Wensleydale Railway - Photo Archive


February 2023
Photographs
During February lots of work has been going on on the railway infrastructure. This month we have:
1. The new crossing gates at Crakehall had an official opening for the first train.
2. The first service train of the year.
3. The Aiskew track renewal.
4. Two Pacers based at Bedale to provide services to Leyburn during the Aiskew track renewal.
5. Work by the Bedale Station Support Group.
6. A new electrical workshop and point repairs at Leeming Bar.
7. Renovation work on a Whickham trolley has started.
8. Work on the 0-6-0 steam tank loco continues.
9. Refurbishment of the interior of the class 121 'Bubblecar' and its seating continues.
10. Loco 37250 and other items of rolling stock around Leeming Bar.
11. The Direct Works Team repairing Bedale west crossing gate.
12. Sheffield University are modifying and renovating a Pacer unit to act as a demonstrator unit for their new system for removing leaves from the line.
13. Work by the Vegetation Clearance Team.
More photos of the Direct Works Team repairing Bedale west crossing gate can be seen here
More photos of the official first opening of the new Crakehall Crossing Gates can be seen here
More photos of the Aiskew Track renewals can be seen here

Ref - 11073
Photo - Tim Gregson
Crossing keeper Ian, opens the east gate at Crakehall for the first service train. (15/02/2023)
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Ref - 11073
Photo - Tim Gregson
Crossing keeper Ian, opens the east gate at Crakehall for the first service train. (15/02/2023)
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Ref - 11074
Photo - Tim Gregson
Bob Coombs, who generously funded the new gates at Crakehall, prepares to cut the ribbon at the opening ceremony. (15/02/2023)
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Ref - 11075
Photo - Tim Gregson
142060 leads a pair of pacers across the crossing, passing the new gates at Crakehall for the first time. (15/02/2023)
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Ref - 11076
Photo - Alan Graham
The first passenger scheduled train of the year making its way (during February half term week) between Bedale and Crakehall in an area being cleared by the vegetation team near White Cross Bridge. (15/02/2023)
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Ref - 11077
Photo - Alan Graham
The first passenger train this year travelling between Crakehall and Bedale near White Cross Bridge. (15/02/2023)
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Ref - 11078
Photo - Alan Graham
A welcome sight, the return of passenger trains to the branch for the first services in 2023; here near White Cross Bridge on 15th February. (15/02/2023)
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Ref - 11079
Photo - Nigel Cockburn
Aiskew Track Renewal - Lifting the old track with our road/rail machine (08/02/2023)
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Ref - 11080
Photo - Andy Waite
Aiskew Track Renewal - The track bed after removing the old track (09/02/2023)
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Ref - 11081
Photo - Andy Glendinning
Aiskew relay. Friday morning, track removed back from Aiskew AOCL (in the distance). (10/02/2023)
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Ref - 11082
Photo - Andy Glendinning
Aiskew relay. Track bed scraped ready for new sleepers. (17/02/2023)
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Ref - 11083
Photo - Andy Glendinning
Aiskew relay. First panel in and partly clipped up. (17/02/2023)
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Ref - 11084
Photo - Andy Waite
Aiskew Track Renewal - The new rails are now fixed to the sleepers. Now ready for ballasting (22/02/2023)
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Ref - 11085
Photo - Michael Metcalfe
Aiskew Track Renewal - Bit of tweaking with the excavator to pull the line into shape. (27/02/2023)
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Ref - 11086
Photo - Michael Metcalfe
Aiskew Track Renewal - The long job of clipping up the rails to the sleepers continues. (27/02/2023)
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Ref - 11087
Photo - John Slaughter
Unusual sight of two Pacers parked up at Bedale Station for the service to Leyburn, during the track replacement work at Aiskew. Photographed during a Station Group Work Morning. (21/02/2023)
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Ref - 11088
Photo - John Slaughter
Unusual sight of two Pacers parked up at Bedale Station for the service to Leyburn, during the track replacement work at Aiskew. Photographed during a Station Group Work Morning. (21/02/2023)
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Ref - 11089
Photo - Timothy Edwards
The Bedale Station Support Team painting the new second banister at Bedale signal box (21/02/2023)
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Ref - 11090
Photo - Timothy Edwards
The Bedale Station Support Team painting the new second banister at Bedale signal box (21/02/2023)
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Ref - 11091
Photo - Timothy Edwards
Much of the bank opposite Bedale station has had the vegetation cut down. Here a member of the station support group is clearing the debris from the bank (21/02/2023)
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Ref - 11092
Photo - Timothy Edwards
Much of the bank opposite Bedale station has had the vegetation cut down. Here a member of the station support group is clearing the debris from the bank (21/02/2023)
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Ref - 11093
Photo - Timothy Edwards
Much of the bank opposite Bedale station has had the vegetation cut down. (21/02/2023)
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Ref - 11094
Photo - Timothy Edwards
A new electrical workshop/store facility at Leeming Bar (14/02/2023)
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Ref - 11095
Photo - Timothy Edwards
A new electrical workshop/store facility at Leeming Bar (14/02/2023)
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Ref - 11096
Photo - Timothy Edwards
A set of points in Leeming Bar yard have some repair/maintenance work carried out on them. (14/02/2023)
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Ref - 11097
Photo - Timothy Edwards
A set of points in Leeming Bar yard have some repair/maintenance work carried out on them. (14/02/2023)
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Ref - 11098
Photo - Timothy Edwards
A Wickham Trolley is in course of restoration in the maintenance shed (14/02/2023)
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Ref - 11099
Photo - Timothy Edwards
A Wickham Trolley is in course of restoration in the maintenance shed (14/02/2023)
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Ref - 11100
Photo - Timothy Edwards
A Wickham Trolley is in course of restoration in the maintenance shed - Here is its roof assembly in the yard area (14/02/2023)
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Ref - 11101
Photo - Timothy Edwards
A Wickham Trolley is in course of restoration in the maintenance shed (21/02/2023)
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Ref - 11102
Photo - Timothy Edwards
A Wickham Trolley is in course of restoration in the maintenance shed (28/02/2023)
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Ref - 11103
Photo - Timothy Edwards
The covered van continues to be being restored (14/02/2023)
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Ref - 11104
Photo - Timothy Edwards
A well wagon in Leeming Bar yard (21/02/2023)
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Ref - 11105
Photo - Timothy Edwards
Work is continuing on the restoration of the 0-6-0 steam tank locomotive (14/02/2023)
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Ref - 11106
Photo - Timothy Edwards
Work is continuing on the restoration of the 0-6-0 steam tank locomotive (21/02/2023)
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Ref - 11107
Photo - Timothy Edwards
Work is continuing on the restoration of the 0-6-0 steam tank locomotive. Here one set of the wheels is in the maintenance shed having its bearings cleaned/polished (21/02/2023)
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Ref - 11108
Photo - Timothy Edwards
Work is continuing on the restoration of the 0-6-0 steam tank locomotive. All three wheel sets are now in the maintenance workshop with work being carried out on the drive crank assemblies to the centre wheels (28/02/2023)
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Ref - 11109
Photo - Timothy Edwards
Work is being carried out on the doors of the class 121 'Bubblecar' (21/02/2023)
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Ref - 11110
Photo - Timothy Edwards
The inside of the class 121 'Bubblecar' has had the seat frames stripped out to allow the inside to be cleaned and renovated and the seat frame painted as necessary. They will shortly be replaced and the new seat cushions fitted (28/02/2023)
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Ref - 11111
Photo - Timothy Edwards
The seat frames from the class 121 'Bubble car' for painting and repair (28/02/2023)
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Ref - 11112
Photo - Timothy Edwards
Loco 37250 in the maintenance shed have some work carried out on it (21/02/2023)
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Ref - 11113
Photo - Timothy Edwards
Looking up into the cab of loco 37250 (21/02/2023)
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Ref - 11114
Photo - Timothy Edwards
Loco 37250 along with the ex Tyne & Wear shunter in Leeming Bar yard (28/02/2023)
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Ref - 11115
Photo - Timothy Edwards
A wagon with some wooden sleepers on it for track repairs (21/02/2023)
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Ref - 11116
Photo - Timothy Edwards
Some old section of rail from the Aiskew track replacement work (21/02/2023)
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Ref - 11117
Photo - Timothy Edwards
The Direct Works Team working replacing some very rotten timber on the Bedale crossing west gate (07/02/2023)
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Ref - 11118
Photo - Timothy Edwards
The Direct Works Team working replacing some very rotten timber on the Bedale crossing west gate (07/02/2023)
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Ref - 11119
Photo - Timothy Edwards
The Direct Works Team working replacing some very rotten timber on the Bedale crossing west gate (07/02/2023)
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Ref - 11120
Photo - Timothy Edwards
The Direct Works Team working replacing some very rotten timber on the Bedale crossing west gate (14/02/2023)
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Ref - 11121
Photo - Timothy Edwards
The Direct Works Team working replacing some very rotten timber on the Bedale crossing west gate (14/02/2023)
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Ref - 11122
Photo - Timothy Edwards
The Direct Works Team working replacing some very rotten timber on the Bedale crossing west gate - The new timber is now painted (21/02/2023)
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Ref - 11123
Photo - Timothy Edwards
This Pacer unit is now owned by Sheffield University and is being prepared as a demonstrator for their new leaf clearance system which uses a jet of dry ice (cold carbon dioxide) to freeze the leaves (21/02/2023)
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Ref - 11124
Photo - Timothy Edwards
This Pacer unit is now owned by Sheffield University and is being prepared a a demonstrator for their new leaf clearance system which uses a jet of dry ice (cold carbon dioxide) to freeze the leaves (21/02/2023)
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Ref - 11125
Photo - Timothy Edwards
This Pacer unit is now owned by Sheffield University and is being prepared a a demonstrator for their new leaf clearance system which uses a jet of dry ice (cold carbon dioxide) to freeze the leaves. Here you can see some new equipment on the underside of the unit. (21/02/2023)
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Ref - 11126
Photo - Timothy Edwards
This Pacer unit is now owned by Sheffield University and is being prepared a a demonstrator for their new leaf clearance system which uses a jet of dry ice (cold carbon dioxide) to freeze the leaves. Here you can see some new equipment on the underside of the unit. (21/02/2023)
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Ref - 11127
Photo - Timothy Edwards
This Pacer unit is now owned by Sheffield University and is being prepared a a demonstrator for their new leaf clearance system which uses a jet of dry ice (cold carbon dioxide) to freeze the leaves. Here you can see it being shot blasted by dry ice particles to remove any loose paint prior to being repainted. (21/02/2023)
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Ref - 11128
Photo - Timothy Edwards
This Pacer unit is now owned by Sheffield University and is being prepared a a demonstrator for their new leaf clearance system which uses a jet of dry ice (cold carbon dioxide) to freeze the leaves. Here you can see it being shot blasted by dry ice particles to remove any loose paint prior to being repainted. (21/02/2023)
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Ref - 11129
Photo - Timothy Edwards
This Pacer unit is now owned by Sheffield University and is being prepared a a demonstrator for their new leaf clearance system which uses a jet of dry ice (cold carbon dioxide) to freeze the leaves. Here you can see it being shot blasted by dry ice particles to remove any loose paint prior to being repainted. (21/02/2023)
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Ref - 11130
Photo - Timothy Edwards
This Pacer unit is now owned by Sheffield University and is being prepared a a demonstrator for their new leaf clearance system which uses a jet of dry ice (cold carbon dioxide) to freeze the leaves. It is seen here in our maintenance workshop being repainted in black with yellow ends (28/02/2023)
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Ref - 11131
Photo - Timothy Edwards
This Pacer unit is now owned by Sheffield University and is being prepared a a demonstrator for their new leaf clearance system which uses a jet of dry ice (cold carbon dioxide) to freeze the leaves. It is seen here in our maintenance workshop being repainted in black with yellow ends (28/02/2023)
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Ref - 11132
Photo - Alan Graham
View from the line-side: an unloved field barn near Crakehall. (15/02/2023)
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Ref - 11133
Photo - Alan Graham
Waiting for a train: The vegetation team have heard the sound of a train whistle near Crakehall and moved to a place of safety. The volunteer in this image is standing in an area which has been cleared to allow sunlight to reach the track on the south facing side. (15/02/2023)
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Ref - 11134
Photo - Steve Hall
Fly tipping near the line: rubbish for the vegetation team to deal with on one of our embankments. (23/02/2023)
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Ref - 11135
Photo - Steve Hall
So this is where Sergei and Aleksandre are hiding: meerkats and concrete rubble fly tipped on our side of the boundary. More unwanted rubbish for the vegetation team to attend to. (22/02/2023)
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Ref - 11136
Photo - Steve Hall
Members of the vegetation team attending to rubbish dumped on our side of the boundary. (22/02/2023)
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Ref - 11137
Photo - Steve Hall
If it takes two men four hours to clear ivy from a bridge, how long would it take four men? (Answer to this rather simplistic eleven-plus type question on next slide). (22/02/2023)
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Ref - 11138
Photo - Steve Hall
It took four blokes two hours to clear ivy off a bridge and what a difference they made! Did you get it right? Actually it may have taken longer; the ivy required disposal and the four blokes were getting wet. An extra mark if you added this on your exam paper. (22/02/2023)
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Ref - 11139
Photo - Steve Hall
The vegetation team have improved the view along a rather mossy looking track in to the far distance. This view had previously been limited due to overgrowing ivy on a bridge here at Newton-Le-Willows. (22/02/2023)
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Ref - 11140
Photo - Steve Hall
Looking the opposite way at Newton Le Willows; a fine clear stretch of track viewed here on a non running day. (22/02/2023)
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Ref - 11141
Photo - Sue Threadgold
Lunch time for the vegetation team, seen here making the most of the February sunshine, relaxing near Newton Le Willows. (01/02/2023)
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Ref - 11142
Photo - Sue Threadgold
Another day, another lunchtime for the veg gang. Other than packing up time, this is probably the best time of the day. (08/02/2023)
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Ref - 11143
Photo - Unknown Photographer
Members of the vegetation team taking a breather during their work near White Cross bridge. (08/02/2023)
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Ref - 11144
Photo - Sue Threadgold
Two members of the vegetation team burning brash (small twigs, dead brambles etc) near Crakehall. (01/02/2023)
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Ref - 11145
Photo - Steve Hall
Ten years ago: The vegetation team were working on the site of the Akebar embankment slip. (27/02/2013)
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Ref - 11146
Photo - Steve Hall
Ten years ago: The veg team working at Akebar near the slip site. (27/02/2013)
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Ref - 11147
Photo - Steve Hall
Ten years ago: The veg team providing access to the landslip site at Akebar. (27/02/2013)
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