Gunpowder Railway

14/10/2026

Today: Hunslet 15 - coming back to life plus wagon progress

It was quite a nice day on site, with a good amount of sunshine and temperatures warming up nicely as the morning progressed. Once again the Wednesday team was slightly smaller than normal, so we concentrated on the finishing touches to a number of projects. The aim is to tick off the remaining summer work as quickly as possible so we can turn our attention to the growing list of winter projects.

The big news was the completion of the Dough wagon refurbishment. The rubber strips for the buffer ends were measured, cut, fitted and trimmed into place, bringing the project to a successful conclusion. Together with the recently completed Wickham trolley restoration, that now makes two major projects finished and ready to be crossed off the list.

A lack of white gloss paint meant that work on the interior of Shed 83C could not continue, so attention was redirected elsewhere. The internal faces of the end panels for wagon B10 received their first undercoat, and after lunch the external faces were given a green topcoat. Work also continued on the wagon floor, with new floorboards selected from stock in the P/W yard container, cut to size, trimmed and loose laid into position. By the end of the day one plank had been fully fixed, with the remainder ready for installation.

The most productive news, however, concerned Hunslet No. 15. A new oil filter was fitted and the engine filled with fresh oil before the rebuilt parking brake switch was installed in the control panel and the panel refitted in the cab. Once everything was connected, the engine started on the first turn of the key and the locomotive really came alive. Battery charging was functioning correctly, air pressure built as expected, oil pressure was good and hydraulic pressure was healthy. After months of work, it genuinely felt as though the locomotive had awakened from its long sleep. The gearbox was also filled with hydraulic oil and, encouragingly, no leaks were visible. There is still work required on the brakes, but the project is definitely moving in the right direction now.

Elsewhere, some much-needed tidying took place in the stores cabin and woodworking shop, while routine workshop tasks continued and some useful metalworking techniques were demonstrated and shared.

An impressive amount was achieved by a relatively small number of volunteers. With both the Wickham trolley and Dough wagon now complete, steady progress on B10, and No. 15 running under its own power once again, there was a real sense that many of the summer projects are finally coming to fruition as thoughts begin to turn towards the work awaiting us over the autumn and winter months.

10/10/2026

10/10/2026

Today: Wickham Trolley back on the rails and out on the line plus the roof fights back

It was a cool day on site, with a fresh breeze and occasional sunny spells, but most importantly it remained dry throughout. Attendance was reduced due to various commitments and the seasonal cold bug, so efforts were concentrated on progressing a handful of key projects.

The day began with refuelling most of the locomotives to ensure they were ready for the following week's activities, before they were moved out of Workshop 83B to allow further restoration work on Tinkabell. Progress continues to be made on the locomotive's frames and bodywork, with each session bringing it a little closer to completion.

Attention then turned to the Wickham trolley and the Dough wagon. The Wickham was placed back on the rails and moved into the yard for an official photograph, while the Dough wagon was brought out of Museum Shed 83C for a long-awaited completion photo. It was a satisfying moment to see both projects looking so close to finished after many months of work.

Work on wagon B10’s roof also continued. Initial experiments with thin floorboarding showed that it was still too stiff to curve effectively, but an alternative stock of shiplap boarding proved much more suitable. In true railway fashion, however, the wagon refused to cooperate completely, with one of the roof side rails fighting back and suddenly splitting away from the metal framework. The newly fitted boards had to be removed, the damaged timber replaced, and the roof reassembled before progress could continue. Despite the setback, around a fifth of the roof was completed by the end of the day, and work should proceed more quickly from here.

A an emergency trip out to Waltham Abbey was made to source the correct length wood screws required for the roof project, ensuring work can continue without delay.

There was time for a little enjoyment as well as hard work. With the Wickham now looking particularly smart, it was impossible to resist taking it out for a proving run along the line. The trial went well and provided a welcome opportunity to enjoy the results of the restoration. Later in the day, the works and maker's plates were fitted, adding another important finishing touch. With only some electrical wiring, directional lighting and beacon work remaining, completion of the project is now firmly in sight.

Overall, it was another productive day, combining steady project progress with a chance to enjoy seeing some of the railway's hard work coming to fruition. A good day's work all round.

07/10/2026

Today: 50 shades of yellow and Wickham gets its lights.

It was a thoroughly wet day on site, with rain falling steadily from arrival until home time. While the ground certainly needed it, having it all arrive at once seemed a little excessive. With only a small team of four volunteers present, attention focused on a handful of indoor tasks within 83A.

Work continued on the roof panels for Shed 83D, with a second row of rivets added to the panels already assembled. This should help ensure swift progress once the time comes to erect the structure.

Attention also turned to the Wickham trolley, where the steel base plates for the flashing beacons were drilled and fitted to the roof. The red and white marker lights were then installed on both ends of the vehicle, bringing another visible stage of the restoration to completion and moving the project ever closer to the finish line.

Meanwhile, Hunslet No. 15 received a thorough cleaning while it remained on the hoists. The frames and upper panels were degreased and cleaned, making use of the easy access provided by the raised position. As the layers of dirt and grime disappeared, an amusing discovery emerged: the locomotive appears to be almost entirely yellow. Areas long assumed to be black turned out merely to be different shades of yellow hidden beneath years of dirt, with no fewer than five distinct shades of yellow (ok, not quite 50) identified across various panels and after running repairs. By the end of the day, the locomotive looked considerably tidier and was almost ready for the next phase of sanding and paint removal.

With the weather showing no sign of improving and the planned work largely completed, the decision was made to finish early during the afternoon. Despite the rain and the reduced attendance, a pleasing amount of progress was achieved across several projects. Another productive day, proving that even the wettest conditions need not stop the railway moving forward.

03/10/2026

Today: Further painting, further brake assembly and the roof begins!

It was a cooler day on site, with little sunshine but thankfully no rain until after work had finished. Despite the less-than-summery weather, good progress was made across several projects as the busy spring and summer programme continues to draw towards completion.

Work on Tinkabell continued, with further filling and sanding of the front fairing before attention turned to the front buffer beam assembly. After cleaning and repainting, the transformation was immediately noticeable, offering an encouraging glimpse of how smart the locomotive will look once restoration is complete.

Preparations for Shed 83D moved forward as the roof panels were assembled. Although much of the work at this stage involves careful preparation, having the panels ready should allow rapid progress once installation begins.

Underneath Hunslet No. 15, work continued on reconnecting and adjusting the brake rigging. By the end of the day, the brake system had been successfully reassembled, although a minor issue with one of the hydraulic pipes feeding the gearbox still requires attention before the job can be considered complete.

The Dough wagon project also reached an important milestone. The replacement timber buffer beam was marked out, drilled and finally fitted into place. With only the rubber buffing strips and new coupling pins remaining to be sourced and installed, the project is now tantalisingly close to completion after many months of work.

Attention then turned to wagon B10, where suitable timber was sourced and the new central roof rail successfully installed. This represents another steady step forward towards completing the wagon's roof structure.

Meanwhile, work on the Wickham trolley focused on the final stages of reassembly and finishing. The refurbished under-seat panels were refitted, and the paintwork around the black wasp stripes was tidied up following earlier work. The works plates were also temporarily positioned to determine their final location. With directional lighting, flashing beacons and a horn still to be fitted, the end of this restoration project is now firmly in sight.

Inside Museum Shed 83C, painting continued, steadily bringing another major project towards completion.

There was a real sense of satisfaction around the railway today as several long-running projects edged closer to the finish line. After months of effort, it is rewarding to see the spring and summer work beginning to bear fruit, while thoughts gradually turn towards the tasks and challenges that the autumn and winter months will bring.

30/09/2026

Today: Winter preparation and the Hunslet brakes reassembled on the 3rd attempt

It was a rather strange day on site, beginning under overcast skies with warm, sticky conditions and a couple of rain showers shortly after arrival. Although the usual Wednesday team was slightly depleted, plenty of progress was made across a range of projects, alongside some seasonal housekeeping tasks as preparations for the winter months continued.

One of the first jobs of the day was to protect some of the railway's more vulnerable exhibits from the weather ahead. The Mars boiler and the replica 18-inch gauge powder wagon were carefully covered with tarpaulins, ensuring they will remain protected throughout the winter period. At the same time, work resumed on the Wickham trolley, where attention was focused on correcting the troublesome wasp stripes on the south end.

The remedial work proved slow and detailed, requiring patience and careful finishing, but the results are now looking much more satisfactory.
Further improvements to the Wickham were made as clear varnish was applied to the under-seat panels and the north end of the vehicle, helping to protect the recently completed paintwork and bring the restoration another step closer to completion. The transformation of the vehicle is becoming increasingly apparent, with the fresh colours and detailing now beginning to give a real sense of how the finished restoration will look.

Much of the day's mechanical effort centred on Hunslet No. 15, where work continued on reassembling the brake gear. What appeared at first to be a straightforward refitting exercise developed into something of a wrestling match, with components needing to be assembled more than once before everything aligned correctly. Persistence eventually, after three attempts, paid off, and by the end of the day the brake gear was successfully back together and another important milestone in the locomotive's ongoing restoration.

Elsewhere, paint brushes remained busy as work continued on the interior painting of Museum Shed 83C. The steady application of paint is gradually transforming the building and bringing it closer to becoming a more brighter and welcoming display space for visitors next season.

After lunch, attention returned to the end-of-season housekeeping. Hunslet Gilbert and an RNAD flat wagon were taken along the line to collect the nameboards and benches from both station platforms. These items were then transported back and stored safely within Museum Shed 83C for the winter, ensuring they remain protected from the elements and are ready for use again when the operating season returns.

Work also continued on wagon B10, where further preliminary preparations were made for the roof installation project. At the same time, fabrication work began on a pair of steel mounting plates that will eventually support the magnetic flashing beacons on the roof of the Wickham. These small but important components will help complete another aspect of the vehicle's refurbishment.

The Dough wagon also moved another step closer to completion. Further work on the replacement timber buffer beam continued throughout the day and the project is now approaching the finishing stages, with the end finally in sight after many hours of careful craftsmanship.

By the close of play, progress had been achieved on virtually every active project around the railway. From winter preparations and restoration work to locomotive repairs, painting and fabrication, it was another full and productive day that demonstrated how much can be accomplished through teamwork, persistence and a shared commitment to improving the railway.

26/09/2026

Today: Wickham gets its stripes, dough gets a buffer and Ruston tinkabell gets a clean

It was a slightly cooler day on site, but conditions remained pleasant with plenty of sunshine and dry weather throughout. As it was a Mill Open Day, passenger services once again formed an important part of the day's activities. Three trains were operated during the event, carrying lots of happy passengers and helping to showcase the railway to visitors just one day left of this running season.

Work on the Dough wagon continued to make steady progress. The replacement timber buffing beam reached another important milestone, with the shaping work completed during the morning. By lunchtime, the two halves had been glued and firmly clamped together, meaning the buffer is now well on its way to becoming a finished and usable part of the wagon's restoration.

Attention was also focused on the Wickham trolley and wagon B10. The under-seat panels on the Wickham received a green topcoat, bringing them much closer to completion, however the Wickham provided both the day's greatest success and its most frustrating challenge. Despite careful marking out and masking of the black hazard stripes on one end of the vehicle before the paint was applied. Unfortunately, the paint found its way beneath the masking tape, leaving the finished result looking rather less professional than intended. Rather than dwelling on the setback, a different approach was adopted during the afternoon. Using 50mm-wide black duct tape instead of paint, the hazard stripes were applied to the opposite end of the Wickham. This proved far more successful, producing a bold and striking appearance that immediately brought the vehicle to life. With one end now looking exactly as intended, attention can turn to rectifying the first attempt and bringing both ends up to the same standard.

Meanwhile, work on restoring wagon B10 continued with the successful installation of the second timber roof fixing rail.

Elsewhere on site, efforts focused on improving the appearance of Ruston LBU Tinkabell. Work on straightening the front bodywork progressed steadily, although the stubborn nature of the metal meant that improvements came only through patience and persistence. At the same time, years of accumulated grime were carefully removed from the locomotive itself, revealing cleaner surfaces beneath and helping to prepare it for future paint restoration work.

Work also continued on Hunslet 9080 No. 15, where the main brake actuator underwent a complete overhaul and refurbishment. By the end of the day, and with some careful teamwork, the unit had been successfully reinstalled beneath the locomotive. This marked another significant step forward in the ongoing programme of repairs and brings the locomotive closer to returning to operational condition.

By the close of play, progress had been made across a wide variety of projects, ranging from passenger operations and vehicle restoration to wagon repairs and locomotive maintenance. The day was another example of what can be achieved through cooperation, determination and a willingness to tackle whatever task needs doing. As always, everyone contributed to a productive and rewarding day on the railway.

23/09/2026

Today: Emergency train, more painting and restoration efforts.

It was a warm day on site, beginning with a little cloud cover before the sun eventually broke through, making for a hot afternoon after lunch. Due to the failure and sadly absence of the mill's tractor and trailer tour vehicle, an emergency passenger train needed to step in and was run for a group of special visitors. The service proved to be a success, with a full load of passengers enjoying their trip and helping to maintain the railway's contribution to the day's activities.

Work continued on a number of restoration and maintenance projects across the site. Significant progress was made on the Dough wagon, where fabrication of the new timber buffer beam moved closer to completion. The beam is now almost ready for bonding together, with the fixing holes already drilled and preparations well advanced for the next stage of the work.

Inside Building 83C, painting continued steadily as the gloss topcoat was applied to the museum interior. To make access easier and improve the visitor’s environment, the large quantity of timber previously stored along the west side of the building was relocated into the new container. The timber was stacked neatly and securely, leaving the area much tidier and creating valuable working space within the building.

Attention also remained focused on the ongoing refurbishment of Tinkabell and the Wickham trolley. The bonnet panel for Tinkabell was rubbed down and given its first undercoat, while work on the Wickham included drilling finger holes into the under-seat panels before applying an undercoat to one side. Further progress was made on the Wickham's distinctive appearance, with a third yellow topcoat applied to the warning panels on both ends before the green and yellow border lines were carefully cut in. The vehicle is now approaching another visible milestone, with the installation of the black wasp stripes expected to begin on Saturday.

Work on Hunslet No. 15 also continued, with attention focused on the refurbishment of the cab instrument panel. Although less visible than some of the exterior projects, this steady and detailed work is another important step towards returning the locomotive to full service.

The afternoon also provided an opportunity to discuss the final details of the roof installation for Shed 83D. Plans were reviewed and practical arrangements agreed, helping to ensure that the next phase of the project can proceed smoothly. The day concluded with further progress on wagon B10, where one of the timber roof fixing rails was successfully installed, bringing that project another step closer to completion.

As always, there was no shortage of activity across the railway. From train operations and restoration work to painting, construction and planning for future projects, a great deal was achieved throughout the day. By the end of the afternoon there was a real sense of progress across multiple fronts, demonstrating once again how much can be accomplished through the combined efforts of a dedicated group of volunteers.

19/09/2026

Today: Gate installed, hydraulic leak fixed, track set out and yet more painting of the Wickham.

The day began under overcast skies, with conditions becoming noticeably warmer and more humid as the afternoon went on. A slightly larger group of volunteers was on site, allowing a variety of maintenance tasks and ongoing projects to continue making progress.

Work on the Wickham trolley moved forward, with filling work being completed before the green paint was applied to finish the end panels and it’s looking rather smart. Attention then turned to the carport and locomotive cover project, where the various components were checked to establish exactly what parts were still missing. Once everything had been identified, the parts were gathered together and stored safely in T184 to keep them organised and out of the way.

A general tidy-up of the container followed, as it had gradually become rather cluttered and disorganised. During the course of this work, a gate was rediscovered that could be incorporated into the fence surrounding the p-way yard. Having been a source of frustration for months, the temptation proved too great and with a hint of rogue-ness… The gate was finally installed in the fencing. Although the decision was somewhat spontaneous, the result was immediately worthwhile, providing permanent access to the yard without the need to continually move sections of fencing. It also greatly improved the appearance of the display area, particularly for visitors taking tours around the site.

Significant progress was also made on Hunslet No. 15. Continued investigation and repair work on the locomotive led to the belief that the long-standing hydraulic oil leak from the gear box has now been resolved. Further work was then carried out on the rebuilding the braking system, with additional components being removed so that repairs can be undertaken.

Elsewhere, the less glamorous but equally important task of cleaning the mess/tea room was tackled, leaving the facility looking much improved and ready for use.

Preparations were also made for the display of the unique Greenbat locomotive we have, with sleepers set out ready for the installation of the 3-foot gauge track on which it will eventually stand.

As it was also one of the last few Mill’s open days, part of the afternoon was devoted to operating the regular passenger services. Three trains were run, carrying many happy passengers and helping to showcase the railway to visitors.

Overall, it was a productive day marked by steady progress across a range of projects, practical improvements to the site infrastructure, and another successful day of train operations for the public.

16/09/2026

Today: Hunslet 15 goes for a ride then up in the air and the workshop mop is finally fixed.

Most of the regular volunteers were present today, and the team was joined by a new volunteer, a qualified toolmaker, who was welcomed in the traditional railway fashion.

The day began with a quick inspection of the contents of the box containing the carport that had recently been delivered to see what was missing. After topping up the generator with diesel, much of the day was spent shunting rolling stock with Chris H (Hunslet No. 4) to position Hunslet No. 15 by the lifting equipment in 83A. Achieving this required moving wagon B10 further down the storage area onto some scrap plywood sheets and relocating the Wickham trolley off the rails and onto the concrete area so that No. 15 could be lifted up for inspection.

Once raised, the extent of the damage to the brake rigging could be assessed. Two brake linkages were found to be snapped, but there is confidence that they can either be repaired or remanufactured and the oil pipes are severed. Lifting No. 15 proved to be an interesting juggling act, but the task was successfully completed. Progress was also made on the parking brake issue, with a suitable second-hand replacement valve sourced after discovering that the original component which was broken is now obsolete and no longer manufactured.

Elsewhere around the site, painting work continued on the museum building, steadily advancing what has become a long-running project. Maintenance work was also carried out in the workshop, including replacing a grindstone on one side of the polishing machine. Perhaps most importantly of all, the workshop mop was finally repaired, a vital, and arguably essential, piece of equipment now restored to service.

Overall, it was a productive day, with significant progress made on No. 15, ongoing improvements around the site, and the welcome addition of a new volunteer to the team.