SINGLE LINES
■ THE Braxted Bakery Railway anticipated opening to the public on April 2. The newly constructed 2ft gauge line is located in a field behind The Braxted Bakery in Witham, Essex. Described as being the hobby of one of the bakery owners, the track is essentially a balloon loop. There are two locomotives, a Ruston & Hornsby 4wDM (reportedly works number 296111) and a newly restored 1985-built ex-ICI Alan Keef 4wDH.
■ SIX slate slab columns have been constructed at Ty Dwr replicating the Talyllyn Railway’s original watering point at this location.
The columns will support timber launders, now under construction, which will convey water from a stream to the delivery point. The last time a loco is known to have taken water at Ty Dwr was some 70 years ago.
■ GUEST Engineering 1959-built 0-6-0 diesel Rachel, purchased by Cleethorpes Coast Light Railway in November 2018, is receiving a major overhaul. Having been stripped to the bare frames, work being undertaken includes refurbishing the gearbox, fitting new tyres to the wheels and complete repainting.
■ THE Ffestiniog Railway team restoring Kerr, Stuart 4wDM 4415/1928 has commenced renovation of the bodywork. The panels have been stripped down ready for media blasting and repairs. Although some areas are in quite poor condition, as much original material as possible will be reused.
■ HEATHERSLAW Light Railway has joined the ranks of narrow gauge lines employing recycled plastic sleepers, which have been utilised on a 420ft section of relaid main line near Heatherslaw cutting.
■ EVESHAM Vale Light Railway is fitting a complete set of new tubes to 0-4-2T
Monty. One tube was found to be perforated and with the loco six years into its boiler ticket the decision was made to do a full retube.
■ THE base for Lynton & Barnstaple Railway’s new tea room at Woody Bay was laid during late February. Train services are due to operate from April 9.
■ YAXHAM Light Railway has constructed a loading dock to facilitate movement of wagons and possibly a visiting locomotive.