Progress Report - August 2026

Following the untimely passing of Chris our stonemason, there has been a short period of re-grouping whilst we liaised with the new stonemasons whom Chris suggested might be prepared to complete the stonework. This has gained pace in the last month as John their team leader has spent a great deal of time discussing plans and arrangements with us and with Frank Ellis – our architect, scaffolders and others to ensure that all preparations are complete.

The scaffolders erected a platform around the building on 27 and 28 July, with final adjustments completed on 5 August. This will support the next phase of work, although it will need to be modified later in the year as the project progresses.

The scaffolding being erected - 29-July-2026 - Photo: F Dumbleton

Whilst it is the stonemasons’ job to erect the walls it falls to the volunteers to provide them with the required stones in good time. Since these stones are scattered along our main demonstration line, from the end of Oxford Road platform to adjacent to the picnic area and in various places in the ‘Heyford forest’ and some of the stones are very heavy, this is not a straightforward task. However, due to plenty of earlier diligent work, we do have a plan of broadly where all the identified stone currently lies, though sometimes a little further investigation is required to establish precise location.

Frank Ellis and Tom Sweeney place a window jamb on the appropriate pallet - 7-August-2026 - Photo: F Dumbleton

Fortunately, this is a task which is becoming easier as with more stone incorporated in the building, the remaining stones are more evident, and we are starting to be able to ‘see the wood for the trees’ or more literally ‘tell the stones from the pile’.

Just some of the pallets carrying jambs and mullions - 9-August-2026 - Photo: R Heron

During Didcot Railway Centre’s annual work week, from 1 to 9 August, volunteers made a considerable effort to move stones to an easily accessible area for installation and sort them as requested by the stonemasons. By the end of the week, the remaining door jambs, window jambs and mullions had been grouped by opening, with each set placed on a separate pallet in the nascent station forecourt.

The space below the scaffolding now houses pallets of neatly sorted coursing stone - 9-August-2026 - Photo: R Heron

Similarly, we have made a great deal of progress with sorting coursing stone according to thickness and now have plenty of pallets of sorted stone on the station platform. There is a good deal more of this work to do and we will next be going after some of the thicker coursing stone, which will be required for the next stage of building work. Further supplies of sand and lightweight blocks have been received and the blocks moved to the interior of the building where they will be required.

9-August-2026 - Photo: R Heron

We have also continued with painting the forecourt spear fence erected earlier in the year and have now completed seven panels with another five to go.