A very cold day greeted a reasonably large gang of 11. After the usual catch ups, everyone went off to do their tasks.
Ian J, Brian Hi and Adam went down the line to Alresford and Pete and Chris went up the line to Alton to do track inspections. Eddie, Keith H and Brian Ha set off into The Shrave cutting to carry on with nut oiling on the rail fastenings.
Adrian C, Adrian N and Corina went down to Northside hut to fix a wooden backing, which was to have a brass plaque attached in the memory of a much loved gang member who passed away a few months ago. They then went up the line to Alton with the company vehicle and Corina's car to collect Neil, Paul and the walkers, as the only service (Santa Special) was going as far as M&FM from Alresford.
After breakfast they drove back up to M&FM where they met up with the other walkers and the nut oilers.
It had been requested by Keith Brown (M&FM station master) if the guys could put a donated chimney on the old concrete p-way hut located just off the end of the down platform. This filled in some time before all of the gang assembled down at Ropley to walk to Northside hut for the plaque unveiling.
Whilst at Northside Hut Corina, Paul, Brian Ha, Adam, Chris and Keith H undertook some repairs to the up side fence.
The gangs then went back up to base before Eddie, Neil and Keith H went down to Chawton Heights Hut to pick up some equipment, and Adrian C, Ian J, Chris and Paul C sorted out fish plates in the storage shed. Corina stood waiting to photograph the Cathedral Express which was coming down the main line to Alresford from Southend hauled by Black 5 45212 with a Class 47 47580 on the back. After a very long delay the train eventually appeared with resident engine Cheltenham piloting the Class 47 diesel, with the Black 5 having been detached at Alton, following along light engine a while later.
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