Since Christmas, the last few bits and pieces have been removed from the tender, including handrails, beading, handbrake, water pipes and other fittings – leaving only the GSMR + RETB enclosure left to remove. Active arrangements are now being made to lift the tender tank off the chassis and send it straight off to Hill & Webster in Ashbourne, to act as a partial template for our new tank. This will likely happen around Easter.

The last of the beading is removed:

One of the tender handrails being cleaned up and prepared for storage:

Tender handbrake shaft:

RETB aerials prior to being removed:

Last big lump to remove – GSMR and RETB cubicle:

A welcome bit of live steam keeping us company on Saturday 15th March was David Wright’s Austerity 0-6-0 No. 18 operating a Mother’s Day service at Ruddington: