2025 – A Year in Review

The year began with renewed energy as volunteers returned for safety briefings, refresher tests and the first engineering tasks of the 2025 campaign. Work immediately centred on three major projects: assembling the frame for shed 83D, re‑gauging a 2‑foot pointset, and installing the refurbished wagon turntable. Despite freezing temperatures, the turntable pit was excavated, the baseplate positioned, and the spider assembly cleaned, lubricated and refitted. Rolling stock projects also advanced, including the Bishopton brakevan chassis, the Burning Wagon refurbishment and the road/rail transporter unit. The first passenger trains of the year ran for visiting groups, and the month closed with the turntable nearing completion and the first stages of point re‑gauging underway.

Cold, grey weather dominated February, but progress continued at pace. The Burning Wagon underwent major structural repairs and repainting, while the Bishopton chassis was straightened, cleaned and prepared for future conversion. The Wickham trolley project moved forward with machined axles, welded wheelsets and early chassis assembly. The re‑gauging of the ‘Y’ pointset became a central focus, with sleepers positioned, rails aligned and the first wheelset successfully tested across the new geometry. Training days ensured crews were ready for the season, and ground clearance began around shed 83C to prepare for future siding and display work. By month’s end, multiple engineering projects were well advanced and the Railway was firmly into its winter stride.

March brought the first signs of spring and a surge of activity. The re‑gauged ‘Y’ point outside 83C was installed, aligned and ballasted, marking a major milestone in the yard redevelopment. Attention then shifted to the new siding and hardstanding area, where buried steelwork and concrete were removed, ground was levelled and the first track panels were positioned. Rolling stock projects continued steadily, with the Burning Wagon, Bishopton brakevan and road/rail transporter all receiving significant workshop time. The first public running days of the season took place, including Special Needs school visits and the opening Mills event, with more than 160 passengers carried despite challenging weather. By the end of March, the new siding was taking shape and the Railway was ready for the busy months ahead.

April delivered warmer weather and a burst of visible progress. The display siding beside 83C reached its full planned length, allowing the first wagon to be hand‑shunted along it. Volunteers also rescued a large batch of timber and glazed panels destined for disposal elsewhere on site—perfect for future use in shed 83D. Rolling stock refurbishment accelerated, with the Burning Wagon receiving new paint, lettering and brakegear work, while the Bishopton wagons gained new coupling bars, tested successfully both in the yard and on the main line. The Railway hosted several public running days and a major visit from the Narrow Gauge Railway Society, featuring demonstration trains, cab rides and a full main line showcase. April closed with workshops tidied, stock prepared and the site looking increasingly ready for visitors.

May was a month of strong momentum, with major advances across trackwork, rolling stock and operations. The new display siding was fully ballasted and tamped, and preparations began for temporary stock shelters ahead of the construction of shed 83D. The Burning Wagon refurbishment was completed, including roof membrane, lettering and fully restored brakegear. The Bishopton wagons received new metal coupling bars, tested successfully on both tight curves and the main line. Passenger operations were busy, with Mills Open Days, school visits and special group trips pushing the season’s total past 500 passengers. Vegetation clearance, workshop reorganisation and ongoing work on the Wickham trolley rounded out a month of steady, visible progress.

June saw the Railway shift into high summer mode, balancing infrastructure work with a packed operating schedule. The old main line siding was dug out, cleared and extended, with track panels moved into place, sleepers fitted and fishplates reprofiled. By mid‑month, the first vehicles could be pushed onto the new track, marking a key milestone in the yard redevelopment. Work also began on the framing for new stock shelters, with steel components cut, drilled and prepared for assembly. Rolling stock projects continued, including brakegear work, painting and conservation tasks. Passenger operations were strong, with Mills events, school parties and activity days drawing steady numbers. By the end of June, the new siding was complete, the Burning Wagon fully restored, and the Railway well‑positioned for the busiest month of the year.

July was a transformative month, dominated by the rapid expansion of shed 83E. Volunteers completed the side cladding, assembled the roof using roller shutter slats and corrugated sheets, and extended the structure using gazebo frames and tarpaulins. By mid‑month, the shed could house multiple long wagons, dramatically increasing covered storage capacity. Work also continued on the JCB, Wickham trolley, stores cabin and yard organisation. Passenger operations were exceptionally busy, with Mills Open Days, school visits and summer activity days generating more than 360 passengers across the month. A major visit from a heritage railway group added to the excitement, with demonstration trains, footplate rides and special workings. July closed with shed 83E nearing completion, shed 83D preparations underway and the Railway operating at full summer strength.

August carried the Railway through the height of the summer season, balancing steady engineering work with a full programme of public operations. Despite visitor numbers rising and falling with the weather, the Railway delivered a reliable, welcoming service for Mills activity days, family visits and school‑holiday events. Passenger trains ran regularly, with some quieter days offset by lively crowds, while volunteers kept stock clean, the yard tidy and the timetable smooth, ensuring the Railway remained a highlight of the Mills’ summer. Engineering progressed at a measured pace, focusing on tidying, organising and preparing for autumn projects through vegetation clearance, material sorting and small improvements across the yard. Covered storage areas saw further reinforcement and preparation for future cladding, and rolling stock received routine lubrication, cleaning and minor repairs to stay dependable during the busiest period. By month’s end, the Railway had delivered consistent public service while keeping long‑term projects moving, setting up a smooth transition into the autumn work season.

September marked the shift from the busy summer season into early autumn project work, with the Railway balancing its final public running days against renewed infrastructure efforts. Despite mixed weather, steady progress continued on long‑running engineering tasks, including cutting, drilling and painting structural components for shed 83D, early superstructure work on the Wickham trolley, and deeper restoration on the Dough wagon as rotten timber was removed and replacements prepared. Yard improvements moved forward with refurbished buffer stops, repainted display items and rearranged materials ahead of contractor access. Operationally, the month included the last Mills Open Days, several group visits and charter trains, and even with heavy showers and a fallen tree on the south loop, services remained reliable through quick shunting adjustments and obstruction clearance. Considerable effort also went into preparing the yard for contractors by relocating wagons, clearing access routes and covering vulnerable stock. By month’s end, shed 83D’s second‑phase frame was ready for lifting, the yard fully reorganised, and the Railway had successfully bridged the gap between summer operations and the more intensive autumn engineering season.

October saw steady, determined progress across the railway despite mixed weather and smaller teams. The major milestone was completing the steel frame of shed 83D, followed by extensive levelling work inside the new structure using the digger and vibrating plate. Contractors advanced the replacement concrete floor in shed 83C, while volunteers tackled a wide mix of restoration and maintenance tasks, including repainting the compressor unit, bufferstop work, wagon cleaning, and continued progress on the Mars boiler. Yard improvements moved forward with debris clearance, new fire‑exit paths, and the fitting and priming of fouling marks. Site machinery proved invaluable for lifting, shunting, and recovering the occasional derailment, and several wagons and locomotives were repositioned to support winter project planning. Though many tasks were small in isolation, together they delivered a highly productive month with visible improvements across the site and strong momentum heading into the winter programme.

November brought sustained progress across the site, helped by several bright, dry days and strong teamwork. Early in the month, volunteers collected donated timber for the new shed while others cleared the main yard following the contractor’s departure, rerailing and repositioning several wagons to restore order. Work advanced steadily on multiple restoration projects, including the motorised trolley, Wickham brake system, and the dismantling of a rotten narrow‑gauge wagon. With full teams on site, outdoor tasks accelerated: ballast was moved and laid along key sections of track, hardstanding areas were levelled and compacted, and planning began for a potential 18‑inch gauge exhibit using newly sourced timber. Significant progress was made on the new shed 83D, with scaffold towers assembled, roof timbers cut and fitted, and purlins installed across several bays. Salvaged timber was processed into battens for future cladding, and by mid‑month the first tarpaulins were secured over the roof, giving the structure real presence. Workshop activity continued throughout, from restoration work on the mini digger and cleaning the dough wagon chassis to vehicle maintenance and equipment overhauls. The newly rebuilt trolley underwent successful test runs, adding to the sense of achievement. Despite occasional mist, rain, and cold winds, November proved highly productive, with major structural work advancing, the yard transformed, and strong momentum building ahead of winter projects.

December delivered a remarkably productive run of sessions, helped by several unseasonably warm and dry days that allowed outdoor work to continue at pace. Forty tons of ballast were delivered and consolidated, timber from recent collections was unloaded and sorted, and repainting of the mini digger progressed steadily. Major advances were made on the new shed, with eaves extensions fitted, multiple tarpaulins secured over the roof, and both lower and upper cladding panels installed using salvaged timber cut and prepared on site. The dough wagon chassis continued to be cleaned and restored, while the trolley project moved forward with roof strengthening, floor supports, and further assembly work. Across the yard, chippings were moved to new hardstanding areas, bulk bags of material were relocated for future use, and the site machine received a new outrigger to improve lifting reach. Workshop activity remained constant, from servicing strimmers and brush cutters to reorganising fixings and clearing the generator room. By month’s end, the final wall panel on the shed’s east side was in place, the tarpaulins were secured against winter weather, and the railway was left tidy, organised, and well prepared for the Christmas break.