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Eridge Extension News Archive: 2009

A lot of work went into the extension to Eridge, both at the railway and behind the scenes with detailed negotiations between us and the other parties involved. Here you'll all the information regarding the extension and the work involved to return regular passenger services between Tunbridge Wells West and Eridge after a period of 25 years!

And it's not over yet! Two outstanding projects remain in progress - Groombridge signals and Eridge run-round loop.

Eridge Opening Photo Gallery - 25th March 2011
BV Point Installation - Winter 2009
2008 Eridge News
2009 Eridge News
2010 Eridge News
'Return to Eridge' Project Home Page
Eridge Project Requirements
Eridge Route
Read the Steam Railway Magazine Article "Great Eridge-pectations" outlining the project

18th December - SIGNAL BOX UPDATE

During November, the barge boards were finally fitted following the fitting of the shutter boxes for the roller shutters. The two roof eaves have also been completed before the scaffolding was removed later in the month. 

 Above Left:- The signal box is seen on 15th November whilst the boxes for the roller shutters were being fitted - Photo R. Sharpe
Above Right:- The shutter box on the Eridge end of the signal box - Photo R. Sharpe
Below Left:- A view of the front of the signal box showing the shutter boxes and fitted barge boards - Photo R. Sharpe
Below Right:- By the 1st December the scaffolding had been removed allowing everyone to view box for the first time with the new roof - Photo R. Sharpe

Above Left:- The Eridge end of the signal box with the scaffolding removed - Photo R. Sharpe
Above Right:- A general view of Groombridge station with all the scaffolding removed and the new gantry signal erected - Photo R. Sharpe

With the completion of this, work has now turned towards the interior of the box and fitting the lever frame and associated locking trays. All the items for the frame were transferred to the signal box so that the refurbishment can continue. Prior to this happening, the new floor was laid upstairs in the main box area. 

Above Left:- On 27th November with completion of the external work on the box, attention turned to fitting the floor in the signal box - Photo R. Sharpe
Above Right:- Just two days later and most of the floor was completed with just the area around the access hatch to the locking room needing completion - Photo R. Sharpe
Below:- The next area of work will be centred around the locking room where the lever frame and locking trays will be installed - Photo R. Sharpe

FORGE FARM LATEST

In the late October, the last of the works on Forge Farm crossing were completed. This included fitting of cattle grids on both running lines, renewing the existing fencing as well as adding more around the crossing keeper's hut. This is to prevent people tresspassing on Network Rail property and the crossing keepers walking out in front of any trains. 

Above Left:- The newly installed cattle grids seen here installed on the mainline side - Photo S. Pay 
Above Right:- The newly installed fencing around the crossing keeper's hut - Photo S. Pay
Below:- The fencing around the crossing has also been enhanced - Photo S. Pay 

ERIDGE WORKS

Work continues at the station as well. The Gentleman's toilet continues to make great strides with its restoration and the external refurbishment now completed. Inside the main building, the team have discovered the floor in the waiting room had rotted and therefore they are now concentrating on replacing the wood trusses under the floor.

Above:- The Gentleman's toilet is seen in mid November with the external painting now completed - Photo S. Pay

10th November - SIGNAL BOX UPDATE

Towards the end of the October the signalbox continued to progress on a number of fronts. The three other window shutters were being fitted along with the ridge tiles on the roof. The latter has now made the roof watertight for the first time, which is fortunate considering the time of year and the sudden onset of inclement weather. During the good weather the exterior wood work continues to receive a number of coats of primer and undercoats in preparation for the top coat. 

Above Left:- The Eridge end of Groombridge station has been transformed in the last year with the development of the signal box, installation of the BV point and the erection of the bracket signal that will control movements into the passing loop beyond - Photo R. Sharpe
Above Right:- The signal box on 4th November with three of its four roller shutters fitted over the windows - Photo R. Sharpe

During the not so good weather, the interior has received the attention of the paintbrush. The walls have now been coated in masonry paint and the underside of the roof is now in primer. 

Above:- The interior of the signal box on 7th November showing the recently painted walls - Photo R. Sharpe

SIGNAL POST BASES

In between all the work on the signal box, work has been progressing on the signal post bases in the loop at Groombridge. The retaining wall for the Down Advanced Starter is underway.

Above Left:- The wall underway on the Down Advanced Starting signal base at the end of October - Photo C. Fitzjohn
Above Right:- Just five days later and the wall is progressing well - Photo R. Sharpe

At Tunbridge Wells, the first of the posts for these two signals are well underway.

27th October - FURTHER SIGNAL BOX PROGRESS AND BRACKET SIGNAL ERECTION

Since the end of September, the signal box has made great strides towards becoming weather tight in time for the winter weather. The last month has seen the barge boards and soffits fitted to the ends of the building. Tiling commenced in early October and was completed late last week. All that remains is to fit the ridge tiles. Last weekend saw the fitting of the security roller shutters for the windows and door begin and this resulted on one being fully fitted. 

 Above Left:- On 26th September the waterproof membrane had been laid over the recently laid plywood - Photo R. Sharpe
Above Right:- Four days later on the 30th, the batons had secured the membrane down in preparation for tiling to commence - Photo R. Sharpe
Below Left:- On the same day work had commenced on fitting the soffits to the Tunbridge Wells end of the building - Photo R. Sharpe
Below Right:- By the 7th October all the soffits had been fitted and the barge boards complete this end of the building - Photo R. Sharpe

 Above Left:- On 9th October the soffit boards had been fitted to the Eridge end of the building and awaited the barge boards - Photo R. Sharpe
Above Right:- On the same day work also commenced on tiling the front view of the roof - Photo R. Sharpe
Below Left:- Five days later and the tiling is well advanced on the front of the building - Photo R. Sharpe
Below Right:- By the 16th October the front of the building is almost complete - Photo R. Sharpe

Above Left:- Just 9 days after tiling commenced, the front of the building is complete - Photo R. Sharpe
Above Right:- On the same day the rear of the building approaches completion of the tiling. This has taken just over four working days - Photo R. Sharpe

BRACKET SIGNAL ERECTION

Following the erection of the post and casting of the concrete base in late August, the bracket section of the Groombridge Down Starting signal was erected on 26th October. This was fixed permanently in position but requires a couple of minor tweaks before the other associated fittings - lattice posts and hand rails - can be fitted in position. 

Above Left:- Work underway to fix the bracket to the post on 26th October - Photo R. Sharpe
Above Right:- At the end of the day, the bracket fitted in position awaiting the minor tweaks and fitting of the lattice posts, foot boards and handrails - Photo R. Sharpe
Below:- Whilst work was underway on the bracket signal, work continued on digging out the base for the Up Starting signal in the run round loop - Photo R. Sharpe

13th October - SIGNAL BOX AND SIGNALLING PROGRESS

No sooner had the concrete cured on the bracket signal base in Groombridge platform, were the Pway B team on to their next job - the Up Starting signal in the loop. The site of this signal is in the actual embankment of the cutting and has involved digging out all the soil and then breaking out the sandstone rock on the site. This was accomplished a week into August. A further five days are required on this base as there is a lot more sandstone to remove and then the casting of the cement. Other jobs have seen the gang taken away from this at the moment and the concrete base remains to be cast.

Above Left:- A view of the base for the bracket signal after the shuttering had been removed on 9th August - Photo R. Sharpe
Above Right:- After day one the rough base for the Up Starting signal in the loop at Groombridge, had been dug. A view on 10th August - Photo C. Fitzjohn
Below:- After a second day on the base, the foundations had been dug out further on 6th September - Photo C. Fitzjohn

Elsewhere the Up Distant signal has now been completed at Tunbridge Wells, transported to Birchden and erected on the base that was cast in late June. This was completed in mid September. The signal still requires the final items to be fitted but the basic structure is now standing. Work has now commenced on one of the final two rail post signals required at Groombridge.

Above Left:- The concrete base for the Up Distant signal following casting in late June - Photo R. Sharpe
Above Right:- The Up Distant signal seen in the yard at Tunbridge Wells waiting movement to Birchden on 13th September - Photo R. Sharpe
Below:- Just three days later on the 16th September, the Distant signal has been erected - Photo R. Sharpe

Work has now resumed on the construction of the signal box. Work halted recently whist volunteers awaited the erection of scaffolding around the building. Following the arrival of this, work commenced rapidly on the roof structure. It was decided that the trial roof truss that was made needed lowering in height and so this was completed over the weekend of 19th/20th September to a lower measurement. All the roof trusses were completed to the the latter design by the evening of 20th September which allowed plywood sheeting to be fixed to the trusses on Wednesday 23rd September. The next few weeks will see the plywood finished and the slate tiles ordered for fitting. All being well, the roof should be weather tight before winter. The roller shutters for the windows are also being sourced. 

Above Right:- By the middle of the day on 20th September, all the trusses had been dismantled and the first of the reformed trusses erected - Photo R. Sharpe
Above Right:- By the end of the day all the trusses had been remodelled and erected on the building - Photo R. Sharpe
Below Left:- On 23rd September carriage bolts were fitted to the cross bracings on the trusses - Photo R. Sharpe
Below Right:- By the end of the day on 23rd September, plywood sheeting had been fitted to the one of the roof apexes and both ends of the building - Photo R. Sharpe

8th September - MORE SIGNAL BASE PROGRESS

Despite no update for a couple of months doesn't mean nothing has been happening. To sum things up, in the last couple of months, the P-way 'B' team have cast the Advance Down Starter base in Groombridge cutting (as detailed below), the Up Distant at the bottom of Birchden bank and most recently in early August, the base for the Down Starter bracket signal in Groombridge station. The latter of which weighs in at around 5-6 ton of concrete! Just recently, work has commenced on excavating out the base for the Up Starter in Groombridge run round loop. Here is a round-up in order of the progress. 

Above Left:- The freshly cast base for the Advance Down Starter in Groombridge cutting on 12th June - Photo R. Sharpe
Above Right:- By the 21st June the whole for the Up Distant signal had been dug and the initial framework built - Photo R. Sharpe
Below Left:- On 27th June the final touches are made to the framework before the concrete mixing commences - Photo R. Sharpe
Below Right:- Later in the day the base is seen almost complete - Photo M. Wilkins

The base for the Advance Down starter (has now also gained a location cabinet which will be used for all the signalling wiring and various other items associated with the system. This now needs fixing in position and a fresh coat of paint. 

Within a week the gang were on to their next project - a slightly larger, more problematic signal base. The bracket signal in Groombridge station. The hole for this base was dug sometime ago but it had filled with water. The water needed pumping out, a drain pipe installed and the hole dressing. Then before the base could be cast, the signal post had to be lifted into the hole. When it was initially built at Tunbridge Wells, some of the base supports were fixed to the post itself. Before it was placed in the hole, other supports had to be fitted. The post was then stood in the hole, levelled up and then the framework constructed around it for the concrete. This culminated in the concrete being poured on 2nd August.

Above Left:- On 19th July, the Jinty passes the site of the new signal post whilst preparations are underway to dress the hole - Photo R. Sharpe
Above Right:- On he 22nd July the post for the signal was lifted into place. The additional supports are seen being attached - Photo R. Sharpe
Below Left:- The post now standing in the hole on 22nd July with the drain pipe also installed - Photo R. Sharpe
Below Right:- A view of the post itself standing in the hole - Photo R. Sharpe

Above Left:- Work commencing on the shuttering framework on 26th July as visiting Class 20 20110 passes the worksite - Photo R. Sharpe
Above Right:- By the end of the day, the shuttering was complete and everything set up for pouring the concrete a week later - Photo R. Sharpe
Below Left:- A view from the train of the signal post and the base on 26th July - Photo R. Sharpe
Below Right:- One week later and work commences to lay the concrete for the base - Photo R. Sharpe

Above Left:- The completed base on 2nd August - Photo R. Sharpe
Above Right:- The Jinty arrives with a train from Tunbridge Wells and stands alongside the newly formed base. The signal will be controlling the engine's moves from the platform once the signalling is complete - Photo R. Sharpe

GROOMBRIDGE SIGNALBOX

No major progress here recently. The building reached roof height in late May and the roof trusses were built and erected. Since then a decision has been made to lower the roof height and so some modifications will be made to the structure before roofing commences in the Autumn.

Right:- The signalbox is seen in mid May with the walls now complete and the main roof beams in place - Photo S. Pay

FORGE FARM CROSSING

The work on the crossing has now been completed and all that is required is final testing and commissioning. The works involved included an additional control box being erected, as well as all the relevant signage for train crews. 

Above Left:- A view of the crossing keeper's hut at Forge Farm Crossing with the new control box and signage fitted - Photo B. Halford
Above Right:- The control box for the crossing at Forge Farm, installed in early July - Photo B. Halford

ERIDGE

Since the last report the station building repainting has been completed and the whole station now sports a uniform colour, presenting a very smart image. The station has also benefited from an original stretcher case being donated. The item was removed from the buildings on the mainline side and subsequently re-sited on our buildings. The running in boards have now been erected and also feature LB&SCR brackets to support the boards. The enamel station signs however will not be erected until nearer the time of opening. Further signs have now been ordered and delivered. These are the platform numbers for the station and will be erected along with the target station signs. They require some form of fixing to be made first. 

Above Left and Right:- In mid May, work was well underway on painting the station buildings at Eridge into their new colours - Photos S. Pay
Below Left: By mid June the work was almost complete and the buildings are looking a lot better as a result. The stretcher box can be seen just to the left of the centre of the photo - Photot B. Halford
Below Right:- The rail posts for the new station running-in boards were erected in early April. The backing boards and brackets were completed in early June and everything was assembled on the 20th June. The new enamel signs will not be erected until nearer to the opening day - Photo R. Sharpe

11th June - SIGNAL BASE PROGRESS

On Sunday 31st May the first part of the Groombridge Down Advanced Starting signal base was cast. This signal base incorporates a base for a location cabinet and this was cast first. The rate at which the concrete was poured led to the decision to cast the other base at the same time, which brought the job forward by a week. Once the studding for the signal base was delivered to site and fixed in position, the whole job was complete by 6pm. The next job is a retaining wall against the embankment and construction of the signal itself.

Above:- Mid morning on the 31st May and the cabinet base has been cast - Photo R. Sharpe
Above Right:- Following arrival of the studding for the signal base, work commenced on fixing it in the right position for the pouring of the concrete - Photo R. Sharpe
Below Left:- Late afternoon and the signal base is almost complete - Photo C. Fitzjohn
Below Right:- At the end of a long day and both bases have been cast and completed - Photo R. Sharpe

On the signalling front, plans are now being formulated for erecting the uprights and casting the base for the Down Groombridge starting signal. This signal at the Eridge end of Groombridge station, will be the bracket signal, restored and assembled at Tunbridge Wells over the last 18 months.

SIGNAL BOX UPDATE

Now the walls of the building have now been completed, attention has turned to building the roof trusses. These will be erected when they are all ready.

22nd May - SIGNALBOX PROGRESS

Since the last report all the walls of the signalbox have reached the height of the roof. The timber will now be ordered so that this can then be built. Work will start in earnest on this once the station canopy has been completed.

Right:- This view on 17th March shows the rear wall fast approaching roof level - Photo S. Pay

GROOMBRIDGE SIGNALLING

Work has now commenced on building the base for the Groombridge down advanced starting signal, in the passing loop. Away from the photographers, the Groombridge up home signal is slowly being refurbished. Previously used as the Birchden Junction down distant, all the fittings have been reversed on the signal post so that they can be used for Groombridge. 

Above Left:- A view of the site for the Groombridge Down Advanced Starter on 15th May, prior to commencement of works - Photo R. Sharpe
Above Right:- A view of the former in which the concrete base will be poured into. The base will be poured in two stages - Photo C. Fitzjohn
Below:- A view of the Up Groombridge Home signal on 26th May. This structure has slowly been restored and converted for use in the Up direction, which has involved turning all the fixtures on the post - Photo R. Sharpe

At Tunbridge Wells, the bracket for the signal in the platform is fast approaching completion. Both posts, their associated fittings and pulleys have all be fitted now. Work is now turning to fitting a new timber walkway. 

ERIDGE STATION REFURBISHMENT

Since the last report there's been a lot of progress made on the station buildings at Eridge. Firstly the platform has been completely resurfaced with a fresh layer of tarmac. During the works the former foundations for the down platform water crane were rediscovered. These have now been fully excavated and will be properly covered over until such a time that the water crane can be placed in position on the platform. Whilst the platform was being resurfaced, the new posts for the station name boards were put in place. Finally to complete the resurfacing job tactile strips have been applied to the new surface. This is a now a statutory requirement for all platforms that are resurfaced to the extent that ours has received.

Above Left:- Work in progress on removing the platform surface in mid March - Photo S. Pay
Above Right:- Work in progress on removing the platform surface in mid March - Photo B. Halford
Below Left:- The first layer of tarmac had been laid a week later on the 23rd March - Photo S. Pay
Below Right: Another week and the top surface had been laid. Note the hole for the former water crane - Photo S. Pay

Elsewhere on the station the station building and canopy has been on the receiving end of Network Rail contractors and it now sports the same colours as the Southern side. Where the gutters and downpipes have been in a poor state, the contractors have replaced them. Also the glass panes in the station canopy have been replaced and properly secured in place. This glass has been replaced with clear and it has made a huge difference to the light on the station. 

 Above Left:- On 1st April the canopy is seen having had the old glass panes removed for replacement and refurbishment - Photo S. Pay
Above Right:- Just a week later and the new glass panes have been fully fitted into the canopy - Photo S. Pay
Below:- On 24th April, Network Rail contractors are halfway through painting the underside of our canopy into the same colours as the Network Rail/Southern side. Note the tactile strip has been applied to both edges of the platform - Photo B. Halford

Inside the building, the restoration of the individual rooms is now in the latter stages of decoration with attention turning to the finer details. A sink has now been fitted in the ladies toilet and toilets have now been completely restored, complete with the original penny locks which used to allow passengers access to them to use. The new running in boards are now on site and await the arrival of the mounting brackets before they can be erected. The new target signs have also been delivered and the backing boards are being prepared prior to being erected around the station. 

Above:- A view of the toilet area in the former Ladies Waiting room. These toilets will be those used by all our visitors until the Gentleman's toilet is fully restored - Photo S. Pay

Finally the Gentlemen's toilet continues to receive attention from the restoration team as and when time allows. The building has now been made weather tight with a new roof and work is slowly progressing on its interior.  

Above Left:- A view of the newly fitted roof on the Gentleman's toilet - Photo S. Pay
Above Right:- A general overview of Eridge station in late April. 

12th March - SIGNALBOX PROGRESS

Since the beginning of February construction of the signalbox has continued to make great progress with the installation of the new windows and construction of rear wall and steps and balcony. The new windows and door arrived in mid February and the first set were installed soon after.

Above Left:- A view of the signal box showing the first of the window frames being installed. The beginnings of the balcony can be seen too - Photo B. Halford
Above Right:- The signalman's view over Groombridge station on 17th February - Photo S. Pay
Below Left:- A view of the first signal levers now fitted in place on 17th February - Photo S. Pay
Below Right:- By 23rd February the front windows had been fitted too - Photo S. Pay

Above Left:- The rear block work of the rear wall continues to rise quickly on 7th March - Photo S. Pay
Above Right:- The signalbox steps under construction on 11th March. The other timber surfaces have received a coat of primer - Photo S. Pay
Below Left: On 11th March, the final window on the Eridge end of the building had been fitted - Photo S. Pay
Below Right:- A view of the rear wall from the inside of the signalbox - Photo S. Pay

Above:- A view through the newly installed window of the remodelled run-round loop - Photo S. Pay

ERIDGE STATION REFURBISHMENT

The renovation of Eridge station continues to make good progress. Volunteers have continued work on restoring the former Gentleman's toilet with a view to having it ready for the opening. So far work has been concentrating on making the building weather tight once again. This has included re-cladding the exterior with new wood and renewing the roof. Once all this is done, attention will turn to restoring the interior.

Above Left:- A view of the Gentlemen's toilet on 23rd February showing the new roof now fitted - Photo S. Pay
Above Right:- A view of the other side of the building on 8th March, showing the panels placed in the roof to provide natural light inside the building. The blue fence is to protect the contractors working on the platform edge - Photo S. Pay

Away from the buildings, contractors have now moved onto repairing the platform surface and edge. Part of the works will see a tactile edge fitted behind the platform edging stones. Areas of the platform surface will receive a fresh layer of tarmac at the same time. Whilst these works were undertaken, water and electricity services were laid between the station building and Gentlemen's toilets.

Above Left:- The two trenches dug between the main building and Gentlemen's toilet for the new water and electricity supplies to the latter - Photo S. Pay
Above Right:- A view of the former bay platform edge showing the platform surface dug up in preparation for the installation of the tactile slabs - Photo S. Pay

3rd February - BV INSTALLATION PROGRESS

January saw some rapid progress made on the installation of the BV point at Groombridge. This was greatly assisted by the a number of members working nine consecutive days on the project, to ensure that it stood a good chance of being ready in time for the 2009 season. As things stand at the time of writing, the point has been installed and both roads of the run-round loop have been connected to it. The trackwork at this location has undergone some incredible transformation and now requires final tweaking, lifting and packing and final ballasting before the job can be signed off as complete. Then there is the mammoth task of tidying up the site so that it is in a presentable state for when our visitors return in March. 

More details on the BV point project, including a day by day project diary, can be found by clicking here. 

Work is still ongoing on the signalling side of the point, with efforts being made to fit the rodding and locking mechanism in time for passenger trains to run over it. It is hoped that the signal box may be completed enough to connect the point straight to it, rather than have to place it on a temporary groundframe for a short period of time.

Left:- A view of the BV point on 2nd February, showing the amount of work that has taken place over the last few weeks to get this job complete - Photo B. Halford

SIGNAL BOX UPDATE

Whilst a lot of attention has focused on the installation of the point, the signal box has continued to rise up. Since the timbers for the signal box cabin itself, were fitted, work has been progressing on building the brick walls  to fill the gaps in. The walls on the front and sides are now at window sill level, whilst the back is now going up too. Over Christmas, the first of the levers were also fitted, which will be connected to the BV point should everything come together in time.

Above Left:- A view of the signal box in late January, showing the walls beginning to rise to the height of the windows. This brickwork will be clad with traditional wood - Photo S. Pay
Above Right:- A view of the signal box on 2nd February showing Tommy hard at work laying the bricks around the back of the signal box building - Photo R. Sharpe

ERIDGE STATION REFURBISHMENT

The station buildings continue to see a lot of activity too. The waiting room has now been completed apart from the floor covering and fireplace. The Ladies Waiting Room and Toilets have now been started and the team have got the toilets working once again. The chimneys have been inspected and tested and so a warm welcome awaits our visitors when they arrive for a train during the winter months. 

Above Left:- Work progressing on stripping one of the toilet doors in readiness for a fresh coat of paint - Photo S. Pay
Above Right:- The door to the Ladies toilets receives its first coat of top coat green on 21st January - Photo S. Pay

Such is the size of the team working on the buildings now, that it has been possible to turn attention towards the detached Gentleman's toilets. More of the exterior cladding has required replacement and paint is now starting to be applied. It is hoped to complete all this by the end of March, which also complies with conditions put in place when a grant was received to aid the station's restoration.

As for signage, Don Foreman continues to make a number of signs at his home, whilst another order for some Eridge station targets is about to be placed. 

Above Left:- With the work progressing on our side of the station, Southern have undertaken some works on their buildings, which includes removing the boards from all the windows which greatly enhances their appearance - Photo S. Pay
Above Right:- The vegetation clearance has continued on the country side of the station and the new buffer stops are clearly defined now on 21st January - Photo S. Pay

9th January - BV INSTALLATION BEGINS

Saturday 3rd January marked the beginning of this winter's biggest project. Whilst the railway is closed, the Permanent Way gang have planned and are now hard at work to replace a turnout at the end of Groombridge station, to enable the run round loop to be converted into a passing loop, in preparation for the opening of Eridge. This project has been on the cards for a number of years but problems in sourcing a suitable turnout has meant that it was placed on the back-burner. It now also means that the platform extension at Groombridge can be brought into use, as well as allowing the erection of signals to take place in readiness for commissioning the passing loop.

Above Left and Right:- Progress on installing the new point is seen after just 9 days work. On the 3rd January, the Class 12 was the final locomotive to travel over the old point. By the 9th January, the new point had been laid and work was progressing on joining it up to the run round loop again - Photo Left:- M. Dives, Photo Right:- R. Sharpe

GROOMBRIDGE SIGNALLING

It is hoped that the new point will be connected to the new signalbox at Groombridge, from day one of the 2009 operating season. At the time of writing, all the components that are needed to operate the point have been fitted into the lever frame. Work on the brickwork is continuing as and when the weather is allowing. This is currently focused on building up around the wooden frame which was built in December.

Right:- A view inside the signal box at Groombridge, showing the frame stands. The feet on which the majority of the frame sits can be seen painted in grey at the bottom of the picture. The pivots (curved castings) have all been fitted too. These will hold the levers which are yet to be fitted in this picture, taken on the 3rd January - Photo S. Pay

This is possibly one of the most exciting times to get involved with volunteering at the railway. For more details on how to join the railway, click here.

For up to date news from the railway, please click here.

Last Updated 18th December 2009. © Spa Valley Railway