Between the Lines


THE ON-LINE NEWSLETTER OF PEAK RAIL
 Updated weakly!
If you want more news someone has to send me some! Please send me contributions/photos from your department!!
These news reports are biased because its easier for me to report what the folks in the department I'm in are doing!
MAIL ME!


10th MAY 2009
HST
The HST new shed construction got off to a flying start with basic structural work soon looking quite complete, all the various bits seemed to have fitted together OK, and it looks a lot bigger than when they were all on the ground. On Saturday Gary was fabricating diagonal bracing bits (I think) while John and others were fitting more purlins.


9th MAY 2009
Peak Rail PLC Press Release
Steam locomotive 8624 moves under its' own power for the first time in 44 years.

Steam locomotive restoration is not for the faint hearted and a dedicated group of volunteers from Peak Rail were rewarded on Saturday 25 April 2009 when LMS Stanier 8F 2-8-0 locomotive 8624 moved under its own power for the first time in almost 44 years - the culmination of a 28 year restoration of the locomotive from scrap condition.

Withdrawn from Willesden Depot in London in July 1965, 8624 seemed destined to be cut up for scrap along with thousands of other steam locomotives. However, fate was on its side and it was bought for scrap by Woodham Brother's of Barry who famously allowed 213 steam locomotives, including 8624, to be re-sold for preservation instead of scrapping them. Salvation for 8624 came in 1981, when it was purchased by the 48624 Society for preservation and moved to Peak Rail's former base at Buxton for work to begin.

Now that the locomotive has made its first powered-moves, it is intended that a period of testing of the locomotive will take place before it enters passenger traffic during late May.

The newly-completed locomotive has been painted into LMS lined maroon colours, which it has never carried before. Stanier 8F's working in the UK were only ever painted black during their working lives, and whilst the locomotive is likely to be painted into the more-traditional black livery at some stage in the future, most observers who have seen the locomotive up close agree that the locomotive looks truly stunning and is a credit to all the people who have worked so hard on its transformation. Peak Rail's coaching stock is painted in maroon, so the locomotive should look very well-suited when it is hauling our passenger stock.

To mark the return to steam of this historic locomotive, a special weekend of celebrations is planned for the late May bank holiday weekend, from 23 - 25 May 2009. On 23 May, after working a special service for members of the owning group, 8624 will work along with Peak Rail's other operational steam locomotive, WD150 Royal Pioneer to haul services throughout the day, with a variety of single headed, double-headed, and top and tail workings, using both locomotives. In addition, on the Saturday WD150 will be used at Rowsley South to haul brake van rides when it is not being used on main line services. On Sunday and Monday 8624 will haul all of the railway's passenger services, with WD150 being used to haul demonstration freight trains along Peak Rail's route from Matlock Riverside to Rowsley South.

Day rover fares, allowing unlimited travel on the passenger services, will be available priced at £11.00 for adults, £8.00 for senior citizens and £5.00 for children. Peak Rail's normal return fares are also available for one return journey only and these are priced at £6.00 for adults, £4.60 for senior citizens, £3.00 for children aged 5-15, and £1.00 for children aged 3-4.

Peak Rail Joint Managing Director Jackie Statham said: "It was a wonderful experience to see 8624 move again after such a lengthy restoration and everyone on the railway is really looking forward to seeing the locomotive work its first passenger trains at the end of May. With all the other developments currently underway across the railway, Peak Rail is an exciting place to visit."

Speaking about the restoration of 8624, Mrs Statham said: "Throughout its restoration, 8624 has been based on Peak Rail, with work being carried out at our former base at Buxton, before moving to Darley Dale and finally Rowsley South and it is the only locomotive to be rescued from Barry Scrapyard to have been entirely restored on the railway. It is a tribute to all the people who have worked so hard on returning it to service and on behalf of everyone on the railway we pass on our sincere congratulations."



 6th MAY 2009
NEW BUILDING, ROWSLEY STATION
The new building opened on schedule on Saturday 4 April and is proving a huge success. Compliments have been very forthcoming from visitors on the facilities we're now able to offer, and is a credit to those who have put in such a large amount of time and effort. Despite our appeal in the last Bulletin Board we have only received one suggestion for a name for the building - does anyone have others? Sales in the shop have increased considerably since opening and within two weeks the "Aunty Wainwright Shop" will be selling items on behalf of the 8F Group - hopefully this will provide some income to help their funds. PLC

PEAK RAILWAYS - ANNUAL DINNER
Arrangements have been made for this year's Annual Dinner to be held at The New Bath Hotel, Matlock Bath, on Saturday 17 October 2009. This is a little later than usual, but we have had difficulty in obtaining dates in the spring so have opted for later in the year, Please make a note in your diary, and details will be sent out with the July Roster.PLC

FILMING
On Tuesday 7 April we played host to a company making a film to be shown in the cinema next year called "Skeletons". Filming took place mainly in the carriages, and shots were taken at Matlock Riverside of "Penyghent" making it's approach.PLC

RUTH FISHER
We are very sad to have to let you all know that Ruth died suddenly on 6 April after being admitted 2½ days earlier to hospital with pneumonia. Ruth's funeral took place on Friday 24 April at 1130am at Hutcliffe Wood Crematorium. The entrance to the crematorium is at the end of Periwood Lane, off the bottom end of Fraser Road S8 by The Sheaf pub. The funeral will be a quiet semi-religious celebration of Ruth's life, and Peter has requested that people dress moderately - neither black tie nor jeans. Donations instead of flowers to Guide Dogs for the Blind. Hope some of us can provide support to Peter in his hour of need.PLC


5th MAY 2009
8F





Thought you might like to know that at 14:22 on 25th April 2009, LMS 8F, 8624, moved under her own steam after 43 years at Rowsley to much cheers and clapping.


This has been the culmination of 28 years dedicated hard work by the volunteers of the 48624 Society, some of whom are no longer with us, but must have been looking down from above to clear the skies and make sure she ran first time.


For those who were unable to see her I have posted a video of the event on You Tube.

© Alan Taylor


There is still a fair amount of work to do to get her ready for the 23rd May, so if you go to see her at Rowsley in the mean time give the chaps a pat on the back...oh and some pennies in their donation tin! Alan Taylor

S&T
The second week of working on the structure of the ex Luffenham signal box;- the first of the rear main beams that hold the upper portion of the box together has been replaced, the new beams are slightly thicker than the old beams, the second beam is being timmed up for next weekend as well as the beam for under the door end of the box for the following week. The new beams are set about an inch down from the old ones as were planning to put a thin strip of sacrificial wood upon the top which can suffer the effects of future weather instead of the main beam itself. The main beams are only supported by three bolts to the floor framework,but this is also mortised into the main support posts as well as the floor joists, all of which required some jacking back into place to refit. The tie rods for holding the rear right portion of the box have been put in, not an easy task drilling through solid oak beams and all portions have received a liberal soaking in pitch to combat the effects of weather over the coming weeks.Dom Beglin

P-WAY
Sleeper changing underway on Wednesdays.

C&W
The RMB boiler has been out for cleaning and a new cowl over the burner. Door work continues on 80777. Another window has been out and rebedded on 14060, with further paintwork. Some old batteries are being processed to try to make spares, and a set for the FO. The MR Mineral wagon has had further work to side sheeting, the other two corner braces are on, and much of the floor is in and creosoted, this has entailed rebating individual boards over bolt heads and slight uneven-ness in the frame members from age.

STATIONS
ROWSLEY - The bottom of the walls of the new building have been haunched round with mortar, and an MR waiting room bench has been reupholstered for the shop. New lino has been laid in the buffet. DARLEY DALE - lamp post repairs and painting continues.


20th APRIL 2009
S&T
as tim says the ex luffenham junction box is now upon the flat waggon and work has started on fettling it up, there are some major bits of woodwork wel be tackling as a department and some very minor bits. The major bits are
1.new bottom main beam on the back part of the box, we took the old rotted one of on friday and found an ants nest inside the wood, as it had been sat on a banking in BR days at this place so no wonder it had signs of rot there!we have got the wood ready to cut for next week with the assistance of the lmsca lads,this also requires a morticed end so it locks in place with the central beam up the rear of the box.
2.a new main beam under the doorway end, as this is basically missing,the wood for this weve got in place ready to measure up and drill, this will be the third weeks work.
3. the corner spliced beam requires changing (weve actually completed this last friday with a nice piece of oak) pictures of the job are on the signalling website,just some filling to complete and one drill hole to drill yet.
small jobs
odd tiles on roof to replace,and a single pane of glass in the end window, all the rest are intact and the insides immaculate, the end door end of the box will be reskinned once the main beams are all finished as theyve got good foundations then to be built onto, the door which is beyond repair is going anyhow as not needed and will be replaced with a window section that came with the box.
the last job will be a repaint,prior to reerection, im thinking about ten days work, looking at a day per big job and per small job,but it may take some days longer given the weather.
will keep you all updated,many thanks to the LMSCA for their time and assistance as they are the kings of woodwork jobs! Dom Beglin

ROWSLEY
Works to the new building almost complete.

P-WAY
Sleepers being drilled and sorted prior to a major sleeper changing offensive this week.

C&W
Colin and Tony have been removing window fames on BFK 14060 and refitting with new mastic and rivets. Some doors have been changed after repairs to the spares, and various repairs made to others. Door repairs are still underway on BG 80777, but nearing completion. A normal coach has maybe 6 doors, a BG 18, and they tend to get a harder life, with rough treatment and less maintenance. These have taken maybe 1 day to repair, and 1 day to fit and get working for each door. The worst doors have been changed for some marginally better examples. The locks, hinges and droplight mechanisms have been dismantled, damaged parts replaced, and greased and reassembled. Rotten or broken sections of wooden framework in them have been replaced, and corroded sections of door skin have had new bits welded in. Some doorways were badly out of line - 3 hinges need to be in line really to work properly. Some doorway framework has been cut, and pulled in to shape with a 1ton Pull - lift, before being re-welded. Some range parts have been cleaned and serviced on RBR 1970. We have purchased some second hand batteries, one set will be used in the FO with a bit of luck. We have also obtained a compartment first seat back in the same moquette as the FO, this will be used to replaced some missing arm rests and maybe seat bases. Some compartment heaters, linkages and pipe work have been obtained for the BSK, and some assorted fittings have been donated by the HST. Many thanks for the donations of timber from Mike Edwards and Keith.

STATION LIGHTING
OK no posts are planted yet at Darley Dale Down side but preparations continue. Plans are developing for wiring and some sections of cable have been sourced from that in store, and some junction boxes purchased. The up side lamps are at a bizarre spacing, possibly due to the platform extension. Efforts to locate the remains of old bases with a metal detector have been inconclusive, so the down side lamps will follow the up side spacing. Some post cleaning and painting has taken place. Some sheared off ladder bars have been removed by welding nuts on and unscrewing, or drilling out and tapping. A single bar post has been converted to two. Some new ladder bars have been purchased, the ends being cast of an old one, these still need threads cutting on the bars. Damaged post tops have had new bits welded in, and the one with a missing bottom has had a base cast on in concrete. Repairs and electrical conversion to the 'Rochester' style lamps for the down side continues, the parts manufactured to George's design for the remaining missing up side lantern style lamps have been dug out of store, most of the hard work was completed here already. 4 original lanterns have been purchased, these are without the post mounts, so may have hung off building brackets, although they came with 4 bizarre posts that appear to have been used at times by the NER, but weren't original to these lamps. Ben has had a set of brackets cast for the downside building from a foundry that held patterns, the upside has two remaining though they haven't yet had lamps in them, just occasional hanging baskets.... One and a half remained on the downside building. The post sheared in two is under repair, a section of steel pipe has been grouted in to one half so far. All these posts - almost enough now for Matlock and Darley Dale thanks to the donation of those from Matlock Bath by the Ashbrooks - are what could be called the 'medium' size. Several 'short' ones have been obtained also, to go with the pair George donated which originally came from Great Longstone. As I write this Ben may have bought another three of these. These are in store for potential use at any stations further north, as more of these originally had shorter posts, although a set may yet get planted at Rowsley. Up at Rowsley some maroon enamel signage is being put together, to help to locate toilets, the buffet, and so on, although finding suitable locations for large signs is proving a bit problematic.

STATIONS
White lines have been renewed, Rowsley canopy has been repainted, rotten boards bave been changed at Riverside.

NARROW GAUGE
Some recent track and ballasting improvements, and adjustments to point rodding. The 'Break Van' station building has had some repairs and a repaint, and some paving and fencing has been tidied up, and flower beds made dog proof. Some repairs have been made to one of the locos, following problems.


9th APRIL 2009
WAGON WORKS
The last of the deck planks have been cut to fit, and all four deck plates are now bolted down, with the help of Derek Ankers, though I shall need to get some more 16mm countersunk bolts. Ben Riley has fitted the first two corner plates to the merchandise wagon, meanwhile he continues his gas lamp breeding programme in and around the LMSCA shed. The wagon will be ready for painting shortly. Do we choose a historically correct livery or threaten to paint it something fictitious and stir up controversy? Nearby an LMS signalbox has appeared and is sitting on the salmon bogie flat in the depths of Engineers No.2 siding. It shrouded in corrugated iron but reported to be same size and design as bamford, with the original signalmans chair still inside.Tim Oaks


30th March 2009
ROWSLEY STATION
The new Rowsley Station buildings are nearing completion. Internal work is proceeding, with plumbing, wiring and fitting out continuing.


15th March 2009
WAGON WORKS
We got a flying start thanks to Harvey Coppock who machined the end timbers during the week. Derek Mason also sliced a timber into convenient sizes and I am very grateful to the LMSCA for the loan of their woodworking facilities and labour. I spent the day with Barry Skirmer and Rob Davies, and together we manged to complete the final fitting of these timbers and fit the Matlock end deck plates as well. This is something easier said than done as it involved a great deal of scrabbling under the wagon to hold up the nuts and washers to the lower end of the bolts. The deck plates are too heavy for one man and I couldn't have done this without Rob and Barry. Another session like this and the wagon will be just about fit to use, though there are a lot of cosmetic jobs still to do. I have been eyeing up the black ballast brake van, and this may be one of the next jobs we tackle. Tim Oaks


25th February 2009
MATLOCK
Network Rail have agreed to grant a 50 year lease for Peak Rail to operate into the former down platform at Matlock at a peppercorn rent. They have also granted permission for Peak Rail volunteers to undertake the work required to slew the two sets of tracks together at Matlock Riverside. The track layout will need to be slightly redesigned. A quantity of spoil needs to be removed by Birse before from near Network Rail's current buffer stop. Derbyshire County Council has awarded a grant of £25,000 towards the cost of refurbishing the derelict down platform. Access to it wil be via a ramp on Sainsbury's side of the line, this work generously being funded by Sainsbury's. Once the platform is rebuilt, Peak Rail will have to provide some passenger waiting facilities on the poatform, pending approval for a more permanent building on the station. Support for the Matlock Project has also been received from the Derwent and Wye Valley Railway Trust, which have purchased a Midland Railway Signalbox for the project, using a donation from a Peak Rail supporter. A set of lamp posts has been donated by local supporters David and Claire Ashbrook. A proposed method of operation has been submitted and approved by Network Rail, although final operational planning will be confirmed nearer to the completion of the project.

C&W Despite the rotten weather, the Lowmac has moved forwards. I have managed to finish scraping and painting the inside of the underframe, which involved a lot of scrabbling with black paint inside the complicated and confined spaces between the steelwork. It is very pleasant to move on to the work of shaping and fitting the deck timbers. I had a very good day on Sunday with the help of Rob Davies and Barry; in fact we got as far as we can at present until the remaining timbers dry out enough to be machined. If and when the weather is ever dry enough we could go on to paint it. Tim Oaks

ROWSLEY Station building construction is complete, fitting out and internal work progresses.


1st February 2009
ROWSLEY

Foundations for the new station facilities are now complete. These photos of Dom's show blockwork part built, the area has since been infilled, compacted, and concreted. Work in and on the shed continues, with remaining windows being fitted, Guttering and other bits of the roof and clading being fitted, and tiling, plumbing, wiring and door hanging taking place inside.


26th January 2009
CLASS 50s
Most activity has centered around the new stores coach lately. Racking has been installed as has mains power and its now fit for use. Spares are being re-organised too now we have space to move again and this will speed progress no end. On the loco's the cabs have been emptied and work has now re-commenced on the cabs of 30. The power unit rebuild continues apace with pistons and heads currently going back on. Away from Rowsley the generators have been moved to a new contractor for overhaul.Chris Thorn


15th January 2009
CIVIL ENG
Rob and the gang were very busy preparing for contractors to erect the new shop. The existing shop van has been moved a short distance along the platform and the GPO exchange van moved out of the way. I understand that concrete for the foundations has been poured during the week.Tim Oaks

NARROW GAUGE
This morning (Thursday) Henry and I met Chris Jacquier from HMRI for the formal inspection of the Narrow Gauge extension. He was very satisfied with the work and raised no issues, so a gratefull thanks to all those involved, especially Rob and the Sunday gang, Tim, Glyn, Roger and the Association Sheffield Branch - well done. Chris was very interested in the Standard Gauge Engine Shed progress and Rob gave him a conducted tour - very impressive now with the 8F inside. Chris also showed interest in the Turntable and the new building work on the Platform. All in all, a good - although wet - morning. Dave Timperley

8F
Work appears to be proceeding apace now that the loco has moved up to the engine shed.

WAGON DEPT
 For the first time in quite a while the weather has been good enough to work on the lowmac, and I spent Sunday afternoon grinding off rust and painting. Ben Riley has been working hard on the MR merchandise open wagon, the timbers for the sides and ends have been cut and machined and have been offered up for a trial fit. Many thanks to Ben and to the LMSCA who are allowing this work to take place undercover. Tim Oaks

LMSCA
In the LMSCA shed,the NRM coach is showing signs of progress with many new pieces of timber grafted into the river side. Word is that cladding may start within a few months.Tim Oaks


11th January 2009
SIGNALLING DEPT
The time of year has returned to start repainting signals again, the Darley Dale starter walkboards have been painted, next comes Church Lanes signals and Rowsley distants in the next week. On other notes we now have enough donated sealed lead acid batteries to start on replacing Rowsley and Church Lane soon. Token Machine project, we are just awaiting a freeing up of the volunteers time so we can put the trap point in at Rowsley to complete the departments works. Quite a bit of cable tidying work has been completed around Darley and towards Rowsley.Dom Beglin

C&W
MR Open Wagon - Originally intended just as repairs to the ends and a repaint, upon dismantling it was found most of the bodyside and floor was rotten, and the curbrails - which the bodysides sit on - were badly twisted, explaining the banana-like shape of this wagon. Time in the shed has allowed the frame to dry out, whilst the new bodywork is produced. Numerous rebuilds had resulted in degree of mutation from the original design in various ways. The intention is to return to the original Midland Railway design, including full height doors. The underframe has had some attention to springs, W irons, and timber, and the bodywork now stands partly completed, with a few boards, the refurbished corner sheets, strapping, doors and floor left to fit. There is a plan to protect the completed vehicle with a ‘wagon tarp’, although this one will be to cover the wagon, rather than the load! - Ben Riley
Lowmac - The final three bolts holding down the floor platework were very stubborn indeed, they must have been a driving fit and could not be hammered out even when sliced off on both sides of the frames. In the end they had to be drilled out. The new bolts are in stock, together with the remaining timbers and the paint. Underframe cleaning is underway. - Tim Oaks
26043 - Mk1 SK - A second hand set of batteries were resurrected and installed for Halloween, though one soon failed resulting in the lights going out. With this one cell replaced, they all stayed bright for four hours before going dim! Further cells then gradually failed with repeated charging and discharging, and have been changed for charged up spares. After this, miraculously, there were no real lighting failures through all the Christmas trains, a slight contrast to Halloween. Various repairs have been made to the heating system, as this was always a leaky coach. Some more problems appeared over Christmas. Gangway, floor, and door repairs are still required.
1970 - Mk1 RBR - A vacuum hose unfortunately developed an intermittent leak during service. The worst on the set have since been changed for slightly less worse ones. All vacuum and steam hoses could really do with replacement, I wouldn't like to think what the cost of this would be though. A buckeye coupler jaw and pin have been changed after problems with one appearing to jam vertically on the adjacent coach over Christmas.
80777 - Mk1 BG - End fittings have been repaired/remade and refitted, and the floor replaced at one end and the sliding door rerun, and locks repaired and refitted. The second gangway rebuild is now complete, with collision pillars replaced at the bottom and panelling replaced where necessary. Most of the internal steelwork surfaces have now been painted, both the original and new sections, in a bid to minimise future corrosion. Door repairs continue.
1835 - Mk1 RMB - A buckeye jaw and pin have been changed.
Set - Outstanding heating repairs were completed before the Santa trains and the set tested, although there are now some more faults apparent which are being rectified. Many of the internal heaters have had grilles removed and litter and dust cleaned off them. Missing steam pipe lagging has been fitted to the operational coaches. I still maintain an easier way to keep coaches warm inside is to shut the doors though. Brake adjusts and battery servicing were carried out on the operational coaches. Annual exams have now been almost completed.


No other news as no other reports received.


11th December 2008
S & T
Ian and myself spent today digging mole holes all the way along the lineside between church lane and rowsley to locate the signalling cables and discovered several things along the way, firstly the old drins approaching church lane are still intact, the same pipe comes out at Rowsley sidings by the way, the second is that to complicate matters the treadle cable doesnt actually go to the treadle, it goes to rowsley first then returning to the treadle, nothing is as they say as was known!, Ian and myself will be looking sometime next weekend at finding the final cable crossover to the other side of the track (down to two holes ten metres apart now!) and looking at whether the extra cable we found is just a bit of spare coiled up in the trench or is run to a joint box somewhere! weve run another joint box in so that at sometime in the near future we can split into the cable a ground joint in the cables for testing and faulting. plans for next weekend are token testing, cable locating again and tying up lineside cables.Dom Beglin


27th November 2008
ROWSLEY SHED
The shed is coming along nicely, the internal wall is just off the roof top now, the downstairs rooms are starting to be painted, the electrician has been busy running the cables through the building. Dom Beglin

VULCAN
outside, the shed, Tim,Dave Andy etc have spent the day jacking up Vulcan so she can have the wheels returned and moved off the pit road, so it can be repaired and brought into use. Dom Beglin

S and T
More maintenance works at Darley and Church Lane,and some bits to do around the shed and signal stores. hopefully soon the mains power can be finished to the token cupboard in the shed and Robins Progressing with the token keys. John and myself have been going through the ground frames along the line , and have also assisted digging out a compensator bench hole at Rowsley for the Narrow Gauge. Dom Beglin


8th November 2008
S & T
John Ian and myself sorted several faults out today, a snapped and severed cable for the distant lamp and treadle as well as assisting D8 group tracing electrical faults , john has also been working in Darley Crossing cabin and weveall this week undertaken checks on the track circuits and winter readjustments.
Dom Beglin

LOCO SHED
The internal walls are being built, either by Malcolm, Tom and Tom, or contract builders. Tom has been been installing door frames and hanging doors. The floor has gone in for the upstairs room. Some of the internal rooms are getting decorated. More windows have gone in, and the edges of the rails are getting tarmaced.

C&W
I managed to get some more deck bolts out of the Lowmac, one more session like that and we should be able to get the remaining deck plates off, I hope to be around on Sunday. Tim Oaks

Missing heating pipe lagging has been replaced on the running set and some internal heaters have been cleaned out. Gangway and end floor repairs continue to 80777.


21st October 2008
S & T
Finished off the batteries on the token machine, also tested the pulse from Curch lane to Rowsley and back, next job finishing off the keys. Cut the replacement walkboards for church lane with help from the LMSCA lads (ta harv) and their bench saw, will start on that next week. Dom Beglin

C&W
I managed to spend some time late on Sunday afternoon bolting down deck timbers on the lowmac. The other timbers are now on order. Tim Oaks

Coaches Mk1 SK 26049 and Mk2 TSO 5166 departed at last, a BK1 BG 92912 arrived for storage for the Class 50 group, and a class 04 shunter arrived. Mk1 BG 80777 has had its roof painted. Jason has helped work through the set repairing PA faults - eg wires pulled out of speakers, and faults on the end connectors. Some redundant equipment is being removed from the set. SK 26043 has been converted to the 'phase 3' system instead of 'phase 2' and some faults with the existing wiring traced and tested after temporarily shunting the coach on to the train. The sliding windows on 26043 have been repaired, most were jamming, which took around 2 days. The compartment doors have had a variety of repairs to loose/missing/broken sliding mechanisms and end stops. It now needs some batteries installing before it will be servicablefor Hallowe'en. Brake adjusts, some block changes on 1835, and battery servicing before winter have been underway. Outstanding heating repairs have been completed and the set has been tested. Door repairs, brake block changes and repainting have been underway Mk2 BFK 14060. Mk1 SK 26025 has also benefited from repairs to damp damaged corridor side panels, and jamming sliding windows. Mk2 SO 5235 has had some seat squabs and armrests changed for slightly better ones. Mk1 RBR 1970 chairs have had some repairs and the carpet has been cleaned.

LMSCA


Teams of around 10 over the last Sunday and Saturday have recanvassed the roof, and progressed the side frame repairs, and making misceallaneous roof components.

ROWSLEY SITE
Rob Sanders and the gang were levelling earth at the rear of the coal bunker, where the viewing area is beginning to take shape. Shuttering has been put up for concreting of foundations for the paint store and other ancillary buildings, plus the ashpit apron. Tim Oaks

Fencing has been going up around the coal bunker and the turntable pit. A concrete base and foundations have been cast for the loco stores.

NARROW GAUGE
The narrow gauge was having some sleeper changing by Messr`s Peter and Dave and Henry was painting various bits and pieces, Mary was having a good spring clean. The picnic site was having some maintenance too.Dom Beglin

MECH ENG
Robin is resuscitating the large radial arm drilling machine ready for installation in the shed.


12th October 2008
S&T
Have completed the Rowsley token wiring, John will be completing the telephone and standby batteries during the week, after basic testing we have the voltage reaching Rowsley from the Church Lane machine (good news), but we need to finish off the telephone first so we can contact the signaller at Church Lane for full testing of the system. Also been undertaking maintenance on Church Lane signals, the excessive rain had caused TC2 to be occupied for a while,which cleared later on.Dom Beglin

TELECOMS
David and Jim have been running circuits into the shed for the various new phones needed, including the S&T one.


29th September 2008
S&T
The walkboards on Darley`s starter have been completed on Saturday, all that remains now is painting, Rob has been busy replacing the platform level boards also. John and myself have spent the weekend buried away in the shed, running the last cable to the token machine and installing the machine and connecting up the circuits, some local testing off the machine has shown up the odd wiring error, through testing which were fixed by the end of sunday,one high resistance fault remains on the electric lock circuit ,but we ran out of time to complete that so thats a job for next time, following that a line test from church lane will be undertaken, some other cosmetic things such as installing the phone in the cupboard to the signalbox and a perspex screen to seperate the batteries from the staff need completing also. Dom Beglin

CARRIAGE AND WAGON
John (of the Delacher ferry vans) has been busy painting steelwork on the second of the Austrian ferry vans and Tim and Andy have been busy with yet more woodwork and repairs to the waggon fleet at Rowsley. Dom Beglin
LMS Coach 7828 has had the roof canvas laid out on the roof, after filling, sanding and painting were completed, and is ready for canvassing. Side frame repairs are progressing, axlebox checks are underway, gangway doors are being sanded, and gangways are being cleaned up ready to repaint. RBR 1970 is getting a boiler strip down for insurance checks, some components are being renewed in the process, a bent buckeye coupler pin has been changed, and brake blocks are being changed and brakes readjusted. Batteries have been topped up and tested, and a bracket underneath that was on the point of parting due to corrosion has had a welder waved at it. With Rob's help, the battery charger relocated from Darley Dale has had its own little compound built on the platform, and is ready to wire up.

ROWSLEY SITE
The lads have been busy with fencing around the site and turntable and Allan is busy with the blue bricks at the base of the turntable. Dom Beglin


23rd September 2008
S&T
The office floor in the shed has been completed by Tom & Rob to a level where we can now put the token machine cupboard in place, which will require the use of the JCB as its on the second floor, the cupboard has been prepared for moving, and the location of the joists noted so we can through bolt it to the timbers when in, the work will fit in over the next couple of weeks. The cables taking the token circuits between the end of the platform and the shed have been terminated and tested, all that remains is the cable up to the cupboard upstairs from the incoming cable terminals downstairs. With a little bit of spare time, the point heaters on the church lane point have been retrofitted to take standard plug in blade heaters,as well as the addition of a thermostat in line with the isolation switch (for when not used).

The timbers on the Darley Dale Up Starter were replaced on the 22nd.



Dom Beglin.

MECH ENG.
Boiler tubes are being replaced in Royal Pioneer. Paul in the smokebox! Dom Beglin.

Shunting the wagon with the new tubes on. Dom Beglin.
Work on Zebedee also progresses, paintwork, brake gear repairs, and motion work is underway.


CARRIAGE
SK 26043 has had more internal cleaning, and the loose corridor side internal panelling has been refitted, with some new beading made from some old table legs.... A temporary floor repair has been made at one end. The battery charger from Darley Dale is being moved up to Rowsley. The carpets in the Palatine have had a clean, the chairs in the RBR have had some repairs, and the boiler has been removed and dismantled for an insurance inspection.


18th September 2008
PEAK RAIL PLC PRESS RELEASE
Peak Rail is delighted to announce that agreement has been reached with Harry Needle Railroad Company to operate Class 55 D9016 Gordon Highlander for one final special Deltic Farewell weekend, where the locomotive will work all services on the railway over the weekend of 27 and 28 September 2008.
As has been widely publicised, D9016 has been purchased by HNRC as a commercial business venture, and Peak Rail has been advised by the company that this weekend will be the final time that the locomotive will be used in service. It will therefore be the last opportunity that enthusiasts have to travel behind this former East Coast stalwart before it moves to Barrow Hill for component recovery.
The locomotive will be used on all services throughout the Deltic Farewell Weekend and an enhanced timetable and special fares will be in operation. More details of the services being operated can be found at D9016 Farewell Weekend. Special Day Rover fares will apply during the weekend, with Adult rover fares priced at £15 for one day, or £25 for both Saturday and Sunday. Child and concession rover tickets will also be available.
Peak Rail PLC Joint Managing Director Jackie Statham said "We are grateful to Harry Needle for allowing Gordon Highlander to operate for one final time, and we hope that enthusiasts will take this opportunity to visit the railway to bid farewell to this popular locomotive". Peak Rail is keen to emphasise that despite the strong feelings amongst some enthusiasts surrounding the locomotives future, the railway will not tolerate any anti-social behaviour over the weekend.


8F
Boiler test steamings and hydraulic tests have been passed, and the boiler, ashpan, and cab are now back where they belong.

ROWSLEY
The coaling bunkers at Rowsley are nearing completion. 40 tons of ballast have arrived, paid for by the stock fund, some more ballasting work has been done to Carriage Road 4. The HST have had the concrete pads put in for their museum shed. On the loco shed, some windows have gone in, Tom and Rob are fitting floor boards to the high level office. Tarmac is going down in the gaps at the side of rails.


SIGNAL & TELEGRAPH
This week has been split into several jobs, firstly while we're waiting for the floor in the drivers part of the shed to be completed so we can carry on with the token project, we've undertaken to refurbish the wooden crossbeams on the Midland style platform bracket signal at Darley Dale, the woods been up twenty years now and is showing signs of age, John and myself have located same sized timbers from the Rowsley woodstore and Sunday was spent sawing them to shape and painting them prior to going up. Its planned to be done around the last weekend of September, when the timetable frees things up,this will involve craning the old top onto the platform, then swapping the wooden sections before recraning back into position,that way the holes can be drilled acurately rather than attempting it while still up in the air. Around the painting of the new timbers for this, I've also dug the station side of Darley Dale crossing out for about the first three beds of sleepers on both lines, this suffers from the wash of road muck each year which deluges down station road and collects by the crossing, saturating the ballast as well as dropping the voltages on the track circuits, so far two -one ton sacks have been filled with the stuff, when I'm next down I'll get to starting on the mess hut side of the crossing. Tony has been painting the wicket gates at the crossing and John has been attending to the token machine batteries and other wiring as well, ive also managed in between this to assist mr Pont in changing a light unit over at Darley shop as well as maintenance at Church Lane box.
Dominic Beglin

WAGON NEWS
Andy Bodden has been continuing his campaign of guerilla wagon restoration. I don't often see him on site, but every time I come back he seems to have made progress. The bogie bolster "c" now has a full set of floor planks and is loaded with machine tools, so someone has obviously been up to something. Replacement floor planks for the Lowmac are being supplied by the from Victoria Sawmill at Darley Dale who recommended poplar- "its what we always used to supply for that". We are lucky to have a firm like that on the doorstep. With bad weather and the demands of work I have not been able to get down as often as I would have liked, however the Lowmac is now showing signs of progress. The inside of the chassis is being cleaned down and painted, and floor planks are now down in the outer wells. They are nearly as big as railway sleepers. The system works, so now it is a question of plugging away until the central well is finished. This will give a safe platform for work on the ends. I found a very welcome surprise on Sunday; Ben Riley and Harvey Coppock have started work on the LMS open wagon, which is being stripped for overhaul. Just about all the planks in the body and floor will need to be replaced. Harvey has made a wonderful job of the corner plates, which I had assumed were beyond redemption. Thanks very much lads. A visiting expert from the MRC has pointed out that it is an open merchandise wagon and not a coal wagon, and is fitted with rings for securing a tarpaulin. When it is done I may fit one - it will probably last longer that way. (NOTE from Ben - if it is an open Merchandise wagon, why did it originally have hopper doors?) The floor of the LMS plate wagon has had a coat of preservative.
Tim Oaks (Some edits as various reports)

DIESEL
A 47 has arrived. One of the 37s is getting a repaint.

BBC TV PRODUCTION
On Wednesday 3rd September Peak Rail played host to a local TV Producer who was making a programme on the railways axed by Dr Beeching. Filming fortunately took place in fine weather and well-known enthusiast Pete Waterman joined the locomotive crew. The programme is called 'Down the Line' and is scheduled to go out on BBC East Midlands on 26th October.

WICKHAM TROLLEY
Up at Rowsley I had a very pleasant surprise, my Wickham trolley has moved under its own power for the first time since about 1989! A young volunteer, Matthew King, has fitted a new engine with help from others, and it works. Many thanks to all involved. Tim Oaks.

CARRIAGE/LMSCA
TSO 4974 has been repainted at one side after graffiti damage, the others were salvaged by a cleaning contractor. The LMS 'Mess Coach' DM395845 - used operationally as a brake van in the 'Departmental Freight Train'. This coach actually used to be a Mess Coach for the Toton Breakdown Train Unit so probably worked with our Steam Crane. It has recently had 13 windows broken at one side due to stone throwing from the car park, most of these windows have been panelled over as the coach side sheeting and window mounts would need a lot of work to allow reglazing. The MR Brake Van - failed for low ride height during the diesel weekend, requires emptying then the broken spring can be repaired, some new buffers have been obtained for it, then the buffer height can be measured again. Mk2 SO has received new brake blocks. Mk1 RBR 1970s battery charger self-destructed a while ago; this has been replaced. More recently the charge regulating circuit went into meltdown also, this still has to be repaired. Mk1 SK 26025 has had a bit of shimming to adjust its ride height by Jason. Two steam heaters are out of it at the moment waiting for repair. A gas hose has been replaced in RMB 1835. Work on BFK 14060 continues, doors are under repair, floors are under repair, the second side is being repainted, and new brake blocks have been fitted. On BG 80777 new wooden gangway and end components have been made and are being fitted, along with normal gangway repairs. Doors are being overhauled inside the coach, with locks, droplights, and hinges being stripped, repaired, cleaned, greased, and reassembled.


15th July 2008

Jeremy Clegg, former Peak Rail plc Joint Managing Director, a Director of both Peak Rail plc and the PRA, and a Trustee of the DWVRT, has passed away suddenly, having suffered a stroke.


4th June 2008

No reports received recently.

LOCO SHED
Brickwork appears essentially now complete, doors fitted, windows to follow. Some more workshop machinery has recently arrived from Rolls Royce and is already in the shed.

P-WAY
Sleeper Changing has been underway on the mainline. Two sidings are being extended, and ballasted at Rowsley.


CARRIAGE AND WAGON
Tim has completed work on his LMS Plate wagon, and it ran at the Diesel Weekend.

Work continues on the BR BG, this bit, although looking somewhat alarming, is back together, and is about par for the course, and you will see corrosion on many of the others that we haven't processsed in this area. One section of end guttering fell off 26043 recently, and must be about somewhere... but the rot is similar. At least with it stripped down, some of the inside stripped down, we get the opportunity to paint sections of framwework, which didn't need any replacement in this case.

SK 26043 got an overhaul to both vacuum cylinders, most window frames were removed and rebedded as they were falling out, gangway faceplate pads replaced where they had dropped off, and an exam and wash and brushup for the diesel weekend. This is how we get vacuum cylinders down in the absence of any lifting equipment suitable for it..... Derek's engine crane makes short work of getting them apart when they are down.
On the NRM LMS coach in the shed work continues.


28th April 2008

LOCO SHED
Andy continues repairs to his Bogie Bolster C in the most pleasant surroundings of the loco shed. Tim's plate wagon is complete (almost) and looks superb. Photo on its way!

The wall construction of the shed continues apace.

P-WAY
Sleeper changing in the Matlock section has progressed every week recently, some ballasting of the siding alongside the HST shed (1) took place this weekend, the Sunday boys nearly having forgotten what it was all about!

27th March 2008

WAGON
There is surely much more to wagon repairs than painting, but this photo does indeed appear to show both Tim and Andy Bodden painting, the LMS plate wagon which Tim has mostly retimbered and the Bogie Bolster C which Andy is putting a new floor in (and repainting) respectively.

ON TRACK PLANT
Kevin Hand has rebuilt the cylinder head in the HSTs previously non-operable Wickham Trolley. This appears in their stocklist as bearing the name 'Tony'
- as its " t'ony one we've got"......


20th March 2008

DERBYSHIRE DALES NARROW GAUGE RAILWAY
On Thursday 13th March from the Festiniog Railway, a 1917 WD Simplex loco Ident no. 10227 no. 435 arrived at Rowsley with ex NCB Tamper, 1986 Gullick Dobson of Wigan, Track Ballaster BL009. Both are on site on the DDNGR for maintenance work to be done on them. The Simplex loco is operational and it is planned to have it running for the May Diesel Weekend and the June Community and Mixed Traction Weekends.





7th MARCH 2008

LOCO SHED






29th February 2008

MATLOCK - NETWORK RAIL
The issues relating to possibilities of Peak Rail progressing into Matlock Station were the subject of a meeting on the 19th of February between Network Rail, the ORR, and Peak Rail.

TIMETABLE
The 2008/9 Timetable is now available.

S&T NEWS
The newly constructed replacement signal cabin for Darley Dale has now been installed. More details at Signal & Telegraph.



WAGON - Report from Tim
16th/17th February was an active weekend despite the cold. I picked up the fittings from Newton's Forge during the week and got them primed and undercoated ready for the weekend. With the help of Rob Davis we drilled the planks and bolted them on before giving them a lick of gloss. The outside of the running gear has been painted with bituminous black, I think we will give it a second coat and paint the inside while we have the chance. Craig Hibbert has delivered further supplies of LMS grey, so I am hoping for some warmer weather. Andy Bodden was not present at the weekend, but has obviously been about as the area of primer on his wagon has grown. Craig Hibbert has just delivered further supplies of paint for the plate wagon and other projects, soi am hoping for warm dry weather. Does anyone know whether it was normal practice to paint the inside of bdy planks on wagons like these?

TURNTABLE - Report from Tim
I spent a little while on Saturday helping Alan Wirth by laying out bricks for the TT pit floor. I would like to record my personal thanks to Alan and his team for all the work they have put into this project over the last seven years after Alan was given the written commission from the board to install and commission the turntable, which at that time was a collection of corroded bits lying in the grass. There has been a lot of skilled and patient work since then. Alan recruited the necessary volunteers, particularly John Doran the welder, and obtained valuable industrial sponsorship through his contacts as a consultant forensic scientist. The measure of his success is that the turntable has been installed at a cost of around £10,000. A similar second hand deck has been professionally installed on the West Somerset railway at a cost of £632,000,which gives some idea of the effort and achievement of Alan and his team since 2001. Alan had hoped to give formal instructions to one of his professional contacts, who had already verbally approved the deck and wished to assist the project.

MECH. ENG.
Machinery is being dismantled, repaired, cleaned, painted, reassembled, and shipped up to Rowsley ready for installation in the shed, with the rolls and mechanical hacksaw treated so far, and the radial arm drill now at Darley Dale. Cab works to Zebedee are complete, a new ashpan has been fabricated on site, the frames are being cleaned up and repainted, with work underway to axleboxes, guides, and bearings. A new piston and piston rings are being manufactured on site. Work to other parts progresses. The wheelsets have gone away for tyre reprofiling. Royal Pioneer's regulator valve has recently been off for grinding in.

PERMANENT WAY
The sleeper changing programme is in full swing on the DD-Matlock section at the moment.

LOCO SHED
The scaffolding has grown higher, as the wall construction advances almost daily. A sewer and associated manhole is being installed at the moment. Internal walls and ceiling joists are going in also.

DIESELS
Some rotten air pipe has been replaced on the Deltic, work to the 37s and 50s continue, with air brake cylinders and cylinder heads being obswerved under attention at the weekend. The Briddon's shunter has received composition brake blocks.

CARRIAGE
Various odd jobs have been tackled on the set recently - a mass clean of the Palatine set mainly conducted by Jackie, Claire, Rob, Paul and Lynn saw it fit for another year's action. Also half a dozen water leaks in different places on toilet plumbing through the train caused by inadequate draining and a frost have been repaired, and the lagging improved a bit. A split steam pipe has been replaced and lagged also, and a bit of rotten steel heating welded up. A jammed sliding gw door has been repaired, some loose guttering rebedded as damp getting inside had started rotting panelling, and a lock bust off a cabinet in the guards compartment has been refitted. Progress on restoration of the BG 80777 advances with one side basically complete now steel and window wise so now watertight, and work has transferred to the other side with new areas of panelling and framing being welded in. BFK 14060 has had some lighting rewiring and mods so its lighting will work without the invertor.

LMSCA
TO 7828s frame repairs to the first (worst.....?) side reached a milestone with all the replacement side members now machined up, apart from the sections required for the bottom rails (which should be easier as there are no curves). Other jobs to this side progress - corroded droplight shipping ledges are being removed for replacement, the screw holes in the roof are being filled with putty ready for re canvassing, and the internal roof components are being levelled up here and there. The ends are being primed and fittings are being replaced, and the end doors have been removed for repair and stripping. Internal panelling is being stripped.


17th January 2008

WAGON - Report from Tim
A good day in the shed - draughty but dry. Rob, Barry, Andy and myself helped Andy Bodden to clean up the frames of the bogie bolster, grinding off an enormous amount of rust. They are looking a lot better, though there is still a lot to do. We hope to be back next Sunday. We also pushed the plate wagon into the shed by hand. It will need about a fortnight to dry out, and if the weather is mild we'll see about some more paint on that. Roger Hallett and Rob Sanders were running a gang alongside us preparing ceiling joists for the internal storeroom which is starting to take shape at the Matlock end of the shed.
Tim


9th January 2008

HST
Heritage Shunters Trust
NEW SITE!
Work continues - see site for details.

ROWSLEY BUFFET
Claire & Rob are redecorating in the buffet ready for the new season.

LMSCA
On the NRM LMS TO 7828 - The internal panelling has been stripped out on the first side and the rotten areas of framework have been cut out and joints prepared for repair sections. A quantity of Iroko hardwood has been purchased to make repair sections from. The internal parts are getting stripped/cleaned/painted/revarnished/repaired as appropriate. The Stones Vents are being removed one by one for cleaning. The internal roof parts are now all in situ - some are being levelled up a bit, and the vent holes have been cut. The knee irons have been removed, cleaned and painted. The ends now have the corner moudlings replaced, and are getting filled and sanded.

P-WAY NEWS
Some of the recently donated track panels are being dismantled to provide spare wooden sleepers, and flat bottom rail. The FB rail will be paired with FB concrete sleepers for future mainline use, and the sleepers will be used with siding quality bullhead and chairs for sidings, or perhaps good ones for spares.

CARRIAGE DEPT
On 4974 - Mk1 TSO one brake cylinder has just been overhauled, drawbar support pads have been replaced, and the batteries have been exchanged for a different set. A broken door check has been glued back together, and some work is taking place on the heating system. A leaking toilet has received a new vital bit of rubber, and the gangway door near it shimmed up a bit. On 14060 - Mk2 BFK Colin and Tony are progressing external paintwork as the weather allows. Internal work progresses, with some large, old, and inactive, lighting inverters provoking much head scratching recently. On 80777 - Mk1 BG the removed gutter has been cleaned up, and is being refitted. The second rough window at this side turned into a doorway briefly as all bodywork disappeared down to floor level, however its all now been replaced with new framework, new sheeting, and new studs for the glass to mount on. The glass has been refitted, the internal timberwork is still to replace. The ceiling has been refastened in places, and two new panels are waiting to go up. Most of the floor in the coach was already new, however the bit outside the guards office wasn't and had rotted, so some new bits of timber are being machined up for this. Some spare doors have been assembled ready. Andy Bodden has obtained another Bogie Bolster - this makes 3 of these, in addition to the Sturgeon Wagon. The latest one is now of type 'Salmon' - and has been converted to a steel deck at some point, and is in sound condition. Andy is in the process of reflooring his previous acquisition - of type 'Bogie Bolster C'.


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