Knowing Your Way Around

Something that may confuse those people not familiar with the area is the location of the various work sites on the way to Weston.  Thanks to Glynn Swift here is an overall map and some blown up images of the section being worked on so that you have some idea of how it all goes together.  The resolution is not great on the blown up images but you can get a feel for the route.

First is the overall picture with an image from satellite pictures.  North is at the top.  Weston station site is at the bottom.

Going from North to South we start with the station area and what was traditionally the running line along side the old cattle docks,  The north end has the recently installed crossing for the medical centre and the north point of the run round loop.  The rebuilt station platform, ready for 10 coach trains is the light blue line.  The sheds and museum are located in the area at the south end of the station. 

The running line is now along the main line and passes under Middleton Road bridge.

Once under the Middleton Road bridge the line makes a sweeping S behind the superstore and on down to the Shrewsbury Road/Salop Road/Gasworks bridge. (take your pick on the name, all are used but you need a long memory to remember the gasworks).
This section under Middleton Road was opened in November 2016 by the Mayor of Oswestry.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfIQ3JKlwCM
The whole of this line was lifted section by section, the ballast screened and sleepers replaced where necessary.  Here is a work in progress video.  You have to notice in true Cambrian spirit the last instruction for the most important job of the day!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-GM9It-CZQ

The Gasworks bridge is currently propped to allow heavy goods vehicles to use the route, this was done after the last stone train ran.  Rather than rebuild the bridge a scheme has been worked out to lower the track at this point to achieve the necessary clearances for trains to pass under. 

Once under the bridge the next section starts to the rear of the builder's merchants and borders on one side open fields. Mid way along here is the cattle creep where new beams will be installed. This is the section being worked on at the moment with the first section of track lifted and ballast screening in progress.

The line continues straight before a gentle curve brings us in to Weston.  Here there will be a platform alongside the goods shed which will allow access to our next door neighbours, Stonehouse Brewery.

So that is a quick run down of the section to Weston.  There is much work to do before trains can operate, we would love to see you on one of our services so come along and see what is going on.

Work on the track is good healthy exercise and some days there is even sunshine! 

Here is work going on last spring on the open line at Llynclys and a quick lesson on ballast packing

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XiC3ivWwQoo