Permanent Way Reports

By Trevor Brackpool, Owen Stratford and Simon Addington.

Saturday 1st March: Delivering Sleepers

We took out a works train today to deliver the sleepers to Danemoor. The first task was to remark the sleepers before dropping the replacements off. We then unloaded all of the sleepers through the cutting at the places where we needed them, positioning them and turning them up the right way. We also managed to dig out a further 35 sleepers, leaving us another 3 days' worth of digging out to go before we begin the work of changing them.

Dug out sleepers in Danemoor Cutting.
8th March 2008. Photo: Simon Addington

Saturday 8th March: Digging Out Sleepers

P Way continued to prepare for the resleepering on Danemoor Bank, with all of the sleepers between Hardingham and the main road bridge (1682) dug out.

Monday 10th March: Building Signal Box

Today Dereham North box was craned onto the prepared footings. Now that it is in its final position the restoration on this fine piece of railway history can finally commence. Many will agree that the station area now looks even more authentic with this addition to the scene and let's hope it will do so for many decades to come!

Dereham North box on its new base.
10th March 2008. Photo: Ian Martin

Saturday 15th March: Digging Out Sleepers

With the diesel gala in full swing, we caught the train out to Danemoor today for digging out more sleepers. The object of today's activities was to finish off the south end of the bank, leaving just the north end to complete next week.

Friday 21st March: Extending Pit Road

A small contingent of p-way volunteers were joined by some of the loco people to install the final panel of track on the north end of the pit road in Dereham, and to connect the buffer stop. This still requires lifting and packing before the siding is complete.

Saturday 22nd March: Digging Out Sleepers

On a horrible snowy day, we caught the first service train to Hardingham to dig out the remaining sleepers at the south end of Danemoor Cutting. There were only 20 left to do, which we completed shortly after lunch. After returning to Dereham, we had some time to spare, so spent the afternoon tidying up in the yard.

Northern Section Report

By Gary Hall.

Strimmed embankment near County School.
9th March 2008. Photo: Ray Jordan

Sunday 9th March: Tidying Up at County School

The east bank from County School all the way to bridge 1707, a distance of around half a mile, has now been tidied up by the removal of some trees, brush and old branches from past clearance work, and the whole area has been strimmed. The results are magnificent and we are hoping that the walkers on the 21 of March will appreciate and enjoy the view that has been blocked for years. Special thanks to Ray and Neal for all the extra time that they have been putting in, in order to bring this area up to such a good standard.