Wednesday 19th January: Tamper Visits the Railway

Tamper at work near Dereham
Photo: Alan Cooper

We have been working closely with Balfour Beatty Rail Ltd. and following on from last year's tamper training, we have again been carrying out more work with them.

A tamper visited the line on Wednesday 19th January. As well as on-track running, we were able to offer classroom facilities to them as part of the deal; at the same time a ballast regulator has been with us for two weeks in mid January. As well as the line offering an excellent training ground, it has also helped immensely with our track maintenance programme.

Permanent Way Reports

By Owen Stratford and Matt Goodrum.

Saturday 8th January: Laying the Wymondham run-round

We were at Wymondham today, starting the run round loop. Unfortunately the gremlins we out in force, and we had a failure of the Class 20 on route to site. After a delay whilst we were rescued, we were further delayed by a tree, blown down in the gales!

After finally arriving on site 2 hours late, work went well, and all components were unloaded from the works train. The existing plain line was split and removed, and the old ballast dug out. The large components were then positioned before time got the better of us and we had to stop to get the works train back before dark.

Sunday 9th January: Laying the Wymondham run-round

We were back on site at Wymondham at 8:30. The early start was primarily to recover the time lost due to the previous day's loco failure. Today saw the PW team getting the bones of the turnout together. The sleepers were all laid out and the 1:10 crossing aligned and screwed down. The closure rails were then joined on in order to get the spacing correct, since this point is already precut, having been recovered from Cambridge. Once this was done, the switch blades were joined on and the whole assembly is looking like a railway again! There is still much to do in order to complete the assembly and pack it all level.

Thursday 13th January: Assembling a Point

An early start at 8am saw our valiant team begin by drilling the rails for the fishplates, then make a start to fix the rail to its chairs and the chairs to the sleepers.

Saturday 15th January: Packing Track

Another early start and we completed fixing the rail to the timbers. Then we packed the track to the correct level.

Sunday 16th January: Finishing Point Installation

Only finishing off work was required today, including riddling the old ballast to remove dirt and to use it to fill the gaps between the sleepers. That's the first point installed but we still have 2 more and the rest of the loop still to go in. If you have ever thought about volunteering then now would be a good time to join our friendly bunch. You could be a part of bringing steam back to the Wymondham to Dereham line. Interested? Then contact the volunteer coordinator.


Installing the new point at Wymondham. 16th January 2005. Photos: Matt Goodrum

Saturday 22nd January: Installing a Point

Today was the start of the installation of the second point at Wymondham, backing on to the one that was finished the week before. We started the day by loading up several long point timbers that were needed but had not been loaded onto the train. We then set off to Wymondham. Once there, we unloaded the metalwork for the remaining two points and the sleepers. The formation was dug down slightly where it had become rucked up and then the sleepers were laid out.

Sunday 23rd January: Installing a Point

We spent today getting the skeleton of the second point together. The 1:10 common crossing was positioned and the adjoining rails cut and drilled to suit. The sleepers were also spaced. We then moved the switch blades into the correct location and these were gauged and partially screwed down. A lot of time was spent ensuring that the components were correctly positioned, since the space in this location is extremely tight due to the presence of the cutting sides, a bridge and the base of a signal box which we intend to re-use eventually.

Saturday 29th January: Installing a Point

Back at Wymondham, work continued on the second point in the run-round loop. The closures that join the switch blade to the crossing were positioned and then the sleepers were spaced underneath. In order to correctly position these long timbers, the ballast shoulder on the adjacent road had to be dug away slightly. This was necessary to ensure that the correct geometry is maintained through the turnout.


Setting up the straight route. 29th January 2005. Photo: Matt Goodrum	Adjusting everything to ensure the correct geometry. 30th January 2005. Photo: Matt Goodrum

Sunday 30th January: Installing a Point

Having set out the straight datum rail on the Saturday, it was then possible to lay out further rails within the point. To get a smooth curve on the diverging route, the offsets between the straight and curved rails are measured at regular distances through the point. Having correctly positioned two rails on either route, the tracks are gauged and a few screws are inserted into the sleepers to hold the assembly rigid. Having confirmed the correct assembly, the remaining holes in all the other chairs are drilled, then we can make a start on screwing them down. There still remains the task of cutting and fish plating several of the rails. After a good weekend's work, this point looks substantially complete, but further work remains to complete the assembly.

Coach Restoration Report

By James Steward.

Sunday 23rd January: Coach Restoration Latest

Brake coach 17079 has been moved into the bay platform to facilitate further clearing out of 5255. Work is progressing sealing the windows from the elements and the interior will begin to be refitted in the next couple of months. The brake coach has had an interior clean and some minor repairs carried out to the doors. It is intended to prevent any further corrosion before a repaint later in the year.