Welcome. You're gonna have a hell of a time getting into the castle.
Addition-
My mine exploration netted some gold so we now have enough for a single set of boosters and around 100 iron in the community bin. Don't know if anyone's had much success with trains (I haven't, keep slamming to a stop in flat places) but we're close to enough for a little rail system.
Also, you'll notice a growing forest across the canyon from the fort. It's the beginnings of my tree village.