This website has been updated, changes have been made to most of the text. Further developments have included attention to the images. These are hosted here (external link - opens in new window) The announcement of a major change or three has now been made. However, we are currently expecting some further developments, so check back, very soon. Please, scroll down for updates.
With Effect from 01 April 2009, the company name is changed to "Stanegate Restorations and Replicas", with Ian Yates as managing director.
The restoration of the William Riley is now complete. Visit the Whitby Historic Lifeboat Trust website to find out more about their open day and inaugural launch. "William Riley" has now begun a new life, as a fundraising and educational vessel, the trust website has details of some past and present exploits, with the outlines of some of those planned for the future. As we have become more closely involved with the trust, we follow "William's" adventures, and will add one or two suitable images, as the opportunity arises. July 2009 sees William pay a short visit to our workshop, for some attention to the paintwork on the hull, and the varnish.
The restoration of WHR Buffet Car is now nearing final completion, it is now running, but not yet signwritten, at Gelerts Farm. We machined and supplied all the requested components. The replica WHHR Number 25 was built in our workshop, and then painted into "Midland Maroon" livery and varnished internally. After an open day, the carriage went off to Wales on Wednesday 15th April 2009. This has resulted in several, very nice, reviews. Click on the links here , here and here , to read three of them. Once at Gelerts Farm, it was put onto the new bogies, some other mechanical work is still to be done and the sides signwritten and then varnished. The official unveilings for both carriages were at the WHHR Gala in early May 2009. A future project, for the WHHR musuem, which has been under discussion for a while, will see us design and build a number of interactive models for the new displays at Gelerts Farm, currently this is on hold, as funds are not available.
The Bowes Railway . We had successfully tendered to rebuild several waggons that were damaged by vandalism, including an arson attack. Some preparatory work had been started, and once Number 25 was collected in mid April, we were able to devote more workshop space and time to progressing them. Update, June 2009. Work was started in late April on the first two waggons, following up the exploratory work done previously. There are now two large piles in the workshop. One 'heap' is freshly painted Ironwork, the other is the new timber parts kit, and work has started on bringing the two together. Very carefully! This is all very heavy compared to the narrow gauge items we finished recently. UPDATE - September 2009, The finished Kibblesworth Drift Bogie has been returned to Springwell. Work has now started on the Grey Waggon, B-49. The Ironwork is almost ready for the trip to the shotblasters, and woodwork is due to start soon, followed by the painting and construction phases.
Locomotion , the NRM at Shildon, asked us to produce headstocks for the NER Directors Saloon, which was being restored to run in passenger service on the demonstration track. Subsequently, we have been asked to quote for another pair of headstocks, these will be for the electric traction locomotive NER Bo-Bo No 1. When the BoBo headstock patterns arrived, they came with the footplate for "Sans Pareil", and a request to make a replica. So, we did!
Beamish , North of England open air museum. After calling into our open day, Paul Jarmin invited us to visit him and the transport collections. We were asked to survey a number of proposed jobs, to clarify the work that may be required in order that Paul can work out the costs likely to be involved, and then raise the necessary funds. Amongst other things we have looked at the NER "Birdcage" Brakevan, Sheffield 264 and a (cute little) handbarrow! A further visit, when it was NOT raining, was needed in order to look over the items that were outside. We then produced a report, and what have had to be guideline costs. Hopefully, we will get some work to do as a result, this is quite usual with estimated 'budget' costs, as without a crystal ball, a visual survey only gives a guide. You need to take panels off to examine the structure, which is when you either breathe signs of relief - the work is not too difficult, or nearly have a panic attack - there is something nasty growing in the corner post joints. Whichever we find, we can deal with it. Subsequently, we have been asked to do some minor body- and paint-work maintenance on Sunderland 16, whilst the mechanical and electrical servicing is underway. UPDATE. A further report has been produced for two horse drawn vehicles, a bread van and the chip van, and a replica water pump housing has been built.
Over the past year or three, we have also completed a number of smaller (?) projects, rather more in the nature of individual and bespoke items. An example of these is the replica three seater chair installed in the Pullman Holiday Coach at Ravenglass. The "marine division" have accepted the challenge of restoring a classic '15 foot' ski boat, the inboard Volvo Penta is also in need of some TLC!
Fortunately, given the current economic climate, we are lucky enough to have a number of other projects in the planning and development stages, to which we are looking ahead for future orders. Watch this space - further announcements will be made as news becomes available.