May Day Holiday Weekend 2008.

Two of the regular drivers for the steam locomotive "Remus" are David who qualified to drive the locomotive in 1997 whilst at Sandtoft and James (right) qualified in 2008 at Thorne. It is eight years ago on the May Day holiday weekend in 2000 that "Remus" and was last driven by David, bringing to end of the railway built at the Trolleybus Museum at Sandtoft in 1983. It was in 1984 that Remus was first operated at the museum. "Remus was brought to Thorne Memorial Park on the Monday of the Late Spring Bank Holiday weekend in 2000 so perhaps there may be a toast to the occasion on the 2008 Late Spring Bank Holiday Monday to celebrate the anniversary of "Remus's "First Day" of operation at Thorne. 

Mickey Mouse giving us a wave helping to raise funds for the Bluebell Hospice over the holiday weekend. As the train passes in the back ground.

After the gloomy weather of Sunday, our member Brian Wharton from Cramlington Nr Newcastle brought the warm sunshine with him to help celebrate his 75th Birthday. Congratulations and thank you for the cake that Brian shared out with the members. We all wish you welland thank you for travelling all the way down and back each of the operating days that you visit us.
Brian first joined us at Sandtoft and then transferred to Thorne along with many other members in May 2000. Brian used to drive for us both at Sandtoft and Thorne, but of more recent times leaves it the younger members, although he will still guard from time to time. Well done and many more Happy Years ahead pursuing your interests in transport.
All the best from the Doncaster & District Model Engineering Society.

On the May Day Monday with the greatly improved weather  it was decided to  put out the signals as well as the speed and whistle signs. We do admit we have to put them away at the end of the day, being a public park they might not survive too long from receiving a dip in the duck pond. Mike and John brought their Koppel (2) locomotive which proved to be invaluable at maintaining the afternoons steam service when "Remus" failed for an hour. Thank you Mike and John.

Middle photograph taken by Matthew Fox

The steam locomotive "Remus" had some hours spent on it during May Day Monday.  Firstly Ron had to do some work to make the dome cover to fit then he spent some time with Mike, John and David and one of younger members when the steam injector started to give some problems.

21st May 2008
Work has resumed on the redevelopment of the Thorne Central Station area to prepare for the new platform arrangement to accommodate the new carriage with wheelchair access.

Wednesday 28th May 2008
During the Whit weekend the motion of the locomotive Koppel was given a successful air test. Koppel last ran in service about two years ago and has since been stripped down virtually to last nut and bolt. After much hard work and patience by our member Ron we are hoping that Koppel may be back on the tracks later this year. 

Below: Whilst it was pouring with rain down South up North we had for most of the two days dry bright and sunny weather. David is about to depart with the steam engine Remus whilst earlier on he was driving the electric locomotive on the Monday.