engine Inn, Cark-in-Cartmel, on Friday evening, seemingly brushing away any cobwebs gathered since the last gig on New Year’s Eve. Another gig is in the offing if diaries can be coordinated.

Finally, it seems that our friend, Anthony Coulls at the National Railway Museum, has been publishing some short documentaries on YouTube with the title Curator with a Camera. Here is his take on Furness Railway No. 3, Coppernob: “A Victorian locomotive blasted by war”.

Monday 18th July 2022

Going whiteDespite the warmer weather this week, John Dixon and Tim managed to get two coats of undercoat applied to the roof of Great Eastern Railway Royal Saloon No. 5. John surprised us all by having to confess that he had discovered a rare mistake in that he had put one of the rain strips in the wrong place!! Still, as they say, the man who never made a mistake never did anything! Heat permitting, it is hoped to put a top coat of paint on the roof on Wednesday.

Ade working on one of Caliban's pistonsAde has been trying to fit the larger of Caliban‘s two pistons into one of the re-bored cylinders. A skim on a lathe is probably now required to ensure that this job can be completed.

Phil Bell watches as John Davis fits a bolt to Fluff's new roofJohn Davis and Phil Bell have made further progress in fitting Fluff’s new roof.

Bob Thomson - happy to be back?We had a rare visit from Bob Thomson on Friday. We couldn’t get a smile out of him for the photo but assume that he was happy to be back.

We hear that Andy Booth should be able to make a start on an interim re-tubing of ‘Austerity’ 0-60ST Cumbria next week. Arrangements are being made to transport the new tubes from Preston to Embsay.

Friday sees our folk group, Live Steam, making another appearance at the Engine Inn, Cark-in-Carmel starting at 8.30 pm. Please pop along and support the band if you are in the area.

Latest edition of the magazineFinally, the latest edition of The Iron Horse magazine has been delivered from the printer and should be with members very shortly, along with the Trustees’ Annual Report and Accounts and an invitation to the Annual General Meeting, which will be held on Tuesday evening, 13th September.

Monday 11th July 2022

Back after a holiday break – and the weather is now looking good! Typical!

After some months of wrestling with second hand twisted metal, we are pleased to report that John Dixon finally had the pleasure (or should that be satisfaction?) of seeing the new gas cylinder store completed, painted and erected.

John Davis and John Dixon move the door of the gas cylinder cage into positionJohn Davis and John Dixon are seen moving the cage door into position.

John Dixon makes the final adjustments to the cageJohn Dixon makes the final adjustments to the cage.

Phil Bell and John Dixon secure the roof into positionPhil Bell and John Dixon secure the roof.

John Davis in Fluff's cab, John Dixon works on roof vents and Matt Crabtree and Keith are on Wootton Hall's tender.Inside the shed, John Davis and Phil Bell have lifted the first half of Fluff’s roof into place. John Davis is in Fluff’s cab whilst John Dixon (right) continues his work on the final two vents for the roof of Great Eastern Railway Royal Saloon No. 5. Matt Crabtree and Keith Brewer discuss progress on welding new steelwork on Wootton Hall’s tender.

Sam and Wilfie make up water treatment sachets for FR 20We were pleased to welcome Wilfie Pinch who has spent his first day working in the FRT shed. He is seen here with Sam preparing daily water treatment sachets for FR 20.

Amazon Prime Day advert

Finally, during Prime Day (which actually runs for two days!?!), tomorrow and Wednesday, Amazon is doubling donations on all eligible purchases made with AmazonSmile. That means if you buy during the 48-hour event using Amazon Smile you can get Amazon to donate to the Furness Railway Trust, at no expense to you, twice as much as usual!

Monday 27th June 2022

There was more steady progress on projects again this last week.

Ade working on Caliban's valve spindlesAde has been wrestling with Caliban’s valve spindles.

John Davis removing old leatherette from the interior of GER No. 5The overhaul of Great Eastern Railway Royal Saloon GER No. 5 moves on, with John Davis seen here removing the old leatherette to allow more detailed inspection of the interior and then planned replacement by moquette.

John Dixon painting the new gas bottle cageJohn Dixon is nearing completion of the new gas bottle cage, the concrete base for which was laid as planned last Wednesday.

Keith has been back to Bury to assist with the replacement of broken springs on Great Western Railway 0-6-2T locomotive No. 5643. The damaged springs have been sent away for repair and will hopefully soon be back at the East Lancashire Railway.

Finally, we hear that Sam had a good day firing Grant Richie No. 272 on Saturday when he was being assessed as a potential fireman.

No blog next week due to a holiday – yes another holiday!!

Monday 20th June 2022

There was a small gathering at Beetham Crematorium last Friday to say goodbye to Andy MacGregor, with a drink at the Wheatsheaf, Beetham afterwards. A full obituary for Andy, who died on the 18th May at the untimely age of 63, will be included in the next issue of The Iron Horse.

Gas lamp housings and tops all fitted to GER No. 5We are nearing the end of work on the roof of Great Eastern Railway Royal Saloon No. 5. John Dixon is finishing off a few jobs before it will be time to apply several coats of white paint onto the roof. The tops have now been fitted to the gas lamp housings.

The end of the chaise longue that has been removed for reupholsteringPhil and Anne Burton appeared last Wednesday and we are pleased to be able to report that Anne has been making good progress after damaging her arm in a fall away from the railway. The end of the chaise longue has been removed for further investigation prior to being reupholstered.

The transformed woodwork in the corridor of GER 5The woodwork inside the corridor of the coach has been transformed with the removal of old varnish which has been painstakingly carried out by the very patient and dedicated team. Measurements were taken last week with a view to ordering some replacement veneer where it is needed.

Ade has continued his work on Caliban where options for procuring a new piston are being considered. Matt Crabtree working on Wootton Hall's tenderMatt Crabtree was back at work on Wootton Hall’s tender on Saturday where he has been practising his welding skills.

The smoothed-off filler on the left hnd side of Wootton hall's tender tank.The lower part of the left hand tender side has now received a layer of filler to even out all the old paintwork. Good use has been made of the new dustless sanding machine in preparing the surface for a first coat of paint.

John Dixon working on the new gas bottle cageAnother project taking shape has been the creation  of the new gas bottle cage, with John Dixon seen here working on it. Concrete for the base has been ordered for 4 pm this Wednesday afternoon. Bring your wellies if you would like to lend a hand.

Dave Starkie with Alan Middleton and Keith BrewerThis week’s “seats of the week” photo sees Dave Starkie making a welcome return to speak to Alan Middleton and Keith Brewer.

Sam Middleton on Grant Richie No. 272Finally, Sam Middleton is taking his practical firing test this next Saturday. He was spotted having some pre-exam practice on Grant Richie No. 272 last Saturday. Good luck, Sam!