■ HAVING been moved to John Fowler Engineering at Old Hall Farm in Bouth, Cumbria, last year, the overhaul of Groudle Glen Railway’s replica Bagnall 0-4-2T Annie commenced in earnest in January when the loco was dismantled. The rebuild will include fitting a new boiler built by Bennett Boilers. The work will also include new castings and machined parts in the motion, a new pony truck and stainless steel water tanks.
■ THE structure of a new Ffestiniog Railway Lineside Tool Van was completed and mounted on its bogies at Boston Lodge in late January. The vehicle incorporates a platform which will help solve working at height issues. An operative working within the platform will be six feet from the ground and, using a pole saw, able to safely cut tree branches 15ft above rail level.
■ The Telford Steam Railway (TSR) has purchased a secondhand, but probably unused, vertical boiler for use in its c1977 2ft gauge steam tram. It will be steam tested then adapted for fitting in the tram. Work continues on renovating the bodywork of the vehicle.