During 2003 the Sandtoft Overhead underwent some pretty radical changes. The fundamental modifications were first seen at the Huddersfield Day on July 13th, 2003 and appeared to work very well!

Peter Price has spent several weeks doing general maintenance, removing redundant spans and hangers and correcting a number of early problems, for example, ensuring the geometry of the frogs is correct having sorted out all the runner bars and other fittings. This has tidied up the look of the Square considerably.

He has now completed the modifications designed to develop our 'bus station' concept. The idea is to build at a later date two trolleybus bays outside the Workshop and toilets area. Trolleys will be able to board from both bays, and when the runway extension is built this is where the two routes [Runway and Site] will interchange. The construction works of pavements and islands will enable boarding of the European trolleybuses from the correct side, something which is long overdue. Also solved by the new arrangement will be the problem of boarding on a curve, like it is outside the shop, since these new loading islands will be dead straight, allowing infirm passengers a better chance to board.

Peter Price has now finished the job of re-aligning the outer circle to be the new loop, inserting new frogs for the workshop line and the loop, and put in the first [we think] curved segment in a British museum. He then erected the main line. The alignment of this at the far end is such that it is ready for the junction with the runway wiring. Much paving work is going on in this area in preparation for the Gathering, and poles are being prepared for planting.

While the new boarding arrangements will not be in place for some months, the overhead is with the new loop used for storage at first. However, this exciting development is the latest stage in taking Sandtoft forward. You will be impressed next time you visit!