MattDitch

I have not one but two new articles to share today. First up is a look at the Howe & Co Sidings and Cocklakes Works Tramway. Link here And one on Andrew Barclay "Horden" which recently returned to steam for the first time in over 50 years. Link here

First steam of 2021. A few days ago I received word that newly restored Andrew Barclay 0-6-0ST "Horden" would be out on test at it's home the Tanfield Railway. Sadly things didn't quite go to plan and the loco only managed 2 trips before returning to Marley Hill shed. But here are a few photos from the day, hope you all enjoy! Link to full gallery

Apologies for not posting anything for a while. I am working on some new kits in 009, 0-16.5 and 00. But in the meantime I've decided to run an Easter sale over on my online shop with money off on all my current 009 and 0-16.5 kits. Please click here to view the sale

Thanks for the replies. Had a reply off them this evening, should be able to order what I want in a few weeks.

Anyone tried to order from them recently? I've enquired a couple of times recently about buying a kit and the related chassis but haven't heard back from any of the emails I've sent.

New article! This week's article is on the history of the Lambton Waggonway which linked the coal fields of County Durham with Lambton Staithes on the River Wear in Sunderland. Link Lambton Works which was the headquarters of the railway. In the background is the remaining headgear of the former Dorothea Pit, but this time-serving only as an emergency shaft. © Copyright Alan Murray-Rust and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence

Beamish Museum 2014 "Great North Steam Fair" Preparing Bagnall 0-4-0ST "Isabel" and Kerr Stuart Wren "Peter Pan" at the start of the day. Full gallery I also did my first bit of photography this year when I visited the Seven Sisters near Houghton-Le-Spring. The railway connection is that these are located just off the course of the Hetton Colliery railway at Copt Hill.

New article The Wensleydale Railway - Hawes to Garsdale and the history of 67345/7845 Please click here to read it

Throwback Thursday Threlkeld Quarry and Mining Museum 2016 steam gala. Hudswell Clarke "GP-39" & Kerr Stuart No.3014 on the headshunt with Blencathra as the backdrop. Link to full gallery

New Article - The Railways of Chopwell This weeks article takes a look at the various railways near Chopwell woods near Newcastle in the north of England. The railways covered are; Chopwell and Garesfield Railway, Whittonstall railway (Narrow gauge), Victoria Garesfield Colliery and associated mines and finally the Victoria Garesfield Colliery Tubway (narrow gauge) Please click here to read it.

Beamish Museum "Great War Steam Fair 2016" Quarry Hunslet "Lilla" visiting from the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways at the Pockerly end of the Narrow gauge line, where the saw mill was located for the event. Full Gallery

A bit of a sizeable update for you all this afternoon... Firstly I have a new 009 loco kit out based on a Neilson box tank. The link for that can be found here Next 3 of my older models have had a refresh. These are my 0-6-0 Peckett which has been redesigned to fit the Roco 0-6-0T chassis. Link Next my freelance Kerr Stuart 0-4-0 for the Tomix Percy Chassis has also had some work done to make it look a little more like "Diana" the Sirdar. Link And lastly my Skylark body has also had some work done. And I can now report that the body will fit the Bachmann white box 0-4-0 chassis. I also believe someone fitted it to the Fleischmann 0-4-0 chassis as well. Link These models are also available from my eBay store. I've also put some fully painted & detailed bodies up on my eBay.

New Article Part one of a look at the Cockermouth, Keswick & Penrith Railway focusing on the section between Cockermouth and Keswick. Please click here to read it.

Following this with interest I've long been interested in this railway. Out of curiosity is possible to walk any sections of the route today?

Throwback Thursday. Threlkeld Quarry and Mining Museum 2016 steam gala. Hudswell Clarke 0-6-0PT "Alpha" with Blencathra as the backdrop. "Alpha" was visiting from the Statfold Barn Railway. Full gallery

Throwback Thursday Peckett 0-6-0ST "Ashington No.5" heads towards Middle engine lane on the North Tyneside Steam Railway on the 15/02/18. Link to full gallery

*New Article* The Bideford, Westward Ho! And Appledore Railway. Please click here to read the full article.

Another new model and a revised older one. First up is a freelance Ruston inspired diesel designed to fit a cut down Kato 109 chassis. You'll need to remove material from the front/back and side to make it fit under the body. It can be found here Secondly my popular Skylark tram has been given a face lift. It can be found here All models can also be purchased from my eBay store

I'm in the process of replacing some of my older 009 models with newer updates versions that include better detailing. The first two to receive the treatment are my "Sharp Stewart/ Clogher Valley" inspired tram and the "long tank" version of my Skylark tram. These are designed for the Kato 109 chassis and can be found here and here

New blog post! This post looks at how the original 3 foot gauge Ravenglass & Eskdale or "Owd Ratty" was transformed into the 15inch gauge "La'al Ratty" that we all know and love today. Click here to read the full article. Parts 1 & 2 can be found via the above link as well. It's my plan to release a new article every 2 weeks. And these will mostly be on light railways, industrial railways and branch lines.

Bagnall 401 “Vulcan” hauling a demonstration freight train for training purposes on the North Tyneside Steam Railway. 05/09/20 Link to full Gallery

New Kit! 009/oo9 Manning Wardle Tram I was recently researching the North Sunderland Railway. During my research I found that one of the original ideas was for the line to be built as a narrow gauge tramway...and this got me thinking! For more info and to purchase the kit please follow this link It can also be found on my eBay And Shapeways

New year, new blog post! I've long been fascinated with the Cawfields Quarry Railway, a narrow gauge industrial railway in Northumberland. Please click on the below image to read the article.

2020 in review. What a strange year! Obviously due to these strange time a lot of heritage railways have been closed and as a result many events cancelled. Below is a selection of my favorite images from trips that I have been able to make this year. Please follow this link to view the full gallery