Abbey Light blog

My last Sunday at the railway

2010-07-11T19:34:00.003+01:00

Well, as a resident of West Yorkshire anyway. I'll be back next month for a weekend. However, this is the last regular Sunday I'll be at the railway. So I had Druid on the passenger train.
There were not a lot of passengers about, so I swapped Druid for Loweco for more of a challenge. (Druid is so good it doesn't notice the coaches behind it, the Lister is much smaller so pulling the passenger train uphill is more entertaining!) There were not a lot of passengers about, but yesterday made up for it, with record takings in the history of the ALR.

This could be the last post for a while, at least until I sort out the internet in my flat, so farewell everyone!

Kirkstall Festival

2010-07-10T20:30:00.002+01:00

As usual, we operated today to take passengers to and from Kirkstall Festival. This is usually our busiest day of the year, and today did not disapoint, with many fully loaded trains. Atlas and Little Ruston were used on the 'Festival Flyer', both running well all day.

The Festival Flyer, in full flight up to the Abbey to pick up a full load of passengers.
The Baguley has been inspected to see what was wrong with it's engine (after it stopped working when it derailed on Thursday) Turns out whatever it was has sorted itself out, and the engine started straight away.

A preserved Dakota DC-3 did a flypast over the festival, and our railway. This photo was taken from just outside our shed. The plane seemed a lot lower in real life!

Atlas, complete with Festival Flyer headboard, being admired by a young passenger.

And at the other end of the train, Little Ruston.

Business as usual tomorrow, and the last Sunday I'll be at the railway before I move down south. :-(

7mm society visit

2010-07-08T23:25:00.003+01:00

This evening we had the 7mm scale society (narrow gauge railway modellers) visiting. We had all our working engines outside for photographing, and many of them started and on the passenger train.

The Gogo tractor made another sucessful run up the line and back, crawling backwards in reverse gear took over 5 minutes.

I think our visitors enjoyed their visit, despite a moment when the Baguley decided it didn't like being a train any more and made a bid for freedom, landing at 45 degrees to the track! It doesn't look like its suffered any significant damage, but we couldn't get the engine to restart, so will have to have an in depth look at it at the weekend.

Also, a photographer from the Yorkshire Evening Post turned up. Peter (the owner and driving force behind the railway) is going to be interviewed on Saturday for an article in the newspaper. So a few minutes were spent gathered 'twixt the Gogo and Baguley for team photographs (...is the YEP a broad-sheet? It might need to be for some people in the photo :-D )

So everyone look out in the YEP in the near future.

The beginning of the end....

2010-07-05T00:11:00.002+01:00

...well, for me at least. I'm moving to Devon, so after next weekend my visits to the railway will be only occasional. If people send me photos and descriptions of whats being going on then this blog might be able to continue via 'remote control'. ...we'll see.

Anyway, today I was using Odin, which ran well all day. Passengers were a steady stream, it was one of those days when we're never stood still for long, but theres never a decent load on the train.

For the last trip, I took the Lister for a spin.

A strange thing has happend while I've been away. Somebody has spray painted the handle of one of our point levers yellow. Its been done quite intentionally, yet there is no other yellow paint or vandalism of any kind to be seen. odd.

Next weekend, we'll also be operating on Saturday, as it is Kirkstall Festival in the Abbey grounds.

The past few weeks...

2010-07-04T23:50:00.002+01:00

...I havn't been at the railway, but Justin sent me these pics of what was running.

20th June, Little Ruston was in action on the passenger train.

The Gogo tractor was out and running, with my Dad at the 'wheel'.
27th June, the turn of Atlas again, seen here shunting the Muir Hill chassis out of the compound.

The O&K's gearbox is now being finally reassembled, with the new sump, once this is done it can be properly bolted into the loco.

2010-06-13T23:18:00.004+01:00

Today's engine was Atlas, which ran well. There were not too many passengers, but enough to make it worthwhile running. The hot axlebox changed last week seems to be ok now.
Later on in the afternoon, the heavens opened and we packed away early, but driving no-cabbed Atlas in the pouring rain is about as much fun as you'd imagine it to be...
I also changed a sleeper. turned out to be quite rotton under the surface.

The Gogo tractor came out of the shed today to be measured and photographed for a model.

Odin's leaky radiator was finally fixed, and it is now back to full health. Here it is seen next to Druid. These two engines started out their lives looking fairly similar to each other, but over time various modifications (especially to Druid) have made them both rather unique.

Also today, the Greenbat had it's batteries topped up with de-ionised water, and some work was done on the O&K, although I'm not sure what as I wasn't paying attention.

More pics from Leeds traction engine club visit.

2010-06-06T22:07:00.003+01:00

Some more photos from last month when the Leeds and district traction engine club visited to have a hog roast, sent to me by Justin.

Here is the steam roller that turned up, nicely rolling our yard flat.
Some steam roller detail. It really was well turned out.

The only one not enjoying the evening so much...

The Gogo tractor manouvering in the yard.

Richard reclining in the Gogo tractor on the way to the Abbey.

Little Ruston took the train back up the line when it returned (very very slowly) behind the Gogo tractor. Once the train had gone back up the line, Gogo tractor stalled and wouldn't restart.

...nope, still doesn't want to start....

So me and Atlas towed it away in disgrace.

2010-06-06T21:54:00.002+01:00

Today it was pouring down with rain, so we didn't rush about getting the train out, as there simply was nobody about. at about 2 'o'clock the rain eased, and some trains were ran. Druid was the motive power, and ran without faults.
Last Monday Atlas suffered a hot axlebox. Today we set about fixing it. This involved jacking and packing up the front end of the loco and removing all of the axlebox seen below. What had happened is the springs that hold a lubricating pad against the bottom of the axle had broken with age. Luckily, we had a brand new one to hand and the axlebox was cleaned out and the replacement fitted. We put Atlas on the passenger train at the end of the day and it seems OK now. It still runs a little warmer then the other 3 axleboxes, but apparently this is not a problem and is because of some water damage to the end of ther axle from when it was stored out of use at Alne tile works.

Atlas on the top end of the passenger train. It got fixed quickley because it is such a good, useful and powerful engine. It hauls the passenger train even with Druid on the rear end as though theres nothing there. It could just do with a cab on wet days like today though.

We didn't take many passengers today, as the weather was so bad. But we did take some so it was worth running.

Meanwhile, the O&K progresses. The front body section has been removed to aid the refitting of the engine oil level filler/indicator.

The new gearbox sump has recieved it's first coat of paint, and for the first time looks like part of the locomotive. It only need a small modification (i'm told) before it is complete. Then the axlebox wants taking apart and cleaning of debris from the building of the sump, and the whole thing can be assembled for good.

Bank Holiday Monday

2010-05-31T20:15:00.003+01:00

Today's engine was Atlas again, but to mix things up a bit, I turned it around for a different perspective on things (and to avoid breathing its toxic gases when it powers uphill!) It ran mostly ok, one of the air hoses worked loose and fell off once, and towards the end of the afternoon it started making loud screeching noises as it entered the Abbey station. Inspection revealed that it had developed a hot axlebox, and needed to come out of service imediately. It turns out that the springs of the oily pad that presses against the axle to lubricate it have broken, and the axle hasn't had a supply of oil to keep it moving freely. It should be fairly simple to put right, but we have to take the entire axloebox off to access it, which could prove to be quite an involved process. So for now it is out of action.
But fear not, Druid to the rescue! Druid itself had problems early on today with its brakes, but this was put right easily enough. It's also looking rather shabby, having picked up some more scratches while being used for scrap collection.

Meanwile today, The sleepers were surveyed, to see which most deperately need replacing now the evenings are light enough to do some sleeper changes.

The Lawnmower takes a well deserved rest.

Justin and James have replaced this little bit of track off the turntable for one with a buffer stop on it. They have made a very tidy job of it too, It just needs some adjustment so that Vulcan can fit on the turntable again.

30th May

2010-05-30T22:42:00.003+01:00

Today, I started off using Odin, but this only managed one trip, as it was suffering from problems with it's air supply, and the radiator has developed quite a leak.

There isn't supposed to be water dripping out of this bit, So Odin had to come off for repairs.

So instead, I used Atlas, which ran well all day. Passenger numbers were a steady stream, never enough to fill the train, but we were not sitting around waiting for custom.

This is what we have to put up with sometimes. Two young gentlemen (early teens, perhaps) were spotted on the track, they ran up it and put some of our signs across the track. I took this photo as evidence of what they'd been up to in case they had done anything else more criminal. It makes me wonder how stupid they really are though, they outran a small 1943 diesel engine, put a sign across the track (was that meant to derail us?) and wrapped the chain loosly around the point levers, and what is this meant to prove?? Anyway, whatever thrill they get out of it, I hope they've had their fill of it now and leave us alone.

I thought I'd include a photo of the battery electric actually working isntead of just standing around, Here is is shunting the skip wagons away, with my Dad grinning like a madman.

Also today, some more scrap has been gathered. I'm told we have made enough money from the scrap now to pay for the Muir Hill's wheels, and a few more loads and we'll have enough for it's axleboxes as well.

The O&K's gearbox has been lifted out of the frames again to fit the oil drain to the new sump.

And that is all, we'll be back at the railway tomorrow.

2010-05-23T19:05:00.002+01:00

Today was a very warm and humid day, great for people making the most of the sun in the Abbey grounds. However passener numbers were a bit down on what we were hoping for on such a nice day.

Running round the train would have been hard work in this heat, so we ran with an engine on each end. Richard took Atlas on the top end and I manned Little Ruston on the down end. A much easier arrangement for a day like today (but uses twice the fuel).

Richard in action!

Tommy was back today, doing a fine job of keeping the grass short, if getting a bit close to the track at times.

Druid and the crane wagon were in use getting some more steer bar out of the compound. this is being cut up and is going for scrap.

With the O&K's gearbox sump almost finished, it was lowered into position to mark out where the oil drain needs to go. Although this is only in place for now, it looks promising.

More scrap pictures

2010-05-22T23:38:00.002+01:00

Justin sent me these pictures of some further scrap being cut up for weighing in. However, these are quite sad as it's the first time a sort-of historic item has met the cutter's torch.

The green object on it's side is Druid's original cab. Now don't get me wrong, this is not part of the locomotive any more and will never be again. But it is still a semi-historic item and it was sad to see it cut up. It is really a sad reflection of the society we live in that we were resorted to this, rather then risk it being stolen by being left outside in the yard.

The sad sight of Druid towing it's former cab, now in flat pack form, in the scrap wagon.

And if you thought the subject of the pictures couldn't get any worse, here is me driving the Little Ruston. Its not often I get included in photos on here or the website, as its usually me behind the lens.

More photos from Wednesday night

2010-05-22T23:22:00.003+01:00

These photos were sent to me by Ian Dobson, who visited with the Leeds & District Traction engine club last wednesday.

Little Ruston on the passenger train at the Abbey

Atlas shortly after being dragged out of the shed and bump started.

Odin, next to the hog roast. the chimney protruding out of Odin's cab belongs to the steam roller behind it, not a log stove installed in the cab (now theres an Idea for those cold winter Sundays)

The Lister, on the ramp line.

The Gogo Tractor, having made it to the Abbey with Druid and coaches in tow. Druid was there purely to operate the train brakes, the Gogo was doing all the pulling.

Gogo tractor meets steam roller.

The Baguley-Lister combo

And Ian himself, having driven George the electric engine up the line. This was so he could claim to have riden behind (or on) all our operational locomotives in one night!

Thanks for the pics Ian.

High-tech automatic lawnmower

2010-05-20T19:30:00.002+01:00

We welcome Tommy the horse to the railway. He is owned by the landlord of the Bridge Inn, on Bridge Road, and is allowed to graze on the platform during the day. In return, he is keeping it nice and short for us, which saves one volunteer a few hours toil with the lawnmower and the cost of petrol to run it. he is only a young horse, so Wednesday when we were running for the traction engine club was probably the first time he had ever seen a train, and a steam roller for that matter.

"WTF?"

Steam engine at the railway!

2010-05-20T19:04:00.002+01:00

On Wednesday 19th, the Leeds and District traction engine club had a hog roast at the railway. One member brought along this beautifully preserved, and imaculately turned out steam roller, which became the first steam engine at the railway since Peter Pan visited in the early 2000s.

The hog roast company were back, serving pork sandiwches and drinks from a gazebo again, and we got all our engines out and ran them all in turn on the passenger train. Even the Gogo tractor hauled a train, and did very well until when it was uncoupled from the coaches and was going to run back through to the yard, when it stalled and wouldn't restart.

Here it is seen hauling Druid and coaches towards Bridge Road, very very slowly.

Odin gets some admiration at the Abbey station.

Vulcan also hauled a train, and it started without a problem on it's electric start. The lights have also been repaired, so it is back to full health.

Unfortunately my camera ran out of battery, but Justin has taken some more photos, which I will put up when he emails them to me.

16th May 2010

2010-05-17T23:10:00.005+01:00

Yesterday it was the turn of Loweco, the Lister, on the passenger train. Although it was a nice sunny afternoon, passengers were a bit thin on the ground. Just as well as the Lister is the smallest diesel on the railway, and the loaded passenger train uphill is really pushing it. (However I did manage one almost full uphill train without grinding to a halt!).

Meanwhile, more scrap has been gathered, including some steel rod with was retieved with Druid and the crane wagon between passenger trains.

Progress has also been made on the O&K gearbox, with the fitting of some more bits to the new sump.

9th May

2010-05-09T21:34:00.003+01:00

Today's engine was the Little Ruston. But despite the fine weather in the afternoon, there were not many passengers about. However, it did the Ruston good to run all afternoon and its exhaust was nice and clear by the end of it.

With long waits at the Abbey station, I had chance to mess about with my camera and take some 'artistic' pictures of the train out of focus with some of the wild flowers in the foreground. Probably a bit amateurish if your a professional photographer, but they still look quite nice.

This picture was taken from on top of the sleuce gate at the top of the mill race next to the Abbey station. It is a view not often enjoyed by us volunteers.

The scrap drive also continues, unfortunately with the scrapping of some sort-of historic items today. Druid's original cab has been cut up for scrap, along with some Fordson tractor parts. It does seem a shame, but when nobody wants to buy these things (and they have been offered for sale many times) the options are either leave them and risk having them stolen, or weigh them in ourselves for scrap and make money from it, so we have done the lesser of two evils. Them money raised from all this scrap is going back into the railway anyway in the form of parts for the O&K and Muir Hill.

Bank Holiday Monday

2010-05-09T21:29:00.002+01:00

I was travelling down to Devon for a job interview last Monday so couldn't report on what happened. However, I can now. The train was going to be hauled with the little Ruston, but because of the drizzle Druid was used instead. I also got the job. :-D

2010-05-02T20:41:00.003+01:00

Today's loco was Atlas, and we did ok, hauling a good number of passengers for a somewhat miserable May bank holiday Sunday.
The continuing srounging for scrap metal continues, with these stainless steel sheets the next to go. Here they are extracted by Druid and the crane wagon in between passenger trains.

Work continues on the O&K gearbox, with the holes in the sheet of metal that the base is made of filled.

The railway will be open tomorrow, Bank Holiday monday, but I will not be there to report on goings on, so apologies for the lack of a report tomorrow.

Burning Hank - Cake

2010-04-30T21:25:00.001+01:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3f1LCimMdhY

This is the music video that was made a few weeks back at Kirkstall Abbey, including some shots of the railway. Look out for me and Druid.

Rainy April day

2010-04-25T21:16:00.002+01:00

Today's engine was Atlas, and then it started raining so it was replaced with Druid. On the final trip it was top and tailed with the Lister.

Druid out in the rain about to depart from Bridge Road.

Rain stopped play on a number of outdoor tasks. Vulcan was having some attention to it's electric lights (small cover removed in front of cab side), but this had to stop when it started raining. Here the yard recieves a good drenching.

These tram rails are going for scrap, but first we had to get the concrete off them. This was done with repeated blows from a sledge hammer, and some chiseling with the pneumatic chiesel.

Link

2010-04-21T19:44:00.000+01:00

Another satisfied customer!

http://www.yorkshire-escapes.com/yorkshire/attractions/203-abbey-light-railway

2010-04-19T20:56:00.003+01:00

Today's loco was Atlas, and it ran well, pulling quite a few full trains.

I took this photo whilst repairing the fence, which some nice person had pulled apart. I also picked up some litter from the lineside, mowed the grass and greased the points.

Some good progress has been made on the O&K's gearbox sump. I think it is mostly complete now, with just the various holes to drill out and painting to complete.

The little Ruston has had some attention to it's engine. It now runs with clear exhaust and seems to have more power available.

Another trailer load of scrap metal has been gathered as well, including the old worn out wheelsets from the Muir Hill

Scrap train

2010-04-12T00:00:00.002+01:00

I keep mentioning in posts that we have been collecting scrap together to sell, But I have never managed to include a photo of them. Volunteer Justin Bretherick sent me these photos he took while collecting scrap together.

The Lister is the motive power, with the crane wagon and a flat wagon.

I don't even know what this is, but its scrap now!

A wagon load of scrap to be weighed in, to raise funds for other projects.

ALR to be in a music video

2010-04-11T22:50:00.005+01:00

Before we started running today, I had some fun helping in the making of a music video for a band called Burning Hank, their myspace page can be found at: http://www.myspace.com/burninghank Basicly what was happening is I had to drive a train towards a girl tied to the track, then the band were to save her, and tie the villian to the front of the train. The director chose Druid to use, it being quite big and looks very 'train-like'. When i arrived some of the none-train scenes were being filmed:

Me, Druid, and Simon, who was playing the Villian and was tied to the front of Druid. Yes they gave me a hat to wear.

Some filming with the train static:

The first few passenger trips were run with Druid, but it was such a nice sunny day it was getting rather too warm for me in the cab, the loco was also feeling the heat, the radiator fan having to run to cool it down. (Usually Druid can run all day without the fan coming on.)

Then I switched to using Atlas, which ran very well and its open cab is a welcome feature in nice weather.
The bottom of the gearbox sump has also been welded onto the rest of it, It needs a lot more welding before it'll be oil tight, but now this part is on there is no more compnents to go on the new gearbox sump, only holes to cut out of it.

Easter bank holiday Monday

2010-04-05T20:05:00.003+01:00

Today's engine was Odin, and passenger numbers picked up throughout the afternoon, with quite a few full trains.

There was a lot of work done along the lineside, cutting back trees that were getting a bit close to the train. This has further cleared the view around the top corner, which is much better for drivers seeing around the corner.
Also, work has progressed with the new O&K gearbox sump, the edge now being bolted down to the original part and the lid being fettled ready for welding together.

James....

2010-04-04T22:28:00.000+01:00

...by his own request!

Gogo tractor videos

2010-04-04T21:15:00.004+01:00

Gogo Tractor Triumph!

2010-04-04T20:45:00.003+01:00

Today's locomotive was Druid, which ran well all day and took quite a lot of passengers due to the fine weather.

During the day, more scrap has been gathered for weighing in. a fallen tree has been cleared, opening up the visibility around the top corner (see pic below). Some fuel filters have been fitted to the Gogo tractor, which have made it able to run constantly and reliably for the first time ever. After it had been running for a while, it went on the front of the passenger train for a round trip, carrying only volunteers, and was definately the highlight of the day, as seen in the following pictures.

The gogo tractor, in 3rd gear, storming round the newly cleared top curve after the bridge. This photo was impossible before due to there being a fallen tree in this space.

Once we got to the top, since the Gogo tractor was still running well and we had no passengers, we ran it around and coupled it on the other end of the train to haul it back.

When we tried this before, this is about as far as the loco got before it cut out due to dirt in the fuel line. This time it made it all the way, and looked very nice in the late afternoon sun in the process.

This was the consist for the journey back. The gogo tractor has 3 forward gears but only one reverse, so it was painfully slow. The loco then shunted away back into its position at the back of the shed.

We are all very pleased with how well it has run today and I can confidently say it will be working for the next diesel gala in October.

28.3.10

2010-03-28T20:23:00.003+01:00

A brief update this week, as I wasn't at the railway and don't know exactly what happened.

The Little Ruston handled the train, and it being a nice sunny afternoon took a fair amount of passengers.

Some more scrap has been gathered together to be weighed in and sold to raise funds for current and future projects. Also, the Gogo tractor has been fixed, and has been running in the yard sucessfully today.

a proper report with photos next again next week!

21.3.10

2010-03-24T18:48:00.002Z

Back to business as (almost) usual this week after the diesel gala sucess.

Atlas worked the passenger train, and ran well all day and hauled quite a few full trains thanks to the glorious weather. The curves on the railway have also been measured to calculate their radius. The tightest corner is a 35' radius, which really is quite extreme. The Gogo tractor was also dragged outside to have some fettling done on it after it's failure to run properly last weekend. The neatly painted skip wagon has now returned to the rails, and is living with the rest of the V skips out in the compound (but showing their tatty paintwork up a bit)

A private party had organised a hog roast at the railway which took place in our yard, as well as the hog roast tent, there was a beautiful scratch-built model steam crane, which was working on compressed air.

Spring Diesel Gala

2010-03-14T21:58:00.002Z

Todays locomotives, in this order, were: Loweco, Druid, Odin, Atlas, Little Ruston, Vulcan, Druid + Baguley, Odin + Atlas, Baguley + Loweco, Little Ruston, Atlas, Loweco + Odin, Atlas, and then Atlas again as we put things away.

Much fun was had, despite the fact the Gogo tractor wouldn't work so couldn't haul a train as hoped.

The skip display wagon seemed to go down well at Narrow Gauge North, and made a fine sight with it's accompanying display boards.

All my pictures are on the 2010 spring diesel gala page on the website: http://abbeylightrailway.webs.com/dieselgala2010.htm

Thanks to all those that attended, especially the couple that drove all the way from Carlisle especially!

7.3.10

2010-03-07T19:17:00.004Z

Today's locomotive was Atlas, and the train ran busy all day. We didn't have a single empty train until the very last trip returning to the shed.

The V skip has been loaded into the trailer and is almost ready for display, just the displays to go inside the skip body required now to complete. It looked very good this afternoon outside in the sunshine.

The muir hill has had the bits of its chassis painted with red oxide where it was missing, and the unpainted wheelset has been brought to the front of the shed for cleaning and painting, and a start has been made on this as well. Also the Gogo tractor's carburetter has been cleaned out, in readiness for it to be in action next weekend.

NEXT WEEKEND

Narrow Gauge North railway exhibition, and our own Diesel Gala, where all locos will be out and sharing the passenger train in various combinations.

last weekend, 28.2.10

2010-03-05T16:45:00.000Z

I wasn't at the railway last weekend, being at Model Rail Scotland in Glasgow instead, but I am told that Atlas worked the passenger train, and painting on the V skip wagon is complete.

On Tuesday I did some further touching up of the skip wagon, and applied an ALR crest sticker to each end. It is looking very nice now, and will be loaded next week in readiness for the exhibition.

Also, at last night's narrow gauge railway scoiety meeting there was mention of a possible visit to the railway by 0-4-0st quarry Hunslet 'Edward Sholto' for later on in the year.

next week's report should be on time and with pictures again, as I'm definately there (and driving!)

21.2.10 - Snowed off

2010-02-21T10:56:00.000Z

Today was supposed to be Atlas on the passenger train, and I was supposed to be lining out the grey skip wagon for Narrow Gauge North. However, quite a lot of snow fell last night so we've called it off for today. Apologies to anyone that turned up wanting a ride through the snow, hopefully it'll be business as usual next week.

14.2.10 Valentines day

2010-02-14T23:20:00.000Z

There was quite a lot of passengers today, partially due to the nice weather, partly also due to it being valentines day and there being a lot of couples having a romantic walk around the Abbey. I was driving today, using Odin. It ran well, but there is a slight problem with the air supply, it not wanting to generate more then 80psi. But never mind, this is more then enough to operate the brakes on the train and the whistle. Odin has also got an ALR logo now, as before it didn't have any identification of ownership.

The V skip is having all the little embelishments added on, it now has white wheels, the HUDSON lettering on the axleboxes picked out, and it is going to recieve lining.

The scrap that was cut up last week has gone to the scrapyard, and been exchanged for cash that will go towards the new chains for the O&K. More scrap is being picked out now.

7.2.10

2010-02-07T19:42:00.000Z

Today's locomotive was again Atlas, which ran faultlessly and carried a fair few passengers, still pretty good for this time of year. The last train ran top-and-tailed with Odin, just to get Odin running and make sure it still works in preparation for the March diesel gala, and running next week.

Progress on the grey skip wagon continues, the whole thing is now grey so its just a matter of the little adornments, such as lining and lettering still to do.

The O&K has had its gearbox sump lifted off again for marking and fitting of the top (or bottom, as t'were)

Some scrap has been cut up, including the old sand blasting cabinate, which was never used and taking up lots of space, and the old generator wagon, which has had it's engine and generator mountings removed.

31.1.10

2010-01-31T19:33:00.000Z

Today's locomotive was Atlas again, with ran faultlessly. (Apart from when it stalled, due to trying to move with the airbrake on!) but apart from that, it ran well and we even had the first fully loaded train of 2010. Not bad at all for this time of year.

Progress is continuing on the repaint and smarten up of the V skip wagon for display at Narrow Gauge North. The chassis is now fully painted, and the inside of the skip body has been given a coat of black, and the outside cleaned and treated with red oxide where it's down to bare metal.

24.1.10

2010-01-24T18:55:00.000Z

Today Atlas was handling the passenger train again, and ran faultlessly

The skip chassis has been put back on the floor and is now painted in a combination of grey and red oxide. The plan is to paint it grey to match the Ggogo tractor, as they are both products of Robert Hudson. The skip body has also been moved to a more accessible place for cleaning and painting.

Sunday 18th

2010-01-18T00:26:00.000Z

Today's locomotive was Atlas, and ran faultlessly until the last return journey which was running as empty coaching stock, when one of the coaches' air brake pipe connectors came loose and fell off, bringing the train to a halt until a screwdriver was found to make a repair.

A start has been made on cleaning one of the Hudson V-skip wagons, in preparation for it going on display at March's Narrow Gauge North exhibition. The skip chassis is now upside down in the crane wagon, and has a coat of protective red oxide.

The Lister has been jacked up onto blocks today to allow the sanders to be cleared of sand, which had clogged up the sand pipes, rendering them useless. It has been replaced by some sort of sand blasting substance that came to light when we removed the sand blasting cabinate for scrap. This new stuff is a lot more free flowing, and works perfectly.

The O&K's new gearbox sump has been heated up, and jacked outwards in a bid to iron out some of the imperfections. It won't be long until the top of the sump is welded on and the gearbox can go into the loco.

Hopefully future posts will also have photographs.

Hello and Welcome

2010-01-17T23:23:00.000Z

Hello and welcome to the first of hopefully many Abbey Light blogs. This is my first venture into blogging, intended to accompany the Abbey Light Railway website, to show what we have been up to each week at the railway.