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.