2009 Gallery                                                            Updated 12th May 2009

Welcome to our 2009 photo gallery which shows the most recent events first.

Recent additions to the 2009 gallery:- Award scheme trip to London 09/05/09, Trip to NYMR Spring Gala 02/05/09.

Award Scheme Trip to London - Saturday 9th May 2009

On Saturday 9th May 2009 four members enjoyed a free trip to London as part of the WRjc award scheme.  Under the scheme members are awarded points for commitment, good behaviour, positive feedback and "going the extra mile". Each month the top scorer receives a certificate and trophy.

The London trip was one of a number of occasional additional awards.

The team travelled First Class from Darlington to London King's Cross then visited London St Pancras International Eurostar Terminal, the RAF Museum Hendon, Hamleys toy store Regent Street and London's sights.

First Class by NXEC

London St Pancras

RAF Museum Hendon

Clarence House

Buckingham Palace

Trip to NYMR Spring Gala - Saturday 2nd May 2009

The annual trip to the North Yorks Moors Railway took place on Saturday 2nd May 2009 during the Spring Gala weekend.

The star of the show was 60163 Tornado, and the group was lucky enough to travel behind her twice before a failure caused by a boiler problem.

During the visit all of the juniors got the rare opportunity to visit the cab of Tornado.

Track Work - Sunday 29th March 2009

Members of the Junior Club have been helping with the track work taking place to get the line ready for services to Bishop Auckland. Fishplate greasing and the replacing of missing track keys has kept the group busy on two Sundays during March and on Sunday 29th March 2009 the group reached Witton-le-Wear crossing having covered 6 miles.

Below: The team reach Witton-le-Wear Crossing

"Junior Club By Royal Appointment"

Click here for event video

On Thursday 19th February 2009 HRH The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall officially named the new Peppercorn class A1 steam locomotive “Tornado” in a ceremony at York Station, and 16 members of the Weardale Railway Junior Club were there as VIP guests.

Following the arrival of the Royal Train, The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall met the group and spoke to individual members during which Josie Brown presented The Duchess with a bouquet and James Pearcy presented The Prince with a copy of the Weardale Railway's "Rebirth" book and WRjc information leaflet whilst talking about the club.

The group then watched as the royal couple officially named 60163 Tornado and the departure of the Royal Train with Prince Charles at the controls.

The Junior Club VIP party take their place on platform 9 ready for the arrival of the Royal Train.

The RAF band provides entertainment to the invited guests.

HRH ThePrince of Wales takes time to speak to all of the Junior Club before the naming ceremony, seen here talking to Jordan Parker and Jack Ellwood.


James Pearcy presents the Prince with a copy of Weardale Railway’s “Rebirth” book and Junior Club leaflet.

Josie Brown prepares to present The Duchess of Cornwall with a bouquet.

Naming ceremony of 60163 “Tornado”


The Junior Club watching the Royal Train, headed by Tornado, and driven by HRH The Prince of Wales, depart York station en-route to Leeds.

Thanks go to National Express East Coast, British Transport Police, North Yorkshire Police and the royal household for arranging this opportunity which will be without doubt, an experience that the youngsters will remember for years to come.

Additional thanks go to British American Railway Services and Weardale Motor Services for their sponsorship of the travel arrangements from Stanhope to York.

Between the Lines Article - February 2009 

By Jordan Parker and Michael Wilkinson


HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM ALL AT THE WRjc!
Over the last couple of months the WRjc have continued to play a very active role in the promotion and operation of the Weardale Railway.


Many of you may have seen the articles that have been produced in the Northern Echo and the Wear Valley Mercury. We feel that articles such as this can only continue to show the railway in a positive light.


We attended the Remembrance Service at Stanhope Church and also laid a wreath from the Junior Club in memory of those who have given their lives in various wars. Not all of the juniors attended with the WRjc but some did attend on behalf of such organisations as St John Ambulance, the Scout Association and St Thomas Church Sunday School. This was actually arranged by the junior members themselves with very little assistance from the WRjc Officers.


In order to prepare Stanhope Station for the Christmas Santa Specials the WRjc emptied two of the rooms in the main building, one room was for use as a preparation area for sorting of the gifts. The room that was the old shop was cleared out, repainted and replacement carpet tiles laid ready for use as an additional waiting room and also so that we could run a tombola stall to raise funds for the both junior club and the railway. We managed to raise £440.00


Also in November, following a bag pack at the Morrison’s store in Bishop Auckland, the WRjc was given a donation of 5 large framed prints showing Bishop Auckland Station during its operational life, two cast iron directional signs and also two locomotive head boards by the generous people of Morrisons. These were donated on the understanding that the collection will never be resold or separated. We have managed to hang two of the large prints and the head boards to date in Stanhope Station building.


We have assisted in the clearing of the track in the preparations to get the line reopened to Bishop Auckland, an event we are really looking forward to. This has involved cutting back of young trees and shrubs and also clearing weeds from the ballast between the tracks. The reason for this work is to provide clear lines of sight for the vehicles using the lines and also for such equipment as the motorised flail and our ballast regulator “Basil”.
At Christmas we have helped in the Griddle Car, cafe, shop, as Santa’s Elves and Snowmen (or persons), on board cleaning of the coaches between trains, helping to man the check in point at Wolsingham station and also as car parking attendants. As previously mentioned we also ran a tombola.


We have also been selling ex GNER glassware, a collector’s item now that the company has now been taken over. This is still available if anyone would like to buy any for yourself or as an unusual gift for that special someone in your life. If you are interested please contact Dave Million on david.million@wrjc.org.uk