Adam is convinced it is the flat roof that's the problem!

But he wasn’t up there long before he found the cause of all the problems….

The whole of the roof needs replacing with nice new tiles, new guttering and from the look of it the building needs a good paint!

But, Pitz Cafe owner Rene Carbonet is not at all happy, after all it’s the start of his busiest time and he will be closed!

He is certainly not happy with the new arrangements, as Pete from Oddies Teas has parked his van by Lavender Hill Halt ready for all those passengers who would have gone to the Pitz Cafe!  And it looks like one customer has already been sampling the food!

When interviewed Rene said that “C’est catastrophique! How can a tea hut compare with my cafe?”

Polish Pete however was very happy to help out by moving Oddies Teas to Lavender Hill Halt until further notice.  Anyone fancy a tart?

So, we are dedicating that lovely film ‘Oor Wullie arrives at the MPLR’ to Jock McCockney.

To Jack RIP

Who moved the station?

Unfortunately, no trains could have run anyway as Red Bridge was impassible.

One of the biggest problems was lack of power due to the lines being pulled down by the weight of snow!

Power lines down at Lavender Hill

Luckily the old water tower which last year was caught by high winds, managed to withstand the heavy snowfall.

And what about the birds on the reserve, we hear you ask?  Well, you don’t need to worry about them, Mr Bill Goodie the Reserve Manager has valiantly gone out in thick snow to fill up the bird feeders!

Starling having his fill of fat balls!

Considering how long it had been there it was in remarkably good condition as you can see.

Stan is very impressed!

It will need a bit of tlc and a good bit of greasing up etc but it all seems to be there.  Even Sooty the cat took to it!

We expect to see it out and about the MPLR this summer and if you want to know more about its discovery, you will be pleased to know that Pits Productions have got it all on film!

Pits Productions wanted us to tell you a little about it before you watch.   Firstly, it is in black and white and it is a silent movie, there is nothing wrong with your set!  Secondly it has totally original music which was written and performed by Mr Dave ‘Dancing  Fingers’ Mapp and a great job he did of it too, nothing gives a film atmosphere better than music that fits the film.  Thirdly, in case you’re worried no trains were injured in the making of this film, promise!

So, now all that is left is for us to wish all of you a Merry Christmas from everyone here at the Moreton Pit Light Railway.   Happy Watching……..

February…… the race was on to build the new watertower, after all you can’t keep using buckets to fill a loco!

At least the sun's come out for a while! Eh, Hamish!

March saw the building really starting to take shape and spring was obviously on its way!

"Hello, anyone about?"

A lovely gentle month is April and spring had finally sprung as can be seen from this lovely view of Mr Bill Goodie’s garden at Railway Sidings.

On May Day the MPLR was treated to a visit by the Adderbolt Morris Men who spent the whole day dancing at all the stops on the railway!

In June the MPLR held yet another successful Open Day, this year raising money for Guide Dogs.

What could be nicer but a July wedding!

Holiday time, it’s August and the PW crew and ‘Noel’ visit another railway, the Point Clear Tramway.

September blew in and Pits Productions found themselves at the movies, literally!  They were very proud and pleased to be asked to show their latest film at the First Page Film Festival, you can read more about it and the film in the Video Shop.  Watch out next month for the public release!

October……. the Essex Potholing club make a wonderful discovery……….

And to know what that was you will have to wait until next year!  Not long now……

As the MPLR was so quiet today, they were obviously arranging with Stan (Station Master of the day) for railbus ‘Wynne’ to stop at the EPC’s carriage-shed.

Having been dropped off at the EPC’s clubhouse, Trev and Slim waved ‘Wynne’ off to  spend a happy day exploring the potholes of the MPLR.

Soon they were ascending into the first part of the system, down through Adders Hole and into Cripsey Flood Swallet.

Unfortunately we haven’t any photos to show you inside the cave system at this point but Trev and Slim were very excited to inform us that the EPC have finally got through the Ruggles Cave boulder ruckle and have explored an estimated 300m of walking sized streamway. A sizeable inlet enters part way down the extension, which worried them a bit!  They believe that this water is probably part of Cripsey Stream.  They had to negotiate a very nasty choke but the rewards were great when it opened out into a huge chamber with a fairly flat floor so far.  They have had to stop their explorations at that point as they came across a lot of small boulders which they will have to clear another day!  A great day for the Essex Potholing Club we are sure you will agree!

And is that Mario’s Ices in the background there?  He made record sales of that lovely homemade ice-cream!

There was plenty of visitors to Moreton Mill, but looks like the heat was a little too much for these two ladies!  Perhaps they were just train spotting?

Meanwhile back at the station, you didn’t have to wait long before yet another visiting loco appeared…..

And at Lavender Hill Halt yet another visitor….

The most exciting find was a very quick glimpse of a diesel that has recently joined the MPLR stable, this ‘new’ loco has got quite a story to its arrival.  All will be revealed another time!

Finally, Queen was brought out for the day and took a majestic few turns round the reserve, full of passengers of course!

Pits Productions are very proud to announce that they have had their first Film Festival viewing of one of their films!  On Tuesday night, the Pits Productions, team along with the composer of the music for the soundtrack, were at the showing of the silent movie ‘A Christmas Carol’ at the fringe event ‘Sound and Vision’ of the First Page Film Festival in Chelmsford, Essex.  It is a new film festival and is part of Altogether Now.

The film seemed to be very much appreciated by the audience and the Pits Productions team were pleased with how well the evening went.  They are trying very hard not to let it go to their heads!  Anyhow, the film ‘A Christmas Carol’ is not due for release yet to the general public but meanwhile you can have a little taster by watching the trailer for it here on the MPLR website!  Enjoy……

‘…..I would like to thank my mother for giving me the opportunity………………’