Tuesday, 12.8.08. All ready for our visitors - as John Trott chats with Bob Winchurch on No. 7.

Bob takes the controls as the first train heads up towards Corris.

Member Richard Slate stops at Maespoeth to photograph and measure diesel locos 5 & 6 for modeller's drawings.

John is all smiles as he machines axleboxes for Carriage No. 22.

It is raining for much of the day...

...which helps No. 7 leave a visible trail of steam behind it...

...but it clears up later in the day!

In the evening, the Aberystwyth gang appear and Stephanie soon acquires her usual tribal markings!

Andrew and two Richard's dismantle a turnout...

...while yours truly surveys the site...

...which involves much climbing through hedges!

Later on, the common crossing from the dismantled turnout is moved...

...and loaded onto the bogie waggon for storage elsewhere.

Thursday, 14.8.08. In the evening, dismantling of a further turnout commences, but the midges soon cause work to be abandoned!

Friday, 15.8.08. Trefor adjusts the position of No. 7 so that he can change wicks in the lubricators of the die blocks...

...while outside, Richard continues dismantling work on a turnout.

Monday, 18.8.08. Roger Gray walks to No. 6 to move the train into the platform as Andrew passes No. 7, gently simmering on the middle road...

...while the heritage stock awaits the train...

...which will be moved after the brake test is complete.

Tuesday, 5.8.08. The sign board on the gantry has been changed already!

Birthday boy cleans up for his party after driving No. 7 all day!

In the evening, Trefor arrives to give more TLC to No. 7...

...by cleaning up the slippers on the slide bars.

Thursday, 7.8.08. Same scene two days later - has Trefor been home?

Richard Shipman takes a break from cleaning out the fire.

Sunday, 10.8.08. Malcolm removes couplings...

...and Bob prepares the fire...

...after an exceedingly wet Saturday - it persisted down all day!

Later in the day, Nick Haslam and Bob chat between trains...

...while Richard (and Bryn) are changing sleepers...

...duly photographed by our visitors.

In the evening, Bryn, Chris, Bill and Richard try out some 7.25" rolling stock...

...and Chris gets so excited, Bill has to hold her still to stop derailments...

...but there is no holding her back!

Excited passengers, with bears, join the train...

...which had been appropriately decked out.

The honorary stationmaster for the weekend greeted the passengers.

Another train arrives back at Corris.

Paul Bailey prepares to drive to Maespoeth.

Monday, 28.7.08. John Trott shows a group of passengers the inside of the Carriage Shed as...

...fireman Roger Gray debunks from the cab of No. 7 to take on water!

No. 7 basks in the midday sun at Corris.

At the end of the day, Roger drives No. 7 back to Maespoeth.

Tuesday 29.7.08. In the evening, Trefor arrives to give No. 7 a little TLC after its day's work...

...by fitting new wicks in the lubricators.

Wednesday, 30.7.08. Purely by accident while at work, an over-size steam train was spotted near Llandanwg!

Thursday, 31.7.08. Glyn arrives at Maespoeth to prepare the ground for a lad's (and lasses!) weekend...

...by levelling the trackbed to extend the future loop.

In the evening, Trefor arrives to clean No. 7 and prepare it for the weekend...

...by packing the slippers on the slide bars.

Outside it is raining heavily...

...and everybody shelters inside with a cuppa...

...and then provides one for Richard Evans, who...
 

...is digging a trench for the platform edge wall.

Friday, 1.8.08. Andrew shovels concrete out of the dumper - but why not tip it?

By evening, stone ballast has been delivered and some sleepers are in position...

...another worker has joined the party...

...and the weather is somewhat better...

...until, coinciding with Peter and Rose paying a visit, the dumper decides to stop.

Saturday, 2.8.08. By the evening, the new track is looking the part...

...but clearly, there is a way to go!

Sunday, 3.8.08. Trefor and Mike Davies put No. 7 to bed...

...and the new track is looking good...

...and turnout components are laid out but need further work...

...but after a weekend of Teddy Bear trains, the workers are feeling very tired!

With energy to spare, Mike supervises Paul and Trefor as they lay just a couple more lengths of track!

Monday, 21.7.08. Mike Floate has been around, painting walls...
 

...and steelwork...

Tuesday, 22.7.08. ...and helping Trefor dismantle more of Sacradown siding...

...while Richard and Andrew had found more pitch and were heating it up...

...before spreading it thinly over the fabric reinforcement on the Carriage Shed floor.

Meanwhile, Trefor is shunting stock...

...but what makes you think he was cleaning No. 7's tubes earlier?

Thursday, 24.7.08. Mochyn cwl!

Maespoeth yard looks uncannily empty!

The Carriage Shed floor waterproofing has moved on well...

...but the sleepers of Sacradown siding still need removal...

...completed by the evening.

Mike and Trefor are hard at it, clearing stored material to the triangle...

...while Mike has cleared the pit area of building left-overs and Richard and Andrew are heating up more pitch...

...to extend the pit floor waterproofing -

but, the kegs need breaking up to speed melting. Andrew has a rest from the task while Stephanie watches Richard work up a sweat!

Saturday, 26.7.08. The first train is full to capacity - John Trott gives the main talk while others are entertained on the platform.

Andy Cooper has a rest while fettling the pit steel work...

Sunday, 27.7.08. ...and Richard Greenhough changes sleepers in the yard.

The pit waterproofing is nearing completion as Stephanie cleans up.

A good crowd on the first train again.

Dave and John clear a blockage in a coolant supply pipe...

...before Dave and...

...John get back to work on their respective mills, machining parts for Carriage 22.

Malcolm gives the thumbs up as the 12.40 heads up to Corris...

...and then services the air pump while Bob waters No. 7 on their return...

...before oiling round...

...watched by Stephanie, Richard, Helen and Andrew enjoying their lunch.

The 15.00 train's passengers listen intently to John. Any missing Lord's here?

The bucket is well patronised!

Later on, the train is re-formed for No. 7 to haul on the Up...

...for a Birthday party Special.

Andrew drives and...

...Bob fires.

The Birthday Special heads back over Braichgoch Farm crossing...

...before heading back up to Corris following a brief visit to Maespoeth.

Andrew heads No. 7 back towards Maespoeth...

...where Peter and Rosemary call while the train is shunted.

The wiring for the platform lighting has been put in.

Bob tries his hand at driving...

...but Stephanie and Helen look in need of refreshment!

Tuesday, 15.7.08. More food for No. 7 has arrived - and gas for the waterproofing of the Carriage Shed - but has anybody got any pitch?

Thursday, 17.7.08. Stan Chatterton demonstrates how to erect shelving for the Carriage Shed, having transported it from Cheshire via. the South Coast!

Saturday, 19.7.08. Andrew smoothes off waterproof mortar to finish the west side wall of the Carriage Shed...

...then helps Trefor adjust the alternator on No. 6...

...before working with Paul and Richard to start dismantling Sacradown siding...

...but all this hard work builds up a thirst!

Meanwhile, Richard Saffrey calls to chat with John Reynard, just as No. 7 makes its appearance...

...and the crew of Mike Floate, Dave Ingram and Dick Kidner exchange banter as they finish their lunch.

Paul grinds off a joint in a pit rail...

...after having made up a much needed new terminal on the welder...

...before balancing precariously to weld more rail to the supporting steel. Let's hope the heat doesn't transfer too well!

After tea break, it is back to work for the Sacradown siding gang...

...but not for long!

The result of their efforts for the day.
 

The 17.10 ex-Corris arrives at Maespoeth, Dave Ingram driving and Mike Floate as fireman. Trefor was also hiding there somewhere!

Sunday, 20.7.08. A coach party arrived for the first train...

...which was driven by Malcolm, on his first morning of duties this year.

The group had a different tour of Maespoeth to the usual, having received a lecture on the railway last night!

The engine crew of Malcolm, Mike and Roger before...

...heading back...

...into Corris.

Y Mochyn has had a change of clothes for the summer!

Adrian (on Control) accepts a down train from Corris.

Dave Kingman is on hand to assist Derek Borrow on the Corris Sales Stand at the Amberley Working Museum Railway Gala Weekend.  

Has Dave sat down and grown a full head of hair ...?

No. It is Fran taking the weight off her feet.

Tuesday, 8.7.08. No. 5 is ticking over...

...as the train in the "loop" siding is made ready...

...coupled up...

...and materials fouling the loading gauge moved...

...to enable waggons on Sacradown siding to be cleared...

...so that No. 6 could gingerly couple up...

...to move the rest of the stock...

...but not before the rails were swept by hand of ballast to smooth its passage (shades of dirty rails on 00 train sets)!

Wednesday, 9.7.08. The result is stock stabled out of the way on the Upper Corris branch siding...

...and all the immediately useful stock in the yard...

...with Sacradown siding clear...

...to enable it to be taken up and re-laid before long with permanent track.

Saturday, 12.7.08. Trefor hunts for tools to enable the diesel locomotives to be serviced in the engine shed...

...and John cuts steel in the hacksaw.

Paul Bailey spaces out rails on the pit rail support beams...

...prior to welding them in position.

Sunday, 13.7.08. Andrew has cleaned up the northern pit in the engine shed...

...and cleans himself up while Richard gives the shed talk to passengers on the last train of the day.

Taking the cue from another pit, fishplates enable the pit to drain!

The last Up train of the day passes Maes y Llan on the approaches to Corris.

Stephanie paints more wall and the tar boiler is going...

...while Andrew and Richard set out...

...and drill more holes in the pit rail support steel work.

This enables the last of the pit steel to be erected...

...bolts done up...

...and tea to be drunk...

...until Stephanie hands over the last bolts to complete the assembly.

What makes you think Stephanie has been painting?

Andrew ladles out more molten pitch...

...for Richard to place on the pit floor...

...which adds to the atmosphere inside the Carriage Shed.

Wednesday, 2.7.08. The completed steel work the next day.

Thursday, 3.7.08. A repeat of Tuesday, Stephanie painting...

...Richard waterproofing the pit floor...

...and Andrew cleaning up so that...

...Andrew and Richard can flash over the existing pitch and roll out fabric reinforcement.

Stephanie has just stopped smoking, so finds a job in the roof to sample the fumes from the hot pitch!

Friday, 4.7.08. The state of play next morning - the shed...

...looks a lot brighter (helped by the sun!).

Saturday 5.7.08. A group of members chat while Barry gives the shed talk...

...while Stephanie looks on!

Nigel Bird looks the other way as one of his grand daughters takes photographs!

Andrew adjusts valve gear on the approach to Corris...

...as Stephanie puts the injectors on.

Barry gives a group of passengers on the last train the Shed Talk...

...as a passenger gets serious about his photography.

Making their way back to take seats on the train...

...before the train heads off...

...to Corris, where the Heritage Waggons are on display again.

Dave squeezes past Andrew to undertake reporting duties...

...before riding on the loco as far as Braich Goch Crossing, heading back to Maespoeth...

...and walking on to unlock the wicket gate at Maes-y-Llan...

...before rejoining the last train of the day.

Andy Cooper gives the alternative shed talk, to a group from the Welsh Railways Research Circle, in the carriage shed.

Peter Burberry painted the shed walls.

Phil and Andy bolt up the pit steelwork.

Andy & Phil doing more bolting - and yes, it IS meant to have a curve in the middle!

...while Peter just kept on painting.

Fireman Dave, Driver Dave and Guard Richard Sa....but someone isn't properly dressed...

...that's better ! (Although the Driver will never look as smart as the Guard)

Tuesday, 24.6.08. Andrew and Richard assemble more pit rail support steel work during the evening...

...in the Carriage Shed...

...while waiting for more pitch to heat up.

It looks like they have been in the Slaters' Arms already...

...despite the care they are taking!

It looks even worse from the other end!

Getting near the end - Richard takes the load as Andrew adjusts a column.

Wednesday, 25.6.08. All assembled - but badly in need of adjustment...

...but a start has been made on the pit floor waterproofing.

Thursday, 26.6.08. They are back to line up the steelwork. A mock-up of the Carriage footboard has been welded to a trolley to test clearances...

...and Stephanie is painting more walls...

...which is all thirsty work.

Stephanie takes a breather while Andrew scoops up molten bitumen...

...to enable Richard to extend the pit waterproofing...

...before returning to break up more bitumen...

...by dropping it onto an angle iron...

...before ladling out more pitch...

...while Stephanie continues with the wall painting.

In case you wonder why the tar boiler is inside, it is persisting down outside...very heavily!

Friday, 27.6.08. The "completed" steel assembly looks better - and yes, the "kink" is deliberate.

The pit waterproofing has been extended.

Saturday, 28.6.08. Trefor is losing his hair, cleaning the frames of No. 7...

...while Dave Quinton adjusts the angle of Carriage No. 21's brake crank...

...Peter Burbery paints the walls in the Carriage Shed...

...Andy adjusts steel work...

...while Paul prepares to weld more rail...

...and later, Richard Saffrey holds up a fence while chatting with Dave Quinton...

...before being chased up a ladder by Bill Newton!

Paul welds more rail after it has been straightened... 

...and you can see why this is necessary!

Sunday, 29.6.08. Richard Greenhough hides in the steps at the south end of the Carriage Shed...

...and more rail is ready for welding in position...

...and Peter is still painting walls...

...some of which are looking quite good!

The sign for the Teddy Bear's weekend has been modified...

...and the station sign has been renewed.

Dave Ingram drives No. 7 for disposal...

...the sign board is in position...

...and Richard, Peter and Dave discuss things at the end of a busy day!

Saturday, 21.6.08. Wow! Someone has been...

...clearing up in the Engine Shed - to create room to make a permanent connection to the water tank...

...and extended the waterproofing on the Carriage Shed floor...

...as well as set up the gantry to help...

...Andy, Jack and Paul assemble the pit rail support steelwork...

...but there is a snag. Paul 'phones a friend...

...and later all is going well...

...until Andy checks the drawings (again)!

Sunday, 22.6.08. Guard John Wormington greets a family awaiting the 14.40 train ex. - Maespoeth, on the approach road to Braichgoch Farm.

The loco crew consists of Andy, Trefor and Stephanie, who is gaining experience for her DoE Silver Award by gaining a new skill.

Meanwhile, in the Carriage Shed, Paul tacks a rail to the...

...first section of completed pit rail support steel work as Andy checks the measurements.

Andy holds the rail down (and in the right position!) as Paul tacks another weld.

Stephanie and partner Adam receive instructions on gauge glasses from Trefor (in the cab of No. 7), while Andy in a blur cleans up the motion.

The first section of pit steel is assembled and the rest...

...has been set out ready to assemble.

Josh tries his hand, driving No. 6 to put the carriages away after making a practice return trip to Corris.

Saturday, 14.6.08. The next section of Carriage Shed floor has been cleared and swept...

...and pit steelwork moved...

...so that the waterproofing can be extended ready for the next section of floor to be screeded...

...requiring edge shuttering to be moved into position while the unpainted sides of steel are handy for cleaning and priming.

Peter Gray cleans up in the pit...

...before starting the clean up of the steel.

While waiting for another batch of pitch to melt, Steve digs the last bit of foundation for the platform retaining wall.

Sunday, 15.6.08. Only a little patch of floor waterproofing left to do for the next section of floor screed...

...and two beams have been painted and three cleaned ready...

...while more of the walls have received a priming coat of paint (in some odd patterns!)...

...and more pots have been filled with concrete on the north platform extension edge wall.

7.6.08. Various shunting took place to give a different train formation for the photographers.

No. 7 leading for a change...

...with a mixture of heritage stock in the formation...

...sprawling to South of the platform.

The N.G.R.S. visitors disembark at Corris.

10.06.08. We play host for a "school visit".

At Maespoeth, Richard Shipman tells them all about the railway.

It was a diesel train formation today...

...but that did not deter from their enjoyment.

Saturday, 7.6.08. John Disley tries No. 9 for size.

Many hands lift the load (from L to R, DC, Richard Shipman, Jack Cooper, John Disley, Malcolm Cameron, Trefor Davies, Andy Cooper, Andrew Rawlins).

DC explains the proposed platform arrangements to John Disley...

...while Malcolm chats with Bob and Richard.

Thursday, 5.6.08. Evening activity at the north end of Maespoeth as Trefor moves No. 6...

...and the 1 in 8 turnout to be laid out for re-gauging...

...but first, the dunny has to be moved...

...before the common crossing and stock rails can be off-loaded.

The remainder of the turnout then has to be re-located...

...before taking a tea break and reaching for the gnat swatter whi