The newly restored 'Koppel' makes its debut for its first Sunday summer season operation after the 2009 Summer Festival event last week. It is planned that the locomotive will be in operation for the Teddy Bears Picnic Special this coming Wednesday  5th July 2009.
The long awaited restoration programme that 'Koppel' underwent will commence on steam locomotive 'Remus' in the next few weeks. Again we look forward to seeing both locomotives built by Harold Dyson of Doncaster working side by side again. 

Another view of 'Koppel' on its first day of the Sunday service, whilst back in 2006 the steam locomotive 'Remus' was happily hauling two carriages back in 2006. Soon the locomotive will be stripped down again as it was two years ago in 2007, but this time the chassis will be heading to the same workshop in Doncaster where 'Koppel' received its overhaul during the last few months.   

Left Remus undergoes its first test steaming by Harold Dyson in 1985. Right Ten years later built Koppel. Since then both Remus and Koppel have been together  up to the present day. Harold who built both locomotives is currentl building two 5 inch Koppels.

Wednesday 5th August 2009 the "Teddy Bears Special". Regrettably "the picnic in the park" had to be abandoned due to early rain and wet grass, but this did not stop the 50 Free tickets being snapped up for train rides. Left is one of the used tickets. The steam locomotive "Koppel" is now working hard to earn its keep hauling three coaches for the event. Matthew is about to depart with the first train of the event from the Thorne Central station at 12 noon, just after the rain had stopped.   

Tia Wilson waits on the Thorne Central station for the train to arrive, not to be disappointed Matthew is approaching with the Teddy Bears Special.  For more photographs of this event on Windows  Live. Photo Album

Tia Wilson also kindly allowed us to copy a coloured drawing she drew of the train. To the right is a drawing of the electric locomotive "Mufuta" which was on display by the railway shed.

Our two driving trucks for the electric locomotives John L Stokes and the Duke have been combined into one so as to enhance stability. I an not too sure what colour scheme Keith will apply perhaps all green one side and all blue the other. Watch our Latest News articles or better still for a slide show click here.

Alex our junior member brings the electric locomotive into Thorne Central station in readiness for the passenger service on the Sunday. Matthew took over with the steam locomotive Koppel at 12.30 pm in the afternoon.  Windows Live. for more photographs on the Photo-Album

The team from Thorne Moorends Community Radio provided the entertainment for the last "Music in the Park" on Sunday. It is hoped that this event with the brass bands and the radio station will be back again in July/August 2010. Malcolm and our railway member Alex helping to set up the equipment. The first of the audience in the seats we set out. Three of the younger members are invited to have a look at what makes it all work, Malcolm Lindley of TMCR on the band stand with them. TMCR member Tom Manson adjusts the special effects. 

Bank Holiday Monday plenty of work for our members, grass cutting and train driving, guarding. The electric locomotive 'Mufuta' is back to the work bench again I am afraid the chain drives on this locomotive have again defied us by jumping off yet again. From the day it was first tried out back in 1994 the locomotive has sheared pins, broke chain links and generally done its best to defy anyone who has tried to solve the problems. Not be defeated though we will keep trying. The locomotive is now in new surroundings in Doncaster ready for more work to be carried out in two weeks time.