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Latest News: Archive
April 2007
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Latest News: Archive
April 2007
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By Owen Stratford, Trevor Brackpool and Paul Mobbs.
It was back out with the trolley again to complete the removal of the excess ballast dropped by the dogfish and to transfer it onto the siding leading up to offloading pad. Although the run round was in use again this weekend the opportunity was taken to tidy the ballast off the tops of the sleepers and to form ballast shoulders etc. Work also started to level and consolidate the soil on the extended portion of the pad with half being completed. Doesn't sound much but it took all day to do and after you have moved half a ton of ballast and soil your muscles tell you different.
We caught the first train of the day to the site of the recent sleeper-changing at Crownthorpe. A few of the sleepers still needed the ballast to be replaced around them, and once that was completed we tidied up the rotten remains of the replaced sleepers into several piles for disposal. The completion of that section enabled us to shorten the 10mph temporary speed restriction. It can't be removed completely because we still have a lot of re-sleepering to do in an adjacent section of track. We marked up the ones that are to be changed and made a start on digging them out.
Over the Easter break it was a case of finishing off some of the minor outstanding items associated with the new pointwork by Norwich Road gates and the offloading siding at Dereham and then moving on to start a new track work project.
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Prepared ground for the new siding. 9th April 2007. Photo: Paul Mobbs |
We took the opportunity to lift and pack the short section of the off loading siding to improve the top and line as the siding had a bit of a sag half way along. Also we gave the point switches a quick tweak with the jim crow to equal the tension in both blades before we returned it to its owner at Yaxham.
Then our attention turned to the next work site down the yard. The introduction of the run round capability at Dereham means that platform 1 needs to be kept clear when the run round is in use. The upshot is that we have a lack of siding space. In order to address this problem we have started to prepare the groundwork to install a second siding to run parallel with the existing long siding, the point for which was installed but secured out of use when the track work to the inspection pit was commissioned.
Six PW volunteers ventured out to the Wymondham sewage works today to continue preparing the next batch of sleepers for changing. We were joined by a new volunteer, so welcome to Alex. We caught the train out from Dereham and enjoyed glorious sunny weather, although to be fair, by lunchtime it was a bit on the hot side. We dug out 36 sleepers from the next tranche working from Crownthorpe cutting southwards.
Today was spent in Dereham yard. After a lot of pestering from the Operations Department, we agreed to put down some extra track panels. Two shorter 40ft lengths of concrete sleepered track were positioned on the north end of the loco pit. We had to use these to ensure that the lift was within the capabilities of the crane. We had a small worry when the crane started making a funny smell, but after a short period shut down with the doors open to cool it down, we were able to continue with no further problems. In addition to the pit extension, we also put two 60ft panels of timber sleepered track onto the southern point in the yard. From these we will continue the next long siding with Flat-bottom track that we have in stock.
The P Way crew decamped to Kimberley today. Having changed sleepers here a few weeks ago, there was still some back-filling of the ballast left to be completed. This was all completed today and included a little riddling of the ballast in the platform to remove dirt and thus ensure that our new sleepers last for a little longer.
The main thrust of the day's work was to join up the two 60ft panels, which were lifted into place by the rail crane last weekend, so that our Carriage and Wagon colleagues could position the maroon BSK coach in a position where a wheel set swap can be preformed with the assistance of a crane. Two missing sleepers, where the panels butted up to the southern point, were prepared and installed and the two panels set to a temporary alignment which will be better for the lifting operation. The two panels were then packed and rail stops that had been fitted at the end of the old MOD road were bolted into place at the rail ends.
The culmination of all this hard work was the shunting of the BSK coach onto the newly installed track so that preparation works could take place next day (Sunday) freeing off the connections between the bogies and the body of the coach to facilitate the lifting of the coach body from the bogies.
Today our attention turned to connecting up the two panels of track adjacent to the Dereham Central signal box. The work involved moving the rails so they have the correct gap between panels. The usual hard graft especially when there's only three of you. Also the additional weight of the concrete sleepers means that trip jacks are needed to move the track into the correct alignment instead of usual bars.
We caught the train back out to Crownthorpe today, giving all of the PW crew an extra few moments in bed! We carried on with digging out the next batch of sleepers to be changed. Although it was another unseasonably hot day, there was a superb breeze keeping us all cooled. A further 33 sleepers were dug out, leaving 25 for completion next week.
As a further bonus, there was a crane in the yard carrying out a wheel-set swap on one of the coaches. In exchange for using one of our PW drivers of the rail crane, we had a stack of track panels that were too far away for us to reach them, moved within reach of the rail crane. These will no doubt disappear as we lay the next siding.
Today saw a two pronged attack plan. In order to ready the extra couple of track panels on the end of the pit road for the steam engine, Trevor supervised the lifting and packing of this to run down off of the pit onto the levelled formation.
Meanwhile Owen had prearranged to go to recover a couple of ground frames. These were situated alongside an operational railway line so required a COSS (Controller of Site Safety) to make the necessary arrangements for us to access the line safely. The frames had been donated over a year ago and the logistics of getting them out gave us a lot of head scratching as they are really heavy and one was nearly a mile away from the nearest access. In the end we decided to go for dismantling them. Today saw us strip out the three remaining levers, and the quadrants that were left in situ. These were then light enough to carry up the side of the track. (just - even a 'light' large lump of metal is heavy after a long walk) One locking tray was also removed. This leaves the main frames remaining, and us to work out how to get them out.
By Terry Mann
Progress has been made over the last few weeks but unfortunately not all in a forward direction. Testing the cooling system showed up a number of leaks in the radiator but after removal and some soldering repairs to the core and head tank we have concluded the radiator is not fit for further service. The core is just too weak and fixing one area has revealed leaks in other parts. So if anyone has a spare radiator for a 1955 Ransomes yard crane in their shed at the bottom of the garden then please get in touch with Vic or myself. But more seriously, if anybody does know of a radiator going spare (from something like a Discovery, Range Rover or large van) we would be most grateful for its donation to the cause.
Unfortunately filling the fuel tank resulted in finding that tin worm had been at work on this as well, with several areas at the base well rotted. We have been more successful with repairs and the fuel tank is now back in place and holding fuel.
Work on the electrics has started with wires being pulled through from each motor to the main distribution panel. We will now start to sort out the motor wiring circuitry and numbering in preparation for some connections to be made just as soon as we can rebuild the engine cooling system and get the engine and generator going.
By Richard Cullen and Gary Hall.
Richard spent several hours giving the stores wagon at County School a long-overdue tidy today. Several lost items were discovered, including a lightweight strimmer which had been missing for about two years!
It is hoped that all volunteer staff will help to keep the wagon clear and safe until it is withdrawn from use for major overhaul in the fairly near future.
The difference a month makes! Mother Nature is making a come back in a big way, but this year there is a difference: the number of wild flowers has increased. We have also noted more birds and lots of insects. I guess that we are doing something right! We started to clear up some trees that were dropped last weekend to make way for the new footpath fence south of the accommodation crossing. One of us worked on drain clearance by bridge 1706, two continued the tree clearance work and two started on installing wire on the new posts. Five strands have now been installed; nearly all the wood has been cut up and relocated as well as a good section of the French drain has been cleared. All in all it was a good day. The only problem that we had if you would like to call it that was the number of walkers stopping to have a chat. All were extremely pleased with the work that has been accomplished.