Northern Extension - JCB 3CX on site

Adam Williams reports on an evening out to the northern extension

So, what did you do with your Thursday evening?

Quiet night in with a book? Bit of TV?

Meanwhile, ours looked like this…

Our trusty D-Reg, 1987-built JCB 3CX Sitemaster ventured away from Norchard for the very first time. This wasn’t just a quick outing – it’s now supporting the tree felling and clearance work between Parkend and Travellers Rest.

It will be helping prepare the land ahead of repairing retaining walls and replacing fencing as progress continues on the Northern Extension.

The JCB is the first railway-owned machine to be working on any extension in 20 years. Even more remarkably, it’s the first piece of railway-owned plant to work at Travellers Rest since BR lifted the track back in 1969.

Projects like this don’t happen on their own – we’re always keen to welcome new volunteers, whether you’re handy with tools, enjoy outdoor work, or just want to be part of something special in the Forest. Every pair of hands really does make a difference, and we’d love to have you on the team.

You can also support the railway by becoming a member (all of our volunteers are members for insurance purposes), helping us continue work like this into the future: Join us

Read more about the Northern Extension project here