Work in Progress: 1st March

posted by Martyn de Young on Sun, 04/03/2012 - 17:58

1. AXE was in steam today for a boiler test. The L&BR's main locomotive passed all the necessary tests by the insurance company inspector.

2. Graham Varney has been busy this week fabricating an exhaust chimney stack for Hunslet diesel D.6652. Diesel enthusiasts may note the similarity with the stacks fitted to the standard gauge BR Class 03 0-6-0 shunting locomotives.

3. Outside in the sunshine, John O'Dell & Martin Andrews complete the refitting of the wooden frame around the KILLINGTON LANE station sign.

4. Dick Gunn paints a final top coat on the Up Starter signal post.

Taking advantage of this week's mild sunny weather, and with the benefit of Alistair Hall's main-line permanent way experience and laser surveying kit, it was decided to tackle the bad 'hump' within the track along the line near Bridge 67. As we continue to upgrade the L&B's track to the highest standard possible, this short 3 panelled 'hump' remained a small blemish throughout the line. Its only a few inches that we need to lower the track but this project requires a couple of weeks possession, the use of the laser surveying equipment, the excavator along with members of the Thursday track gang and others to remove the rails and sleepers, then replace, reconnect and reballast. The first stages of this project are recorded here:

5. A zoom lenses photo exaggerates the undulation of the 'hump' on the line.

6. The works train was carefully formed up with the ballast hopper positioned ready to receive the surplus ballast dug out. The Brake Van provided transport for the volunteers and dogs with the hand tools carried on the bogie flat wagon.

7. John Villers and Dave Bloomfield begin to undo the fishplate bolts on the panels whilst Martyn Budd goes to collect the excavator positioned earlier on the occupation crossing.

8. Rails of the first panel removed.

9. Sleepers removed but the glorious view across to Holdstone Down and Heddons Mouth remains.

10. Alistair Hall begins the surveying as the excavator scrapes away the ballast to a lower depth.

11. The ballast is tipped into the ballast hopper to store out of the way whilst the regrading takes place.

12. Martyn carefully pulls back the ballast in the formation.

13. Sleepers are replaced at the new lower depth on this panel.

14. Rails are returned and clipped up.

15. The excavator turns its attention to the next panel, removing the surplus ballast ...

16. ... and dropping it onto the first panel to begin reballasting.

After lunch work continued to reballast the first panel. The second panel was also relaid and ballasted. A few extra or new sleepers were also inserted where required. By 16:00 the depleted gang were busy on the third panel as Martyn was finishing off scraping away the ballast. It is hoped to finish off this project soon with the usual tamping and ballast packing along the three panel lengths.

Words and pictures by Nigel Thompson