tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25913679864764775392024-03-13T13:04:25.763+00:00Bressingham VolunteerFollow my experiences as a volunteer at Bressingham Steam Museum.Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01598107816009956416noreply@blogger.comBlogger51125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591367986476477539.post-76213746189045105552011-12-08T19:00:00.207+00:002011-12-11T11:33:50.079+00:00No. 1 Alan Bloom maintenance
Boiler separated from chassisEvery five or so years, Bressingham-built No. 1 Alan Bloom requires a bottom end refit, so this year's maintenance job is rather more substantial than usual — wheel re-profiling, valves and valve gear, slide bars, bushings, some shimming and whatever else turns up.
Part of the tender wagon, the hoses are for the compressed air braking system
Boiler from the Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01598107816009956416noreply@blogger.com0Bressingham, Diss, Norfolk, UK52.383429021436577 1.054639711886579852.357533021436574 1.0206292118865798 52.40932502143658 1.0886502118865797tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591367986476477539.post-80601757995951048542011-12-08T19:00:00.000+00:002011-12-11T09:39:38.264+00:00New two-foot carriagesBack at the end of August, Phil was fixing together the framework that will form the main structure of the new carriages. Even though I try to follow these projects, there are inevitably times when I'm not in or simply run out of time, so here I find that the carriages have been completely assembled and painted. I've also discovered that they are going to be the open type, meaning that Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01598107816009956416noreply@blogger.com0Bressingham, Diss, Norfolk, UK52.383461764452491 1.054521694689924552.357565764452488 1.0205111946899246 52.409357764452494 1.0885321946899245tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591367986476477539.post-89437422235497950292011-11-24T21:00:00.074+00:002011-12-11T10:02:14.473+00:00Gallopers platforms and vegetation managementEarlier this year, two of the platform sections were removed for repair and repainting. Since the end of season another two sections have had the same treatment and today they need to be refitted ready for Christmas opening. It seems that the epoxy filler did the trick, and the two sections replaced in March are holding up well.
The platforms are a tight fit
Clever tool to make life easier
OnceJameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01598107816009956416noreply@blogger.com0Bressingham, Diss, Norfolk, UK52.3838546787497 1.054929390460188252.357958678749696 1.0209188904601882 52.4097506787497 1.0889398904601881tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591367986476477539.post-14198222230757910892011-11-24T19:00:00.065+00:002011-12-08T14:12:21.114+00:00A riveting time
Hammering a red-hot rivet inMuch earlier this year, I managed to miss one of the slate wagons being riveted as I was doing trackwork.
Today I was more fortunate and managed to witness the spectacle of red-hot glowing rivets being hammered about.
Two slate wagons have already been restored and have run on the two-foot line as a demonstration train this year, this will be the third wagon.
Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01598107816009956416noreply@blogger.com0Bressingham, Diss, Norfolk, UK52.383255483046682 1.054671898394758552.357359483046679 1.0206613983947586 52.409151483046685 1.0886823983947584tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591367986476477539.post-20750566426346734062011-10-27T19:15:00.052+01:002011-11-05T18:11:49.901+00:00Waiting for the wheel to turn
Turning an axle on the latheWith George Sholto now in service and the season drawing to a close, the workshop can concentrate on getting the new 2-foot carriages built and general maintenance. Last time I saw Phil he was fixing the framework to the floor — today he's machining wheels for 2-foot bogies.
The plan is to have a couple of spare bogies so that when the wheels get worn down it Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01598107816009956416noreply@blogger.com0Bressingham, Diss, Norfolk, UK52.383880872911853 1.054865017443830852.35798487291185 1.0208545174438308 52.409776872911856 1.0888755174438307tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591367986476477539.post-41305392322657019242011-10-27T19:00:00.031+01:002011-11-01T09:02:18.227+00:00No. 994 George Sholto steams into service
Tom gives George Sholto the thumbs upAfter the new boiler's arrival last year, and with much work this year, George Sholto passed its boiler inspection a couple of days ago and entered passenger service yesterday. In a stroke of luck, I happened to be around for its second day of service and managed to get some photographs whilst it's still gleaming.
It's really great to finally see it out and Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01598107816009956416noreply@blogger.com0Bressingham, Diss, Norfolk, UK52.383893969987092 1.05490793278806952.357997969987089 1.0208974327880691 52.409789969987095 1.088918432788069tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591367986476477539.post-34284564562141951182011-10-02T19:30:00.096+01:002011-10-30T17:46:53.170+00:00George Sholto and a horse named Jack
No. 994 George SholtoMuch progress has been made on George Sholto in the couple of months since my last update. The cab has been painted and refitted. The saddle tank has been painted and fitted with the nameplates. Other brasswork has been refitted, and generally it's looking like a very nearly finished locomotive.
Smokebox
View from the side
There is still quite a bit of minor detailing to Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01598107816009956416noreply@blogger.com2Bressingham, Diss, Norfolk, UK52.383867775832726 1.0548864751159552.357971775832723 1.02087597511595 52.409763775832729 1.0888969751159499tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591367986476477539.post-63907613699010985022011-08-30T19:30:00.004+01:002011-10-28T20:39:05.618+01:00New two-foot coaches and some more of the gardens
George Sholto under wraps in the locomotive shedNow that most of the boiler-related work has been done on George Sholto, it has been transferred to the locomotive shed where it is sitting under a plastic sheet. The next task will be to fit the driver's cab and saddle tank before finishing off all the remaining little jobs.
This makes room in the workshops for construction of two new carriages Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01598107816009956416noreply@blogger.com1Bressingham, Diss, Norfolk, UK52.384024940525876 1.054993763476545652.358128940525873 1.0209832634765457 52.409920940525879 1.0890042634765456tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591367986476477539.post-91899097859613917632011-07-17T19:30:00.002+01:002011-10-28T21:01:27.297+01:00Jack
Meet JackThis horse was started back in June when it came off the Gallopers as Dick. Much like any other horse coming off at the moment, there was a lot of rot and Brian really does strip them down to get rid of it. As more horses get restored, the condition of them should get slightly better as the worst ones are being prioritised. Just don't mention the ostriches and cockerels — Brian's Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01598107816009956416noreply@blogger.com2Bressingham, Diss, Norfolk, UK52.383867775832726 1.054950848132307352.357971775832723 1.0209403481323074 52.409763775832729 1.0889613481323073tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591367986476477539.post-63549591426185740322011-06-26T19:00:00.297+01:002011-10-28T20:54:16.688+01:0050th Anniversary Weekend
No. 2789 The PresidentTo celebrate fifty years since Alan Bloom first started Bressingham Steam & Gardens several former Bressingham exhibits and stars joined some of the current and lesser-known ones for a glorious weekend of steam (and some diesel!)
The PresidentPerhaps the star of the weekend was the magnificently restored No. 2789 The President all the way from Aberdeen. This Burrell Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01598107816009956416noreply@blogger.com2Bressingham, Diss, Norfolk, UK52.383867775832726 1.0548864751159552.357971775832723 1.02087597511595 52.409763775832729 1.0888969751159499tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591367986476477539.post-79277720598060145082011-06-17T20:30:00.047+01:002011-06-25T17:53:11.987+01:00George Sholto progress
The new cab has been fittedBack at Bressingham after the naming ceremony I found that I had a couple of hours to spare, and sticking my head in the workshop found that Phil had started work on fabricating the saddle tank for George Sholto.
The cab that a couple of weeks ago was being made has now been fitted to the chassis and is being finished off.
I was expecting that I would come in one dayJameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01598107816009956416noreply@blogger.com0Bressingham, Diss, Norfolk, UK52.3838546787497 1.0548864751159552.357958678749696 1.02087597511595 52.4097506787497 1.0888969751159499tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591367986476477539.post-32538022720444304802011-06-17T20:00:00.279+01:002011-06-23T14:51:57.817+01:00A name at lastAfter many months in the works, the horse with no name has now been called Flora after Alan Bloom's wife. With just two more coats of clear lacquer to be applied, Flora should be back on the Gallopers by next weekend.
In the Beauty Parlour Jet is also very nearly finished too and should be joining Flora in time for Bressingham's Fiftieth Anniversary celebrations.
At long last a name
Jet &Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01598107816009956416noreply@blogger.com0Bressingham, Diss, Norfolk, UK52.383861227291696 1.054918661624128652.357965227291693 1.0209081616241287 52.4097572272917 1.0889291616241286tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591367986476477539.post-88426009399599175992011-06-17T19:30:00.382+01:002011-06-23T14:56:08.629+01:00Class 90 locomotive naming ceremony
NXEA Class 90 locomotive named after BressinghamAs part of a programme of events to celebrate Bressingham's Fiftieth Anniversary, National Express East Anglia (NXEA) agreed to name one of their Class 90 electric locomotives used on the London to Norwich line Bressingham Steam & Gardens.
I received my invitation about four weeks ago and was quite surprised — I already knew that the ceremony Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01598107816009956416noreply@blogger.com2Liverpool Street Station, London51.517493991509816 -0.0818720092926241751.505425991509817 -0.11177550929262417 51.529561991509816 -0.051968509292624171tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591367986476477539.post-35311537338643750602011-06-05T19:30:00.358+01:002011-06-25T17:37:03.343+01:00St Christopher, George Sholto, Gallopers and Teddy Bears
St Christopher in steamAlthough today's visit was family time, I used some in between time to catch up on some of the things that have been happening over the past few weeks. Since I do not attend regularly like a lot of volunteers I have to make the most of my visits.
With St Christopher passing its boiler test a couple of weeks ago, this was its second weekend of running, and an opportunity Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01598107816009956416noreply@blogger.com1Bressingham, Diss, Norfolk, UK52.3838648209457 1.054935603179956252.3579688209457 1.0209251031799562 52.409760820945706 1.0889461031799561tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591367986476477539.post-75624354512631195012011-05-08T19:30:00.044+01:002011-05-15T17:37:32.353+01:00St Christopher locomotive progressWhilst at this year's Dad's Army Day, I took the opportunity to check out the progress being made on St Christopher and was rather surprised to find it in pieces!
The boiler has been bead blasted to thoroughly clean it out, and Phil is making changes to the braking system so that it's compatible with the air braking system used on the Waveney carriages.
Boiler cleaned and painted
Cab and Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01598107816009956416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591367986476477539.post-48349848422989525402011-04-28T19:30:00.398+01:002011-06-14T15:52:30.402+01:00All Change - Preparations for St Christopher locomotive
Exmoor St ChristopherWith no Rosenkavalier, the Waveney Valley Line has been out of action for the past few weeks. Now that a new 15″ locomotive St Christopher has arrived service should be shortly reinstated — once the platform and some minor locomotive works have been completed. My task today is to help Chris and Adam get the platform ready so that St Christopher can be running as soon as Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01598107816009956416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591367986476477539.post-6509410389506718862011-04-07T19:30:00.449+01:002011-06-14T15:53:00.690+01:00Royal Coaches and Gallopers (what no trackwork?)
Camera setup for shooting VRToday's objective was very well-defined: to photograph inside the rooms of both royal coaches in order to create a virtual reality (VR) tour. I have been trying to squeeze the odd room in for the past few weeks but always seemed to run out of time, especially since the locomotive sheds are locked when the workshop finishes for the day.
Of course, I also managed to Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01598107816009956416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591367986476477539.post-4095002059642821202011-03-31T19:30:00.418+01:002011-04-02T19:55:56.918+01:00Bressingham is open!
Getting the Gallopers readyToday is the first proper day of the 2011 season. Although open during the February half-term week, today marks the start of the season proper with both the Garden and Nursery Lines due to run.
Unfortunately the blocking high pressure weather system we have been enjoying over the last few weeks has retreated to the continent and let the Atlantic south-westerlies back Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01598107816009956416noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591367986476477539.post-66428345390265731362011-03-24T19:30:00.288+00:002011-03-28T16:43:51.006+01:00Getting ready for 2011 (and some trackwork)
Final touches to the Gallopers platformsToday is about finishing off the section of the Nursery Line just past the glasshouse and starting on the minor track defects like replacing the odd bad sleeper, straightening kinks and adjusting the gauge where necessary.
Of course there's lots of other things happening and my lunch break is always spent talking to someone about something or other that Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01598107816009956416noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591367986476477539.post-33417271315095825222011-03-17T19:30:00.439+00:002011-05-15T17:35:30.261+01:00Trackwork - Fourth session (Yes, I'm mad!)
Sleepers destined for the glasshouseWith the start of season now only two weeks away, the pressure is on to get the track finished and in serviceable condition to satisfy the Railway Inspectorate. Even though it's a narrow gauge railway, it's still subject to a swathe of legislation ensuring its safety and operation.
To this end it's vital that we get a section of track near the glasshouse Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01598107816009956416noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591367986476477539.post-42827323628026172812011-03-10T19:30:00.483+00:002011-05-15T17:34:43.322+01:00Trackwork 2011 - Third session (Am I mad?)
Spreading ballastWith customers postponing my site visits, I take advantage of the situation and decide that a third round of trackwork is in order. Am I mad? Some might say so, but for me it's relaxing and by the end of the day I can sit back and know that I've made a difference. It's also a day not spent battling the M25 which has to be a good thing.
Gallopers platforms
Two sections of the Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01598107816009956416noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591367986476477539.post-19985210059734296872011-02-27T19:00:00.197+00:002011-03-17T09:05:22.280+00:00Trackwork 2011 - Sunday update
Riding the maintenance wagonWith Saturday's rain replaced with bright sunny weather, it's an ideal opportunity to take number one son along for the last day of February half term opening. I can also pop down to Peat field 2 and see how Sunday's trackwork team are getting on.
Family fun
Riding MerlinFirst port of call has to be the Gallopers as I've been telling little one all about the specialJameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01598107816009956416noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591367986476477539.post-83950230987280852192011-02-24T19:00:00.418+00:002011-03-17T09:03:33.771+00:00Trackwork 2011 - Second session
Lifting trackContinuing to take advantage of work project schedules I thought it would be nice to escape for another day helping with trackwork, and to try to address some the many tasks on my Bressingham to do list.
At work we have several major projects looming on the horizon and once they get started it will be much harder to get leave at short notice.
TrackworkSunday's team have added Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01598107816009956416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591367986476477539.post-68356559712278184932011-02-17T19:00:00.728+00:002011-05-06T13:26:06.626+01:00Trackwork 2011 - First session
New track nearly ready for 2011With a lull in my project at work I have finally been able to arrange a day away from the office and indulge in some rail therapy. My normal day job is IT and things have been extremely busy for the last few months (I suppose I shouldn't grumble) but turning my hand to something totally different really does relieve some of the stress, even if it makes me ache Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01598107816009956416noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591367986476477539.post-72703532345514421122010-12-23T19:30:00.465+00:002011-10-28T20:57:49.496+01:00Christmas 2010 (Part 2)Father Christmas in his grottoHaving left my tripod behind on Sunday, another visit was in order to get some photographs before everything gets packed away for next year. Being a weekday it also affords the opportunity to catch up with some of the behind the scenes activity such as horse repairs and locomotive rebuilds.
Waveney Valley carriages
Cutting out rotFirst port of call is John in the Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01598107816009956416noreply@blogger.com1