It was a fairly sunny but colder day on site, with a cool breeze providing perhaps the first real hint that winter is approaching. With a good team of volunteers present, a wide range of projects were able to move forward during the morning.
One of the first tasks was preparing the 18-inch gauge Ruston locomotive for its forthcoming departure The water bowser was moved away from the front of the locomotive and a pallet of spare engine parts was brought across from the P-Way yard. Whilst the rest of the team tidied up the debris that had accumulated around the loco, leaving everything ready for the Steeple Grange Railway team to collect the locomotive on Wednesday and transport it to its new home in Derbyshire.
Work also continued on wagon B10. Timber boards were cut ready to complete the roof, while further floor boarding was fitted. Attention was also given to the end panels, with remedial sanding carried out where the outline of the original number 26 was still showing through the paintwork, and a fresh green topcoat applied to the inside face of the other panel. Progress is steady, and the wagon is beginning to look increasingly complete. Meanwhile the Wickham trolley is now essentially complete as the electrical installation including new wiring looms and battery pack for the lighting and horn was carried out.
Elsewhere, work continued on Hunslet No. 15 with work now starting on the hydraulics and the gearbox, while construction began on the frame of the new covered shelter unit now that all of the required components have finally arrived which will protect two locos awaiting restoration from the worst of the weather and allow light weight restoration activities to take place. It was good to see another long-awaited project moving from the planning stage into physical construction.
The highlight of the day, however, was undoubtedly the annual “end of season” railway barbecue. A large number of the railway team were able to attend, making it a welcome opportunity to relax and enjoy each other’s company away from the usual jobs and projects. It was particularly pleasing to see a familiar face making good progress following a recent illness, and to welcome the Gunpowder Mill’s Site Manager to the gathering. Thanks are due to everyone who took on the cooking duties, as well as those who helped with the considerable task of setting up and packing away everything needed for the event.
Overall, it was a productive and enjoyable day, combining steady progress on a number of projects with a well-earned opportunity to celebrate the hard work and commitment shown by volunteers throughout the year.
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