The Specials needs coach is named. 
After some many months of legal dealings the coach re-entered service and is now nick named the First Class Coach. It is now properly named Margaret after Margaret Holt Taylor the former of Thorne and Moorends Town Council whose magnificent fund raising helped us to purchase the coach.     

Hard to spot the difference but the railing nearest to us is one that Mick Marran (on the right in the muddle photograph) made so as to keep the visitors away from the tracks where the trains come into the station. The middle photograph and the right one show Mick and Paul making the new seat tops to add some extra comfort for our passenger coaches.

A kit arrived this week for us to make up a new brake truck for the guard. Some modifications have been made to the braking system. To the right one of members tries out for size a backing plate to add strength to the brake lever on the bogie.

The brake truck top being prepared for a finishing top coat of paint by Bob. Middle in the garage at home. Right repainted and reunited with its chassis and leather seat.

Sunday 12th July saw the return of the battery electric shunting locomotive "Mufuta" which has been out of service for nearly 12 months. "Mufuta" Afrikaner for "Grease Monkey" I believe, was built in November 1994 for service at Sandtoft. Now back at Thorne since its last appearance in the model exhibition tent for the 2008 Summer Festival Event, it is hoped to see the locomotive making a more regular appearance again. Click here to see more photographs of the locomotive both at Sandtoft and Thorne

"Mufuta" on the loading siding awaiting its top lid then Keith with his daughter Antonia try the locomotive out on the sidings next to the shed before I  take the locomotive onto the main circuit.

Sunday 19th July Our junior member James gives the "Mufuta" a few final painting touches before the locomotive hauls its first passenger train for over a year after being out of service during that time awaiting a full rewire. A special thank you to our member Keith Fox for carrying out the rewire and some mechanical attention too. 
Matthew Bunting is at the controls with the first passengers. The locomotive will be on display for the Summer Festival Event in the model marquee unless it is required for any shunting duties. It will then return to regular passenger service after the Summer Festival. It is a popular locomotive for training purposes and the younger members of the Doncaster & District Model Engineering Society.   After a few short showers at about 3 pm the first of two very heavy downpours arrived. Keith now turns his hands to clearing the drain just outside the main gate as water from the bridge starts to pour into the park.

And the played on…..   I think a few tunes with words rain in the title would have been appropriate.

Despite the pouring rain the Markham Main Colliery Brass Band struck up right on time at 3 pm. A few people did brave the weather conditions sheltering under teas and umbrellas. Being showers there were a few interludes from the rain, but at 4.15 pm the rain started again a few people bravely stayed to listen to the final programme of music. In the meantime for us it was time to cease the train service and pack up the wet tables and chairs and the sales stall.   

The societies steam locomotive Koppel (the lighter red) has been out of service for a major overhaul. The photograph on lower right  shows me driving the locomotive just before it was withdrawn from service in 2007 and Paul at the 2007 Summer Festival event. Notice how we both seem to be checking the all important steam gauge. Above we see our member JK with the locomotives new funnel. The tenders 2 sets of bogies have also received new wheels. The locomotive has received a full boiler and steam test.  All being well the locomotive will be making an appearance for the Summer Festival Event.
In the meantime "Remus" which is now out of service will be undergoing a similar overhaul by JK and Mike.
Two Koppels for the price of one! In the background of the photograph with JK (John) holding the original funnel of Koppel the 5" gauge Koppel. For the latest photographs of Koppel go to Windows Live