Over the past few months, we have been progressing a lot of different tasks, in order to keep the project moving along at a good pace: Installation of the sanding gear on the engine units (above and below) has reached the stage where the engine needs to be assembled before it can progress further. Cowcatchers…

The more eagle-eyed reader of Puffing Billy’s in-house magazine, ‘Narrow Gauge’, might have noticed a dramatically photo-shopped representation of Belgrave yard plateau lurking in the centre spread of last September’s edition. The photo gave the impression of a clean, dry and level yard! Sadly, at the time, this didn’t reflect reality; the mud, the dirt,…

The discovery of a broken side control spring on G42’s hind engine unit was soon followed by the dawning realisation that with the engine facing the ‘Down’ direction – towards Gembrook, as all our engines do – the workshop wasn’t long enough to get the pony truck in question over the drop-pit in the workshop.…

I think it’s safe to say we can skip the why’s and wherefores’! Anyone familiar with Puffing Billy will know that passenger numbers are through the roof and our little trains are struggling to cope with the ever-increasing demand. At the same time, as much as we try and dissuade them, our marketing department insist…

Work moves on apace with NG/G16 129, including the following tasks: Removal of boiler from the cradle to enable final installation of all the steam, exhaust and water pipework, as well as insulating and cladding the boiler. Superheaters and main steam pipes have been fitted in the smokebox (above and below). Work on the sanding…

One of the things we have an eternal struggle with at Puffing Billy is a lack of space, whether that be offices, workshops or just undercover storage in general.  Nowhere is this more evident that the carriage workshop at Emerald; with barely enough accommodation for 3 carriages, this facility is responsible for the annual mechanical…

Hugh Markwick and the workshop volunteer team have now completed work on the restoration of 216 NQR. Above, 2 of the team pose in the sun at Emerald with the finished wagon. The bodywork, drop doors, drawgear and fitting up of the air brake pipework all took place in the Belgrave workshop. Once complete,  the…

Mention has been made previously of the need to manufacture more bogies for our rolling stock. Many are now approaching the end of their useful life, with frames and axleboxes being condemned after a lifetime of wear and tear. The new rolling stock project involves the manufacture of 12 new carriages, and therefore 24 bogies,…

During 2016, the decision was taken to trial moving the Day Out with Thomas event to Gembrook, starting with the spring season, thus inaugurating Gembrook as the railways new centre of special events. Locomotives and rolling stock were transferred in the Down direction on a Friday evening, and back again on Sunday evening at the…

With 4 fitters now employed full time on the restoration of NG/G16 129, momentum is gathering and what has, until recently, resembled a large kit of parts, is slowly coming together as this latest progress report shows. The piston valves have been assembled and trial fitted into the valve chests (above). Following overhaul, the 8…