Weston Works

Although the major and highly visible works have been completed for the first phase of the station, smaller jobs are continuing at Weston. Andy G was on hand to catch up with the progress as the site is tidied up and work is done to complete the infrastructure.

We start at the northern end of the run round loop with the work being done for the ground frame which will operate the point. Here you can see the supporting structure and the base ready for the levers to be placed in position.

For the moment the point blades have to be manually shifted and locked for each movement.

Everyone loves a real fire and the stove in the mess room is a welcome feature to warm the hands and hearts of the volunteers. 

All around the site there is a major clean up in progress, here the older and unused sleepers are being rounded up and placed on the lowmac of the works train to be taken away and stacked ready for the next part of the project.

The works train slowly inches it's way along to the next location.

Here you can see the efforts of the team with the three tracks to the north. Glyn is hard at work in the foreground working on the points.

The excess material is being stacked to the north of the station.

To the south of the station the foot crossing has had it's signage installed.

The area South of the bridge, which previously was heavily overgrown, now is clear and temporarily houses the iron men and materials. 

In the last picture we see the joint between the bullhead and flat-bottomed rail awaiting final fettling.

Many thanks to all who were able to help and to Andy G for the pictures.

Until next time.

More From Weston Working Week

Here are some more of Andy's pictures from the working week.

After the first drop of ballast between the rails attention turned to the external sides. These were tidied up manually. Here you can see ballast from the cess being used to build up the shoulder.

In the following picture Telemon runs under the bridge and over the southern loop point on it's way to collect the works train. 

The points are manually clipped in position to allow movements. A ground frame will shortly be installed here to operate the points.  Here the point is being unclipped ready to be set and clipped for the platform road.

Coming back into the platform road to collect the ballast trucks for further use.

And finally the volunteers head off into the sunset, ready to start work again when we are next able to.

Many thanks to all who participated in the slightly shortened working week. Whilst much was done there are still key items to complete before we can operate at the station, key amongst these is the installation and commissioning of the ground frames.  Thanks to Andy G for the pictures.

Until next time.

Weston

We had a working period which was due to run the whole week but instead was cut short due to the lockdown. There was still plenty going on during the week and a great many jobs were tackled. Andy G was on hand with his camera to capture what was going on.  Here are a couple of pictures from just before lockdown started of the point being hand ballasted after the final chairs had been bolted down.

In the first picture we are looking south towards the river.

In the second picture we are looking from the River bridge back towards the station with the chairs on the bridge deck being bolted down.

More pictures from the working week will be uploaded in the following days.

Until next time.

Park Hall

Further clearance took place at Park Hall before the restrictions came into force.

Norman sent the following pictures which show how much of the platform is now uncovered.

Also discovered on the platform were the bases of the shelter and building. 

Many thanks to the team and to Norman for the picture.

Furthe photos will follow of work carried out pre lockdown. Keep checking back for updates.

Until next time.

Looking Back At Weston

Whilst we are waiting for an improvement in the current situation let's take a look back at the early days at Weston.

Here are some pictures by Andy showing how the station site looked a year ago.

We start with the first clearance of years of accumulated vegetation from what will become the platform line.

Fast forward a few months and the first signs of track begins to appear on site.

Here we see the first component parts of the yard points being moved into position.

Here we see what will be the track layout for the station and with the second platform and footbridge in position.

Here is a repeat of the latest picture showing how much has been achieved in 12 months.

Keep watching as we continue to build the station.

Until next time.

Temporary Pause

Due to the current situation the work at Weston will have to take a pause. Keep safe and keep well.

We'll be back soon.

Worth Waiting For.

Thanks to CHR Facebook here are a couple of pictures of the inside of the goods porter's office, now the waiting room at Weston station.

What a lovely place to wait for a train. Well done! 

Until next time.