Overcast and damp on site today, although it did not actually rain, and it warmed up a little after lunch. A core team was on site with an important task to perform. It was the final Kids’ Half-Term Activity Day of the year. As all the tickets had sold out a couple of days ago, the passenger train was brought out of hibernation for a bonus running day. No fewer than six trains ran, all completely full of passengers, giving the highest daily total since the Big Trains Little Trains weekend. Thanks to everyone who operated the service. A good way to bring the 2026 passenger services completely to an end!
First thing, the Wickham was used for its main role as a track inspection vehicle. Despite all the recent winds, only a few small branches were found across the track, so the railway had escaped relatively lightly.
Work continued on Bishopton wagon B10, with the roof timbers completed during the morning. After lunch, the final floor timbers were fixed in place. This marks another milestone, as the vehicle is now ready to receive its fabric roof covering and lettering. It will remain in the centre of workshop 83A for the moment while the roof panels are installed on shed 83D.
Hunslet No. 15 was placed back on the hoists in 83A, where it was discovered that the brake actuator unit was leaking and therefore not operating correctly. The unit was removed from the locomotive during the afternoon and a replacement will be ordered.
The opportunity was also taken to rearrange the locomotives in workshop 83B, leaving the Wickham immediately available for inspection duties and Tinkabell easily accessible for the continuation of refurbishment work.
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