Thursday Progress

Now we are on a roll.. The volunteers were back in action along the line to Weston. Efforts were concentrated on two panels which had the life expired sleepers dug out by hand to avoid contaminating the ballast.

The new RRC Road Rail Crane came in very useful moving materials around the site and to place the point components where needed. The photos this week are from Phil B, Phil E, Andy G and Andy R.

We start with a view of the life expired wooden sleepers being removed. The rails have been removed by the excavator and the team is removing piece by piece the 'tired'wooden sleepers.

Next we have a view from the other side, You can see the replacement sleepers are already in position alongside the line.

Andy R uses the RRC to move the new sleepers into position.

Whilst the RRC is moving about the components of the point for the refuge siding are moved into place.

Towards the end of the day the team tidy up and move more materials ready for the next working party.

As the panels were not connected to the rest of the line the Stop blocks were placed along the running line.

On the way home the machines continued to place materials in position in strategic positions along the line.

Many thanks to all of the volunteers and to the photographers for sharing their images.

Until next time.

Back To Work

With the easing of restrictions and many of the volunteers now having had their second vaccinations it's now possible to resume work along the line to Weston. The line needs to be upgraded and this is being done with the available materials. In some cases this can be achieved by spot resleepering whereas some sections require all sleepers to be replaced.

Andy G was on hand with his camera to take photographs during the day.

We start with the preparation of the panel to be repaired. In this case the rails have been swung away and the old timbers are being dug out, some of these come out in pieces due to their condition. The ballast is dug away before the new sleepers on the right can be positioned to build the panel.

With the area cleared the new concrete sleepers are moved into position.

Then the rails are slotted into place.

Alongside the running line a refuge siding is being laid, originally this section was double track so there is plenty of space.

Progress is being made with both the mainline and the siding.

Towards the end of the day the equipment is gathered up and the team contemplate their efforts during the day.

At the end of the day the volunteers have headed back to Weston station for a well earned cup of tea, leaving behind more visible signs of progress.

Many thanks to all who came along to help the project restart and to Andy G for the pictures.

Until next time, which hopefully won't be so long now we can work again.