Through 2024, we have suffered increasing problems with water ingress at Apedale Road; the water is coming from the adjacent Country Park. Local changes in the drainage pattern meant that water which previously drained elsewhere was accumulating on our trackbed. This was causing increasing concern, as clearly this was a bad situation for the sleepers and the rest of the railway. Following a discussion with the park management, it was decided the only sensible way to sort this problem was to insert a large drain under our railway at Apedale Road to remove the water from the park. So, we have been faced with the prospect of a rather large hole in the railway! Following an appeal (and many thanks to all who helped or offered help), a contractor was identified who could dig the trench and insert the drain. Many thanks to Digger Hire Direct for a thoroughly professional job. Our volunteers have then had to face the task of reinstating the railway – bearing in mind there’s not much time until the start of the 2025 season (April 12). There’s still plenty to do, but (all being well) we will be able to start the season as planned. As the photo shows, there’s a LOT of water now flowing through the new drain. Suggestions of subterranean plastic duck races may yet come to fruition….
