North Bay Railway - Handover Event

Miniature Railways - Colin Peake's Photographs

30th March 2007

After months (and longer behind the scenes) of hard work by the North Bay Railway Co the operation of the railway was officially handed over from Scarborough Borough Council at noon on Friday 30th March 2007. I had the honour of an invite to watch this event, again driving 80 miles each way to visit the line.

Having arrived early I was pressed into action as a loco polisher, giving Triton the Mr Sheen treatment, miniature locomotives are no doubt one of the 'umpteen' things it will clean! The Hudswell Clarke locomotives seem much bigger from ground level than they do from the station platforms, a certain amount of clambering over them is needed to polish them.

At around 11.00 Harry Gration from BBC Look North arrived for some filming, chatting to Chris Shaw and going for a ride along the line. It was fascinating to watch the filming take place, a few retakes were required but thankfully despite the best efforts of Robin Hood and train there wasn't anything to make the blooper reel.

At noon the Mayor of Scarborourgh arrived and speeches were made by the Mayor, David Humphreys and Chris Shaw before Ron Redman, a former Hudswell Clarke employee and historian of the company, officially renamed no. 1933 as Poseidon.

After the ceremonies there was a spacial train to Scalby Mills headed by Poseidon and Neptune, after which guests walked to the Scalby Mills Pub for a buffet and drinks. I returned to Peasholme on the first train back (behind Neptune), after which Triton was coupled to the train to return to Scalby Mills.

I'd just like to take the opportunity to thank David and Chris for their hospitality and to the railway staff for being reasonable to the demands of the photographers!

The railway's first Gala Weekend is this weekend - Saturday and Sunday 31st March and 1st April - all four locomotives will be in operation.

Harry Gration speaks to Chris Shaw 567x425	More filming in progress. 567x425	Three Pacifics lined up outside the shed. 567x425
Another line up shot... 567x425	L-R Poseidon, Triton, Neptune... 567x425	built 1993, 1932, 1931 respectively. 567x425
Triton in the loop at Peasholme. 567x425	Poseidon with decorations for naming ceremony. 567x425	The Mayor of Scarborough makes his speech... 567x425
before handing over the operation of the railway to David Humphreys. 567x425	Chris Shaw outlines future plans for the railway. 567x425	Poseidon's nameplate as unveiled by Ron Redman. 567x425
Poseidon and Neptune at Scalby Mills. 567x425	Another view of Poseidon. 567x425	Poseidon waits to be turned. 567x425
Poseidon moves onto the turntable. 567x425	The first of the obligatory turntable shots. 567x425	Halfway round on the turntable. 567x425
Almost all the way around! 567x425	Poseidon ready to run off the turntable. 567x425	Poseidon moves off. 567x425
Neptune ready to depart from Scalby Mills. 567x425	A view over the loco near the closed Beach station. 567x425	Neptune backs around the reversing loop at Peasholme. 567x425
Triton ready to depart from Peasholme station. 567x425	Robin Hood in a springtime pose outside the shed. 567x425	A side view of Robin Hood. 567x425