Originally due to take place on Sat 6 Mar 2021 but put back because of Covid considerations, this visit by the Society finally took place as indicated above. There were 21 participants leaving just over 40 on a waiting list! Most arrived by car but four used the Esk Valley service travelling from Middlesbrough or in one case Battersby (a required station obviously!). The 14 minute wait there before reversal allowed inspection of the antiquated equipment still in use to control movements to and from each line. Arrival at Castleton Moor station (1,258 passengers 2020-21 and 5,014 the year before) at 11.47 was followed by a short walk to the gates of the Railways where the rest of the party were present.

Our Fixtures Secretary Kev Adlam opened proceedings informing the assembled group that a donation of £200 had been made by the Society to Martin House Hospice in gratitude for the facilities provided. A diesel engine spluttering into life started track explorations in earnest and took a few members on the first trip of the day over this 2ft gauge system sitting in open coaches either constructed by Robert Hudson of Leeds or of unknown manufacture. The locomotive was built around 1956 by the Eclipse Peat Company of Ashcott, Somerset for use on their own system. Another interesting loco duly appeared, built by Moës of Waremme in Belgium, numbered 10 on a freight demonstration run and upon return performed a passenger trip to the end of the system (main line) and back by way of a loop only completed the day before! This series of runs to the far end passed a branch on which locomotive 'Becky' (MR 7215/38) sat and remained at the buffers. This branch is closest to the Esk Valley NR line, mention of which draws attention to the beautiful scenery easily seen from this attractive location.

A visit was then made to the stone built depot/workshop in front of which stood Alne MR7494/40 rebuilt in 1991 at BREL York. The depot contained three locos MR7333/38, Deutz 47414/51 & Irthing MR8655/41. Upon leaving the shed it was observed that 'Alne' was being started and it eventually ran to nearly the end of the siding and then back to the start of the system. By now members were completing their required track and haulage, and most of the group had congregated at the entrance.

A sudden loud noise heralded the dramatic entrance of our host for the day, Jonathan Lloyd, on a Quad Bike. He introduced himself to the organiser and the Society party then, at his bidding, we all went up the path that led to the Woodside Light Railway (7¼" gauge) just as it started to rain slightly but salvation was at hand as the group arrived at the tea room to enjoy tea or coffee and cakes. [The scrumptious homemade cakes were even fresher than expected as the original batch was offered to paramedics whose ambulance had become stuck on a neighbour's drive earlier that day!]

On to the wet 7¼" tracks and any worries about possible slippage on this system, which rises from each end to a slight hump, were dispelled by the good performance of the two 4wPMs Gardner and Planet both of unknown parentage and age plus a Bo-BoE (Tramstyle) built by M Lloyd in 2015. The route itself is considerably higher up the hillside than the 2ft line and gives even more impressive views across the lovely Esk Valley despite being slightly hemmed in by trees. The first move was west towards the Fernwood terminus before reversal and a trip over the loop line to the Langburn east end of the system which passes through a tunnel and ends on a traverser. Nearly all of the various lines, loops and even the traverser itself were completed to satisfy participants. Having done so, it was felt that it was time to leave and we said our goodbyes to our hosts after an excellent and enjoyable day.

Thanks to Jonathan for allowing us to visit, Alex Jackson (of York ROC fame, a regular face on our NE tours) and Peter Eason for their driving, also to Society officials Kev Adlam for organising, Gary Lonsdale for the stock lists, Peter Scott and Martyn Brailsford for maps and Mark Haggas for ticketing.