19 Apr - Another busy day (good) The rail bound for the Ffestiniog (not WHR as previously thought by me!) was picked up today - another lorry from Wales. We were concerned if it was possible to load this as it was a curtain-side and even more of a challenge it was brand spanking new with no scratches on it. Dave the crane driver and the gang did a damn good job manoevering the rail onto the truck keeping things that way!

Preparations for this weekend continue, with a miniature gauge line laid in the 4 foot for the kiddywinks (and bigger kidz!) and making the site safe(r) for visitors

18 Apr - Today after sooo long, we have finally got a minidigger for the RVR - thanks to an ebay auction. It is a 4 tonner from Brecon, South Wales. Trackwork can now continue and 1001 other tasks be achieved - the volunteers have been asking for this plant for years. One of many essential items for any rail reinstatement project. After unloading it went straight into service loading the ballast wagon. A quantity of builders ballast (aggregate) was also delivered and cement, so we can finish the pit walls which now have chairs attached along both sides of the rail, which will be bound with screws into the to of the pit walls, to hold the track in gauge.

16 Apr - After consultation with colleagues, showing some light at the end of the proverbial has materialised: we have won a 4 tonne digger auction on ebay, so the 1001 tasks that this essential bit of kit is required for can actually start to happen. Should be delivered on site Easter Monday.

15 Apr - Webmaster not been on site since 2nd as been on holiday in Scotland. Field trip to South Tynedale in photos section. AGM on 8th April apparently a rather tempestuous affair, with a lot of heated exchanges regarding the stagnation of the project. I will be on site tomorrow to talk to the other volunteers about where we go from here.

2 Apr - Work continues on pit. All trackwork leading to pit completed. Shuttering has been installed to half height and today a team worked hard mixing concrete, pouring and laying old concrete sleepers into a sandwich in the shuttering voids to start building up walls. At the end of work, 1/2 of each side (half pit height) were finished. A lot more work to go...