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Latest News: Archive
July 2004
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Latest News: Archive
July 2004
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By Paul Mobbs and Owen Stratford.
Four volunteers did clearance work and drainage works at Wymondham in preparation for the run-round loop. Many tree roots were removed from the drainage system and the water levels fell by six inches near to the old A11 bridge.
We had a good turnout of volunteers today for the Northern Section big bash. We started the day by taking out some of the collected brick rubble, dumped illegally onto our property between Swanton Road and Neatherd Road, to be stockpiled at Garvestone. On our return we set off to drop sleepers in the Northern Section for changing. We were working between Swanton Road and Neatherd Road. One part of the team dug out sleepers and the remainder changed them behind. We managed to complete an amazing 52 sleepers during the day. At lunch time we used the works train to collect the many broken chairs that were in the area along with some logs. After the last passenger train had returned to Dereham, we set off along the line once more to drop the logs and collect some fence posts and rail offcuts from Kimberley for fences in Dereham. Upon our return we unloaded the rails and scrap chairs.
We returned to Swanton Road today and changed the remaining 26 sleepers between Swanton Road and Neatherd Road. The work was easily completed by 15:00 and we carried out a swift operation to retrieve the Flatrol wagon from Swanton Road and putting it in the siding using the passenger railcar in the 40 minutes between services. This allowed us all a well earned cup of tea and an early finish. This leaves us to work onwards from Swanton Road towards Hoe...
It was the turn of vegetation around Swanton Road crossing to get trimmed. Harry Long got to grips with the strimmer and gave the site a tidy up.
In the morning attention was given to the sleepers which form the pathway at Hall Lane level crossing which is just to the south of Dereham yard. Some of the sleepers had seen better days and were replaced to keep the pathway in good order. Then it was back into the yard to give attention to the ballast shoulders at various places and then for good measure a considerable amount of scrap bullhead chairs were moved away from their offloading point in the siding.
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Shovelling ballast at Wymondham. 31st July 2004. Photo: Andrew Littlejohns |
Today was spent at Wymondham, preparing the site for the south end turnouts for the run round loop. Drainage troughing was removed from the 6ft adjacent to Lady's Lane, having completed the drainage modifications. Ballast works were also undertaken around the curve towards the junction.
We returned to Crownthorpe to complete the majority of the mowing.
We were back at Wymondham, working on the site of the run round loop. Over time, the braking action of trains approaching the crossing has moved all of the rails, closing up the expansion gaps at the rail ends. We pulled back the rails so that when the turnouts are installed, there is the correct amount of thermal expansion in between the two fixed turnouts.
By Roy Malyon.
Six volunteers continued with the Dereham Station fence project. We have two more posts to fit and then we will begin work on the gate posts.
The final concrete post in Dereham front fence was erected on July 20th. We also fabricated the first gate post and concreted that in place near the Water Tower entrance. There is still much work to do including fitting the 3 strands of wire, 5 gate posts and painting but the fence with all the tubes fitted is impressive.
Five volunteers had a very challenging day yesterday - but eventually managed to place the second water tower gate post and 2 pedestrian gate posts, and put cement round all the fence end posts except the pair at the main gate. Three strands of wire have to be fitted between the tubes and unless the fence end posts are firm, they would move as the wires are tensioned.
James Howes has painted all the fence tubes (except a 6 metre replacement bit that has to be fitted) in grey primer undercoat and then green top coat. The fence is beginning to look very impressive and grateful thanks must go to the many volunteers who have played a part in its progress.
By James Steward.
Work on 5255 continues apace. Rod Eastman has been giving us a great deal of help sanding down and filling the white strip that British Rail put on with tape. You've got to sand it all off, including the glue, or else it'll split when it gets hot later on.
A start has been made on the non-platform side of the body, and a few water reservoirs have been found! A large amount of filler will be required to get this looking good.
Underframe-wise, a new brake block was fitted to the bogie that required it and the slack adjusters adjusted to hold the brakes closer to the wheelsets. A new alternator will be required before we can get the batteries charing when the train goes into service.
A new centre door has been fitted to 5255 since BR removed the lock from the last one and consequently the door began to rot away. Due to inclement weather, not much work has been done on the bodywork but the first of the new double glazed windows has been fitted. Only another 12 to go.