Permanent Way and Signalling Reports

By Trevor Brackpool, Owen Stratford and Simon Addington.

Saturday 5th January: Lifting and Packing

We took the works train to Wymondham to lift and pack part of the run-round loop, which has settled a little since it was built. While there, we took the opportunity to replace a cracked fishplate just north of the station. Once all this was completed, we moved up to Crownthorpe, where the area around bridge 1677 received some attention with the Hiltis.

Clearing brambles away from the fence at Thuxton.
12th January 2008. Photo: Simon Addington

Saturday 12th January: Odd Jobs

The works train was taken to Thuxton (behind 47 596) and the first job was jacking and packing near bridge 1686. After lunch we moved south to attend to a kink in the rail at the 6 mile post. Whilst this was being done, some of the gang went to assist in clearing the fenceline at the top of Thuxton cutting, to allow the replacement wire to be installed, as well as general tidying up following the felling of trees by contractors. On the return journey, we picked up the logs that were cut during the working party on the 29th December, and delivered them to Yaxham.

Saturday 19th January: Lifting and Packing

We packed both sides of the Trout Farm bridge (1687), where the embankment has settled slightly over the last few years. Then we changed 3 cracked chairs near Garvestone and adjusted the rail gaps on 6 rails where we had had difficulty removing fishplates during last autumn's greasing.

The new siding with the maroon coaches standing on it.
26th January 2008. Photo: Paul Mobbs

Saturday 26th January: Various Tasks in Dereham Yard

P Way spent the day in Dereham Yard. We had two main jobs to do. With Barry operating the crane, we moved the buffer stop at the south end of the second siding southwards and then inserted a 30ft track panel to give us a little more length. Then the crane was put to use bringing up two rails that were placed into the chairs at the north end of the pit siding in order to extend this by 60ft. This was followed by a further buffer stop which was collected from the yard and placed at the end of these rails. Finally we moved a bundle of new sleepers into position for next week before unloading old sleepers off the flatrol for resale. Meanwhile, in the yard the other half of the PW crew, assisted by some loco owners and operations staff were working on the second siding. The front end two panels required some lifting and this was carried out first. We then moved down to the middle of the siding and continued to lift and pack the track to bring a further two panels into use. At the end of the day, this was passed into use and the maroon Mk2 coaching rake parked on it.

Sunday 27th January: Signalling Work in Dereham Yard

We returned again to the yard in Dereham to continue working on the signalling. A new bench was prepared in order to take a crank that will drive the southern turnout. All of the required components were assembled and trial fitted together. We then dug a hole to place the bench in the ground. This comprised two 6ft slots that take the concrete legs and then a timber top. Once completed, the bench was installed and levelled. The crank was then placed on top and everything joined and lined up. Finally the area was backfilled and compacted. The crank base will be secured down at a later stage once the point drive is transferred over onto it.

Northern Section Report

By Richard Cullen.

Partly-constructed Anderson shelter at County School.
13th January 2008. Photo: Richard Cullen

Sunday 13th January: Restoring Anderson Shelter

The reconstruction of the County School Anderson bomb shelter has started. This shelter is slightly larger than normal shelters, as it was originally provided to a local church. As can be seen in the photograph, we are missing the left hand front panel. Before we complete the rebuild, we would love to hear from anyone who is able to provide a replacement.