The Ayes Have It

Unlike events elsewhere there was a supreme vote of confidence in our project this week.

Thanks to Glynn S/CHR/Facebook here are some really exciting pictures.  First we take a look along the line from Gasworks Bridge towards Oswestry, the line has been tweaked and fettled with the fishplates installed.  The excavated portion is indicated by the fresh ballast.  In this length the line drops by around 18" (450mm).  The darker sleepers indicate where the main sewer runs under the railway and steel sleepers are installed.

 

Wednesday saw the contractors on site to install the baseplates and rails under the bridge,  Here they are setting out and preparing to install the first parts.

These guys work quickly and by the break most of the work was done.  Here you can see the arrangement of the baseplates fixed directly to the concrete pad.  The pot has been set in place for welding of the two rails together in the middle of the slab.  The reason for doing it this way is to reduce the overall height of rail plus fixing plus base, this maximises the clearance above the rail to allow a full C1 loading gauge.  Even so there will be a 10 mph speed limit through the bridge.

And there you are, 'the ayes have it' as in  'Aye that's a grand job!'  By the end of the day rails were in place under the bridge and for the first time in ten years a train is able to pass underneath.

It's been quite a journey and not without a few challenges to overcome, but at the end we are there.  We still need to clip up the rail and finalise the joints before trials can take place. 

Work can now begin on the infill section which needs to have the ballast bed laid and then filling with sleepers and rails.

The last picture shows what lies ahead for the next few months.  This is the view from just north of the station site at Weston and shows the clearance work that Kevin and the team have done, this section needs to be overhauled with the ballast screened and replacement sleepers installed.

A big thanks to all who have helped us to get this far and for those who donated to the appeal.  As you can see CHR is now going places and it's an ideal time to get on board as we prepare to arrive at Weston.

Until next time