11th August 2008 It looks as though the summer weather has ended for the moment as after the glorious hot weather that was with us for the Summer Festival Event we ate back more to the traditional British summer of one day of some sunshine between the showers the following day or pouring rain. Not a good sign for the first of the Mid-week August School Holiday Specials on the 13th. We may see the rain ease back but for most of the week low pressure is to sit over the UK not the best situation as low pressure generally bring periods of rain or thunderstorms if there are any brief warmer sunny intervals.
A big tidy up has taken place in the engine shed many unwanted items have been thrown out. The shed is not big enough and the plans started earlier this year to extend it have been given a boost

David in the orange jacket and Matthew in drivers seat prepare "Remus" for service. Above out on the tracks, there must have been some sunshine as the members Stephen Hobbs and Stuart Lamming take a ride in their cool shades.  Remus is nearing the end of its operating season. At the end of September or when the clubs steam locomotive Koppel re-enters service. Remus will then probably not be back in service for some time at Thorne whilst another major overhaul gets under way . The locomotive has worked hard at both Sandtoft and at Thorne since it was built in 1983.

A relocation of  stall is being tried next to the engine shed main doors and the park entrance. Train tickets continue to be sold from the stall. The first drawing to be handed in for the new Children's Drawing Competition.  So far since the Summer Festival Event it has been possible for the Brass Band Concerts to be held on the band stand in the park for the last two Sundays. The worst of the weather had moved away eastwards by about 2.30 pm with an improvement in time for the concerts that start at 3 pm.   

For once I can reflect the weather conditions in the colours of the heading, above  bright warm sunshine and blue skies for the first of our school holiday events. We were very lucky because either side of the South Yorkshire are the weather was very poor. Our member from Crammlington Nr Newcastle reported that they had rain all day. Down South I believe the passengers ferries were doing battle with 60 mph winds in the English Channel. 

Rachel including myself (Bob as guard)  brings the train around having just past the children's play area in the brilliant warm sunshine. (Photo by Alex) To the right a guards view of the train this time being driven by Mick Marran.
Below we see our members Keith and John stripping down the tender of the clubs steam locomotive "Koppel". All the parts that need painting are being taken to one of members friend who is a professional sprayer. Rolls Royce cars are one of his specialities. The builders name one of our members H Dyson Loco Engineer will be replaced by a makers name plate on the cab or other suitable local.  Down to basics on the lower right looking at the chassis now stripped right down

A Brief look back at the locomotive with the builder Harold Dyson.
Left: Harold Dyson (nearest) looks on as the locomotive built in 1985 returns to the tracks at the former Sandtoft Miniature Railway some five miles from Thorne. Middle: Harold seen driving Koppel through the Sandtoft Central Station. Above: In our third and last photograph Harold drives the locomotive on the tracks of its new home at Thorne at the 2001 Summer Festival Event. Notice that on this occasion the tender from the steam locomotive "Remus" was being used. What will its new livery be, we will all wait and see as I believe only our member Ron Smelt who is currently restoring the locomotive knows. Now where is the Rolls Royce colour chart!   

Sunday 17th August 2008  The last day of the Brass Band Concerts with the Armthorpe Elmfield Brass Band  appearing on the band stand in the park. Whilst in the bright warm sunshine the railway was kept busy carrying the many visitors in the park. Besides the normal trackside views I thought it would be a change to include some distant views including clouds and water.

August Bank Holiday 2008   The early cloud and rain overnight gave way to bright warm sunshine on the Sunday, thus helping it to be a typically enjoyable Sunday afternoon in the park. The music on the Band Stand was provided by Thorne Moorends Community Radio road show. 

Setting up included the displaying of the banner for the team from the Thorne Moorends Community Radio group for the afternoons "Music in the Park".  With all the hard work done to set  up the PA equipment it was time for two of the younger members to adopt the more relaxed look.

The steam locomotive "Remus" was having one of those days.  Driver Mr Stubbins had his hands full what with checking the timing at Thorne Central and then giving a hand as Matthew takes it around on his first day in passenger service.

Bank Holiday Monday. Above its time for our member Ron Smelt to carry out further repairs to the steam locomotive "Remus" whilst at the Thorne Central Station the passengers are enjoying the warm sunshine as the electric locomotive takes over the train service. 

David takes the 14.30 train out which should have been a steam working. Our member Rachel Fox who is qualified to drive the steam locomotive Remus is guard on this occasion. By 2.45 pm the hard work by Ron pays off as Remus is back on the tracks again enabling Matthew to take Remus around the track on his second day for driving with passengers having become 16. Matthew is keeping a watch  on the steam pressure gauge. Whilst to the right Glenn Helliwell plays music on the keyboard to entertain the visitors to the park. Glenn also plays in the one of the brass bands that have appeared on the stage. Glenn brought an end to the season for the "2008 "Music in the Park" I am sure Glenn will be back in 2009 both playing the keyboard and in one of the brass bands, something for us all to look forward to.

Left: Stephen Hobbs brings the electric locomotive "The Duke" around the curve into the Thorne Central Station on the first train for the last of the Wednesday School; Holiday Specials on the 27th August 2008. Right: The weather was back to normal for the last Sunday of operating days in August on the 31st after what had been a promising start.