What a day of contrasts and achievements across the Gunpowder Railway teams. While the Painting & Decorating (P&D) crew were hard at work on site, the Rescue & Recovery (R&R) team were already deep into a long‑distance mission before most people had even found the kettle.
The P&D team kicked off the morning with a welcome return for one of their own, who was promptly sent up a ladder with good humour. Fresh coats of paint went on smoothly with several hands making light work of it, and the results are already lifting the look of the place. A special moment came when the team hosted a visit from the Gunpowder Mills’ fundraiser, who toured the railway and left genuinely impressed. She’s keen to work with us on securing funding for some of the projects already being scoped, which is a real boost for the months ahead.
Meanwhile, far from home, the R&R team were living out their best 1980s A‑team moment. As the group responsible for the heavy lifting, engineering improvisation and the “go‑anywhere, retrieve‑anything” side of the railway’s work, they had set off long before dawn. After a very early start and 170 miles on the road, they arrived in Somerset and got straight to work. The new wagons were quickly cleared of accumulated junk (including, unexpectedly, two inflatable dinghies) and then the real engineering began. With jacks, skids and winches, the first wagon was eased off the holding rails and onto barn concrete, then rolled out into the sunshine. The second followed much faster once the technique was perfected, helped along by a well‑timed shove to clear the last bit of rail.
Luck was on their side when the transport arrived early, and by late morning the delicate loading operation was underway. By early afternoon the wagons were secured and heading back to Waltham Abbey, though the roads had other ideas. Lane closures and accidents slowed the convoy, and while the team made it back mid‑afternoon, the truck didn’t arrive until early evening. Unloading and re‑railing took just as much care as the morning’s work, but by the end of the day both wagons were safely on the rails, sheeted over and looking superb. Dangling in the air had revealed just how solid they still are and in remarkable condition for stock built in 1943.
Back on site during the afternoon, the P&D team wrapped up their work with everything looking brighter and sharper than it had in months. Their role may not involve winches and skids, but the transformation they deliver is just as vital: keeping the railway looking cared‑for, welcoming and true to its heritage.
The R&R team finally secured the site and began their own journeys home, slowed once again by road closures but buoyed by the knowledge that the mission had been a complete success.
We now have two lovely open wagons ready to become future open carriages. An incredibly rare opportunity given how little 2ft 6in stock survives unmodified. A very long day for some, a productive one for all, and another step forward for the Gunpowder Railway.
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