June 2010
Our charity group would like to announce a name change. WRLPG will now be known as DLPG (Durham Locomotive Preservation Group). The group will continue to support the Weardale Railway as well as other local groups including the Bowes Railway and the NRM Shildon, which strong ties have been created over recent years. The name change hopefully recognises DLPG as a stand alone group.
The group would also like to annouce two forthcoming events:-
October 7th RRNE Open day - See the progress of RSH No77 and other active projects at RRNE
November 9th Model Railway, Toy and Collectors Fair at the Settlement, Spennymoor.
More details of both events will be posted under the exhibition section of the website shortly. Thanks for your continued support.
April 2010
RSH No77 - Work has progressed at a steady pace over the last couple of months. The next stage is to remove the boiler from the frames. Quotations have been obtained for the work to No77's boiler and are inline with expectations. The team have set to cleaning up and repairing all the parts removed before placing them in storage until reassembled. Photographs can be seen of progress at the following link. http://stevensgallery.photoblog.co.uk/.
If you would to come along and get involoved, please contact Dave on 01388 817907, evenings or call in to see us on a Wednesday night.
Open day to be held on the 17th April. As well as the restoration activities of RRNE and WRLPG, there will be a selection of layouts, trade and displays. Entry is free, please come along and pay us a visit.
November 2009
Norwood - Work is well underway! The cab, saddle tank, boiler cladding, sanders and the REMAINS of the lubricator all stripped down. The boiler is now accessible for inspection to gain an acurate cost to return to steam. In the last week the group has bought a set of backhead injectors bring us closer to replacing all the missing cab fittings. Working parties are held every Wednesday night if you would like to come along and get involved. There is also access Mon-fri to work on No77. You can call Dave on 01388 777138 daytime or 01388 817907 evenings to discuss further.
Crook Model Railway Exhibition - Our second exhibition since the move to Crook will take place on the 14th & 15th November. 10-4 on both days
October 2009
Our open day at RRNE was a huge success with really good visitor numbers. We aim to host another day early 2010 when RRNE open their new extention. Watch out for the dates here or in the railway press. Below photographs show RSH No77 at the back of the workshop with some of the layouts exhibited. Also the new G5 boiler on public display. THANKS to all who attended and supported the event.
September 2009
RSH No77 Arrives at RRNE, Shildon to start its overhall, covered in years of bird muck!!. Work will commence after the open day on the 17th October come along and visit us and a much cleaner loco! Layouts and model railway supplys will be available on the day. Working parties will take place on Wednesday nights and Saturday morning but if you have time on your hands Monday to Friday there will be access to work on Norwood.
August 2009
Norwood on the move!!! RSH No77 'Norwood', will be moving to Rail Restorations North East, Shildon (former wagon works site) to start its overhall in the next few weeks hopefully once the rail is laid to take delivery. The move to Shildon will allow unlimited access. The aim is to have evening and weekend working parties, but there will be access all week to work on the locomotive. There has been a lot of interest recently from new volunteers wishing to assist and work on Norwood during the week days, any further assistance would be greatly appreciated, please contact Dave on 01388 817907 (evenings). Funds dependant it is hope the restoration will take between 18-24 months.
There will be an open day at Rail Restorations North East on the 17th October 2009. There will be model railway layouts, trade selling model railway items, books, magazines, etc and displays from other preservation groups, including friends of the NRM (Shildon). Entry is free but donations welcomed towards Norwoods restoration. There is also the chance to see other restoration projects in progress that currently includes the G5 support coach, an LMS Stanier coach and NER snow plough. Further information will be added to the model railway section of this website at a later date. Of course Norwood should also be present hopefully with a good start on the restoration activities.
March 2009
AGM - 14th March 10am, St Paul's Church Hall, Spennymoor. Members are invited to come along to discuss groups plans for the next year included the start on the restoration of RSH No77 (Norwood). Any none members of group interested in getting involved or becoming a member, please contact us through the contacts page of the website. Alternatively contact Dave on 01388 817907 (evenings).
Spennymoor 2009
The full line up will appear shortly to model railway section of the website. We have some excellent layouts booked to attend this year including Keipier Colliery that appeared in the Railway Modeller, Browney Banks the excellent layout from Consett model railway club that you may have recently seen at Blyth. The exhibition will also have excellent layouts from local clubs, Shildon Model Railway club, Durham Modellers and many more. There is also a new O gauge layout (High Grange) DCC operated for those interested in DCC.
This year will also see the introduction of the DCC clinic. Simon from Darlington Model Railway Club will be demonstrating and undertaking a fitting and clinic service.
North Eastern Models will also be attending this years show in addition to our other great trade support.
November 2008
Firstly thanks to all those who have supported the recent Model Railway Exhibition at Crook, NEHDG, Shildon Model Railway Club, WRJC and all the traders and exhibitors that contributed tbero the success of the event. The event was such a sucess that we have booked up for next year!
Secondly working parties are due to recommence in the new year with the first aim of completing the restoration of the Brake Van. A large proportion of the works have already been completed and it is hoped to be available for traffic within a few months. Then hopefully make a start on the restoration of RSH, Norwood. Anyone wishing to assist, please get in touch. For more information contact Dave on 01388 817907 (evenings).
Finally anyone with unwanted model railway items, railway books, DVD's or modelling mags. Donations of such items would be gratefully accepted and will produce vital funds towards our restoration activities. Again please contact us on the above telephone number to arrange collections. Thanks for your support!
August 2008
For more detail regarding Wear Valley Model railway show visit the exhibition section of the website. This years event has been moved to Crook on the grounds of safety concerns with Stanhope townhall.
July 2008 Shildon Museum
Fundraising continued this month at the recent Model Mania event. The group exhibited group members O gauge layout Eden Park along with our trade stand. Hartlepool next on the 26th & 27th July now at the former Samsung site Wynyard. Anyone wishing to assist with future events on the sales stand or layout please get in touch.
May 2008 Spennymoor Exhibition
Many thanks to all those who again supported the event making it a great success. Special thanks to the Weardale Railway Junior club for their assistance over the weekend. We have already booked up for 2009 and hope to see everyone again.
April 2008 - Norwood
Progress is slowly taking place acquiring missing components for Norwood. Hopefully in the near future a start can be made striping the loco down for overhaul, but all this depends of funds. If you can help in anyway, please get in touch. Simply by becoming a member of the group vital funds are raised. There are also still many boiler tubes to sponsor, so please help! Forms are available to download from the website. Thanks for your support.
April 2008
Shildon model Railway club will be hosting a free model railway exhibition at Shildon National Railway Museum on the 20th & 21st June 2008. Donation buckets will be laid out. The club are currently in search for a new club room as their home is at risk due likely closure of the Southern Club. If anyone would like to offer home leave a message through the contact page on our site.
February 2008 - Sir Vincent Raven Talk & Slide Show
Author Andrew Everett will be giving a slide show and talk on the life and work of Sir Vincent Raven at Meadowfield British Legion Club on April 18th at 7.30pm. Donations to cover the cost of expenses would be welcomed at the door. For further information contact Dave on 01388 817907. Andrew Everett's book will be available to purchase on the day.
February 2008 - Model Railway Exhibitions 2008
The loco group host two exhibitions a year, Spennymoor and Wear Valley (Crook 2008). Members of the Weardale Railway locomotive Preservation Group will receive half price entry to both Spennymoor and the Wear Valley exhibitions. Membership forms available to download in the membership section. The group also visit numerous other events promoting not only the group but the Weardale Railway. Dates of these events will be posted shortly.
December 2007 - Stanhope Model Railway Exhibition
Due to a huge increase in hire costs and safety concerns with Stanhope townhall, the difficult decision has been made to move next years event to Crook. The new venue will be larger and we should be able to increase the number of layouts and traders in attendance. The event will be held on the same week end 15th & 16th November 2008. Directions will be provided on the website closer to the date.
November 2007 - Appeal
To assist with raising funds towards Norwood's restoration, please can anyone with unwanted railway books, Railway modeling magazines, model railway items in any condition please get in touch we can turn it into cash for boiler repairs.
We are still collecting used postage stamps and aluminum cans so please keep collecting!
November 2007
To those who attended and supported Stanhope Model Railway exhibition, many thanks. The weekend was a great success bringing over 500 people through the door.
Next up Spennymoor 2008 on the 10th & 11th May at Spennymoor Townhall. A much larger exhibition with a greater number of layouts and traders.
October 2007 The G5 Project
The WRLPG website will be the place for the latest news on the project. Mike Wood will be at the groups fortcoming Model Railway Exhibition if you would like to discuss the project further.
August 2007 Appeal for Information
Do you have any photograghs or information of Norwood in its working days? Likewise any photographs of 60115 Meg Merrilies or the 9F 92215. If please contact Dave on 01388 817907 or email cfoxton@hotmail.com
August 2007 Model Shop
Don't miss some of the great bargains at our model shop. There are huge savings on list prices and any profits from sales go straight towards Norwoods restoration. If you live local to Spennymoor you can arrange to collect and save on postage costs.
Hopefully there will be new items added shortly, due to a successful weekend at Hartlepool Model railway exhibition stock levels are low hence the lack of new items being added. But if there is anything in particular that you require, please get in touch for highly competitive price. We regularly make new orders from the wholesalers.
August 2007 Norwood Latest
Norwood now officially has a whistle! The group has acquired the whistle originally from A1 pacific 60115 Meg Merrilies. The whistle was later used on 92215 a 9F based at wakefield.
Many thanks to those sponsoring a boiler tube. There are still a number left, please help!
June 2007 Norwood Latest
The group have continued with purchasing missing parts and acquired an ejector and have also been donated a steam heat pressure gauge.
The group will be at Shildon Railway Museum on the 30th June and 1st July for the Toy & Train collectors fair. The event has free admission.
May 2007 Model Shop
The loco group model shop is now open. The shop will be updated over the coming weeks with items from, Hornby, bachmann, Trackside, corgi and many more. Paypal will be required to buy online. If you don't have paypal, simply reserve your item contacting us through the contact us page and forward payment by cheque. The address is also on the contact page.
May 2007 Norwood Latest
The blast pipe and main steam pipes are now off to be cast with the originals beyond repair. New name plates and makers plates have also been ordered from Procast.
The boiler has had an ultrasound carried out showing that there is only one minor area that needs repair due to heavy pitting of the boiler barrel. Overall the boiler was said to be in very good condition. The main requirement is for a new tube plate. The copper fire box is also in very good condition
May 2007 Spennymoor Model Railway Exhibition
A great success! Over 500 people attended the 1st exhibition at Spennymoor Townhall and the feedback was excellent. The group have already booked up for 2008. May 10th and 11th.
A special thanks to all those who supported the event.
April 2007 Norwood Latest
The group have successfully secured a grant towards the purchase of missing components for RSH No77 Norwood. The grant was awarded by the Banks Foundation. There are many conponents missing from the locomotive including, cab fittings and boiler tubes. There is also the need to replace the main steam pipes and blast pipe, which have been damaged before the locomotive arrived at the Weardale Railway.
A survey has been recently carried out by local company Great Northern steam, this will enable a full detailed quotation for the renovation costs of the locomotive. It is estimated that the cost will be in the region of £90k.
May 12th &13th 2007 will see the return of the Spennymoor Model Railway exhibition at Spennymoor Townhall. There will be around 15 layouts, trade stands, society displays and stalls. There will be refreshments and there is a number of free carparks around the venue.