A Little History. (SEE : the current and past projects pages for more details, and images).
The company name has been officially changed to "Stanegate Restorations and Replicas" with effect from 01 April 2009.
The original company (M&Y) had been an idea in gestation for quite a few years, when Ian Yates came to the conclusion that the time had finally arrived for him to branch out and start his own business, in order that he could leave something for the future, by helping to preserve part of our heritage for the next generation. After making some quite detailed provisional plans, he approached Peter, with the idea of going into partnership. Fortunately, the timing of all this planning produced a further useful coincidence in that a mutual friend, who was about to take early retirement, was contacted and he agreed to help with the start up costs, and to oversee the legal and financial processes involved.
A small workshop was leased in November 2006, and the task of transferring and overhauling the accumulated tools and machinery was started. Some additional machinery and other items were obtained and installed, such as appropriate dust extraction equipment to provide H&S compliant facilities.
Since then quite a few projects have been carried out, some following on from the work Ian and Pete had been involved with on various Welsh narrow gauge railways. The first three major projects were the WHHR Buffet Car restoration, the construction of the replica carriage Number 25 for the WHHR, and the refit of the William Riley lifeboat. Fitted in amongst these three were several smaller projects, for various clients, such as for the National Railway Museum at Shildon.
 |
 |
 |
| B-49 Bowes Railway | William Riley | WHHR '25' |
Just before the end of February 2009, Peter announced that he was resigning immediately, in order to pursue other personal interests. Despite his very appreciated early input, it had become quite clear that his heart was involved with other things, and after a period of several months of increasingly shorter periods of part-time work he offered his resignation. Consequently, the company name has been changed to "Stanegate Restorations and Replicas", with Ian Yates as Managing Director, and other staff have been brought in to assist with the expanding workload.
By July 2009, the increased workload and expanding order books required more room, so arranging a move to the larger workshop next door was started, and which was completed over a few months. The major projects since May 2009 had included the rebuilding of two waggons for the Bowes Railway and two horse drawn vehicles had been restored for Beamish North of England Open Air Museum by the end of 2010. During this period we have continued to carry out various small tasks for a range of clients, for example the pulling lifeboat "William Riley" came back for some attention to the hull paint. The winter of 2010/2011 was spent working on Saltburn Cliff Lift, this had been intended as on overhaul and refinishing. Due to the condition of the one car being far worse than had been expected, a complete replacement was built before the 'Victorianisation' process was carried out on both of the cars. They were returned in time for the planned re-opening on Friday 22nd April 2011. During 2012 the major projects were the Forcett Coach and work on a Sentinel Steam Waggon. In 2013 we restored NSR127 and continued with NSR61 for the North Staffordshire Rolling Stock Restoration Trust (based at the Foxfield Railway) and further work is planned. The Friends of Maud Railway Museum in Aberdeenshire has commissioned us to restore a rail mounted prison cell from the Peterhead Quarry Railway during 2014 and a private owner has contacted us to rebuild the timber parts for a 1914 Latil TAR. Alongside the PQR van we have worked on a few smaller projects. During 2015 we have been working on a NER 7 compartment carriage for a private owner. For 2016 the Knotty Coach Trust are busy fundraising for their Accessible Brake Coach and at least one First Class coach.
During 2917 - We have has five major projects undeway, together with a few smaller tasks. These have been :- the work on the NER 7 compartment coach has been completed; we built a part replica & part restoration of the last remaining 3ft gauge carriage for the Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway; an incinerated coal waggon is being rebuilt for the Bowes Railway, work has continued on NER70 and we will be starting on the Accessible Brake Coach for the Knotty Coach Trust towards the autumn.
The major staff change in 2017 was that Ian Yates, the founding MD, has formally retired and Jonathan Crowe is now in charge of running the projects and the workshop. Sara Shrives, who has been involved in research, coach painting and some of the woodworking since 2009, has now (January 2018) taken over the role of Managing Director. As part of the ABC project (AKA NSR23), and our aim to pass on traditional skills, we employed an apprentice. In a move to re-organise the workflow, we have also expanded back into our original unit.
In May 2011 the first Engineering Heritage Skills Initiative trainee started a year-long placement at Stanegate Restorations, and during April 2012 there was a month overlap with the start of the second placement. The first trainee continued with us, as an employee from May 2012. The third placement commenced in March 2013 and again overlaped with our fourth trainee starting in February 2014. This scheme will finish in March 2015.
The order book has a very healthy feel, and in between sessions of slaving over tools and making wood into shavings and sawdust, the welcome job of bringing in further projects from existing customers is continuing, and contacts are underway to expand into working with additional clients.
copyright SRR / SjS 2006 - 2019