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Latest News: Archive
July 2003
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Latest News: Archive
July 2003
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By Owen Stratford.
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Photo: Alan Cooper |
This weekend was another big job: the refurbishment of Neatherd Road crossing in Dereham. This is part of our Northern Section restoration project and was carried out in conjunction with Norfolk County Highways who wished to install an additional pedestrian footway on the north side of the level crossing. The tarmac had been removed by the highways people during the week and today we set about changing the nine rotten sleepers under the road. Next came hanging the brand new gates that had been fabricated in the wood workshop. Once these were in place and adjusted to level a new closure post was installed. This was a delicate operation, manoeuvring one and a quarter tons of concrete into a precise position using blocks and jacks. Other jobs carried out during the day included fitting two wicket posts and removing contaminated ballast.
Back at Neatherd Road, we completed the outstanding jobs. Two further wicket posts were installed and a team of three spent the day cutting and fitting the pavement edging sleepers. It takes a great deal of skill to mark and then cut the precise holes required in order to fit the sleepers around the various track components using a chainsaw. During the works we found quite a significant amount of the old crossing equipment including the old ducts complete with rodding and signal wires. It's a shame that these were completely unservicable as they would have come in handy.
Today was hopefully our penultimate day at Toller's Lane near Whinburgh working on the continuing resleepering. It was a blisteringly hot day and the railway acts like a sun trap. We inserted 31 sleepers leaving 19 to do next week.
We had programmed a whole day for moving the Up Stop Board at Thuxton. Because of the heat, we drove to site at 10:00 in order to try to carry out the work before it got too hot. Things went much better than expected and we managed to complete the transplant by the time that the first train arrived at Thuxton. We then went back to Dereham for an early lunch. In the afternoon half of the group attended to the three chairs that required changing under Westfield Lane Bridge while Trevor and Owen went down to Wymondham for a site meeting to take the run round forwards.
The team set off once more to Toller's Lane, and after another hot day's work finally managed to wrap up the resleepering in this area. The final 19 were changed and then the sleepers were backfilled.
Today's job was relatively easy by comparison to the day before, but nevertheless just as important. Twist measurements were taken along the stretch of line from Toller's lane to the Trout Farm. This is carried out by taking measurements of the difference in the level of the two rails. There are limits to how much the track can twist, and it is important to check that the track is still well within tolerance. Any poor areas can then be scheduled for remedial work.
By Rosemary Cooper.
This was the photo display's furthest venture and well worth while. We're used to the response we get at local events, but it was amazing the number of people who had visited and didn't get us muddled with another railway!
We gave out so many leaflets on Saturday, we had to ration them on Sunday. We took a small sales stand, with the diesel group having their bits and pieces for sale as well. There was a lot of railwayana, and we came back with a replica foundry plate for Dereham and rubber stamps for Kimberley Park, County School, Dereham and Eastern Region, Wendling. There were also the Dereham south box letters for sale at £70, but we couldn't have fitted them in. The range of steam and diesels on display was something to keep everyone happy. The advantage of being a trader at the event was being able to photograph without hundreds of people walking in front.
Saturday was definitely enthusiast day, and we saw many friends and members. Sunday was more a family day with children running around excitedly, the big draw for them being the Hogwarts Express.
We returned to Norfolk on Sunday evening feeling we had spread the word and made new contacts, which is always important.