On Friday 1 March 2024, we had an informal "Golden Spike" ceremony to mark the completion of the main line, witnessed by friends Tricia and Richard who were visiting at the time.
The "Golden Spikes" were actually M6 high tensile bolts which had been spray-painted gold for the occasion, and were installed in place of four regular bolts at the final track join.
Unlike the actual Golden Spikes which were used at completion of historic railways, the gold-painted bolts can remain in position with no risk of being stolen. Most of the real Golden Spikes end up in a museum after the official ceremony.
