After a long break I thought I'd post a couple of shots to show that we are making very good progress with 6023. A return to steam in 2009 is still our aim.

Another day on the King... more work on sorting the wiring and boxes for the TPWS & OTMR.

After work I joined Russ and lads at Quorn for the final shots of the evening. The main reason for heading over was to join them for the night shoot. Which for a change was done at Beeches Rd bridge instead of the station. With 70013 renamed and numbered at the weekend to 70048, Russ took the chance to have a charter with it.

Today 4965 Rood Ashton Hall & 5043 Earl of Mount Edgcumbe run from Tyseley to Didcot and return double headed. It was a superb trip. The locos put in some great performances during the day, on the return leg after a stop at Leamington to let two services pass, the locos put in a stunning attack on Hatton bank.
A plus for the day was to see 5322 outside in the sun whilst at Didcot.

After running a hot box on the first test run, 5043 needed to have another one to get passed out for Mainline use. This took place on the Thursday 30th. A light engine run in the morning and this loaded run in the late afternoon.
She ran without fault and pasted in flying colours.

Thanks to the rest of the lads at 84E we were able to run a night shoot. This was to feature newly restored 5043 Earl of Mount Edgcumbe long side 5029 & 7029. Also on show was 9017 & 9600. An added bonus was the chance to see te Three Halls, 4936 4953 4965, together.

A superb day out for all the family. Great to see the open day so well supported. The Castle was Re-commissioned outside the visitors centre at 11.00. After which she join the other Western locomotives that were on display, including 5029, 7029, 9600 & 9017.

Today 5043 Earl of Mount Edgcumbe was making her first loaded run out on the mainline. After prep I was able to get a shot at Small Heath with the ECS and then on the morning run at Hatton Jc.
It is a real shame she didn't get to do the afternoon run, as she looked and sounded on fine form!

Another day with the King. Toda a big step front with the TPWS, Bruce came down with the box which he has been busy wiring up over the last couple of months. A superb job and is now bolted in the cab ready for the rest of the wiring to bring soon.
Lots of work on mounting brackets and more of the TPWS boxes was done during the day.

A superb day at the SVR with 3440 City of Truro on a charter ran by Simon. We enjoyed superb weather throughout, it was also nice to get some shots with a North facing loco.

A great day with Dukedog 9017, the loco is so at home on the SVR it will be a shame to see it go. The weather was a bit dull all day, but still spirits were kept very high with a superb footplate ride along most of the line, A day to remember...!
Thanks to the crew and also Martin for all his efforts.

Today was a private commissioning of 5043 to invited guessed from different parts of the Railway movement.

A few shots of the Castle in the build up to her first steaming...

I was able to join Matt for the morning of his Dukedog charter at the Valley. With the sun out all morning the loco and freight stock looked great together. This is the best Railway for the Dukedog she fits right in! Thanks Matt.

5526 was in action again today, but this time working with three bloody & custard coaches. This was also to recreate the Pwllheli section of the Cambrian Coast Express from the 60's. The weather was overcast, but we all enjoyed the day.

The Hayley Hall group kicked off the charters at the SVR. After the Gala a couple of the visiting locos were used on many differnet days of charters.
Today it was 5526 from the SDR running with the Auto coach W228. She really did look at home on the line.
Thanks to the crews.

A couple of shots whilst we were putting the locos away from the night shoot.

Tonight was Martin & myself second night shoot at Didcot this year. This one was a smaller event making use of 3650 whilst she was in blue for the short time. Also featured during the night was 1363 along with 5051. Also 3738 was turned out in BR black for the one off event.

Today Nick, Mike and myself were on site to continue with a couple of jobs. Mike was finishing the inside cladding and Nick was working on the Vacuum pump. After dinner I was then second man on the 08 to get locos in position for the night shoot.

Simon Hopkins ran a superb charter at the P&B Railway with 5619. The loco was at the line for their 25years in service gala weekend. So today we had some fun with the loco on two Maroon coaches, then a superb freight that the group had put together.
The day was ended with a lovely night shoot. The 56xx ready did look great on the freight.

Today was the last of the Shakespeare Express season. Again the fantastic perform, 4965 Rood Ashton Hall, was in fine form.

Today I joined Nick & Ian on site to do a little more work on the King. Today the vac cylinder was mounted under the cab floor. Also other little jobs like many spit pins were put in place. It was good to see more progress on the boiler. Ed had been busy making the final pipework and Pete.G & Alex had put in some more stays.

With 4965 Rood Ashton Hall booked on her last Shakespeare of the season, I thought it was only right, even with the weather as it was, to go and wish them well! So for the afternoon run I went just outside of Stratford.

Another fine summer's day on the King...

Today myself and the family took a trip to Kingswear on the Torbay Express. Today 6024 King Edward I was in charge of the load. We were lucky with the weather all day and had a good day out. It's well worth a trip with the family.

Today was a good day with the King. During the week I had been and picked up the OTMR systems ready for 6023 to run on the mainline, So we have now got all of the parts ready to fit on the locomotive. These work is now being carried out by Bruce, Dennis & Derek. Other work was today was more pipework, cylinder cladding and the all important tea drinking!!!
It was good to see newly restored 3650 at work on the branch line during the day.

Today Martin and I had a lovely trip on the Shakespeare Express behind 4965 from Birmingham snow hill to Stratford and return. It was a nice sunny day, the train seemed busy and well supported. Thanks to Bob and crew for the trip.
After the morning out we thought we'd go lineside and photo the afternoon run just outside of Stratford.

Today I went over to do more painting. Some under the locomotive, and other little bits in readiness for parts to be fitted on the loco next weekend.
Other news is that good progress was made on the boiler in the week. With quite a lot of stays being put in on one side.

For the second time this season 5029 Nunney castle was booked to pull the Shakepeare Express. With this in mind I headed to Bishopton just outside of Stratford to see her work up the bank.

..and back at Didcot on the King. Today with a smaller working group than of late we all had pletty to get on with. The main was more on the hoses that connect the loco and tender. We only have the exhaust injector water feed one to do. But as Nick & Ian found it was putting up a little fight, and adjustments were needed to the surrounding pipes. More layers of paint were also being applied to the cladding sheets, and the other thing was for Richard and I to make final adjustments to the GW style inside cylinder cover so it is ready to use when the loco is in Great Western livery. With that done it is now time to fit the BR style cover which the loco will be finished with. Last but by no means least Pete.T & Tony were doing more lubrication pipework.

Before I headed off south to Didcot, I was up early to take some quick photos of other locos that were to be on display for the event. Mainly diesels in these collection, it's rare for me to take photos of them today. But it was nice to walk round and think back to when I saw a lot of them running in the mid 90's.

Before the main weekend event a nightshoot was put on at Carnforth, with the star of the show 46115 Scot Guardsman fresh from overhaul in place. She was joined by 70013, 5690 & 48151. Just before it got dark though we were all in for a soaking as rain and lighting passed over, but it was well worth getting wet. As after dark the Scot really did look superb.

The Railway Magazine and West Coast Railways were putting on an event over the weekend at West Coast's home base at Carnforth. Steam locos included were 30777, 5690, 48151, 70013 & fresh from overhaul 46115 Scot's Guardsman making it's first public outing now finished in BR green. I was on site a day before the event for a nightshoot, but I was also able to get some nice shots in the afternoon.

Today myself and Nick went to Didcot with the main aim to get the four big hoses connecting from engine and tender fitted. There were a couple of adjustments needed which were all carried out, with help from Barry, but we left at the end of the day very happy after getting all but one finished. Also whilst we were on site a couple of other little jobs were ticked off the list.
During the week more work has been carried out on the boiler.

With 6233 heading for London Paddington in the evening, I went to Leamington Spa station to watch her work up the bank for a change.

Again we turned up in force, with all of us now having jobs to complete. It was a busy sight in the workshops.
Also a big step foward is being made during this week, the welder is working during the week to do all our required welding on the boiler. With work on the Kings boiler now in full swing it has given us all a boost.
With the sun out it was also nice to see 1363 outside in the yard.

# Lighting up turn on 3738.

I had chance to go to Didcot so that I could do some work that was needed to the running plate. The paint on the underside of the running plate on the driver's side needed some attention.

I took a quick visit to Hatton Jct to watch the first Shakespeare Express of the season, this featured guessed locomotive 5029 Nunney Castle.

Another busy and productive day at Didcot on 6023 King Edward II.

After working on the King at Didcot, I left a bit early so that I could call into Tyseley. I was able to see the locos that had been gathered for the event. It really was great to see so many Great Western locos together.
The event saw four Panniers together 7752, 7760, 9600, &9466, Three Halls 4936, 4953 & 4965 and three Castles 5029, 5043 & 7029.

Today we were back in the works on the King. Lots of work is going on all over the loco. Work on the TPWS & OTMR continue as well as the lubrication pipework. Mike has now nearly cracked it with the inside cylinder cladding. The boiler is ready coming along well now, Pete.G is working very well on it in the week.
Other projects on site are also progressing well, more on them soon.

With Prince Charles visiting the SVR. It fell to 6024 King Edward I to pull the Royal train from Kidderminster to Brigdnorth. The weather was superb for the event and loads of people turned out along the line to see the train. Matt and I managed to get a couple of shots a long the line.
6201 was also visiting the railway as stand loco.

Today the lads were doing the boiler wash out on Dennis Howell's 9466. So that it was ready for it's boiler exam.

With the weather forecast not looking good I was in two minds weather to go over for the first day of Toddington's Gala, however it all turned out for the best with great sunshine, even if the sun did choose to go in at the wrong time now and then. Still a very enjoyable day.
850, 34007, 7903, 5619, 3440, 5542, 92203 all in service.

Today was a busy day in the works, with our Mainline chimney now returned to Didcot along with the superheater header. Our first job was to unload these before getting on with the many jobs Dennis had planned. A lot of the day was spent on 6024, this was to study parts of the TPWS and also pipe work from under the cab.
The rest of the group were busy doing more on the lubrication pipework and cylinder cladding.

There is a lack of photos from todays working party as I spent most of the day under the King between the frames.
Very yproductive day refitting the last of the injector and vacuum pump pipes.

#lighting up done on 1340.

In the week I had picked up some parts for the Pannier (3650) at Didcot, so today I took a trip down there to drop them off. However first I couldn't miss the chance to see 5029 Nunney Castle depart Birmingham on her first trip out after returning to steam.
After that I went to Didcot, which also had another bonus in waiting, this was in the form of 35028 Clan Line which was working the VSOE to Oxford. All this and back home for dinner..!!

A good day was had today on the King. Work on the inside cylinder cladding is going well. Mike has been busy making some mods to the back cladding which now looks good. Other brackets and fittings were fitted under the cab floor.
The lifting shop saw pletty of action today with 6024 having it's bogie removed for work.
In the morning 60019 Bittern passed through Didcot on it's way to Swindon to pick up a railtour.

Today three of us went to do little more work on the King between the main working parties.
After breakfast we set to work and had a very productive day. Nick and I were busy doing more painting between the frames with Ian busy fixing the last piece of pipework for the exhaust injector. Also other painting was done and brackets for other pipes were made. Boiler work is also progressing well.
But the good news is that today we've completed the Exhaust injector pipework!! A big job ticked off the list.

#Did a lighting up turn on 3738.

With the SVR reopening at easter and 7812 Erlestoke Manor returning to service, Matt Fielding ran a charter using the full length of the line. We were able to use the Cambrian Coast Express headboard for the day. The Manor looked superb at the head of the maroon rake, recreating the Cambrian perfectly.
The weather was also on our side for a change, a very enjoyable day, thanks to Matt.

Today was the main working party. Again with a good turn out we were able to get quite a bit done. Work on the last bits of pipe work and brackets for the injector were being worked on. Along with more work on the inside cylinder covers. Not to forget Pete.T and Tony working away on the miles of lubrication pipework thats needed.

Today I made a visit so that I could get some painting done with out the other lads being on site.

After starring in a Gala at the GCR, the chance was taken to use 4953 Pitchford Hall on a charter before she left the line. Russ Hillier ran a charter on the full length of the line using a rake of Blood and Custard coaches in the morning, and a Mixed freight for the afternoon session.
We had superb weather throughout, we were rewarded for our early start with clear blue sky.
Thanks to the crews for putting on a fine display with the Hall. I was able to enjoy a cracking footplate ride with them during the day.

With the SVR due to reopen over the Easter weekend. It was time to move the locos into the new Engine House at Highley.
I joined the lads with 4930 Hagley Hall on a wet morning at Kidderminster. First job was to oil up the loco ready for her move to the new museum. Then we awaited our turn to be shunted down the line.
Lovely Museum thats going to be well worth a visit. Locos on display are Jinty 47383, 7325, Midland Compound 1000, WD 600, 48773, 4930 Hagley Hall, 1501, 80079.
Thanks to the lads for an enjoyable day.

Nick and myself headed to Didcot to do a little work on the King. With the others off I took the chance to get back between the frames as I've now got the inside motion to repaint. Nick on the other hand was busy making brackets and mounting the last of the oil pots. Another job knocked off the list. Plus Nick had also been busy finishing the rod for the exhaust injector, so this was something else we were able to out on the loco today.
The works was very busy all day with the 4079, 1014 & 3650 groups all hard at work.
Plus today was the last mainline trip for 4965 Rood Ashton Hall and she was running from Birmingham to Didcot & return. Whilst she was on site we took the chance to have a three Hall line up.

The start of a fun packed weekend started late in the day on Thursday. After work I drove to Minehead ready to spend Friday at the Gala. There was just enough time to get a few shots on shed before it was time for the pub.
Up early on Friday to get some shed shots whilst the loco prep was being done. Then it was off lineside for the day. A great gala with mainly Great Western freight locos attending.
1450, 3802, 3850, 4160 5542, 5553, 5224, 5619, 9351, 45110 & 49395. Plenty to see.
Thanks to Mike and Pete for putting me up and the beers!

A quick visit to Tyseley to see how the lads are getting on with the projects. Also with Roger on site I had a look at Dennis Howells 9466.

Another very productive King working party. Working our way through the long list of little jobs to do.
With Tony back working with Pete.T, they were working on yet more lubrication pipe work. Also many more oil pots have been fitted on the running plate, this was so that they are ready for Pete.T to pipe up. But the main big job that needed to be done was to fit the exhaust injector. Ian and Steve soon had it fitted, also having time to fit most of the surrounding fittings.

Today some of the group made a trip to Birmingham. This was to take the new 'Mainline'chimney and the superheater header for them to be machine finished. Also after pick up from Tyseley the Exhaust injector for the King, along with many parts for the Steam Railmotor Project.
I was at Didcot to help the lads unload the parts when they arrived. Whilst at Didcot I did more painting work on the King. Mainly working inside the Cab.

Another visit to do.. yes you've guessed it Painting. We are now getting lots of parts of the loco to get ready, so that we make the most of our main Saturday work parties.
Also taking the chance of having the engine to myself to paint the cab.

Today we had a good turn out for our work party. This ment that once again lots of little projects on the locomotive could take a step forward.
Pete.T & Martin were busy on the lubrication, Ian & Steve on the ashpan, Dennis & Bruce on the TPWS wiring, Mike on the inside valve covers, Derek & Nethan working on the Mircoswitch for the TPWS, Paul and Nick on the TPWS boxing and also on the painting with me.

A late afternoon/evening visit to undercoat the parts before our main working party on Saturday.
The workshop was again nice and quiet with only me and Pete.G working.

Today I spent the day working on the King. To do a lot of the painting jobs needed on the loco it is better to go in the week. This way I have the loco to myself and don't have to worry about working a round people. The only other person in the works was Pete.G, who is working on the Kings boiler. He was busy drilling out stays.
We are getting to the point in the project now, where a lot of parts from the King are going back on for the last time (we hope).

A quick visit to the works now that the exhaust injector is ready to collect. Also nice to see how the locos on site are doing.

After we have spent quite a bit of time lately giving 1363 a make over, I thought I would put a couple of before and after shots together.
Before: 1930's Great Western livery. Green with the GWR 'Roundel' on the tanks.

After: 1950's British Railways livery. Unlined Black with the early 'ferret and dartboard' BR crest.

Next it would be great if we can get enough money rised to overhaul the tank and she her return to steam in years to come.

Today it was time to shunt all the locos back into the shed, and return the Centre back to normal. Again the day was spend on the shunter. Thank you to crews for their help and time over the weekend!!
The bonus of the day was a lovely sun rise, which gave me the chance to get some nice shots in the morning. Plus many more shots of 1363 in the sun.

Martin Creese and myself had planned a evening photo charter, with an idea to recreate scene from Laira shed in the 50's with repainted 1363 as the star of the show.
Earl Bathurst was running as 5058 Earl of Clancarty & Burton Agnes Hall was running as 7909 Heveningham Hall just for the evening, thanks to Karl.
It was a great night, the weather couldn't of been better and everyone had an enjoyable evening, here's to the next one!!

First I must say, sorry lads for not being any help with the heavy lifting today as I was second man on the shunter, helping to set up for the night shoot during the day.
The lads were hard at work all day, first the Safety valves had been collected from the SVR after having being lowered. They have been lowered ready for Mainline use. Talking off Mainline, the new lowered Single chimney had to taken off site so that it can be machined. Last but now least... the superheater header was also taken off site for machining. All of the above items are very heavy and without road access to the Centre man power is the only way of moving them off site.
Many other jobs were being carried out, lagging of the outside cylinders for one.
Another great bit of new is that Pete has also started to drill out the stays on the boiler...!

A very busy day, it was the King working party today. But also it was the day of Mine and Martin Creese's evening shoot which was being held at Didcot Railway Centre. Therefore I spent most of the day on the shunter positioning locos ready for the shoot.
We had planned to recreate scenes from Laira shed in the 1950's. This was also the main reason that over the last few weeks 1363 has been in the works being repainted into BR black. Today was the first time 1363 was to head out into the sunshine in her new livery.... great sight to see!!

A quick visit today to finish the painting on 1363. I had the last bits inside the cab to do. Also repaint the handrails and add another coat of varnish on the transfers.

Now she is already for the nightshoot, a part from attaching the number to the smokebox door.
She should also be outside for photos on Sunday 10th Feb.

With the Kings exhaust injector nearly ready, I called into see how things are going. Also whilst there it was nice to see Dennis's 9466 tucked away for the winter.
Also in the works the two Castle's were both being worked on, with 5029 coming to the end of her overhaul and 5043 coming to the end of a long and in depth restoration.

Plenty of work happening on the King today. Mainly the work that is needed for the TPWS.
More lubrication pipework and also refitting the sanding rods.

Today we came to a good part of the 1363 repaint, it was time to fit the transfers on the tanks. Geoff had come down to help put the Early British Railway crests on. Thanks to Martin we had pletty of old photos from the 50's to hand so that we could locate the position of the crests on each tank. The afternoon was spent painting the cabsides and handrails.

With most of the painting now done she is really starting to look the part. Only a couple of little bits and the inside of the cab to do.

Another sunny day at Didcot. With 6024 on site we took the chance to have a look at how the group had do somethings on her, OTMR/TPWS. It's always interesting to see the ideas that different groups have come up with.
Another productive day was had on the King.

With 45110 boiler ticket due to end in January, Matt took the chance to arrange a charter with the Black5 and 5 maroon coaches as a farewell. The charter was very well supported, however the one thing we couldn't plan, the weather was against us...!!
A wet but very enjoyable day was had, with those of us who stayed on into the evening getting some nice shots at Bewdley station.

Again back at Didcot, this time on 1363, now with the new year here and time passing fast, we have got to get her finished. Thanks to Graham most of the loco has now got it's first coat of black gloss on. Today I had the job of getting in the bunker and repainting the rear of the cab.
It was also nice to be greeted by 6024, now on site after she had arrived from Bescot the evening before.