Work in Progress: 21st January

Drains, levels and ballast in advance of the forthcoming working-weekend's track bash!!

This week's report is compiled by Nigel Thompson

Special thanks this week to Trust Member and professional railway engineer, Alistair Hall who has given up a weeks holiday from his day job with Network Rail to help out all week with the drainage and other preparation in advance of relaying the track on the new sleepers next weekend.

In addition to using the high-tech laser levels, Alistair is also able to operate the second smaller excavator, freeing up Martyn Budd to supervise and assist the gangs constructing the pipework and inspection chambers for the new drain installed under the trackbed.

1. A new inspection chamber tucked in by the point rodding.

2. The down-line membrane laid in place.

3. Hunslet Diesel HEDDON HALL with the DZ wagon delivers ballast brought down from the car park. In the foreground is the laser-levelling tripod.

4. General Manager Martyn Budd uses the small excavator to unload ballast onto the formation ready for levelling-off as the base ballast for the down line.

5. Then Alistair Hall took over the controls - spreading the ballast level before…..

6. …checking the level with the laser staff.

7. Yet more ballast is unloaded.

8. & 9. Seen from the down starter signal post, Alistair makes progress alongside the station building.

10. & 11. The gang are engaged in yet more drainage work by the foot crossing.

12. In the shed John Uphill was working on Baguley diesel PILTON, whilst….

13…..in the Paint Shop, Jim Pounds applies more varnish on Carriage No.16.

14.  With no steam loco's required today, all three resident engines were ‘on shed’.

Words and Photos; Nigel Thompson.