SINGLE LINES

■ STEEPLE Grange Light Railway (SGLR), which did not operate passenger trains in 2020 amid the pandemic, and feared its hopes of reopening this year had been dashed by the rock fall in February, managed to operate public trains on its branch to Steeplehouse quarry and the lower part of the main line during September and October, resulting in operating 1278 passenger trips. The 18in gauge line remains unable to operate over the full length of its main line until rock stabilisation work has been undertaken.

■ THE Fairbourne Railway has started overhauling 0-6-4ST Beddgelert. The 12.25in gauge loco had been largely stripped down and the boiler lifted by the end of October. A fundraising appeal was launched in 2018 to return Beddgelert, which went out of ticket more than a decade ago, to steam. Although money is available to begin the work there is presently insufficient to complete the overhaul, which is expected to take several years.

■ THE chassis of Richmond Light Railway’s Bagnall 0-4-0ST Pixie (2090/1919) has been receiving attention at Ffestiniog Railway’s Boston Lodge works. The cylinders have been refitted and work on the boiler completed.

■ HAVING decided not to reopen in 2021 post Covid-19, Leadhills & Wanlockhead Railway volunteers have been lifting track panels and replacing ballast and life-expired sleepers on the main line in preparation for recommencing operations at Easter 2022.

PHIL BARNES THE boiler of Amberley’s Bagnall 0-4-0ST Peter was lifted back into the frames at the museum on October 17. The operation, undertaken free of charge by Robbie Wilson Ltd Road Transport, was performed in public during the railway’s Autumn Industrial Trains Day, creating an unusual 25 minutes of entertainment for visitors. Peter was withdrawn for overhaul at the end of 2018. The work has included production of a new boiler barrel and attention to the firebox. The repaired boiler has been hydraulically tested, but not yet steam tested.