On Saturday, we had no fewer than 27 volunteers working away across several different projects simultaneously. This is the most people – in a single place at the one time – we’ve had on a non-running day in decades. Many parts of the island were represented, with attendees from both sides of the border. Members travelled from as far south as Cork, as far north as Derry/Londonderry and many counties in between.
We’ve also had several new volunteers join, all of whom are already starting to make a big difference in speeding our projects along.
It was a very productive day, with the noise in the workshop something you had to be there to appreciate – we think everyone went home feeling happy and with a strong sense of achievement.
These projects ranged from permanent way work to carriages to locomotives, and included:
- Trackwork completed on the turnout for the carriage gallery
- Overhaul work on GSWR loco 90
- Restoration work on NIR railcar 69
- Preparatory work on CIÉ carriage 1918
- Taking delivery of our new road/rail excavator
- Carrying many heavy panes of carriage glass across the site for storage
- Clear out of the Maghera Shed and surrounding area prior to roofing contractors arriving
- Fitting doors to G613 so it can be secured when it comes outside
- Fabricating point rodding for the East Cabin
- Maintenance work on locos 124 and 190
- Some further bodywork on ‘tin van’ 639A
As you can see, there’s a lot going on and we will happily welcome even more volunteers should you wish to join us. Check out our volunteering page for information, we’d love to hear from you.
