Work to double the length of Suffolk's only standard-gauge steam railway has almost reached the end of the line.
But visitors could have to wait another year to travel its entire length - its opening requires a parliamentary order to be granted and that takes many months to secure.
The Mid Suffolk Light Railway - known as the Middy - is based at the Brockford and Wetheringsett station just off the A140. It currently runs for just over 400 metres to a platform at Dovebrook.
It is currently having an extension built that will more than double its length - creating a 900-metre line to a new station, Aspall Halt.
The extension is being built for the Middy by specialist rail engineers TES2000 in a project that was delayed for two years by the Covid pandemic.
Middy chairman John Stark said having a professional team to lay the track was vital - using specialist equipment the ballast and rails could be layed within a month.
The final panels are about to be installed - then attention can switch to building a simple platform and shelter at Aspall.
Mr Stark said: "It has been really good to have the professional team come in to do this. We have volunteers and some have engineering expertise - but there is much more to do here and to have a team like TES2000 come in has been so important."
The track being laid is being given a new life - it was originally part of the Ipswich Lower Goods yard beside the River Orwell, behind what used to be B&Q and provided a link between the main line and the docks.
Among the equipment being used is a JCB that has been adapted for use on either road or rail - vital in pulling the ballast to the end of the line.
But once the track is laid trains cannot run immediately. Because it crosses a public footpath the Middy has to apply for a Transport and Works Order, a Parliamentary process that takes up to a year and costs £60,000.
Mr Stark said: "When we started it was £40,000, but that's inflation for you! Until we get that we can't run regular services and any works trains we run will have to be very carefully regulated."
Senior project manager for TES2000, John Kanaris, said that his team had been progressing well led by supervisor Chas Dell and the technical team Phillip Lines and Clive Phillips.
Graham Eastabrook from TES2000 said: "We do all kinds of work on the railways - for Network Rail and other operators. We have been working on projects for 30 years.
"We're involved in building the new station at Chelmsford, but also in a number of heritage projects like that and its a real pleasure to be part of what is happening here."
The first passengers to Apall Halt are expected at Easter 2024 - and there is a hope that the railway's own steam locomotive could be operational for the first time in decades as well.
It is currently nearing the end of a long restoration, partly supported by National Lottery funding, and the boiler has been returned to Brockford to ensure it can fit on the chassis before it is finally ready to be reassembled.
Mr Stark said: "We are now at the stage of ensuring we have everything we need for the final assembly and hope that will be ready to be steamed in 2024.
"Until then we will rely on hired-in locomotives as we have over the years - but we are pleased about the progress we are making here."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here