Eden Valley Messenger

FULL STEAM AHEAD FOR ENGINE WORK

KIRKBY Stephen East Station welcomed visitors to their Heritage Open Weekend exhibition and were pleased to announce the 1948 saddle tank steam engine train at the centre of the exhibition has been given the green light to be repaired.

Following a visit by the boiler inspector from Allianz, the railways inspectorate, the volunteers at the North Stainmore Railway charity have been given the go head to strip down and re-tube the boiler so it can once again take to the rails.

Chairman of Stainmore Railway Company, Mike Thompson said: “As the visitors have been coming in to see the exhibition in the station I have been starting work on the boiler. And we are aiming to complete the work by Easter next year.

“Named FC Tingey, this engine was last ran in 2006 – so it was great news to be given the go head this week to carry out the repairs on the boiler.”

More than 70 visitors came to the first day of the open weekend at the Stainmore Railway Company’s Kirkby Stephen Station East. In addition to their usual facilities undergoing renovation and the new picnic area they organised a display of photographs and information that they have been collecting on past local railway staff. 

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CAPTION
Chairman of Stainmore Railway Company, Mike Thompson who is working on the FC Tingey, a 1948 saddle tank engine which he hopes will be running again by Easter 2010.