News
WELSHPOOL & LLANFAIR
LIGHT RAILWAY
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News from the Line
Whilst the season is well underway, every opportunity is being taken to continue the all important maintenance. Whilst the track gang take a break for lunch, No.19 made a 'running in' journey to Cyfronydd to test that all was well before her first passenger duties of the season on the following day. 12 April 2013 Photo: Bruce Webber
2013
For older news stories please follow the follow links: 50th Anniversary Season is Underway With the problems reported elsewhere on this page, it is with some relief that the Easter period operation has passed and the 2013 season is in full swing. The severe snow one week before opening may have been the last thing that the outdoor engineers wished to see, but it added a magical touch to the first week's operation as can be seen in the accompanying photographs. It would have been disappointing had the railway reached its Golden Jubilee with a partially closed line (although perhaps quite appropriate if the trains had only operated between Llanfair Caereinion and Castle Caereinion because of the problems near Sylfaen), but the efforts of staff and volunteers ensured the whole line was open. On the 6th April, the railway celebrated 50 years of preserved operation. More information about the anniversary can be found in the Press Release issued on 8th April. Mention has been made of the outdoor engineers, but the mechanical department must not be forgotten. During the last two weeks all four main line passenger steam locomotives have been in use - the first time for some years that this has been possible. In addition, Salzkammergut Lokalbahn carriage C569 quietly entered service on 30th March, and wagon 33 has made a transformation from a snow covered Permanent Way vehicle to a stage fit for the Chairman of the Company. All in all, it might have been a cold Easter holiday, but non the less an enjoyable and satisfying one. Do come and see us for yourself.
'Joan' approaching Coppice Lane with the first train of the new season. 29 March 2013 Photo: Alan Barnes
'Joan' at Cwm Lane with the first train of the season from Welshpool. 29 March 2013 Photo: Patrick Cheshire
Newly restored carriage C569 (the 4-wheeled carriage next to the locomotive) quietly entered service and is seen here on her first train near Coppice Lane with 'Countess'. 30 March 2013 Photo: Ulrich Clees
'Joan' is once again in service near Coppice Lane. 31 March 2013 Photo: Patrick Cheshire
Carrying a suitable headboard, 'Countess' is seen at Castle Caereinion, terminus of the line when re-opened to the public in 1963. 6 April 2013 Photo: Andrew Charman
One of the 'Nostalgia Trains' near Heniarth. The carriages used 50 years ago have moved on to new pastures, but the three carriages used on this train all arrived on the W&L during April 1968 making them the next best thing. 6 April 2013 Photo: Andrew Charman
Members gather around the Chairman, Alan Higgins, whilst he updates a speech made 50 years earlier from the same wagon. 6 April 2013 Photo: Andrew Charman
On the three days that the railway has not been in operation since Good Friday the track gang have continued their work on repairs to the line caused by the winter weather. During the 'Engineers Possession' the gang take a well deserved break to admire No.19 which was being run-in following winter maintenance. Everyone loves steam trains! 12 April 2013 Photo: Bruce Webber
Ends We made it! It has not been the easiest few months leading up to the Easter opening and, as hinted elsewhere, resources have been stretched. Despite major unexpected problems, the first train ran on time with only a few people knowing of the struggle beforehand. At one stage it seemed as though we were finding new problems every day, and as February rolled into March the track gang put in extra days and rose to the challenge. With a feeling that perhaps we are now moving out of the 'Winter Railway' and into the operating season we thought you would like to see some of the extra jobs needed before trains could operate again. When we set ourselves the challenge of trying to document our winter activities to share with you we never thought there would be quite so much. Thank you for all the kind words of encouragement and gratitude that we have received from people who have already seen the end result. A note about the photographs. With pressure mounting to carry out all of the jobs, the photographers often resorted to cameras on mobile phones to record the work during short breaks. Weather and machinery have not made the workplace the best place to store expensive camera equipment at times. We hope that it does not detract from your enjoyment.
Quarry Cutting ...... Nice flowers, pity about the location!
A few hours with shovels could have cleared enough of the surface mess to allow trains to pass. 5 February 2013 Photo: Kevin Heywood
Or you can do it the easy way and ensure a more longer lasting job is achieved. The 'Rollwagen' has proved to be a saviour this winter, and the use of the JCB ensured that the line was cleared and ditches re-instated in just one day. The old method of transporting road vehicles would probably have taken half a day alone for the safe loading and unloading of the vehicle. 4 March 2013 Photo: Dave Bothamley
Castle Bank ...... A Little Rabbit Problem
This was a known problem, but not one that we wished to tackle at this moment in time. Rabbits have a fondness for the soft earth that is used on many of our embankments. Heavy rain after a large snow fall combined with the rabbit burrows to move this job on to the 'must be done now' list. Fortunately, like most of the winter problems, the damage did not stop trains passing the site as it was caught in time. The following sequence of photographs show the progress as the new retaining wall was constructed. 6 March 2013 Photo: Dave Bothamley
6 March 2013 Photo: Dave Bothamley
8 March 2013 Photo: Dave Bothamley
11 March 2013 Photo: Dave Bothamley
The finished product is quite a work of art. What isn't clear in the photographs are the various fixings to help keep it in place - it doesn't just rely on gravity. 11 March 2013 Photo: Dave Bothamley Cwm Curves to Pussy Bridge ....... Unwanted Water
The fast melting snow caused a stream at Cwm Curves to divert along the trackbed. The volume of water must have been impressive but only the after effect was seen. Note the debris alongside the far rail, and one of the areas where the water broke through back to the stream which is out of sight to the left of the photograph. This was the area of track relaid during early 2012 and was soon repaired. 7 February 2013 Photo: Kevin Heywood
Of more concern was the damage just around the corner at Four Mile Oak where an old tree stump has partially blocked the stream. The volume of water took the easiest route through the gap - the soft railway embankment. With the stream now a little too close for comfort the decision was taken to remove the stump and return the stream to its natural course. At this time there was still no rail access to this site. 7 February 2013 Photo: Kevin Heywood
A contractor was used to cut up part of the stump. 12 March 2013 Photo: Dave Bothamley
By the time work was being planned for the removal of the stump at Four Mile Oak (just visible above the right shoulder of the gentleman wearing orange) water levels had dropped and it was realised we had a larger problem at the location known as Pussy Bridge. Note the state of the field, 15 March 2013 Photo: Dave Bothamley
Swirling water had undermined one of the bridge retaining walls. The solution - temporarily divert the stream, dry out the bed and build new foundations. Some stone had already been placed to help fill the void beneath the wall. 15 March 2013 Photo: Dave Bothamley
Diversion in Progress. 15 March 2013 Photo: Dave Bothamley
'Where's the water gone?' 15 March 2013 Photo: Dave Bothamley
Concreting in progress. 18 March 2013 Photo: Dave Bothamley
And the finished concreted bed is protected from the weather. This area of the line is one of the most windswept, and during the period that the repairs were being made the cold and damp was almost unbearable. 18 March 2013 Photo: Dave Bothamley
Shuttering in place for the retaining wall. 19 March 2013 Photo: Dave Bothamley
And thumbs up. Stage one complete. With part of the wall in place to provide support the opportunity was taken to continue the job and secure the rest of the wall in a similar manner rather than have to return to the location in the very near future. 20 March 2013 Photo: Dave Bothamley
The second phase coincided with the heaviest snow of the winter - just one week before trains were due to start. Whilst roads further north were becoming impassable, the bulk of the snow held off for work to continue on 22 March. The workforce altered their working days to ensure that precious time was not lost because of the snow. Excellent forward planning. 22 March 2013 Photo: Bruce Webber
Trains were used to transport concrete the short distance from Sylfaen station to Pussy Bridge. 22 March 2013 Photo: Bruce Webber
By the end of the day phase two of the retaining wall was in place (the base having been constructed the previous day). Working conditions were even more unpleasant but sufficient progress was made to ensure that trains could pass Pussy Bridge once more. Heavier snow followed later in the evening and the following day. 22 March 2013 Photo: Bruce Webber
By the following Monday the site was not looking very Spring like. Staff were optimistic that the emergency repairs would now be completed, but were less so about water supplies for the steam locomotives required the following Friday. 25 March 2013 Photo: Kevin Heywood
A sense of achievement is keeping spirits high! 25 March 2013 Photo: Kevin Heywood
The retaining wall is in place, pointing can wait a few days. 25 March 2013 Photo: Kevin Heywood
Trains had worked through from Llanfair. 'The Wasp' in the background cleared the way, and No.7 brought two pipes for the Four Mile Oak repair. As on many days, workshop staff interrupted their schedule to help the outdoor engineers with the repairs. 25 March 2013 Photo: Bruce Webber
The Rollwagen was used once again to move the JCB between sites. 25 March 2013 Photo: Dave Bothamley
There is still a considerable amount of tree stump to mark the location of the old Oak, and the stream has now been cleared. The extent of the erosion is quite obvious. 26 March 2013 Photo: Dave Bothamley
Snowing again, but the work is nearly complete. 27 March 2013 Photo: Dave Bothamley
A few week's later and you would hardly know that there had been so much trouble. 13 April 2013 Photo: Kevin Heywood
The pointing took place as the first trains of the season were rolling by, and finishing touches will take place in the near future. 13 April 2013 Photo: Kevin Heywood
Castle Caereinion Electricity Supply ..... an interruption
One of the planned jobs for this winter was a new electricity supply at Castle Caereinion. Work for new ducting was on-going when some of the emergency repairs were discovered and labour was transferred elsewhere. Work is in progress once more as this is being typed. 27 February 2013 Photo: Dave Bothamley A Few Ten Minute Jobs ..... how come they always take longer than the boss says?
The wet weather has caused considerable debris to be washed into the railway's drainage system. This particular one a short distance away from the winter relay site was so blocked that water started seeping through the embankment and on to the railway below. 5 March 2013 Photo: Kevin Heywood
Traditional shovels were the solution on this occasion, and some two hours later the water was back on the correct course. The day also coincided with a short spell of mild weather and for once everyone was too hot!. 5 March 2013 Photo: Kevin Heywood
We'll be digging out culverts and streams for months, but the larger ones have been tackled. This one near Heniarth was one of the more satisfying clearances. The debris had been as high as the rail below the top rail on the old gate, and the water not far from it. When the snow suddenly melted during February it was smaller streams like this that suffered the most, the River Banwy behind the photographer was not as dramatic as it often can be. The snow that fell the day after this photograph melted at a much slower, and less damaging rate. 21 March 2013 Photo: Alan Barnes
A change from repairs. Whilst a gang cleared the adjacent stream, new signs were erected at Dolarddyn Road level crossing. All these little jobs add up and before you know it another day has passed and the opening day is a little closer. 21 March 2013 Photo: Alan Barnes Problems at The Kink ...... An age old problem
The area of the railway near Cyfronydd known as The Kink has suffered from land movement throughout the 50 years of preservation. With snow covering the sleepers that we wished to lift and tamp we could not tackle this job before train operations on 29 March. A temporary speed restriction was applied, and the line was closed for repairs on the first available day without trains. To slew the track back into place speedily the JCB was brought to site. 5 April 2013 Photo: Kevin Heywood
The movement doesn't look too great in the photograph, but you should be looking at a left hand curve rather than a straight line with a bulge. It took until about 7.00pm to do sufficient slewing, lifting and tamping to allow trains to operate the following day - the Golden Jubilee celebration. Once you start a job you've got to finish it. There was no doubt a little last minute effort to finish something 50 years ago as well. 5 April 2013 Photo: Dave Bothamley
On the following Monday, with no trains planned a small gang returned to site to continue improvements. About 50 tonnes of ballast was used to return the levels to something resembling normal. Having started the job we decided that it was time to spend a little more effort at improving the location rather than the periodic slew and tamp that takes place every few years. 8 April 2013 Photo: Kevin Heywood
The Tamper in action. Levels are beginning to look decent once more. 8 April 2013 Photo: Kevin Heywood
One final day to smooth the job and lay extra ballast to secure everything in place. The full extent of the job is visible. 12 April 2013 Photo: Alan Barnes
Tidying has taken place, and a most satisfying job achieved. 12 April 2013 Photo: Alan Barnes
So is that it? Can the outdoor engineers take a break? Fortunately everyone enjoys themselves, and who wants to work in miserable weather to then sit indoors during the more pleasant months (we hope). All the work outlined above has taken place instead of other planned maintenance which will continue when trains are not in operation. Time has already been spent back on the Relay Site between Cyfronydd and Dirty Lane to do some of the finishing jobs and much more is planned.
One of two small occupation crossings at the eastern end of the site which received new timbers whilst some of the gang were at The Kink. 5 April 2013 Photo: Dave Bothamley
The livestock crossing at the western end of the site receives the last finishing touches. 12 April 2013 Photo: Kevin Heywood
Ends
Snow and Chocolate In addition to the usual pre-season preparations, the track and workshop staff have put down their normal tools of their trade and picked up shovels and brushes to ensure that the recent snow fall is clear of public areas and the line is clear between Welshpool and Llanfair Caereinion. The snow is melting slowly but there should be a chance for the first few visitors of the season to view the entire line as rarely seen by public passenger train. And for the children travelling between 29th March and 1st April......... a FREE Easter Egg.
'The Wasp' is ready to clear the line of any obstruction. 25 March 2013 Photo: Kevin Heywood
The view from 'The Wasp'. The depth of the snow varied throughout the line, but very few drifts were encountered en-route, unlike many of the surrounding roads. Luckily no major trees were found to have been brought down by the weight of the snow. 25 March 2013 Photo: Kevin Heywood
Complete with newly fitted steam heating equipment, 'Joan' is ready for the next day's service. 28 March 2013 Photo: Kevin Heywood
Ends Winter Relay - The End of the Job (Almost) Over a month has gone by since we wrote about the relay site being ready for ballasting and tamping, and it has taken nearly all of that time to complete the task. The gang have been split between planned maintenance and unplanned repairs. The inevitable call on some of our resources being required in two places at the same time has caused some delays. This collection of photographs completes the planned outdoor maintenance story and we hope encourages you to come and have a look for yourselves from one of the balconied carriages of our passenger trains. Those of you who have been inspired may wish to learn more and join the gang.
Moving the ballast from Cyfronydd station to the site using the Ballast Hoppers has only taken a few days to complete the bulk of the job, but further journeys have been made to some areas to bring the embankment levels back towards their original height. 1 March 2013 Photo Bruce Webber
The Side Discharge wagon in action. 28 February 2013 Photo John Seaman
The Centre Discharge Wagon takes its turn - so much easier than shovelling by hand. 28 February 2013 Photo John Seaman
Sign Hut Curve ballasted, but before the tamper has passed through the site. 28 February 2013 Photo John Seaman
A rotating laser is used to ensure the tamper operator is aware of the correct level before a sleeper is tamped (a detector is mounted on the tamping machine). 28 February 2013 Photo Kevin Heywood
The Tamper in operation - pushing and vibrating stone under each sleeper. When required, hydraulic clamps and lifting rams are used to lift the rails (with sleepers) to the desired level. 28 February 2013 Photo John Seaman
UGM No.9 in operation. 1 March 2013 Photo Bruce Webber
A closer view of the Tamping Tines performing a task in a fraction of the time required if done by hand. 1 March 2013 Photo Bruce Webber
Tamped track before tidying. 20 March 2013 Photo Kevin Heywood
And a little further on, after tidying. 20 March 2013 Photo Kevin Heywood
The finished product. 20 March 2013 Photo Kevin Heywood
'The Wasp' passing Sign Hut. 20 March 2013 Photo Kevin Heywood
The gang en-route for one final day of tidying. 21 March 2013 Photo Kevin Heywood
Almost Done. For the time being a 10mph speed restriction has been applied to the site whilst the track is consolidated. The site will be re-visited after Easter to make final adjustments if required. 21 March 2013 Photo Alan Barnes
Ends Release date 22nd February 2013 Winter Relay - Are we connected? Hardly a day has gone by since the last Winter Relay update on this site without somebody asking "Are we connected yet?" The track gang are pleased to announce that the simple answer is "Yes". However, as will be seen from the following photographs there have been many other activities on the site, and there is still a lot of work to do before passenger trains can operate through to Welshpool at Easter. So perhaps the answer should really be "No, but the job is going well."
Unlike many of our larger relaying projects in the recent past it has not been possible to take lorry loads of stone direct to site. All new ballast is being delivered to Cyfronydd station, a short distance away. This has meant that we have not been able to prepare the levels of the trackbed before relaying the sleepers as well as we would have liked and will result in a longer period of levelling at a later date. 13 February 2013 Photo: Kevin Heywood
Another consequence of the shortage of ballast on site before relaying was the day needed to cover the largest of the new drains with approximately 30 tonnes of stone - all by hand. It at least helped the gang keep warm. 13 February 2013 Photo: Kevin Heywood
10 years after the rest of the shipment was laid, these three South African rails are en-route to help bridge the gap between the old 'new' track and the new 'new' track. 15 February 2013 Photo: Alan Barnes
The last of the new Polish rail has been laid and a few sleepers are being unloaded to bridge the gap to the existing South African rail. The last two dozen or so sleepers to be laid are not new as a small number of the sleepers taken up last November were found to be re-useable during a survey of the site at the planning stage. The remainder of these will probably be used next winter. 15 February 2013 Photo: Kevin Heywood
A new retaining wall under construction. 18 February 2013 Photo: Kevin Heywood
And the finished product a few days later. The structure is required to maintain an adequate ballast shoulder. 20 February 2013 Photo: Kevin Heywood
A smaller structure. In the distance a day of ballasting (using the ballast hoppers on 14 February) is visible. 18 February 2013 Photo: Kevin Heywood
Another drainage structure. A grate will be added at a later date to help prevent debris blocking the pipe under the embankment. 20 February 2013 Photo: Kevin Heywood
'The water feature' - a few concrete slabs will be added to aid maintenance. 20 February 2013 Photo: Kevin Heywood
Bridging the gap. The first pair of South African rails are in position and pandrol base plates have been placed on the sleepers. 18 February 2013 Photo: Kevin Heywood
As there was a shortage of South African fishplates, the rails are being cropped to allow new Polish plates (different hole positions) to be fitted. 19 February 2013 Photo: Kevin Heywood
A new hole being drilled. The 'mag drill' is a cross departmental tool and will also be spotted in the workshop week story below. 20 February 2013 Photo: Kevin Heywood
'The Connection'. Polish (Left) and South African (Right) rail meet. The South African rails have been re-drilled, but before greasing, the Polish plates will require a small amount of work to match the slightly different South African rail profile on the right hand side. 21 February 2013 Photo: Kevin Heywood
With the rails in place the final sleeper is drilled.............21 February 2013 Photo: Kevin Heywood
................ and the last screws go in. 21 February 2013 Photo: Kevin Heywood
Before slewing the railway into the correct position in readiness for ballasting, the train had to be pushed beyond the occupation crossing known as 'Dirty Lane'. Living up to its name, the flange ways of the crossing needed digging out and the opportunity was taken to clear some of the drains of the large quantity of mud that had been washed into them since trains last operated. 22 February 2013 Photo: Bruce Webber
With the levelling instrument near to the crossing, a straight line has been put in from that point to 'Sign Hut Curve' - this section of ballasted track does not form part of this year's relay and is now 10 years old. 22 February 2013 Photo: Bruce Webber
Does the General Manager want the team to slew the track to his right, or is he asking the photographer to get out of his way? 22 February 2013 Photo: Bruce Webber
Not quite the Nullarbor Plain in Australia, but the end result is very satisfying. 22 February 2013 Photo: Bruce Webber
A final few tweaks and the new track is ready to be ballasted. 22 February 2013 Photo: Bruce Webber
Ends Release date 22nd February 2013 Workshop Week Without a headline stealing project the workshop has been absent from this page for a few months, however maintenance tasks have continued on an almost daily basis. The gathering of a larger than average workforce during the annual February Workshop Week (9th to 17th February) has provided an opportunity to review some of the work that has been on-going for some time.
The workshop team on the Monday. L-R standing: Tony Cass, Simon Bowden, Alan Regan, Geoff Gauntlett, John Dunkley, Paul Durant, Gareth Smith, Gareth Jones, Richard Roberts, Keith Bide, Bruce Webber, Roger Pattie; L-R sitting: Andrew Charman, Rolf Thomas, Simon Durant (on Joan). Photo: Rolf Thomas
Fitting the steam heating system to Joan, seen here drilling the front buffer beam for the hose connection to the train.
Installing a common design of fusible plug across the fleet, seen here reaming out the front plug hole on No. 19.
While Joan’s ashpan was removed to give access for caulking the foundation ring, the opportunity has been taken to fit new dampers and doors in heavier material.
Some of the bearing wedges in the motion of Nos. 1 & 2 were found to be excessively worn. These were built up and machined to the required dimensions.
A number of washout plugs are being replaced. Here a new plug is having its head cut on the milling machine.
The linkage to No. 19’s regulator was modified with the intention of improving operation of the pilot valve.
I have seen the light! Workshop Week is a good thing. Photos unless otherwise shown: Bruce Webber
Ends Release date 10th February 2013 Progress Outdoors Photo Update
The top of Sylfaen Bank, heading towards the highest point on the railway, during an expedition to retrieve some pipes for use on the current site. The pipes were manhandled (easy in the snow) to Sylfaen before hitching a ride by road to Cyfronydd with the supply of newly acquired materials. 22 January 2013 Photo: Kevin Heywood
Bad weather has continued to cause problems throughout January and early February, but on the whole it has not affected the progress of the relaying team. 23 January 2013 Photo Kevin Heywood
Where possible existing drainage has been re-used along the site, but for some stretches the old pipes were found to be inadequate for the current quantities of rain fall. 30 January 2013 Phtoto: John Jacobs
It is not easy to create drainage structures in fast flowing water. 30 January 2013 Photo: John Jacobs
One of the access chambers approaching completion. The pipes will be covered by ballast shortly. 6 February 2013 Photo: Kevin Heywood
The interior of the chamber. Before too long nobody will even notice that this work has taken place. 6 February 2013 Photo Kevin Heywood
Most of the sleepers have been pre-drilled before transport to site. Some of the regular track gang came in for an extra day to finish the task, conveniently located at one end of Llanfair workshop to provide some protection from another flurry of snow. 5 February 2013 Photo Kevin Heywood
Back on site the end of the relay is in sight. The inclined base plates are being positioned on the sleepers, whilst the JCB (and operator) wait patiently for the rails to be lifted into place. 7 February 2013 Photo: Kevin Heywood
Man & Machine. The JCB has lifted one end of the rail and the gang move into position to lift and swing the other end on to the inclined baseplates. 8 February 2013 Photo: Bruce Webber
With everything in place, and with pre-drilled sleepers, the rail is soon fastened down. 8 February 2013 Photo: Alan Barnes
And before long there will be one less length of track to lay. Looking back towards Llanfair most of the railway between the rail head and the train in the background has been laid during a three day session. 8 February 2013 Photo: Bruce Webber
It is evident from the photographs that the progress is heavily dependant on machinery and tools, but the most important element is the workforce who have come together in some atrocious conditions. Mess facilities are provided on site and the gang look forward to the topics of conversation during breaks, which might include the benefits of home made bread, vintage cars, naval history, the latest TV sensation, and occasionally a railway related topic. 7 February 2013 Photo: Kevin Heywood
Ends Release date 15th January - Updated 22 January 2013 Winter Relay Photo Update
'New Year' focuses the mind and the realisation that before long it will be time to re-open the railway to passengers once again. Not wanting to disappoint, the staff and volunteers have turned their attention to the large gap separating the two sections of line and are delighted with the progress to date. Ballasting and tamping of this section will be undertaken shortly to allow the temporary crossing in the foreground to be completed. 12 January 2013
Photo: Alan Barnes
Meanwhile the 'advance gang' are continuing drainage work and the preparation of the track bed. 12 January 2013
Photo: Alan Barnes
The trackbed has now been levelled at this point by the JCB in readiness for the next track laying gang the following day . 15 January 2013
Photo: David Bothamley
Two days on and the supply train (including hot drinks) is being shunted at Llanfair Caereinion - and the forecast snow is starting to settle. 17 January 2013
Photo: John Seaman
Ahead lies a section of drainage that has recently become blocked after rain caused erosion on land adjacent to he railway and the existing pipes were unable to cope with the quantity of water. 17 January 2013
Photo: Kevin Heywood
Work continues clearing the cess. Much of this area will receive new, and larger pipes to try and avoid problems in the future. 17 January 2013
Photo: Kevin Heywood
The gang are delighted with the railway's recently acquired hydraulic rail bender which requires much less effort, and is therefore quicker to use than those used previously (see photograph in news story from 20 December 2011). Progress is slower whilst the rail bender is required to pre-bend the rails, although the curve is nowhere near as sharp as some of the others on the railway. 17 January 2013
Photo: John Seaman
Another few screws are put in place and the Impact Wrench will shortly be used to fasten the rail to the sleepers 17 January 2013
Photo: John Seaman
Periodically on a curve the inner rail requires cutting to keep the joints on each rail opposite each other. 17 January 2013
Photo: Kevin Heywood
Another length of sleepers and rails are in position, temporarily laid straight to ensure a good fish plated joint between the nearest rails and the previous length. Unfortunately, with an amber weather warning and heavy snow falling, the following day's activities were postponed to avoid un-necessary risk. 17 January 2013
Photo: Kevin Heywood
To help make up for the lost day, a few members of the gang re-arranged their activities the following Monday to continue the work. Mechanical lifting has aided the rail handling. 21 January 2013
Photo: Kevin Heywood
Bit by bit (18m by 18m)......... progress is being made. 21 January 2013
Photo: Kevin Heywood Ends |
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