Although it is winter, a large amount of work is being carried out at the Bluebell Railway to prepare it for the 2024 operating season.

It is just two weeks into the New Year and anyone visiting Sheffield Park station would not be mistaken if they thought they were in the middle of a large building site.

On Platform 2, the track has been lifted, and the formation is being dug out to remove the underlying clay and pebbles to allow it to be relaid correctly with the now usual sandwich of Terrram and polythene.

While work on the formation is being carried out drainage will installed, and new stools that support the point rodding will be installed so that it is ready for installation of the new signal box. At the south end, No. 7 point which leads to the Pumphouse siding is also being renewed.

At Platform 1, the whole of the south end has been fenced to make it a secure site. Work here includes improving the edging of the dock, repairing failed corbelling on the platform face, and correctly aligning the slabs on the edge of the platform. At the same time, ducting will also be installed ready for any electrical upgrades in the future.

On the footbridge, the steps and supporting brackets on the Platform 1 side are being renewed to complete the work that was started on Platform 2 a few years ago. The task proved a bit of a challenge as when work started last Wednesday morning, 10 January, the temperature was -4 C and locks were found to be frozen. Fortunately, the sun came out later so working conditions became much more comfortable.