The only outstanding requirement for the wheelchair coach is to paint the wooden sides of the coach. Once this has been completed we will invite disabled groups to come and try out the facility. This is still outstanding and due to the oncoming winter months will have to wait now until spring when it will become a priority.

Wheelchair Coach with one side in loading position other in upright position

Limited use of the outer loop has been carried out, however only light loads could be carried. After the failure of the petrol hydraulic loco, a new engine was purchased and installed. The result is that with this new engine, reasonable loads can now be carried on the outer loop, the loco can cope adequately with the gradient. However in order to get the full potential from the outer loop we must be able to haul four fully loaded coaches up the gradient. Therefore it has been decided that a more powerful loco is needed.         (see below)

All the kerbing is now in place and the wheelchair loading platform completed. The majority of the landscaping has been carried out without the need to bring in a JCB.

Slabs installed on the outside of the track to form a low retaining wall.

Public running in Rosehill Park has been carried out throughout the season, running started before Easter due to the exceptionally fine weather and should continue up to the end of October. An experiment to give limited free rides appears to have been encouraging. This resulted in getting more of the public to find us and in many cases they then paid for an extra ride. This is reflected in the increase in the number of rides given. So far this year 1000 rides on Sunday's, compared with 612 last year and 470 rides on Wednesday's, 208 last year. 

The fare for 2011 remains at 50 pence.

We have held seven very successful birthday parties so far this year, with very positive feed back. We have been very lucky with the weather.

So far two outside events have been held. Graves Park "Highland Fling Event" attracted 576 passengers, Weston Park "Victorian Fun Day" 596 passengers, Tankersley Gala 97 passengers, Beighton 321 passengers and Greenhill/Bradway 202 passengers. All these were down on previous years, a sign of the times. In the case of Tankersley we were guaranteed a minimum income.

Further work on the turntable and ground level steaming bays had been in abeyance until all work on the outer loop is completed. We are now ready to commence the excavation for the turntable once we have loan of a digger.

The second driving car, this time for the Wren, has been put into abeyance as there are more pressing jobs that need to be carried out.

During one of the Parties held in the park disaster struck the loco. A connecting rod broke and punctured the engine casing. For some time the performance of the loco had appeared to fall off. We managed to quickly obtain a replacement engine at a reasonable cost. This has now been fitted and there is notable improvement in the locos performance.

The new copper boiler for the Wren has been completed and has been successfully tested. Thanks must go to Peter Farrar and all who assisted Peter. The Wren has been stripped down and is being re-assembled. Painting is almost complete. During the absence of the Societies Wren we have to thank Doctor Paul for the loan of his Wren.

A second hand diesel engine has been acquired and a rig set up to carry out trials to establish the gearing required to obtain up to 10 mph. Hydraulic motor and pumps have also been obtained. The outcome should be a suitably powered ride in Co-Co locomotive. Watch this space.