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Latest News: Archive
February 2004
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Latest News: Archive
February 2004
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By Paul Mobbs and Owen Stratford.
Once again, we were back in Toftwood Cutting to remove more trees and vegetation from the old upside cutting side. Now that the scrub is mostly gone, the scale of the clean-up that will be necessary is becoming painfully apparent. The cutting sides are covered in rubbish that has been dumped over the fence.
We took out the works train to carry out a couple of lift and pack jobs at Hardingham. The first job was a delicate one as we were lifting adjacent to bridge 1683. This has longitudinal timbers over it, which are part of the bridge structure and so cannot be disturbed. Nearby lifts have to be carefully controlled to ensure that these timbers are not raised. Once this had been attended to we moved to a site a few hundred yards away and lifted a low spot beyond bridge 1684. This was another 50mm lift which requires a large amount of ballast to be infilled. Fortunately, ballast was dropped here several years previously to fill up low spots and so we just had to go and move it manually from where there was excess.
In previous weeks, we have been cutting the scrub out of Toftwood Cutting faster than we can burn it. This is because we can't light fires when the smoke would blow over adjacent houses. Today's task was to burn the material that has been stacked up.
We went out with the works train for a day's lift and packing. The first port of call was the track near Hardingham (Bridge 1684) where the top and line was improved by lifting and packing the track using the Hilti hammers. Then it was off to the river bridge (1686), which is just north of Thuxton, to attend to a small dip in the track. The next area was a track panel near the Trout Farm, before finishing off the day with packing a set of dipped joints near Rash's Green footpath crossing.
Although the weather was not the best (light drizzle) the P-way gang were able to get a fire started and burn the cut vegetation stacked up near Westfield Lane Bridge.
Saturday was spent in Dereham providing the Section Walkers with a briefing and update. The Section Walkers provide an essential service by patrolling the track and reporting and rectifying any defects. In the afternoon, Trevor and Owen spent the time carrying out minor works, installing a couple of concrete posts, and moving and tidying various things in the yard.
We spent Sunday at Rash's Green and cut and burnt the remaining vegetation in the vicinity of the footpath crossing. Now that all of the works in this area are completed, the difference is remarkable. The whole section is a treat to see.
By Derrick Plyer.
Work resumed in the Dereham Central Signal Box after a short break. The ceiling panels are now sealed and ready for gloss painting as soon as the temperature allows.
A start has been made on sorting the window frame wooden trim panels for both interior and exterior - not all have survived and a few of those that have are frankly too badly split or damaged at the ends. The majority however are now being stripped of remaining paint and having holes filled and sanded prior to a 'dry run' to confirm their locations, before re-painting starts.
After last week's sort out of the window surrounds, today saw most of the paint stripping accomplished, followed by filling and sanding. Fortunately, as we have replaced the window sills, we have a marginal adjustment to make at the bottom of the vertical surrounds. This is the area which was most prone to attack from rainwater so we can tidy this up as we prepare them for fitting. I know I'm going on about a few pieces of timber, but in the sliding window openings they also serve the important job of draught excluders. On a cold, windy winter's day in such an exposed location, a good fit will be most appreciated by the incumbent signalman!
By Graham Moates.
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St Augustine's layout at the Model Rail Exhibition. 28th February 2004. Photo: Gerry Balding |
Commercial group volunteers were up bright and early to brave the snowy conditions which greeted this year's Model Rail Exhibition. Despite heavy snowfall around the county, over 450 visitors still turned out for MNR's biggest show to date with thirteen layouts on display. Planning for next year's event is already underway - among those layouts already booked are: Stump City (HOn3), Abington End (O), Snorley Wood (OO) and Anderson Lock (OO).
By Graham Moates and Roy Malyon.
Graham and John have altered the fence at Kimberley Park Station in preparation for the installation of a new wicket gate.
Terry Mann and his cement mixer (with the help of Arnold Brackpool, Ernie Woolley and Roy Malyon) completed the concrete foundations for the passenger shelter at Kimberley today using approximately four tonnes of ballast. Ian Nugent supplied the shuttering, which he will remove in about a week's time.
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Progress at Kimberley Park. A wicket gate will be installed here to allow access to the station from the adjacent footpath. 8th February 2004. Photo: John Harwood |
Ian Nugent constructs shuttering for the foundations of the platform shelter at Kimberley. 14th February 2004. Photo: Alan Cooper |