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Work in Progress: 28th March

posted by Nigel Thompson on Thu, 28/03/2013 - 20:01

The first day of this winter's Easter working weekend began after yet more overnight snowfall on Exmoor. It was still cold, and today's volunteers were well dressed up for the outdoor work on offer.

On the trackbed near Rowley Cross, just below the A39 crash barrier, this weekend's work will focus on clearance, drainage and fencing as part of the early preparations for the eventual reconstruction of the railway through here. The gang drove to Rowley Cross picnic area carpark, then walked along the trackbed for almost 1/4 mile to the work site.

1. On the snowy trackbed, Martyn Budd briefs everyone on the work required here.

1. On the snowy trackbed, Martyn Budd briefs everyone on the work required here.


2. Keen volunteers came from far and wide - Richard Willey from Cambridge already making his second appearance for 2013.

2. Keen volunteers came from far and wide - Richard Willey from Cambridge already making his second appearance for 2013.


3. Some gorse and scrub was removed first ready for the bonfires.

3. Some gorse and scrub was removed first ready for the bonfires.


4. Some trees overhanging the fence line were also cut back.

4. Some trees overhanging the fence line were also cut back.


5. Martyn Budd marks out the line for the land drain from the A39 and trackbed across the adjacent field.

5. Martyn Budd marks out the line for the land drain from the A39 and trackbed across the adjacent field.


6. The excavator makes light work of the trench digging for the drains.

6. The excavator makes light work of the trench digging for the drains.


7. Digging across the trackbed for the new land drains.

7. Digging across the trackbed for the new land drains.


8. The pipes were then laid in the trench and back filled.

8. The pipes were then laid in the trench and back filled.


9. The complicated pipe system here will drain surface water from the A39 and the cess alongside the trackbed and thus should prevent the waterlogging of the trackbed so prevalent here.

9. The complicated pipe system here will drain surface water from the A39 and the cess alongside the trackbed and thus should prevent the waterlogging of the trackbed so prevalent here.


10. The bonfires help to clear away the cut-down branches and scrub.

10. The bonfires help to clear away the cut-down branches and scrub.


11. After lunch with the snow melting the gang begin a new bonfire which by finishing time had successfully burnt off most of the scrub cut down today.

11. After lunch with the snow melting the gang begin a new bonfire which by finishing time had successfully burnt off most of the scrub cut down today.

Words and pictures by Nigel Thompson

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