Here is a selection of photographs showing the construction of the top loop in October 2007 - Januaray 2008.
October 2007: Peter gives Chris a break on the digger excavating the top loop cutting
October 2007: Darryl loves old farm equipment not trains, but soon finds an excuse to fire up the Gravely leveling track roadbed
October 2007: Steve works on the track
October 2007: Chris working on the retaining wall between the top loop mainline, (lower track), and the shed branch line (upper track).
October 2007: From centre of top loop looking toward the workshop. Darryl is standing on the mainline top loop.
October 2007: Chris trims the bank to get more material for Darryl to play with.
November 2007: Chris working on the retaining wall where the shed branch line comes down to meet the top loop mainline.
November 2007: Amount of excavation required for loop is not evident in this shot as the whole area was re-landscaped to gentle rolling lawn where possible.
November 2007: Junction of Hillside branch to shed and mainline. Will continue on to bridge one at top right.
November 2007: Rails are welded to steel sleepers and painted. Sections are mounted on builders damp proof paper on top of treated time sleepers. Should last a few good years.
March 2008: Steve welding a track joint on the top loop.
March 2008: Top track is the Hillside workshop branch. lower track is the mainline loop heading off down toward the tunnel.
March 2008: Chris building the retaining wall between Hillside workshop branch and mainline loop.
March 2008: Completed retaining wall from below.
March 2008: Completed retaining wall from the north.
March 2008: Completed retaining wall from the south. 'temporary' track on bridge one abutment can be seen. This was built to allow short train access back down the mainline until bridge one was built.
April 2008: Piles for foot bridge over top loop concreted in place.
April 2008: Peter takes Steve backwards down the mainline toward the railhead. Access is by switchback until bridge one is built to complete the loop.
April 2008: Looks like Steve and Peter aren't talking.....
April 2008: Ready for Decking on the footbridge on the top loop.