And we're off! The telelifter eases one of the first sections of the framework into place for one of the main projects in this year's Summer Civils Week. The new diesel shed is being built in the South Yard alongside the museum.

James Hewett checks his measurements carefully. PICTURE: Michael Chapman

The new toy! The telelifter is like a combination of digger, crane and fork lift truck. Much fun was had sorting the site out with it, it seemed a pity we could only afford to hire it. PICTURE: Michael Chapman

Out on the track, a second gang spent the week improving the main line. Rick Beton is on duty as lookout man, holding the train until it's safe to move forward. PICTURE: Michael Chapman

The benefit of outdoor work is that you get to enjoy the Snowdonia scenery (except when it rains). PICTURE: Michael Chapman

The track gang's first job was to install Pandrol clips to hold the rails to baseplates (previously we used coach screws directly against the rail). Here's one we prepared earlier. PICTURE: Michael Chapman

Next job, install the new clips. PICTURE: Michael Chapman

As well as the nice scenery, the gang also got to appreciate the station flower displays at close quarters. PICTURE: Michael Chapman

The stop sign and the red flag are there, but where's the lookout.....? PICTURE: Michael Chapman

......posing with the rest of the track gang for a group photo! PICTURE: Michael Chapman

Back in the South Yard, Malcolm Baugh and James Hewett are checking measurements and preparing to add cladding rails to the new building. PICTURE: Michael Chapman

By the early part of the week, the skeleton of the building was coming together. PICTURE: Michael Chapman

The next job was to build a low wall around the base of the building, before attaching the cladding. The gang were on a tea break when the picture was taken. PICTURE: Michael Chapman

Time to enjoy the achievements of the week so far, though the expressions on peoples faces suggest that no-one is making any smart arse comments! PICTURE: Michael Chapman

Photographer and track gang member, Tony Statham has been taking pictures of this railway since before we opened in 1980, and has an extensive Fotopic site of his own. He's always on the search for new angles...... PICTURE: Dave Hill

Another group photo of the track gang. Peter Trafford looks particularly menacing with the drill! PICTURE: Tony Statham

Richard Warren is either very tired, or has stopped work waiting for the next train to come past. PICTURE: Tony Statham

Some passengers asked why the gang never seemed to be doing anything as the train passed...... the obvious answer being that you can't work on a piece of track when there's a train passing over it. But that didn't stop the gang for long. PICTURE: Tony Statham

Break time. PICTURE: Tony Statham

Up at the other end of the line, a third gang was sorting rails ready for this winter's project - re-laying the main line. They also relaid the engineering siding. Here, the ground is being prepared ready for track and sleepers. PICTURE: Tony Statham

Chris Wilson gets to grips with the filthiest job in track work: greasing the fishplates which hold the rails together. PICTURE: Tony Statham

Heads down as more rails are moved into place. PICTURE: Tony Statham

Civil Engineering Manager Andy Goodwin supervises the arrival of the next pair of rails. PICTURE: Tony Statham

The cladding for this building is second hand, and had been stored in the open for a while, so needed a good wash before being put into place. PICTURE: Tony Statham