Posted by Paul Bailey on Sunday, January 21, 2024,
Well I am pleased to announce that we now in our new home and starting the hard and longf task of slowly unpacking everything.
The moment the first locomotive arrived
Outside
Davin Paign in its new home
Derwent 2 safely inside
Posted by Paul Bailey on Tuesday, October 17, 2023,
As of this month I can publicly say we are expecting to be starting moving into our new home in November, and shortly news will be been published of our move and how you can help, so keep your eyes open for news
Continue reading ...
Posted by Matthew Graves on Sunday, January 15, 2023,
So the time has come for us to move out of our long term home and start the process of moving to a new site, so keep an eye out for more updates.
Continue reading ...
Posted by Matthew Graves on Friday, April 29, 2022,
Join us on the 22nd May from 10am until 4pm for our open day.
This year featuring live steam, miniature railway, railway displays, vintage vehicles and more,
Are you free to visit? Well why not pop down admission is free,
Continue reading ...
This week I can report on painting, so far work has been ongoing in lining out the Peckett by Barrie, below is some of the work been carried out:
Meanwhile work on the point levers is ongoing below is a almost fully reassemble one.
Below Chris puts the final coat of paint on to a point lever
In other news look out for coming updates and changes to the website
Posted by Paul Bailey on Wednesday, August 18, 2021,
Welcome back to the beginning of more regular updates and a few changes to the website in the coming months.
So we start with some work on restoring point levers, these where manufactured in Darlington and are made from a cast base and are in a rough state when we started.
They where then stripped down to base and components, below Charlie is at work on this project
Once stripped and cleaned this is what you are left with.
It is then painted before being reassembled.
Finally the lettering is pick...
Continue reading ...
Work is progressing on the overhaul of the Peckett, below are a few photos of the work been undertaken this week.
Malcolm our CME has been servicing the injectors ready to be refitted.
The safety valves have now been refitted to the boiler after being serviced.
The chimney has been temporarily fitted to allow for steam test to be carried out.
Adam seen in the background fitting pipework back to the locomotives cab.
This view gives you an idea of the current state of assembly of the locomotive.
We ...
Below are two photos from our Facebook page showing the locomotives boiler lift.
Thanks to Richard and Barrie for the photos from the DRPS officail facebook page.
So keep your eyes open for more exciting news
This week work continues on several projects, so below are three images showing the ongoing efforts to paint locomotives and railway equipment.
20 inch gauge wagon chasis now in undercoat.
The wheels for the wagon ready in black paint.
Showing the painstaking work that goes in to lining out.
Continue reading ...
Work has continued this week on the reassembly of Northern Gas Board Number 1.
Brian and Steven removing the blanking plates after the hydraulic test.
Our Chairman Barrie is seen lining out the cylinders, this is one of the many areas that have been repainted so far.
Charlie is seen her applying black paint to one of the front sanders.
Steven and Brian preparing fittings for the vacuum system, each joint needs to be cleaned and sealed to ensure it will hold vacuum.
Various parts of the vacuum brak...
We are please to announce that Northern Gas Board Number 1 has passed the hydraulic test of the boiler.
On Tuesday the 2nd the test was carried out successfully and then the boiler was placed on the boiler trolley and moved outside the workshop ready for the next phase of work which will see the boiler re-united with the frames.
As ever this work is down to our small team of volunteers, who work tirelessly to preserve Darlington's railway heritage.
Below we see the boiler outside the workshop re...
Continue reading ...
First of all I would like to apologies for the lack of updates but work has been ongoing and as we are all volunteers time was a issue. Anyway latest updates will soon follow on Northern Gas Board Number 1, but meanwhile.
Young Volunteers, We welcome young volunteers below is Charlie (in the blue) our youngest volunteer seen priming the chasis of a 20 inch gauge wagon.
Continue reading ...
Work on the boiler continues as North Bay Railway Engineering Services continue the work. Below is a view from there Facebook page
We Still need your help so why not donate today!
Posted by Paul Bailey on Friday, May 25, 2018,
Sad day, our treasurer for over 30 years, Mr Keith Walshaw, passed away on Monday, a valued member of our group. Photo of Keith at Shildon (in wheel chair) 2017, with our engine 78018. Thank you Keith for all your work and dedication to the DRPS.You will be sadly missed. Continue reading ...
Posted by Paul Bailey on Saturday, May 12, 2018,
Last Thursday we where pleased to welcome Darlington 13th Scouts who came for a visit and to see what the DRPS do,
Our volunteer Lee pocking his head out of the saddle tank off Northern Gas Board Number 1, explaining what goes into keep steam locomotive going.
The Scouts getting a feel for the life of a P-way Gang
If you want to bring a group to visit the DRPS why not get in touch
Our members are getting ready for our open day.
Brian, Kurt and Richard work on preparing the Scammel for the open day,
Ongoing improvements to our display areas,
Work continues on Northern Gas Board Number 1, we still need your help, please donate today. You can volunteer or donate please help.
Boiler work has began, this is been carried out by North Bay Railway Engineering Services. Work can only continue with your help, every donation you make helps to preserve Darlingtons Railway history. Continue reading ...
Work continues on Northern Gas Board Number 1, we still need your help, please donate today.
Boiler work has began, this is been carried out by North Bay Railway Engineering Services.
Work can only continue with your help, every donation you make helps to preserve Darlingtons Railway history.Below is Some photos of the ongoing boiler work.
The section of the outer wrapper plate removed and prepared for the next stage of works.
Nigel from NBRES putting weld preps on the boiler.
Other work continu...
We need your helpNorthern Gas Board Number One, urgently needs your help, due to the required boiler work the society need your help. We urgently need your donations and your help.Can you help? Below is a picture of the boiler. The required repairs includes, repairs to the outer wrapper plate, stays, replacements of rivets amongst other work.
In other news work on the repainting of the frames has progressed significantly.
Work still to carry out on the locomotive include some minor mechanical ...
Continue reading ...
Below are a few photos showing the current state of Northern Gasboard Number 1's overhaul,
In the coming weeks the boiler will be lifted from the frames to allow work to commence.
If you want to help use get NGB1 steaming again why not make a donation or volunteer?
Continue reading ...
Firstly an apology for the lack of updates, however i can say we have been very busy,
Below are a few images to give you a taste of what to expect on our open day, and the work going on to revamp the displays in the shed.
So if you want to see our new displays we are open on;
May 21st, 10:00 till 16:00,
Admission is free
Continue reading ...
Posted by Paul Bailey on Tuesday, March 21, 2017,
Posted by Paul Bailey on Tuesday, March 21, 2017,
Posted by Paul Bailey on Tuesday, March 7, 2017,
In :
78018
In February three member of the DRPS attended the Heritage Railway Association Annual General Meeting and Awards Dinner. We where shortlisted for the John Coiley Award For Locomotive Restoration, and received a certificate.
Continue reading ...
The overhaul of our 0-4-0ST Peckett Northern Gas Board Number One has begun, last week she returned to Darlington for the work to begin. Below are a few pictures of what has been done so far.
Continue reading ...
Posted by Paul Bailey on Tuesday, October 25, 2016,
In :
78018
Posted by Paul Bailey on Thursday, August 18, 2016,
In :
78018
Posted by Paul Bailey on Saturday, August 13, 2016,
Track work has progressed on the 20 inch gauge railway. So below are a selection of images from our on going track work,
Step one working out what parts we have to work with.
Track was laid in the workshop first, then a barrow crossing was laid to make access easier.
Phil then drilled and screwed the first panel on to the apron.
The ground was prepared then the first sleeper and rails where laid,
The rails are laid to gauge and the point is started
Finally the part assembled point has continued to ...
Continue reading ...
I am pleased to say that the Scammel has now moved under its own power, more news and a video hopefully to follow
Continue reading ...
Posted by Paul Bailey on Saturday, June 18, 2016,
Below is a selection of photos from our latest track work effort,
Continue reading ...
Posted by Paul Bailey on Thursday, March 31, 2016,
In :
Locomotives
Work has been ungoing in our work shops, and the Ruston is nearing completion,
Below is a photo of where we are with the restoration,
Above is the inside of the cab, still awaiting painting but we are now getting close to completion.
We would also like to congratulate our freinds at the North Bay Railway Scarborough on the launch and building of their new steam locomotive Georgina.
Continue reading ...
Below are a few images of the ongoing work on our 20 inch gauge Ruston
Kurt is seen tapping holes ready for bolts.
Kurt making steady progress
The newly undercoated cab
The Bonnet painted and finished.
The manufactures badge restored.
First of all sorry for the lack of updates but with work, and the ongoing work at the DRPS time to update the website has been hard to come by so here is a round up of current works.
Tria-ang Project
The series of photos shown below show the various stages of the restoration of a 10 1/4 inch gauge trai-ang coach.
The coach was completly disassembled, and then prepared for painting.
Once cleaned the chassis is repainted.
Barrie is seen here repairing and preparing the seats frames for painting.
The ...
Continue reading ...
Posted by Paul Bailey on Saturday, July 11, 2015,
As part of our on going improvements to the site we have just started relaying and clearing out yard.
The photo below shows the ground ready for the first section of track to be laid.
Continue reading ...
Posted by Paul Bailey on Thursday, July 2, 2015,
In :
Locomotives
With great pleasure I can now say that the Type 27a Wickham is now finished.
Pictured below with some of the volunteers who worked on the restoration
Left to right Barrie, Mark and Brian.
We are always looking for new volunteers, and will make you feel welcome,
It dose not matter what your skills are, there is something for you in the Darlington Railway Preservation Society, areas we cover include archiving and library, museum displays, restoration of locomotive, railway equipment, and more.
If yo... Continue reading ...
Preparations
Before the event started members where busying themselves getting the site ready for visitors.
Dave is seen prepareing 39 for the open day.
The bunting ready for the open day.
The Event
These two photos show visitors exploring the newly redisplayed collection. Including members of the public been given tours of the cad of the Electric Locomotive.
Matt seen on duty on the Mini Railway
So of our future members seen enjoying a trip on the Mini Railway.
The highlight of the event was the fi...
Posted by Paul Bailey on Wednesday, April 15, 2015,
In :
Locomotives
Work is ongoing on our Wickham restoration.
Below we see the wasp stripes starting to be painted on the Wickham.
With one panel before and one after
Below we see Brian fitting windscreen wipers,
Before the fitting he has stripped, and cleaned the windscreen wiper motors.
Are you on facebook? Why not like our page
https://www.facebook.com/Darlington.Railway?fref=tsWords Paul Bailey, Photos Barrie Lamb
Posted by Paul Bailey on Wednesday, April 8, 2015,
This week we are pleased to reveal our new tidier workshop front ready for our open day on May the 31st,
The front of workshop ready for our open day
Posted by Paul Bailey on Wednesday, February 18, 2015,
In :
Locomotives
78018
In the photo above you see where we have now test fitted the sieve box's to the tender, in the coming days theses will be fitted permanently.
A unusual view inside the tenders water tank, work is currently going on to fit the various water feed pipes.
Meanwhile inside the workshop Malcolm our CME is putting threads on the pipework to fit under the tender.
Wickham Update
Above you can see the Chairman Barrie priming the Wickhams metalwork prior to undercoating. Note the freshly stained floor ...
Continue reading ...
Posted by Paul Bailey on Sunday, February 15, 2015,
In :
Locomotives
78018 News
Above is the sieve boxes which are used to filter out any muck or debris that may be in the tender.
The ladder and most of the pipework is no fitted or ready to be fitted to the standards tender.
Wickham News
Work has continued on the new floor, the engine cover has now been trail fitted and the floor secured in place.
The fuel tank is now fitted, and the floor is shaped to fit.
Keep your eyes open in the coming week for a upcoming announcement about a event happening this year.
Continue reading ...
Posted by Paul Bailey on Saturday, January 24, 2015,
In :
Locomotives
Wickham News
Below are the latest photos of the work on our Wickham
Brian cutting new sections of floor for the Wickham
Barrie fitting the new floor around the fuel tank, note the floor nearest the camera is original and has been re varnished.
The new sections nearly completely fitted, with the engine cover in position ready for final positioning.
78018 News
Currently work is ongoing on the tender
The newly fitted vacum bag and steam heat pipework, now fitted to the tender.
The mounting point recentl...
Continue reading ...
Posted by Matthew Graves on Tuesday, January 13, 2015,
Happy New Year to all from the DRPS,
Hopefully this year I will keep the news blog more up to date as I once again have access to the internet.
There is also a new correspondence address, for the Secretary,
4 Monkland Close,Middlesbrough,TS1 5TN.
I will be posting the latest news in the coming week,
Continue reading ...
Posted by Paul Bailey on Friday, November 7, 2014,
Firstly an apologies for the lack of updates over the last few months but between house moves and work I have not had as much time as I would have liked. It has been a busy few months so here is a brief round up of our activities.
Wickham News
Work on the restoration of MP007 is makeing great progress, we have replaced the badly corroded panels and have comenced rumbing down the paintwork.
On the engine front, we are now fitting a new clutch and have had the engine started.
Steam Locomotives
No...
Continue reading ...
In readiness for our Annual Open Day on May 18th, major work is under way inside our building.
One of our members cuts the ends off the Rail to create level access to the exhibits. Note that the 1928 General Electric, electric shunter has moved back to allow this to happen.
The new walk way.
The display boards in there new position, awaiting some changes and still more tidying.
As a result of our changes the Scammel is been repositioned as are several other exhibits.
So if you want to see what has...
Posted by Paul Bailey on Sunday, February 9, 2014,
In :
78018
Firstly sorry for the recent lack of news, and here is what we are up to:
Yesterday we had a work party in on Saturday to start work on 78018,s tender.
Firstly we laid rails behind the tenders location, using a concrete sleeper, and individual block sleeps.
Then Mark drilled a set of holes in the rails to fit tie bars to using our petrol driven rail drill.
Once these holes were drilled the tie bars are fitted.
The Tender was then carefully rolled on to the new section of track, with the help of th...
Posted by Paul Bailey on Sunday, December 29, 2013,
Here are some photos from today, showing Northern Gas Board No.1 at the Stevenson Railway Museum and North Tyneside Steam Railway in the yard at Middle Engine Lane.
Continue reading ...
Posted by Paul Bailey on Wednesday, December 4, 2013,
In :
78018
Well as we await more news of 78018 here is the film which made her famous.
Continue reading ...
The Peckett is now off on hire in North Tyneside.
Above is footage of her first moves in our yard.
Some of our members with the Peckett before she departs. Left to right Malcolm Simpson our CME and vice chaiman, Barrie Lamb our chairman, Paul Bailey our secretary, Kerry Bailey membership secretary and Richard Snowdon.
Here are just a few more pictures from yesterday.
Raising steam mid morning. The piece of pipe on top of the locomotives chimney helps to draw the fire when raising steam.
The building fills with steam as the boiler inspector checks the Pecketts safety valves go off at the correct pressure.
The first time the Peckett has moved under its own power on the new bearings.
Inside the cab of the Peckett, the red handle you can see is the regulator and in the background is our Chief Mechanical Engineer a...
Continue reading ...
Yesterday night we had another evening work party and here is what we did,
The Peckett was pushed outside the good shed, ready for use to wash out the boiler,
Getting ready to wash out the boiler using a power washer, hosepipe and a long handled and narrow rake.
One of our volunteers Richard gets to grips with washing out the boiler,
After the wash out was complete the Peckett was put back in the shed and then we took the opportunity to fit one of the new buffer extensions to the locomotive.
If yo...
So work continues on Northern Gas Board Number One, we now have the locomotive back on its wheels as seem below,
Above is the front of the Peckett about to have the smoke box and tubes cleaned ready for a visit by the boiler inspector,
Above is a close up view inside the smoke box taken before sweeping the tubes,
HOW CAN I HELP?As work progresses I will post more updates, but to finish with I must remind you all we still need your help, be it by joining the DRPS and volunteering or by making a d...
Continue reading ...
So after a quite period we have had some major progress with the arrival of the new bearings and repaired axle boxes.
The next stage is to install the axles under the locomotive,
Below is the newly re-metalled bearings fitted in the axle boxes on the locomotives axles ready to be reunited with the locomotive.
Continue reading ...
We are still collecting for our wheel appeal, we need to raise £1500 to help get the Peckett rolling again.
The wheels we are fundraising for.
Work is currently on going to get the Peckett back in traffic after some winter maintenance.
This work taken several months but is progressing well. We hope to soon be able to re-wheel the Peckett, and then re-assemble the locomotive.
The Peckett in the workshop.
Continue reading ...
Here are a few pictures from our recent open day just so you can see what you missed.
Our volunteer Stuart waits for passengers on the Miniature Railway,
Mark and Paul with our Scammel,
Kerry and Emma manning our fundraising stand,
Our signaling display with the mini railway in the background.
That is just a flavour of what was happening on the day if you missed this one please make it to our next event.
Continue reading ...
The Darlington Railway Preservation Society launched a new appeal at our recent open day, The Peckett Wheel Appeal.
The aim of this appeal is to raise at least £1500, toward the cost of getting Northern Gas Board Number One rolling again.
If you wish to donate to this appeal please send your Donation to:
Peckett Wheel Appeal,
Darlington Railway Presevation Society,
c/o DRPS Secretary,
31 Hamilton Grove,
Teessville,
Middlesbrough,
TS6 0AH
All Donations no matter how big or small will be a big help, ple...
Continue reading ...
Posted by Paul Bailey on Thursday, March 21, 2013,
First of all sorry for the lack of updates over the past few months but as you will see its been a busy few months!
78018
Well, 78018 has left North Road for the Great Central Railway for completion of it's restoration with the assistance of the Loughborough Standard Locomotive Group (LSLG). The LSLG will be the custodians of the locomotive whilst the DRPS will remain the locomotives owners.
Below are some photos of the day 78018 left Darlington, Start of the day, 78018 still in the workshop o...
Continue reading ...
On the 18th and 19th August we held a successful open weekend to say our fairwells to our Peckett and Sons 0-4-0 saddle tank lo
comotive, Northern Gas Board no.1, before it heads down to the Cholsey and Wallingford Railway. We were pleased the Mayor of Darlington, Paul Baldwin, was able to attend on the second day. Below are some pictures of the event including the team form
Cholsey and Wallingford Railway who came give it a test drive.Mayor Paul Baldwin with the Peckett: left to right: DRPS c...
Continue reading ...
