March marked the real start of the season’s momentum, with the Railway tackling major infrastructure work, preparing for inspections, and welcoming the first public visitors of the year. The month opened with misty weather and a major tidy‑up operation across the yard and workshops, ensuring everything was ready for the ORR inspection. Track panels were moved, workspaces cleared, and equipment prepared, with the diary noting that “just before we closed up for the day we discovered another area that requires tidying” a familiar pre‑inspection ritual.
Early March also saw significant progress on rolling stock. The Bishopton brakevan chassis advanced steadily as new hornblocks were fitted, while the burning wagon received fresh coats of paint and new brakegear components. The road/rail transporter unit continued to take shape, gaining paint, fittings and structural components as the month progressed.
The major engineering focus, however, was the installation of the re‑gauged ‘Y’ point outside shed 83C. This was a substantial undertaking involving excavation, sleeper packing, rail cutting, drilling, fishplating and repeated alignment checks. Volunteers described the process as hard physical work but immensely satisfying, especially once the first wagon successfully traversed the new pointwork. By mid‑month the point was largely complete, with only minor check‑rail adjustments remaining before commissioning.
Alongside this, preparations began for the new siding and hardstanding area beside 83C. Large quantities of buried steelwork, stone and concrete were uncovered and removed, the ground was levelled, and track panels were brought down from storage. By the end of the month, the first sections of the new siding were aligned, connected and roughly levelled, with the Dean Hill wagon posed on the new track to mark the achievement.
March also brought the first operational days of the season. The Railway supported school visits, children’s activity days and the first Mills Open Day, carrying more than 160 passengers despite challenging weather. Even a dramatic downpour on the first Open Day didn’t dampen spirits, though it did prompt a rapid retreat of display stock to keep it dry.
Other tasks included clearing vegetation on the south loop, repainting the wagon turntable, fitting new platform steps at Powdermill Cut, repairing workshop equipment, and preparing the site for visiting groups. A minor security incident mid‑month was quickly addressed with improved CCTV coverage.
The month concluded with continued siding work, more ground levelling, and further progress on the Bishopton brakevan and motorised trolley projects. With major infrastructure now well underway and the first public trains successfully run, March set a strong foundation for the busy months to come.
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