MILEPOSTS ARE REPLACED, BRIDGE 199 & 200 GET A SPRING CLEAN & WHITROPE TRACKBED IS CLEARED

The first major efforts of preservation on the route were carried out in January & February 2002 by the founder members, with bridges 199 & 200 receiving attention. Firstly the railing ends were squared off with a labour-intensive hacksaw, followed by a good rub down with a wire brush. Finally, the railings received several coats of bitumen black paint and had their railing ends filled with waxoyl. Bridge plates (the same size & design as the originals) were then replaced giving the authenticity of the Waverley Route.

Within two months further work was carried out with the replacement of several mileposts. MP63 had already been placed in Whitrope Tunnel in December 2001, so it was the turn of MP64, 65, 66 & 67 to be set in position in the April of 2002. The design was taken from the surviving MP65, with the replacements made from wood with painted numerals.

Certain sections of the trackbed were prepared for re-use by Bill Hawe, a local contractor, who could "tickle" the ballast whilst removing years of detritus from above it; even at night he was able to do a marvellous job for which we are grateful.

Bridge 199 receives it's first coat of paint - Feb 2002	Bridge 200 gets spruced up - Feb 2002	Bridge 199 - April 2002
Len sets Milepost 66 into position	Milepost 64 in Whitrope Cutting	Bridge 200 before trackbed clearance
Bill Hawe sets about clearing bridge 200 trackbed - Nov 2002	Bill clears more of the trackbed - Nov 2002	After clearance the difference is striking - Nov 2002

FURTHER TRACKBED CLEARANCE PHOTOS & DELIVERY OF COACHES TO WHITROPE

In the summer of 2002 a number of items of memorabilia, two grounded wagons, one LMS coal wagon, a red K6 telephone kiosk, several lengths of track and two railway carriages were kindly donated to the W.R.H.A. by one of our members. Preparation was made for the delivery of these items, not least the trackbed which required a great deal of effort before anything could be laid down.

Two members, Ian Crooks & Len Ashton (chairman), spent the whole week after the track arrived slewing, jacking & packing the track into the correct position. Backbreaking work which they should both be thanked for. Without this work who knows what may have happened when the carriages were unloaded. 

Bridge 199 is cleared - July 2002	Ballast delivery - September 2002	Spreading the ballast - September 2002
Track arrives - 9th September 2002	First panel down - Bridge 199	Laying the track - 9th September 2002
MkI Buffet 69316 arrives - 19th September 2002	Allelys lads take a break - 19th September 2002	First rolling stock on the Waverley Route since closure - 19th September 2002
69316 basks in the morning sunshine - 20th September 2002	Unloading 9400 - 21st September 2002	Heritage Centre coaches together in the snow - Winter 2002