■ THE landslip which deposited some 100 tons of soil on a section of Heatherslaw Light Railway track during heavy rain and consequent flooding at the beginning of February (RM, April) has been cleared, and reconstruction of the bank beside the railway undertaken by contractors. Having dug a base channel below the newly landscaped embankment, stone-filled gabions were installed at the beginning of April. The 15in gauge line hoped work would be completed to enable reopening at the beginning of May.
■ RUSTON 11/13hp 4wDM Alistair (201970/1940) and four ex-RAF Chilmark wagons arrived at Statfold Barn Railway on March 11. The loco is owned by a member of Statfold staff. It originally entered preservation at the Ffestiniog Railway, later went to Gartell Light Railway, and was relocated to the Hayling Seaside Railway, where its current owner is a volunteer, in 2005. It may return to Hayling Island in the future. The wagons, also privately owned, are expected to feature as a freight train during Statfold Open Days.