And Now For Something.....

August 2013 Updates :

In the last month I have uploaded about 25 images to ipernity; and begun turning the status of the vast majority for my f****r images to private, as I intend to use ipernity for displaying my work.
Also my homepage has been updated; to include the details of new projects (NSR61) and to link the image gallery titles to the relevant ipernity albums …… If all goes according to plan, details some further new work will be added shortly ……

Project reports :-
It is with considerable pleasure and pride that we announce the completion of NSR127 and that the carriage has been returned to the NSRRSRT at Caversall Road. http://www.ipernity.com/doc/312383/25911183/in/album/402585 Some more images, from the NSRRSRT / Foxfield Railway are due to be uploaded shortly.
The low loader that collected the carriage has brought us NSR61 in exchange. Sorting out the “one off & one on” event took a certain amount of planning and occupied quite a significant area outside our workshop and part of a neighbouring area, also attracting much attention ! http://www.ipernity.com/doc/312383/25911143/in/album/502127 NSR61 is currently being examined as the first stage of the work to final completion that we are to undertake for the NSRRSRT, funding is mainly from a PRISM grant. Work on the doors (sub-project) has already started, with the first door already showing significant progress from this image. http://www.ipernity.com/doc/312383/25911145/in/album/502127
The refit of the Miller Fifer has progressed with several tasks reaching various levels of completion. A number of minor works, almost as snagging details, have continued to the interior, more work has been carried out on the cockpit coamimg / backrest and to the topsides in general, including re-varnishing the masts.
I am still aiming to get a few extra images of the work carried out on the Sentinel Steam Waggon .
I have been told that the Bread Van we overhauled for Beamish Museum has now been sign-written; and I hope to have some images shortly.

There are a number of other items “in hand” but they have managed to escape the camera……but not for long….. I’ve managed a few non-work images as well, including a trip to Whitby (again) but mainly the rescue of a Blackbird nestling http://www.ipernity.com/doc/312383/24896961/in/album/482279 to a fully fledged juvenile, currently in an avairy prior to a soft release. I suspect that it may be somewhat imprinted, but it is quite capable of finding food already.
And Ben de-Dog has been enjoying his visits to the workshop, and Whitby – even on a sunny day ! and getting home again……and walking / playing with “Ziggy” down by and in the river.

Please – feel free to have a plodge around in my photostream or dip into the albums, you can click on the thumbnails that interest you to get a larger version.
Should you be another ipernity member then you will be able to add a comment or maybe even select a favourite (or several). If you are not already signed up, I would encourage you to try ipernity, they do a free membership level, as well as their *club* subscription service.

Thanks for looking.
StoneRoad

July 2013 Updates :

Since my last main update for April – and the return of the Forcett carriage to Beamish Museum - things have changed quite a bit. After the “upgrade and improvements” at the previous image hosting website on 20th May 2013, I decamped to ipernity, transplanted my images into a new *club* account and changed the link in my signature. Since then I have uploaded somewhere in the region of 100 images covering the May to July period.
Also I needed to update my homepage, to include the details of a couple of new projects……one of which had already been completed, so went straight into the past projects page. Further new work to be added……

Project reports :-
Considerable progress has continued on NSR127 : the structural work has all been completed, including canvassing a new roof. The doors and droplights have been built and are being hung / fitted. The various stages of painting and varnishing are well underway – with the inside virtually finished. http://www.ipernity.com/doc/312383/22166989/in/album/402585 : More images are to follow shortly.
The refit of the Miller Fifer has continued with a range of tasks at various stages of completion. The interior work has progressed into the forecabin, whilst the main cabin has been upgraded with soft furnishings. http://www.ipernity.com/doc/312383/24017379/in/album/402825 As a Scottish boat, a certain amount of tartan has been included ……
We have painted the steel apron for the Sentinel Steam Waggon. Final assembly of the cab, roof and apron has been completed – after a final steam test, to make sure that there are no small wisps of escaping steam. http://www.ipernity.com/doc/312383/22163255/in/album/402739 A number of other items have also been painted and it is reported that the signwriter has been at work …….. A few extra images will be needed.
The work on the lifeboat Callout Boards has been completed, http://www.ipernity.com/doc/312383/24013857/in/album/402869 they were delivered in time to greet the restored “George Elmy” during an emotional return to Seaham Harbour.

There are a number of other items “in hand” but they have managed to escape the camera……but not for long….. I’ve managed a few non-work images as well, including a trip for a sponsored “pub crawl” by pulling lifeboat along the Norfolk Broads. http://www.ipernity.com/doc/312383/23993639/in/album/463845
And Ben de-Dog has been enjoying his visits to the workshop, Whitby – even on a sunny day ! http://www.ipernity.com/doc/312383/24015759/in/album/402815 and getting home again……
Please – feel free to have a splash around in my photostream or paddle in the albums, you can click on the thumbnails that interest you to get a larger version.
Should you be another ipernity member then you will be able add a comment or maybe even select a favourite (or several).

Thanks for looking.
StoneRoad

Hi y’all

Just to say that the Forcett Coach, aka Stockton & Darlington 179 has now returned to Beamish Museum.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/60884630@N06/8659105006/in/set-72157627139592710/

There are a few images of the loading ……..and hopefully I’ll soon have some shots of the carriage at the waggonway……...

Work continues on other projects, but details of progress will have to wait for the next instalment of uploads.

Thanks for looking

[i]StoneRoad[/

March 2013 plus early April Updates :

Since my last update, back in mid February, I have been uploading images to my flickr account. I had added somewhere in the region of 115 images in March (quite a few of these were recently retrieved from the remains of fotopic; thus they are well out of sequence!), and another 30 to date – and there are some more to upload…. Also I need to update my homepage, to include the details of a couple of new projects……
We have had some “interesting” weather just recently…..but at last some signs of spring have appeared…. http://www.flickr.com/photos/60884630@N06/8620431208/in/set-72157626430215215/

Project reports :-
Distinct increase in progress has been made on NSR127 : Repairs and work on the cills, floor supports, both “gable “ ends and all six side modules have been completed, and the corner modules are now under repair. http://www.flickr.com/photos/60884630@N06/8619325991/in/set-72157630056015073/
The sets of parts and stiles for the new doors are being produced. The droplights are ready to be glazed. http://www.flickr.com/photos/60884630@N06/8620429790/in/photostream/
Work is effectively complete on S&D179 - the Forcett coach: the last task has been to re-glaze the non-opening windows. It will shortly be returning to Beamish. http://www.flickr.com/photos/60884630@N06/8563273866/in/set-72157627139592710
We have almost completed repairs to a pair of old oak doors – getting them apart took some careful pressure http://www.flickr.com/photos/60884630@N06/8596313330/in/set-72157633013193012/
The refit of the Miller Fifer has continued with a range of tasks at various stages of completion. One recent activity, still under way, has been to lift, clean and paint the ballast weights and their home. http://www.flickr.com/photos/60884630@N06/8619328467/in/set-72157626203069641/
The rebuild of the Volvo Penta engine for the ski boat has continued….. http://www.flickr.com/photos/60884630@N06/8595214721/in/set-72157626673180348
There are a number of other items “in hand” but they have managed to escape the camera……but not for long…..
A new EHSI trainee started a placement at Stanegate Restorations at the beginning of March 2013. http://www.flickr.com/photos/60884630@N06/8596313420/in/set-72157633102819333
And Ben de-Dog has been enjoying his visits to the workshop, and getting home again…… http://www.flickr.com/photos/60884630@N06/8620429888/in/set-72157628026767272

Please – feel free to have a paddle around in my photostream, you can click on things that interest you to get the larger image, or the ‘on black’ version. Should you be another flickr member then you will be able add a comment or maybe even select a favourite (or several). I’ve just been looking at my stats – the number of favourited images is trailing the ones commented on by 31 (364 to 395). I have a number of galleries as well; these have other peoples’ images…..generally, I have noted why I included them.

Thanks for looking.
StoneRoad

Early - Mid February 2013 Updates :

Since my last update, back in early January, I have been uploading images to my flickr account. I have added somewhere in the region of 30 images, there are some more to upload…. Also I need to update my homepage, to include the details of new projects……
We have has some “interesting” weather just recently....... http://www.flickr.com/photos/60884630@N06/8456794946/in/set-72157626430215215/

Project reports :-
More progress has been made on NSR127 : Repairs to the side modules has become a production line system ! http://www.flickr.com/photos/60884630@N06/8456792702/in/set-72157630056015073/ The droplight kits are now ready and waiting for their glazing. The timber has been delivered for the new doors and component production has been started.
Work continues on S&D179 - the Forcett coach: The seats have been re-built and various small fettling tasks are underway, such as re-fitting the hand-brake gear. Updated Images to follow so this link is to an older view http://www.flickr.com/photos/60884630@N06/6870480971/in/set-72157627139592710
A few other images have been uploaded recently…including a reet wass camera….for non-speakers of the mackem dialect; that means very big camera – see: VPC There are a couple of extra images to upload about this ….. http://www.flickr.com/photos/60884630@N06/8455693619/in/set-72157632716940461/

We have a couple of new projects in the pipeline, and I hope to have images (and to have done my homepage updates) within a few days……so please check back !
In other news, there will be another EHSI trainee starting a placement at Stanegate Restorations in March 2013.
The *new* and *updated* markers are in the appropriate set titles, but not every set is in a collection.

Please – feel free to plodge around in my photostream, you can click on things that interest you to get the larger image, or the ‘on black’ version. Should you be another flickr member then you will be able add a comment or maybe even select a favourite (or several). I’ve just been looking at my stats – the number of favourited images is trailing the ones commented on by 40 (340 to 370). I have a number of galleries as well; these have other peoples’ images…..generally, I have noted why I included them.

Thanks for looking.
StoneRoad

Up to Early January 2013 UPDATES :

Since my last update, back in late November, I have been uploading images to the flickr account. I have done this in several stages; however, by the 2nd January I had added somewhere in the region of 65 images. I had also updated my homepage, to include the details of new projects……

I would like to pass on my best wishes for the coming year – have a good one. For me, at least, last year has been more than a little complicated……, here is an image of Ben, looking a bit like I felt at times in 2012.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/60884630@N06/6653234399/in/set-72157631812967739

Project reports :-
Progress is being made on NSR127 : [url] http://www.flickr.com/photos/60884630@N06/8338470635/in/set-72157630056015073/ [/url] Please note :- these are some more images of the latest work, just uploaded. Other work has included new droplights http://www.flickr.com/photos/60884630@N06/8221189623/in/set-72157630056015073/
Work continues on S&D179 –the scumbling has been completed and re-assembly is now in progress. Forcett :[url] http://www.flickr.com/photos/60884630@N06/8338468035/in/set-72157627139592710[/url]
The Classic Ski Boat has been receiving some attention to the in-board engine and gearbox (Volvo Penta) and we temporarily “rebuilt” the structure, partly to check that we did still have everything to hand and partly to make a decision on some of the next stage(s) in the work. [url] http://www.flickr.com/photos/60884630@N06/8222267836/in/set-72157626673180348/ [/url]
A few other images have been uploaded recently…….this one is not quite as it seems, there is a strong clue if you look carefully ! [url] http://www.flickr.com/photos/60884630@N06/8267703780/in/set-72157626430215215/ [/url] makes a change from most of the weather this year.

I’m hoping to be able to upload quite a few more images very soon – so please check back…….
If you visit the ‘Sets’ index page, the *new* and *updated* markers are in the appropriate set titles, as yet I have not added markers to the images themselves – I am using the ‘date uploaded’ marker instead.

Please – feel free to splash around in my photostream, you can click on things that interest you to get the ‘on black’ version, or for a larger image. If you are a flickr member – you will be able add a comment or maybe even select a favourite (or several). There are several galleries as well; these have other peoples’ images…..generally, I have posted remarks as to why I added the selected images.

Thanks for looking.
StoneRoad

……..if not completely different, than at least not common (with apologies to Monty Python !)

I have recently updated both my homepage and some of the associated flickr collections. These represent the projects undertaken by Stanegate Restorations and Replicas, of Haltwhistle.

I think that you'll find them interesting. I should warn you that they are mostly heritage transport or similar, and most are 12" to the foot scale - ie 100% scale!

How about a coke-fired horse-drawn chip van? (yes, you did read that!)

Unfortunately, we have yet to do anything much in way of "the modern bus" but we have worked on a couple of trams and various railway vehicles - some of which lived/worked in the Tyne and Wear area.

I try to keep the flickr sections (in particular) updated with developments, and I hope to be able to have to add details of another significant new project quite soon. When that happens I'll add to this thread, which I hope to be more or less weekly for the flickr updates, and rather less often for the new project updates on my homepage.

Most of our projects take several months to complete, and at times there seems to be very little progress to show, until a lot of previously produced or refurbished items are put together.

You are welcome to comment - here or there.

Thanks for looking! If you click on the flickr image thumbnails, then I get to know what is popular (or not).

StoneRoad

PS – I decided to run this thread as I intend it not only to showcase how I spend a lot of my time, but also as an update service for the restoration projects themselves.