Thursday Gang

It was a bit of a cold start to the day but the sun was out, overall a pleasant day, down Oswestry way

There were many projects going on around the station but we will concentrate on the gang of four who set off to the south to continue with the tracklaying.  Glyn, Steve, Tom and Andy G (armed with the camera) continued with inserting rail, keying up and fishplating.  Andy R joined in later to lend some more muscle.  Thanks to Andy G for the pictures.

Before the rails are moved in to position to insert into the chairs we carefully remove any mud or contamination to avoid problems.  This morning the cold weather had frozen the earth to the web and more mechanical means were needed to scrape out the stones, earth and ice.

In the next view Tom, and Glyn position the sleeper so that Andy R can knock in the key. Steve continues with tightening up the fishplate bolts on the installed rails.

Here is Steve, showing the benefits of healthy exercise working up a big appetite for lunch.  The lineside vegetation team have been active along here and the views across the countryside are now much clearer. Don't worry there are more chances to exercise as we have rather a lot of bolts to install and tighten.  We do have a powered nut runner, what is needed is a works train to bring down all the equipment, though there are a few missing track panels before we can join up the two sections.

Here Glyn is moving the next rail into position directed by Tom.  In the background Steve is finishing off a fishplate, ready to move up and connect the next rail.

The last panel has had the rail installed and Tom and Glyn look at the progress.  Steve and Andy R continue with the fishplates.  The observant amongst you will have noticed the milepost in the foreground, the 19 milepost.  That means that the gap is now less than a quarter of a mile and closing fast. 

At the end of the day the equipment is moved back to base and we look north along the line.  The removal of scrub and bushes now gives the line a much more open aspect.

Well done to all who turned up and to Andy G for the pictures.

Until next time