This has now become our traditional first fixture of the year; something to look forward to after Christmas with no competing railtours etc. Also, railway activity at the Steelworks is quieter then, allowing more track to be covered and more reaching the parts that other beers cannot reach. Despite industrial action, over 50 members attended - only three had to cancel. Incredibly, TPE even ran five trains each way through Scunthorpe!

As usual, some members were on their first ever visit to, and railtour of, a steelworks (and by the end of the day were converted to its obvious charms and attractions). Other Hardliners come to every one, as it is such a unique, interesting and fascinating experience. Each time they think it will be impossible to beat the achievements of the previous trip. This time, thanks to careful planning by Alan Sheppard, our keen Route Director and qualified Appleby Frodingham Railway (AFR) shunter, four outstanding sections of track were covered. All were in the 'we never thought we would ever do that' category. A marked up map is e-BLN to help you follow the plot or search 'Scunthorpe' on our website 'Archive'.

After departure from Frodingham platform, we turned first left than left again, climbing the Basic Hill incline which then gives a good view over the Heavy Repair Bay as we made for the CEW Dock. As nearly always, the end of line dock was occupied by several wagons left to collect scrap from the Central Engineering Workshops. We backed onto them, coupled up and drew them out into the access headshunt (where the tour reached the end of line, of course). Luckily the loco, our three brakevans and the wagons cleared the headshunt points. Those wagons were left securely stabled on Basic Hill giving us a clear run to the CEW Dock end of line, even propelling in so that the loco wasn't in the way. This was much sought after track. The scrap wagons were returned, job done and a great start.

For several tours, Points 437 to the much requested Muck Bank (east of Mills Exchange Sidings) had been secured out of use. However, our Aug 2022 tour found the branch was available again and, unusually, a route through was not blocked with decrepit dumped wagons. Unfortunately, progress was thwarted then by a build up of deep hard 'muck', shall we call it, from passing lorries over the level crossing. This was despite the best attempts of those authorised to alight within the steelworks to clear it. This time Alan was prepared with highly sophisticated track clearing equipment. It worked and, for the first time in living memory, the very end of line was reached!

As usual, we had a comfort break about halfway through the tour at the Appleby Frodingham Railway Preservation Society Loco Shed. This gives a leg stretch, a chance to inspect the stock there (now including a Pacer and some ex-GWR HST coaches) and visit their shop. A buffet lunch with hot drinks is kindly provided in AFR's now internally refurbished buffet car and toilets are available.

After, were another two sections of track that our Hardliners never thought they would do (some of them have been visiting the site since the 1970s). The Loco Shed doors were opened and Line 2 (second from the right) was clear, in we went almost to the end (an immovable item). Well done, Alan, just leaves Lines 1, 3 & 4! Next, an unbelievable bit of track; we shunted the AFR buffet car out of its siding (Line 1 outside the shed) and into the Shed on Line 2 we had just covered. This was the first time participants had seen the buffet car move, although it has been taken to Frodingham Platform in the past for galas. It is not straightforward as the water supply and electrics have to be disconnected first. Needless to say, its stabling siding was covered by our tour propelling in - another 'very well done'.

BLN has documented recent investment in Scunthorpe Steelworks railway with major remodelling of the former P'Way Depot area at the southwest corner of the site. We could never enter this fenced off Depot; our tours had to stop at the locked gates. To create a further rail served stocking ground, the P'Way area has been moved to part of the demolished Plate Mill site by Winn's Sidings, as marked on our latest map. That map shows the new/realigned loop and sidings created in the area ('Diesel Tank' is where the steelworks locos are refuelled). Suffice it to say that every inch of the extensive new and realigned routes was covered, with the brakevans propelled for a very close inspection of the blocks.

As usual, for the benefit of First Timers in particular, the outer perimeter circuit was included in our railtour to give them an appreciation of the sheer scale of this vast 2,800 acre site of non-outstanding area of natural beauty. Other highlights included a run right through Mills Exchange Sidings Road 15 - the most westerly, very unusually indeed, totally clear of wagons for once. The buffer stops of Roads 5 and 7 were reviewed, taking advantage of those lines being clear. In the Redbourn Semi-Finished area, we completely finished off Roads B1 & B2 and likewise Road D2 in the Steel Stockyard area. The marked up map with e-BLN and on our website archive shows the good coverage achieved on the tour.

At first, we were slightly anxious about taking line requests for our tours but there are not that many. Alan also works out which lines haven't been done on recent tours and, if possible, tries to include them. This time, requested lines included the High Lines approach ramp - covered up to the first set of points at the top of the blast furnaces - and both fairly new crossovers near Bridge 44 which were deftly crossed over, similarly Concast Road 2 to the end. There was the inevitable visit to the windswept Corus Rail Sidings (all together now...) to RDL Road 4 (the old Redpath Dorman Long plant - actually one of the shorter buildings), giving a panoramic view down to the main line and sidings. Road 14 was covered in Anchor Exchange Sidings; we warmed up along Furnace Road which takes you through one of the buildings and also did Stores Road which runs beneath the High Lines. For steel Microgricers, there were several crossovers and loops thrown in. All in all, a most enjoyable and productive day - thank you Alan. I wonder what we will do on our Sun 27 Aug tour; there are just a few places left?