S&T News
The S&T Dept has made great progress on the signal box at BA. They have painted the interior of the box and laid lino tiles, and have installed lighting and an electric clock with a fascinating pendulum mechanism. The power frame from Bethnal Green Underground station has been transferred from the Platform 2 waiting room at Embsay and reassembled in the box. This will eventually be brought into use to control the signalling system at BA. Meanwhile, the plan is to open the box to the public. Pete Burke and William Lister have done most of the work, which has been partly funded by the Yorkshire Museum Council.

RAB Construction
The team have made the Skibeden footbridge secure and have been working on a barrier at the entrance to Embsay station. The posts have already been put up, although I heard rumours that one of them is the wrong way round!.

P-Way News
Work continues on the top yard, with the 4th road being slewed over to where the narrow gauge railway has been taken up sometime after Easter. Tony Wright has repaired the Robel, and the rail carrier, which was used by London Underground prior to our getting it, has been modified. The ballast packer has returned to the railway, having been refurbished by Grantrail.

Work has to be done to straighten rail ends between bridges 37 and 38 near Hambleton cutting, where there is currently a temporary speed restriction.

Carriage & Wagon
Work continues on clearing the department's paraphenalia from various carriages. The Gresley brake has been sold to Marcus Woodcock, Neil and Anthony have sold their Gresley and the Second Open has gone to the East Lancs Railway in exchange for coach fittings.

Contractors have now started on painting the coaches in the new shed. Pete Barry has made good progress on the upholstery of coach No 9, having completed 64 side panels, leaving 32 backs to be finished. The important work at the moment is to make sure that there are sufficient coaches for Easter, and that they are thoroughly cleaned.

Diesel & Plant
The department have spent a lot of time doing craning for other departments, and so have not had so much time for overhauling diesel locos. The Ruston has had work done on the air receiver, and needs repairs to the roof and the crwler crane is to have new body panels. Meanwhile, work continues on the Class 14.

People
Sadly, PW volunteer Charlie Wareing passed away recently as a result of an industrial accident on the building site at which he was working. Charlie had just returned to PW following a bad car crash last year and was only able to attend one Sunday before this accident occurred. Charlie was a friendly, outgoing character who got along well with other volunteers and he will be missed for his humour and contribution to the railway.

Matthew Bell has passed his guards test, Pete Walker is now passed out to drive the DMU and Stuart Bell and Keith Emmett are both passed as DMU guards; congratulations are due.

On Saturday 2nd March a training day was held for cleaners by Charles Adams, and the following day, Sunday 3rd March, Charles ran a course for shunters, assisted by Chris Ridd.

Passes
All working members are encouraged to obtain a working member's duty pass. There are two reasons why this is a good idea: one is that it identifies you as a staff member and the other is that you can obtain free travel on other heritage railways. Send or give a passport-type photograph to David Barlow.

The InterRail pass scheme is open to all Directors, Officers, Managers, Trustees and regular working volunteers of heritage railways. Free or privilege travel for two persons, on participating heritage railways, is obtained with the InterRail pass and it costs £15 per pass per year. The existing gold coloured card passes expire on 28th February 2002. The passes for 2002/3 will commence on 1st March 2002 and will be coloured orange. If any YDRMT member wishes to apply for a pass, please send a cheque for £15, payable to HRA, to David Barlow.

Easter help
Much help is required to make a success of Easter weekend. We have the new shed doors to pay for as well as other key plans for the year. We can use Thomas to set us up financially and your assistance is key. Why not try another role? We always require Embsay gate staff, car park staff at Embsay and Bolton Abbey and ticket examiners for Bolton Abbey. All jobs help maximise revenue and are quite rewarding. If you can help out, contact David Barlow or Stephen Walker.

Help is also needed for the Learning with Thomas days this June. If you are interested, contact Stephen Walker.

February 200 Club Prize Winners 1st prize: No 105; R F Brown 2nd prize: No 95; A W McConnel 3rd prize: No 32; R Milner

Editor: Lesley J Bird
ljbirdyork@yahoo.com