I travelled on the 11.30 tour, one of four which operated this day, carrying over 200 passengers in total. The trips comprised extensive tours of the rail infrastructure at Ketton Cement Works, using two brake vans provided by 'Rocks by Rail', hauled by 08580 (supplied at short notice by RSS - Railway Support Services) and 08375 (normally on site, owned by RMS Locotec); 08870 was also noted on site. All train crew were Hanson staff or Chasewater Railway volunteers - the latter is over 75 miles away.

Passengers joined the trains by either walking a short distance or by travelling on a temporary 300yd long miniature railway laid alongside part of the path. This peripatetic facility resides in Bristol with its operator and its lengthy travels provided an extra pleasure. Both walkers and miniature travellers joined the tours at a temporary platform specially constructed for the works open day the previous day (used by the visiting general public for a steam-hauled trip).

The tours all ran in hot and sunny weather but the brake van verandas provided the ideal shady and cool travelling conditions required. The 11.30 tour ran without incident aside from an 'extra go' needed to reach the end of the headshunt, and a broken coupling later in the tour which was swiftly and efficiently replaced in a safe, professional manner such that most aboard were unaware of this. The positioning of the Ketton No3 steam loco and vintage wagons alongside the silo as we passed provided additional interest and was a thoughtful touch.









It is very pleasing to report that the tours raised over £8,000 for Hanson's nominated good causes, the beneficiaries being Evergreen Care Trust, Anna's Hope, Kiwanis (£2,500 each), while £545 was shared between the Chasewater Railway and 'Rocks by Rail'. It is also important to acknowledge Hanson's co-operation, particularly in allowing access to the site, and to thank the volunteers from Chasewater Railway and BLS for all their hard work both before and during the event.

Planning for the day started over a year ago, involving five site visits and some 50 hours of work by our member Mark Haggas, plus two visits and 20 hours of work by Kev Adlam. Mark comments that it was very stressful at times but so worth it at the end to have a full fixture and raise so much money for charity. [Participants' smiles showed their appreciation of Mark and Kev's efforts]. Of note was the absolute complete track coverage, including all sections not available on our 2015 tours, except the short stretch occupied by 08870 and a wagon. This was thanks to the extensive work kindly carried out by Hanson having the railway specially cleared of wagons. Why Ketton Osprey?... Now in the 17th year, nearby Rutland Water is home to the first Ospreys to breed in England for 150 years. Sometimes they can be spotted from a cruise on the 'Rutland Belle'. One of the classes at Ketton Church of England Primary School is 'The Osprey's. (Souvenir Ticket and trip mileage are thanks to Jim Sellens.)