Staverton South Siding
The new lead South of Staverton gates to give access to the Cider Store siding from a Northerly direction controlled from Bishops Bridge Signalbox instead of from a groundframe is progressing well. The job was started last weekend by the SDR's volunteer PW and S&T Departments working as a team. Despite gales and continuous rain the 'main line' was reconnected and ballasted by the end of the day on 20th January. Work can continue on the rest of the installation over the coming weeks.
 

The Carriage and Wagon department are cracking on with restoration of Collett coach TK no 536, which is on loan from the Great Western Society. It arrived just a few week ago and is now well into an overhaul in the Carriage and Wagon works at Buckfastleigh. Side panels have been removed to give access to the brackets which connect the vertical farme sections to the bottom stringer. The bolts here usually rust and can fracture the woodwork. This is a common problem on wooden bodied coaches and 536 is no exception. Rustworm in the side panels and beneath the windows will also be rectified by mig welding in new metal.
 

Work is in hand on 2-6-2 Prairie Tank No 5526 to make it a set of boiler cladding. At the same time a set is being produced for 5552 at Bodmin and parts for 5553 at Birmingham Railway Museum. Following the completion of 5786 the Prairie has taken centre stage.