The Earth is Moving

The machines have been very active during the working week and we now have a basic excavation of the way through the bridge.  Guy and CHR have taken a few pictures showing the new look to the line and the piles of spoil that need to be removed.  There is still lots of work to do before ballast can be laid and track laying started, so far all is going to plan.

Firstly you can get an idea of the works by looking south along the line towards the bridge, on the left you can get an idea of the material removed so far.

Next a view just a bit closer to the bridge to give an idea of where the line will run.  Originally here was double track but that is not needed for our heritage services.  It won't be that long before we see a steam engine again pass under the bridge, the view from the footpath on the left will make for a great photograph.

 As the sign says we are gearing up to go to connect to the existing running line.

Here is the earth that has moved.  Lots more to be done but there is visible progress. 

Work continues by the contractors during the week, CHR volunteers continue with preparations for track laying on Thursdays and weekends.  You can view the works from the footpath alongside the trackbed to the north of the bridge and from Gasworks Bridge itself.

If you pass by give the team a wave or pop in to the station and talk about progress and see what comes next.  Or join in and see first hand. No experience necessary.

Until next time.  

Keeping the Screener Rolling

After having screened ballast by hand on the first part of the extension a mechanical means of doing this job was long overdue.  Gradually this operation was mechanised using what was available and full marks go to Kevin and the team that came up with such wonderful (and in line with the budget.. i.e. zero cost) solutions. So we progressed through the Mark 1 to the Mark 2 etc.  Faced with more and more track to reclaim the issue of earth removal from the ballast took on a higher priority.  And so we arrive I think at Mark 4 (leave a comment below if you know for sure)...

The latest version is a commercial mobile screening plant which is being overhauled to meet our needs.  This has been purchased by members of the PW Gang after looking at how much there is to screen and seeing the cost of Radox to relieve sore backs.  Coupled with other machines this will make the screening process less manual for which we will all be grateful.  Already mole hills have been spotted along the track as the machine is trialled.  Now that we are ready to make the push for Weston further work was needed to ensure that this valuable piece of machinery would be ready and reliable to keep pace with the track laying gang.

Last Thursday Henry, Tim and helpers spent time changing worn parts and rectifying problems that had been identified.  Tim sent along the pictures of the major items covered.

Work has included: 
Change to a newer engine, a lovely Lister Petter product of Gloucestershire, here in all it's glory.

Updates to worn bearings and supports, here you can see the old and new, the hole is supposed to be round so that explains some of the noises and vibrations.

Guide rails have been overhauled and refitted

A kit of spare parts has been procured and these are being fitted.

Bearings for the cranks are installed and alignment checked

Gradually the creaks and groans are being sorted and Mark 4 is almost now Mark 5 as I think it has had more updates that the Ford Cortina had going from Mark 4 to Mark 5.  Though the life of our machine is likely to be longer and harder than one of Mr Ford's.

Thanks to all who gave up their Thursday evening to help.  We say thank you on behalf of all of the backs of the PW Team who were not looking forward to manually shovelling all the ballast to Weston.

Until next time.

A Sign of The Times: Thursday Day Shift

The Thursday Gang were again in action around the site last week.  Another job ticked off from the list to improve the Front of House was the updating of the sign in the car park. Dave R is making the final adjustments whilst Tom holds the ladder.  Alan is supervising and offering helpful advice..

The thin white line continued along the platform with Tom doing the honours making sure that the Hi Vis vest and the platform edge were colour coordinated.  It's a real battle in the fashion stakes these days.

Vintage traction returned again to Oswestry as various attempts were made to start the Hiab truck.  The Moggy Minor was called in for assistance but luckily was not asked to drag the Ford out of it's slumber.  

First thing was to sort out and install a battery that could be called a battery, the type that holds a charge and provides energy.  Here Kevin is being eaten alive whilst Steve looks on and offers encouragement, I am not sure to whom...

 With a power source available the key was turned..... and smoke returned again to the through road in Oswestry.... There needs to be a few more adjustments but at least the engine started.  Look at what is positioned over the flatbed.  Can you think of a good use for that??  We can, in fact we can think of several good uses, keep watching so you can see how we get on.

There were other jobs going on around the site that Andy did not get to photograph but thanks to all who turned up during the day... and then the evening.

More soon.

Gasworks Bridge Dig, Update.

Firstly a thank you to Shropshire County Council for the work on the bridge. To show who is involved we have a nice shiny sign, if you need similar works doing they come highly recommended. 

Since starting the works have being going on during the week and we can now see progress.  There is a bit more to this than just removing the ballast and compacted soil from the track-bed.  As there will be a dip there could be a tendency for water to collect under the bridge so there are improvements to the drains to take the water along to the catch pits and from there into the existing drains.  Here are the pipes waiting to be buried.

Here you can see the line of the drains on the side of the track covered with ballast to allow the water to flow down into the slotted drain pipes.

There will be quite a few updates this week on the works and other activities around the site, so keep checking back.  Thanks to Guy N and CHR for the photos.

Until next time

The Longest Day - Double Shift Thursday- Evening Report

As well as the usual Thursday Gang during the day we also are putting in additional time after normal working hours.  When that coincides with the longest day of the year there were possibilities to crack on with more work on the extension.  The twilight shift were in action again, one of this week's jobs was to add the handrail supports outside of the already installed main girders at the cattle creep.  You can see in the photo the shadows of the longest day and the first of the supports nearest the camera.  The steelwork was all purchased at the same time and 'all' that remained to do was fit the parts together and tighten up the bolts.

After the up a bit, down a bit, left a bit, right a bit routine was completed Henry tightened up the bolts to anchor the support rail to the girders.

How would the job turn out?  Here Henry and Tim look anxiously at the spirit level for the verdict, the camera never lies.

How's that for level?  I think that deserves a pat on the back and a good cup of tea!  And all done before sunset. 

Thanks to Tim H for the pictures.

Until next time.

Thinking Inside the Box

No it's not some new management speak, but a view inside of the restored Oswestry South Signal Box.  I wanted to show this so that we can share the achievements of the team that over many months has worked so hard to achieve the end result. I take my hat off to you!

As a child I used to play in and around the signal box and all that was left was an empty shell, smelling of.. well it was not pleasant.  Now look at what we have.  Oswestry station is coming back to life.  We have the restored platform, the station building, the signals and now the signal box.  What will be the next item to come back to life?  Well there is still plenty to do, the down platform, the water crane, the centre road.  With your help we will make it all happen. 
Thanks to the CHR Facebook page for the photo.

Holiday Thursday?

It would seem that the Thursday Gang were slightly down on numbers this week as many have started the holiday season already, sunning themselves in exotic locations.  The sun also comes out in Oswestry so all it not lost.

On the agenda this week were more hours on the coach.  The first and most important job was to sign off the quality of the tea, Noel is on his way to confirm that the most essential of elements is up to scratch.

John was sorting out the door hinges in the guard's compartment, so he said, or is he testing out the new tea stirrer?  Either way further steps were made.

 Work on the bodywork continues, including offering up and fitting replacement sections of wood.

Meanwhile Steve continued with putting another coat of white paint on the pedestrian crossing gate. 

Further work went on around the site and thanks to Andy G for the pictures.

The contractors continue with earth moving from the area around the bridge.  With our large mole hills and deep burrowings people may think we are building a rollercoaster.  All will become clearer as we go forward.

Until next time

And They're Off

Thanks to Colin here is a picture of progress, as you can see the levels are marked up on the boards to the side and the first part has been excavated.  We have not yet found any buried treasure but we live in hope.  Maybe it's where all the leprechauns keep their treasure for the ends of their rainbows?  This is the view looking south with the footpath to the left.

You can see where we are aiming for and how much material needs to be removed.  We then have roughly the same on the far side of the bridge to come back to the previous level.

Last weekend's Football Special was blessed with good weather and as an added attraction there was a flyby of the Red Arrows! Steam, the Beautiful Game and aviation all rolled in to one!  We do try to provide value for money for all our events!

Keep watching for further progress updates

Until next time

Football Special

It might be a few years before we can have a Football Special leave Oswestry for Wembley but today 10th June sees our ever popular event at Oswestry.  Come along for a ride and see exhibitions of football memorabilia and don't forget your sticker albums to see if you can swap to get that last one and complete the set.

Whilst you are there take a walk along to the gasworks bridge and see the latest developments.  Andy G has supplied some photos showing the site with walkways defined and now ready for the contractors to start the actual dig. The first photo is looking towards Weston and it won't be long before rails return here again.

The next picture is looking back towards Oswestry

Elsewhere the Thursday Gang continued with various jobs and maintenance tasks. This week there were 7 able souls, or should that be the Magnificent Seven? The coach progressed, weeds were strimmed (or should that be strummed?!) and the access gate receives it's top coat, nicely done! 

Noel and Dave R took a walk along the track to tackle the greenery, on ongoing task. Next stop Weston!

   

Work will continue this week on the dig and we will keep everyone updated with progress.

Until next time

To Dig or Not to Dig

Just a quick picture from Andy G before the start of the dig.  Here is the top layer scraped off and ready to go.

The question is do we start to dig? Yes or no....

Of course the answer is Yes!  We dig...

So let's go.

Until next time

Things are Moving!

Just a brief update to say that machinery is moving on to site for the dig.  It seems as though the contractors are in full Cambrian mode as the first thing on site was the mess room with tea facilities.  Our fame is spreading!

Thanks to Dave for the picture.

As the first part of the work the machines have been moving excess ballast and making access easier. Here is the view from the end of the current running line.  From here the track bed will be excavated in line with the gap between the supports and the section graded with a gentile incline to drop down under the beams that support the bridge giving adequate clearance for trains to pass underneath.

Here is the view to the North looking towards the running line with the footpath on the right.

The next view is looking the other way, to the south, with the vegetation cleared.

Now we are ready!  Thanks to CHR for the progress photos.

Work on the actual dig will begin shortly and updates will be made on progress.  Plenty of other things bubbling along and we are that keen that there is even a twilight shift has been added on Thursday evenings.

The blog is also moving and we are now at 50 posts since starting!

Until next time