Thanks to donations received this summer, the Trust has ordered over 1,000 tons of ballast to be delivered at Darlington Locomotive Works (DLW) to facilitate track laying around the new site. In the last week alone, we have received donations for over 400 tons of ballast. To complete the task, we require a total of 6,000 tons.

Why is Ballast Needed?

Over that last couple of years "The P-Way Gang" raised over £75,000 to allow the Trust to purchase of all the rails and sleepers required around the site. The Trust has also acquired a number of points, or turnouts, that are no longer required by Network Rail. In order to get all this track down, and ultimately to connect DLW with the main line, we need a whole lot of ballast! Each meter of plain line track requires just over 1 ton of base ballast, with more required over the top to secure it in place.

At just £22.50 a ton, buy us some ballast to get the job done!

Just this week, volunteers from the Trust and DRPS have worked hard to complete assembly of the first turnout north of DLW, with just one check rail and point leaver to fit. Led by Terry Graham and James Hodge, recent work in this space includes cutting rails, clipping to baseplates, drilling rails then fitting fishplates. This task also involved tipping ballast over sleepers and shovelled in place. Great work by the volunteers, making the most of favourable weather before the autumn!

Why is all this track and a main line connection needed?

1.  A main line connection will allow both No. 60163 Tornado and, on completion, No. 2007 Prince of Wales to return to DLW for stabling and maintenance between operations on the main line, thereby reducing the requirement for road haulage. The constant movement of large steam locomotives on the back of road vehicles is not conducive to their health given the unnatural stresses placed on the frames from the loading and unloading process

2. The main line connection directly onto the Bishop Auckland branch, on the route of the original 1825 Stockton and Darlington Railway, will allow DLW to offer servicing facilities for other locomotives visiting the area. This would be a commercial activity, generating income for the Trust, and also positively impact on local tourism.

3. The Trust would be able to offer live steam experiences at the Works.

The team of Volunteers from A1SLT and DRPS have been working hard all summer, positioning turnouts around the Darlington Locomotive Works (DLW) site. Ballast is laid beneath the points, but we need more to secure them and for the stretch of plain line which will be laid this autumn.

We have negotiated a fantastic rate for ballast from a local quarry, costing £22.50 a ton, delivered in 28 ton wagon loads. Help us realise the potential of our new site by sponsoring a ton or more!

The Army is due to return to DLW to lay much more track on an extended training exercise this autumn. In November, it is planned that 26 Field Squadron of 32 Engineer Regiment will spend a number of weeks on site, with the intention of laying all remaining plain line track (around 750m, completing the stretch from DLW to the main line). Before then, we must raise funds to secure the 4000 additional tons of ballast required, or this opportunity will be lost. The ballast would ideally be laid in September, well ahead of the track laying, as good weather allows.

We ask that you consider sponsoring a ton at a time at £22.50, or a 28t wagon load for £630 thereby joining phase two of 'The P-Way Gang'.