First "Working Party of 2012" on 29th January saw the younger members of the society busy on set of projects.  The carriage belonging to the Sandtoft Miniature Railway group and on long term loan to the Doncaster & District Model Engineering Society Ltd the operators of Thorne Memorial Park Miniature Railway is undergoing major restoration work to restore it back to its original appearance as below.

Left James showing the worn out spring compared with the new one about to be fitted to coaches bogies. Middle photograph the coach in service with David and steam locomotive Remus at the Sandtoft Miniature Railway in 1997. The locomotive is now awaiting a £200 re-tubing before it can go back into service. To the right is the coach SMR 2 in the carriage siding at Sandtoft.   

A television crew will be making a short clip for the Grand Design team featuring the former Kensington cinema (above) in Thorne. The front of the cinema is being retained. It was last used as Merlins Nightclub. The fell into dereliction as many other former cinema and theatres do only to see the powerful jaws of the demolition machinery.  Below out on the tracks it was time for some re-levelling and ballasting of the tracks ready for the February 5th 2012 operating day. TMCR 95.3FM the local radio station will be attending the event in the park when hopefully the team from Grand Designs will give the railway and the park a brief visit.

We could do with some of the rubble from the Kensington cinema, but perhaps brick rubble is the wrong colour. Some multi-tasking going on here by the young chap with the barrow. Cutting grass in January? The very mild winter has caused the grass and wild flowers (weeds) to continue growing through the winter months.   

First Train of 2012 on 8th January at 12 noon. This young visitor had the honour of cutting the tape and on the Latest News page you will see him changing the trains headboard. Welcome to the running season for 2012. 

New member Tim Watkins (right) in training with Daniel. His first circuit of the railway track once the first part of his training was completed. All being well once he is of the required age for driving with passengers Tim will be joining the driving team. He is now able to carry out guarding duties something that we all enjoy well most of the time. The far right photograph shows Ged handing out free raffle tickets, sweets etc for this special event.