With our "home" at Tenterden (The mark 1 coach which used to be behind the toilet block) sold, The Tuesday Group bade a fond farewell to Sowetto and removed to Number 1 Cottage at Northiam Station yard - a rather off-centre location for our railway wide operations. However we moved all our materials and tools - a job all on its own but it was eventually accomplished.

Photo shows BR Mk 1 carriage being craned onto 75ft low loader.

Ron surveys the rear of our new home - we had a job making it both weather-proof and "boot-proof" as there was some very dodgy areas of flooring. However whilst the weather was fair there was much to do outside. Whilst Ron attended to the walls and floors, we set about the rest of the station.

There was clearance work to be done around the actual building and also more generally round the car park area. Nature had had its own way too long and we had to fight back! The bonfires burned brightly on several Tuesdays as we cut back the encroaching jungle and cleared the railway flower beds too - ready for their face lift.

However far more weeks were spent painting furlongs of fencing from the level crossing to the signal box and back. Here you see a demonstration of the black-art of tar-painting application whilst Ray sets about the smartening of the white gates at the signal box end. We understand the last coat of tar paint lasted from around 1997 so that's a good investment in time. When the withdrawal symptoms from the stink of the paint get too bad we are promised Wittersham Road fences!

Now to set about making our new home weather-proof! With the station buildings closed at the end of the operating season, we needed somewhere to shelter, to have our lunches and a place to work in if the weather prevented outside activities. Supplies come from many sources - some ancient beyond anyone's memory currently KESR active. This green drum contained roof paint so thick it could be eaten rather than spread - concrete Marmite! However with judicious dilution, Ray stirring and application of gentle heat, we reduced the substance to submission and started applying it to the cottage roof - until the weather intervened that is.

The long time storage of heavy equipment, has wreaked havoc with the floor plate and joists. Robin and Ron introduce a sturdy support below the rotten and compressed plate and joists to prevent us and our sandwiches disappearing from sight one Tuesday lunchtime!

The result of all this activity means we have a fairly dry and warm place to work on railway infrastructure items - here new signal box windows are being prepared ready for installation when the weather gets better. Northiam's platform seats come next.

We are let out occasionally! Here the two John's are helping to make the heavy tarpaulin covers secure to some of our historic coaches awaiting restoration at Wittersham, a task that took the best part of one Tuesday morning in association with Wagon and Carriage staff.

Like to help us working on the KESR each Tuesday? Contact Graham Hopker (Evenings) on 01303 862811.