WHILE the process to secure planning permission for the planned Tweeddale Heritage Railway continues, (RM, December) volunteers are working on projects in preparation for the start of construction of the new 2ft gauge line.
The material for turnouts, delivered a year ago and stored at the workshop site, is being sorted and assembled onto replacement sleepers so that complete units can be placed on the new site to speed up track laying.
The basis of the line’s passenger stock, delivered on January 21, comprising two ex-Bishopton Royal Ordnance Factory wagon chassis acquired from a site in Cheshire, is also receiving attention.
Both, originally supplied by Hudson’s in 1941, require rebuilding and renovation. The longer of the pair will become a three-compartment coach, the other will be either a spacious two-compartment vehicle or provide two-and-ahalf compartments. They will be run as a pair and together are expected to accommodate 33 passengers.