A detailed track inspection over the winter identified 40 sleepers that needed replacement.  Volunteers selected the first 3 Thursdays in March and worked hard to replace them all.  This included lifting 2 lengths of track and replacing most of the sleepers plus a number of single ones.  Normally we pull them out but many just […]

Our US fire ladder truck has a number of bookings in 2025 and to be ready for the season it is in for checking.  The ladder cables needed adjusting and during inspection we noted that 2 pullies were worn.  Not an off the shelf item so we have made them from scratch.  Now refitted and […]

No.2 ‘Katie‘ is an 0-6-0 well tank built by Arn Jung of Jungenthal, Germany, in 1931 (works number 3872) has been in our workshops for over 2 years being completely overhauled.  Cab floor replaced, well tank top renewed, many overhauled valves and components, but we are in the final stages of getting this loved little […]

During the winter it is time for all our steam boilers to get inspected and checked.  The boiler doors – access points into the boilers barrel – are removed, cleaned and painted.  The boiler is inspected by an independent engineer in assuming all is OK, new seals are fitted and the doors reinstalled.  The boiler […]

Restoration of an Old Railway Carriage Work on the centre balcony coach continues.  Many thanks for donations of oil based paint – we still need more – anyone would think we’d covered the roof with a sponge!!!  The roof should be finished in the next week or so and we are now working on refurbishing the […]

This months Old Glory magazine features an extensive review of our Garrett Engine and reviews one of our 2024 event days.

Tony, Brian and other volunteers took the Garrett and Steam Roller to the pub on Boxing day.  Accompanied by the Bean Car, it made an interesting sight on the road from The Warren to Bredgar.  Chatted to quite a few people who were able to look them over – the engines not the volunteers.  A […]

We have now removed all the tubes in this portable engine.   The new tubes are on order (thanks to a donation to cover the cost – you know who you are – much appreciated).  We don’t expect them to be delivered until January so work will progress after the Christmas events to have the boiler […]

Work on our Arn Jung Locomotive (works No. 3872) Katie is progressing well.  The running gear is now nearly complete, the couplings are back on and the brakes are reconnected.  The boiler has had an initial warmup steam – first for over 2 years in October.  The subsequent full steam test went well now the […]

After a very busy Summer we are moving into the final months of 2024.  We have a couple of autumn activities still to take place – Halloween diesels next week and then we are hosting Father Christmas for the first two weekends in December.  After that it will be into the hard work of maintenance […]