This Day in History: 1963-12-09

09 December 1963

Border Engineering Contractors moved onto the site of the new Gilbert's Cutting following receipt of the required planning permission. A large crawler-tractor-bucket and a mobile rock-drilling outfit immediately commenced work, preparing the site for the larger excavator which was to do the main part of the digging.

New rail for the section through the cutting was ordered from the Workington Iron and Steel Company and a further supply of sleepers and spent ballast was expected from British Railways towards the end of February.