tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25913679864764775392011-12-19T08:20:43.086ZFollow my experiences as a volunteer at Bressingham Steam Museum.Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01598107816009956416noreply@blogger.comBlogger511100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591367986476477539.post-76213746189045105552011-12-08T19:00:00.207Z2011-12-11T11:33:50.079Z

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 firebox

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01598107816009956416noreply@blogger.com0Bressingham, Diss, Norfolk, UK52.38342902143658 1.054639711886579852.35753302143657 1.0206292118865798 52.40932502143658 1.0886502118865797tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591367986476477539.post-80601757995951048542011-12-08T19:00:00.000Z2011-12-11T09:39:38.264Z

Back 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, UK52.38346176445249 1.054521694689924552.35756576445249 1.0205111946899246 52.409357764452494 1.0885321946899245tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591367986476477539.post-89437422235497950292011-11-24T21:00:00.074Z2011-12-11T10:02:14.473Z

Earlier 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 Once

Jameshttp://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-14198222230757910892011-11-24T19:00:00.065Z2011-12-08T14:12:21.114Z

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, UK52.38325548304668 1.054671898394758552.35735948304668 1.0206613983947586 52.409151483046685 1.0886823983947584tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591367986476477539.post-20750566426346734062011-10-27T19:15:00.052+01:002011-11-05T18:11:49.901Z

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 is

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01598107816009956416noreply@blogger.com0Bressingham, Diss, Norfolk, UK52.38388087291185 1.054865017443830852.35798487291185 1.0208545174438308 52.409776872911856 1.0888755174438307tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591367986476477539.post-41305392322657019242011-10-27T19:00:00.031+01:002011-11-01T09:02:18.227Z

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, UK52.38389396998709 1.05490793278806952.35799796998709 1.020897432788069 52.409789969987095 1.088918432788069tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591367986476477539.post-34284564562141951182011-10-02T19:30:00.096+01:002011-10-30T17:46:53.170Z

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, UK52.38386777583273 1.0548864751159552.35797177583272 1.02087597511595 52.40976377583273 1.0888969751159499tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591367986476477539.post-63907613699010985022011-08-30T19:30:00.004+01:002011-10-28T20:39:05.618+01:00

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 1.054993763476545652.35812894052587 1.0209832634765457 52.40992094052588 1.0890042634765456tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591367986476477539.post-91899097859613917632011-07-17T19:30:00.002+01:002011-10-28T21:01:27.297+01:00

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, UK52.38386777583273 1.054950848132307352.35797177583272 1.0209403481323074 52.40976377583273 1.0889613481323073tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591367986476477539.post-63549591426185740322011-06-26T19:00:00.297+01:002011-10-28T20:54:16.688+01:00

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 road

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01598107816009956416noreply@blogger.com1Bressingham, Diss, Norfolk, UK52.38386777583273 1.0548864751159552.35797177583272 1.02087597511595 52.40976377583273 1.0888969751159499tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591367986476477539.post-79277720598060145082011-06-17T20:30:00.047+01:002011-06-25T17:53:11.987+01:00

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 day

Jameshttp://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+01:00

After 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 1.054918661624128652.35796522729169 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+01:00

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 was

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01598107816009956416noreply@blogger.com2Liverpool Street Station, London51.51749399150982 -0.0818720092926241751.50542599150982 -0.11177550929262417 51.529561991509816 -0.05196850929262417tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591367986476477539.post-35311537338643750602011-06-05T19:30:00.358+01:002011-06-25T17:37:03.343+01:00

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.com0Bressingham, Diss, Norfolk, UK52.3838648209457 1.054935603179956252.3579688209457 1.0209251031799562 52.409760820945706 1.088946103179956tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591367986476477539.post-75624354512631195012011-05-08T19:30:00.044+01:002011-05-15T17:37:32.353+01:00

Whilst 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+01:00

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+01:00

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+01:00

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-66428345390265731362011-03-24T19:30:00.288Z2011-03-28T16:43:51.006+01:00

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-33417271315095825222011-03-17T19:30:00.439Z2011-05-15T17:35:30.261+01:00

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-42827323628026172812011-03-10T19:30:00.483Z2011-05-15T17:34:43.322+01:00

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-19985210059734296872011-02-27T19:00:00.197Z2011-03-17T09:05:22.280Z

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 special

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01598107816009956416noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591367986476477539.post-83950230987280852192011-02-24T19:00:00.418Z2011-03-17T09:03:33.771Z

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-68356559712278184932011-02-17T19:00:00.728Z2011-05-06T13:26:06.626+01:00

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-72703532345514421122010-12-23T19:30:00.465Z2011-10-28T20:57:49.496+01:00

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.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591367986476477539.post-72777419848326424832010-12-19T19:30:00.000Z2011-03-12T21:32:35.421Z

Father ChristmasWell, where did the last year go to? It doesn't seem that long since we last visited Father Christmas and here we are again. My car is having its MOT so we use grandma's, and as we arrive I realise I forgot to swap my tripod over - so long exposures to capture the Christmas lights are out of the window today. Fortunately I did bring my fast portrait lens and a ring flash so all

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01598107816009956416noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591367986476477539.post-70559298308927036792010-11-30T15:00:00.002Z2010-11-30T16:08:39.979Z

I have now been a volunteer at Bressingham Steam Museum for one year, and thought it would be good to look back and reflect on my first year. When the idea of writing a blog dawned on me that very first day whilst I was cleaning the cranks, I didn't think that I would have much to write about and that my entries would be limited to a handful given my time on site would be limited as my skills

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01598107816009956416noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591367986476477539.post-57348437518481571462010-09-08T19:00:00.227+01:002011-08-01T09:17:41.640+01:00

Gilding is a costly businessWhilst the principle aim of today was to make a start on photographing the collection, it also happened to be the day that Yvette was in. Yvette is a volunteer whose particular skill is applying the gold leaf to the horses on the Gallopers. Yes, they contain real gold. Gilding A gilder's toolsFirstly Yvette showed me the tools that are used in the gilding process:

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01598107816009956416noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591367986476477539.post-83599398379588358522010-08-29T19:00:00.377+01:002010-09-05T15:34:46.190+01:00

A long time dream fulfilledIt was during my first day of trackwork back in February that I met Carl for the first time. I've seen him lots of times since, both when volunteering and as a visitor since he is a regular volunteer working as a guard on the three narrow gauge lines. Recently Carl started his steam training in preparation for driving. This involves learning the principles of steam on

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01598107816009956416noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591367986476477539.post-48494728131078198622010-08-15T19:00:00.482+01:002011-03-15T06:57:33.091Z

Last year's winner hoping to take the prize againToday's visit coincided with Bressingham's 21st Steam in Miniature Weekend. This would be the second time round for me, so I knew roughly what to expect, except this time I would be writing a blog entry as well. In fact we bought our family season ticket at last year's event and given the number of visits we managed in a year (at least sixteen,

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01598107816009956416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591367986476477539.post-39618726431766389522010-08-15T19:00:00.481+01:002010-09-07T09:38:23.412+01:00

Seymour - good to see he hasn't changed much!Whilst at the Steam in Miniature event I fortuitously bumped into Seymour in the afternoon. This was the first time I'd seen him since the Ivor Day some three months ago. I know that a few people would like to know when he visits Bressingham so they might be able to say hello and catch up. With this in mind I asked him if he'd mind me letting people

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01598107816009956416noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591367986476477539.post-59228891817856396312010-08-01T19:00:00.115+01:002010-08-05T08:41:52.361+01:00

Ian on RosenkavalierToday was another day that wasn't intended as a blog entry - just a visit with number one son and grandma, but a couple of conversations later that's what it became. Whilst having something to eat I noticed that today's Nursery Line driver was Robert, the same chap featured in the photograph that won some of the software that I will be using to bring the collection online

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01598107816009956416noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591367986476477539.post-27666021063766852562010-07-11T19:00:00.153+01:002010-07-18T17:45:34.371+01:00

Bevan waiting for inspectionSitting in the locomotive shed is a completed Bevan. Everything has been finished and is awaiting final inspection for a boiler certificate and associated insurance paperwork. This I'm told is scheduled for w/c 12 July, so presumably if all is well, Bevan could be steaming out in the next few days. When I took these photographs, it was bright and sunny outside, but

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01598107816009956416noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591367986476477539.post-20719199766926274812010-06-20T19:30:00.748+01:002010-08-03T08:56:02.867+01:00

Walmington on Sea comes to BressinghamThis year marked the tenth anniversary of Dad's Army Day at Bressingham. Usually held each May, this year it was moved back to June to coincide with the unveiling of the statue of Captain Mainwaring in Thetford and the Dad's Army Day organised by Dad's Army Museum on Saturday 19th. My intention was to arrive around 10:00 before the doors opened to get a

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01598107816009956416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591367986476477539.post-80766316037391227542010-06-20T19:00:00.010+01:002010-07-12T07:24:38.885+01:00

Bevan really is coming on wellProgress on Bevan seems to be moving along quite rapidly, and it's interesting to see just how far things have come on in the last six weeks. Once completed and operational, a lot of interesting things are hidden from general view so it's great to be able to get a look at what is underneath. In common with Bressingham's three other narrow gauge trains, one of the

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01598107816009956416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591367986476477539.post-19654900161611392392010-06-18T19:00:00.014+01:002010-07-05T08:39:07.417+01:00

Another project that I have volunteered for is to help get Bressingham's exhibit collection online. As an Information Management consultant my day to day job involves dealing with information retrieval, content management, website coding and design, so this is something that is right up my street. I have built several comprehensive websites for friends over the years and have a lot of experience

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01598107816009956416noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591367986476477539.post-33495448912545370062010-05-16T20:00:00.543+01:002010-08-26T09:17:08.489+01:00

Ivor has steam upWith my early start, and my other half at home looking after baby, it fell upon grandma to bring number one son along around lunchtime. He is a Thomas fan through and through, so meeting Ivor would be a new experience. By the time I caught up with them he had already had a ride behind Ivor and was as excited about the trains as ever. What is it with little boys and trains?

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01598107816009956416noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591367986476477539.post-85747301678527590132010-05-16T19:00:01.108+01:002010-06-27T09:07:33.835+01:00

Ivor's boiler being filledThis weekend Ivor the Engine paid his third visit to Bressingham, and I had an early start so that I could include some of what happens behind the scenes as the drivers prepare the locomotives for the day. As with any day, there is lots going on and I have tried to capture a flavour of what's happening. Due to its length, this posting has been split into two parts.

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01598107816009956416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591367986476477539.post-79038955779091357242010-04-29T19:00:00.519+01:002010-05-12T15:49:13.524+01:00

John, today's Garden Line guardToday did not start as a blog day, it was just a visit with number one son and grandma as mum is in hospital having given birth to number two son on Tuesday. I wonder if in the next eighteen months or so he will have a similar fascination with trains and cars. I'm sure that if his older brother has anything to do with it he will! However, things happen and I

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01598107816009956416noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591367986476477539.post-13299114758917751472010-04-25T19:00:00.264+01:002010-05-11T13:44:26.833+01:00

Meeting a large teddy bearAs each special event comes round at Bressingham, I am trying to attend as many as possible so that I can share some of what happens. Since I come with my family it gives me the opportunity to enjoy myself as well so that I can hopefully be more objective in my reporting. Today's weather forecast threatened heavy showers, and as we arrived at 11:00 it had just started

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01598107816009956416noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591367986476477539.post-84239244705279481182010-04-14T21:30:00.069+01:002010-04-14T22:06:11.693+01:00

As soon as I had decided to become a Bressingham Volunteer ideas started racing through my mind.  One of those was to produce a timelapse video when the Gallopers were being assembled following their winter overhaul. How it was doneI had hoped that I could be present during the assembly process, but a call back in February to get and outline schedule revealed that it would take around two

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01598107816009956416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591367986476477539.post-71525320264864418842010-04-04T22:56:00.007+01:002010-04-04T23:01:30.911+01:00

Seeking out SeymourAfter following all of the activity surrounding the 2010 season opening it was nice to be able to enjoy a day with the family this Easter. Our first port of call was the Gallopers where we sought out Seymour especially. I'm not sure if a three and a half year old quite understood fully when I explained the significance, but he grasped "man on horses" and was happy enough.

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01598107816009956416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591367986476477539.post-74329786786644596162010-04-01T19:08:00.006+01:002010-08-26T09:16:26.141+01:00

Cake decoration captures Seymour's character perfectlyAfter sixteen years of working at Bressingham, today was Seymour's last official day at work as he retires. A gathering of staff and volunteers in the afternoon presented him with a specially designed cake and a Corgi model of a carousel similar to Bressingham's in recognition of his long and valued service to Bressingham. Howard

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01598107816009956416noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591367986476477539.post-12137711936807226212010-03-18T12:13:00.363Z2010-03-26T08:54:00.702Z

Toby on the 2ft gaugeEver the glutton for punishment, I put myself into the frame for another day of trackwork before the maintenance season ends and Bressingham opens its doors to the public again on 27th March. The other motive was to get a behind the scenes glimpse at The Gallopers as they are reassembled following their overhaul and inspection. TrackworkToday's trackwork focused on laying

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01598107816009956416noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591367986476477539.post-89716318340656577522010-02-04T21:37:00.052Z2010-02-22T07:26:32.238Z

Track maintenanceToday's visit was to help do some work on the track. When the main season finishes at the end of October there is a five month window to do any track maintenance before things open again fully towards the end of March. Obviously this work needs planning around the Christmas and February half-term opening as some trains do run for these events. Gallopers Cranks that have been

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01598107816009956416noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591367986476477539.post-30671251466357322402010-01-10T19:17:00.010Z2010-01-26T19:57:46.615Z

Bressingham's Snow Queen (taken on previous visit) After my first Christmas visit I knew that I could achieve some much better images with the use of flash lighting. In my mind's eye I pictured the Snow Queen in her sleigh with the background washed in blue light to give the image a cold tone. Given the very low light levels inside it would be virtually impossible to shoot the Snow Queen

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01598107816009956416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591367986476477539.post-18267531973046925782009-12-20T21:00:00.037Z2010-01-26T17:54:46.731Z

Seat at entrance to Nursery Line The recent cold snap earlier in the week has left several inches of snow on the ground where I live. A quick call to Sue at Bressingham confirmed that they too have a fair bit of snow still laying - ideal conditions for doing some promotional photography for next year's Christmas marketing campaign. Given today's impulse decision I will be restricted to

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01598107816009956416noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591367986476477539.post-39868114231279772102009-12-06T19:00:00.010Z2010-01-17T16:14:15.066Z

The Snow Queen's sleigh Today we visited Bressingham's Christmas event so that little one could visit Santa and have a ride on the steam train. During my induction day I had seen some of the preparations for Christmas taking place so it was nice to see the finished article. One of the things I had previously suggested was to take some photographs of the Christmas lights for the website and

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01598107816009956416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591367986476477539.post-10678883148796492632009-11-30T20:46:00.002Z2010-01-17T14:54:15.652Z

I arrive at Bressingham Steam Museum after about an hour's drive from home. I have taken a day off work as I still have a few days to use up before the end of the year. Before starting as a volunteer at Bressingham I need to have an induction session where I am shown around the site, introduced to some of the people and given the obligatory Health & Safety blurb. I meet David and after a chat

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01598107816009956416noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591367986476477539.post-68239769416890696962009-11-24T00:00:00.008Z2010-01-14T17:18:52.446Z

Thanks in no part to the recent postal strikes, today I received confirmation that I have been accepted as a volunteer at Bressingham. The first task is to arrange an induction session to have a site tour, meet some of the people and have the Health and Safety briefing.  This I will do in the next few days once I have sorted my other work commitments. I look forward to being a part of

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01598107816009956416noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591367986476477539.post-33156377261180924842009-11-01T19:47:00.032Z2010-01-17T14:54:34.812Z

Operating the turntable on the Garden Line My first ever visit to Bressingham Steam Museum was on 21st June this year when I received an email (I had subscribed to their mailing list earlier in the year) offering free entry for dads on Fathers' Day. We had been thinking of taking our two and a half year old son there for a couple of months as he recently discovered a liking for trains (along

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01598107816009956416noreply@blogger.com1Diss, Norfolk IP22 2AA, UK52.3842677 1.053574952.380993700000005 1.0462794000000002 52.3875417 1.0608704