On Facebook

For those of you that don't do Facebook, and seemingly for very good reasons, I have copied across a few of the more relevant pictures and added some comments.

If you 'Do Facebook' then the link in the top right hand side of this page will take you to the CHR Facebook page and the photos are stored in an album on the Weston Extension.  You don't need to register to see the page.

We start with the genuine Cambrian Railway footbridge donated by Network Rail following removal from Machynlleth.  This is a project a long way in the future but we have amassed many unique pieces from around the network and many are on display in our museum in Oswestry.  When it's time comes the plan is to install this footbridge at Weston.

As a look back here is a picture of the clearance around the accommodation crossing behind Travis Perkins, track will be going back down here shortly to connect the two parts of the current extension.

Next we have a few before and after pictures.  The location is behind Travis Perkins' yard.  The photo from 2016 was taken after many years of underground work by Alun E who kept vegetation in check after the trains stopped running.  Alun kept hope alive for many years and sections further down the line were almost lost in a dense jungle.  All this is great testament to a fine man, thank you Alun, we miss you.

And here is the view in early 2019, a bit of a difference!  By Easter we should see trains along this section fingers crossed!

Looking the other way we have the before view, the bridge in the background is Shrewsbury road and you can just about make out the supports, this section has now been lowered and track laid.  Again we start with a view from 2016.

So much has changed in this view from February 2019 from roughly the same location.  It's all down to the hours put in through CHR from planning and fund raising through to the volunteers who turn up in all weathers to work on the project.  

The next picture is a view at the Weston station site.  The tank wagon has now moved so that the platform can be built alongside the goods shed. Clearance work on the ground is underway so that a start can be made on the various foundations and drainage required for the station 

Whilst at Weston we take a look at the track slewing in progress to release the rolling stock stored outside the goods shed, again this will allow access for the building works for the new platform.

Moving back to near Oswestry we can see the curve exiting the excavated section and linking in to the long straight heading to Weston.  The gap has closed slightly since this picture and the sections will be linked once the drainage work is complete.

This is the remaining ballast bed with just enough space for one further track panel.  The team are ready and waiting with all materials as soon as the drains are finished. That will once again connect Oswestry to Weston, however the section beyond the cattle creep requires a smiliar level of attention, that should be the next phase.

Next is a pleasing view from the bridge of the gentle curve past the cemetery as the line exits the cutting.

We finish with a view of the welded joints on the slab under the bridge, these were done by external contractors.  You can also see the special base plates that are used to fix the rail to the slab, this avoids having sleepers so the overall height can be reduced to maximise clearance under the bridge.

Remember to keep watching also on Facebook if you use it.  Thanks to CHR Facebook for the pictures.

Until next time.