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Photo Album: Thuxton Passing Loop Construction
Building Work
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Photo Album: Thuxton Passing Loop Construction
Building Work
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An important part of the project has been the brickwork. We are building a brand new signal box close to the level crossing, in a location that is convenient for the signaller. We are also extending the platform, initially to accommodate 9-coach trains. We have had a significant shortage of capacity, so it seems inevitable that we will need to run trains of this length in the near future.
![Pouring Foundations](javascript:toggle_image ("pour.jpeg", 200, 150, 550, 412))
The original up platform at Thuxton was only two coaches long, so a train standing at the starter signal would have only the loco and brake coach in the platform, making it very difficult for passengers to get on and off the train.
The first stage was to shutter and pour the foundations. This required 18.5 cubic metres of Flowcrete that we poured from the lorry in the adjacent lane.
25th August 2009. Photo: Bill Collins
![Extending the Platform](javascript:toggle_image ("platform.jpeg", 200, 150, 550, 412))
Having built the foundations, we began to brick up the front wall of the new platform.
6th September 2009. Photo: Gary Hall
![Signal Box Foundations](javascript:toggle_image ("foundations.jpeg", 200, 150, 550, 412))
The new signal box is set on the side of the low embankment just south of the level crossing. This made it necessary to dig some fairly substantial reinforced concrete foundations.
20th July 2009. Photo: Bill Collins
![The First Block](javascript:toggle_image ("block.jpeg", 200, 150, 550, 412))
Once the concrete had set, work could begin on the bricklaying. By the end of the day, the back wall of the box had reached rail height, over a metre above the base of the embankment.
16th August 2009. Photo: Bill Collins
![Back Wall](javascript:toggle_image ("back.jpeg", 200, 150, 550, 412))
The box will be built largely from brick, using parts recovered from East Winch signal box. We can begin to see how the design will look when it is finished.
5th September 2009. Photo: Bill Collins
![Lintel](javascript:toggle_image ("lintel.jpeg", 200, 150, 550, 412))
The front of the box will have a wide hole through which the point rodding and signal wires will pass. All of the signalling equipment will be supported on the three rails passing through the front wall, while the rails in the wall will form a lintel to support the brickwork above it. The railways have always been great recyclers, and it is traditional to use worn-out rail for structural purposes such as this.
13th September 2009. Photo: Bill Collins
![Window Arches](javascript:toggle_image ("arches.jpeg", 200, 150, 550, 412))
The cold winter has held up construction work on the signal box considerably. It is not possible to lay cement when it is frosty, as it will not cure properly and so will crumble as soon as it thaws out. In spite of these setbacks, bricklaying has reached the height of the arches above the lower windows.
7th March 2010. Photo: Bill Collins