February brought steady, determined progress across the Railway, despite a month dominated by grey skies, cold winds and the occasional downpour. Volunteers pressed on with a wide range of engineering, restoration and training tasks, laying the groundwork for the busy season ahead.
Work began with wagon movements, ballast loading and the first stages of refurbishing several key vehicles. The Burning Wagon entered a period of intensive cleaning, repair and repainting, while the Bishopton chassis received structural straightening and preparation for its future conversion to passenger use. The road/rail transporter unit also advanced, gaining new timber framing, metalwork and protective coatings. Meanwhile, the re‑gauging of a major pointset began in earnest, with rails cut, sleepers drilled and the whole assembly divided into sections ready for rebuilding.
Throughout the month, the workshop remained a hive of activity. New hornblocks for the Bishopton brakevan were fabricated and test‑fitted, axleboxes and springs were cleaned and prepared, and the Wickham trolley project made significant strides as wheels, axles and mounting components were machined, welded and assembled. The motorised trolley project continued steadily in the background, with regular bursts of progress each week.
February also saw the first training days of the year, with crews refreshing their skills and new drivers gaining experience in challenging winter conditions. One diary entry captured the mood perfectly: “Our second train crew training day… and the first experience of driving a passenger train in the wet!” These sessions ensured the Railway would be ready for public running as soon as the season opened.
Infrastructure work featured heavily. Volunteers straightened chassis members, cleaned and painted metalwork, and prepared the Burning Wagon for its eventual return to service. The re‑gauging of the ‘Y’ pointset progressed steadily, with sleepers moved into place, rails aligned and the first wheelset successfully tested across the new geometry. Ground clearance also began around shed 83C, with debris removed and the area prepared for future display and siding work.
Despite the weather, spirits remained high. The month included everything from clearing electrical conduits and tidying workshops to moving heavy boilers with the JCB and repairing damaged components. Even on the wettest days, teams found ways to keep progress moving indoors, ensuring that every visit to site pushed projects forward.
By the end of February, the Railway had achieved a remarkable amount: major wagon refurbishments underway, pointwork re‑gauging nearing completion, multiple engineering projects advancing, and crews well into their training cycle. It was a month defined by persistence, teamwork and visible progress setting the stage for the busy spring months to come.
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