Stainmore Railway...

Rob Pulham

Western Thunderer
We passed through Kirkby Stephen East the week before Easter but sadly the railway is only open at weekends so we were not able to enjoy it's delights.

We seem to have landed on a treasure trove of preserved railways all within similar driving distance of the NYMR from our old house. A drive out had us passing by four: The Stainmore Railway, the Eden Valley Railway, the Weardale Railway and the South Tynedale Railway (narrow gauge) along with six castles. Plus it's around 20 miles to Beamish which is far less than a trip to the NYMR would have been.
 

Rob Pulham

Western Thunderer
We had a few days break and while up north we took the opportunity to go back to Kirkby Stephen while the railway was open on Saturday.

While we were there, there was another pair of couples also looking around. One of the volunteers asked if we would like to see inside one of the Gresley coaches on site a TTO that has had extensive internal restoration

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What really amazed me is that all the interior that you see in the photo is all replica, the seats, mirrors, luggage racks etc. They work extensively with the LNER coach association who provide parts for patterns for the replicas to be produced.

Amongst the other interesting items in their collection is a GCR 6 Wheeled brake van which looks to be in pretty good condition.

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For any one interested I took a few detail shots which are on my Flickr site.

Once we had looked at the TTO we were then taken for a walk up the line to view a few coaches and a Southern Bogie parcels van (sorry I didn't take any photos of it). They also have a GNR Cinema coach which unfortunately I didn't get close enough to take photos of.

We were very impressed by the welcome and the guided tour and if I ever get to the point of doing any volunteering at a preserved railway I think that this will be the one.
 

steve1

Western Thunderer
Rob,

I totally agree with you. They're a very friendly and helpful bunch who are doing some excellent work.

steve
 

Rob Pulham

Western Thunderer
While out and about we called in Kirkby Stephen East again on Saturday and again they lived up to the tag line "A friendly heritage railway".

having been on the road for a while our first stop was at the Buffet Car and after ordering drinks I enquired about what food might be on offer. The immediate reply was come and join our barbeque so we did. In the end we were fed and had a ride up and down the half mile of track and nothing was asked in the way of payment after our initial drinks:thumbs:. I made sure that I left a donation on the way out.

While enjoying all this I noticed that an NER Bogie Tool van was in residence which wasn't there when we popped in previously. A Chat with Mike Thompson about it revealed that they had recently received stage one Lottery approval for restoration of the J21 that's currently at Shildon and the Tool van both of them loaned by Beamish.
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Mike was over the moon, he was saying that it's the fifth time that they have applied for lottery funding for the J21. All in all a grand day out

I will post a few pictures of the tool van once I have downloaded them from the camera.
 

oldravendale

Western Thunderer
.......and here's 65033 at the end of her previous life. Darlington Works, 3 October 1964. My copyright.

65033.  Darlington Works Yard.  3 October 1964.   Copy.jpg

I also have a photo of 65099 in less than complete condition, taken on the same day, and which I believe was being used to provide parts for 65033. Unfortunately the neg is not scanned yet.

Brian
 
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