We were pleased to welcome our boiler inspector Jonathan Wheeler back to Steamworks this week to carry out the hydraulic test on Blyth. With his large double needle test gauge mounted on the top of the dome, pressure was raised
Blyth Progress
Open Days for 2025 Commence
A little reminder, should one be necessary, that our open days for 2025 commence this Sunday, April 20th. Steamworks will be open to visitors between 1pm and 4pm with all the regular attractions and in addition our new diesel locomotive
Locomotive arrives on loan
We were very pleased to welcome today a new locomotive on loan at Steamworks. LM319, a Hunslet Wagonmaster (works number 8926 of 1979), worked the peat bogs of The Irish Republic for the Bord na Mona right up to the
Final holes plugged on Blyth’s boiler
We welcomed Jon from G Bird Industrial Boilers to Steamworks today. Once kitted up in his protective gear he started to clean the area around the side bushes preparing them for welding. The steel plugs were then popped into the
More work on Blyth
With Stuart Hart able to give us another days work some good progress has again been made on Blyth. After much grunting and use of the weight available (actual weights hidden to protect the guilty!) hanging on various extension bars
A good week for Blyth
On Wednesday morning the regular volunteers were joined by Stuart Hart for a working session on Blyth. Stuart firstly cut away a little of one of the frame stretchers to give access to one of the back head wash out
Steamworks Open Days 2025
Our open days for 2025 are now on the Public Open Days page for those of you who like to plan ahead. More days may be added, especially if we attract more volunteers to staff these days. There are still
Railway Talk
As part of their Science Week events, the Southwold Arts Centre are hosting a talk on the Southwold Railway by John Ridgway on Tuesday 29th October commencing 7:30pm. At the time of writing there are still plenty of tickets available.
Road Improvements
I had a pleasant surprise as I approached Steamworks for Volunteer Wednesday this week. A contractor has been hard at work making things much more level than before. The work extends from the end of the tarmac close to Station
Open Day Report
Sunday 4th August was a nice afternoon, though it was interrupted by occasional light showers. Steamworks was busy with visitors and we were particularly pleased to welcome Dave Cragie with his Morris Minor van containing a display of old radios