Coach Update and Ballasting The Siding

Preparatory work continues and thanks to CHR Facebook we can take a look at the heritage coaches. The two coaches were restored by the C&W team and are a delight to see.

Here you can see the high standard of restoration of the interior.

Here the coaches are at the station platform in Oswestry receiving a thorough clean and inspection.

Down at Weston with the tracklaying complete it was time to drop ballast on the siding. This was done using reclaimed ballast that has been processed by the screener.

Andy G was on hand as the process was carried out the took the following pictures.

The works train starts dropping ballast pat the point for the siding. 

The doors are regulated to allow the correct quantity of ballast to be dropped either side of the rails.

Slowly but surely the hopper wagon is moved forwards and begins to ballast the siding.

Here we see the train reach the end of the siding.

Here is the empty hopper at the end of the refuge siding.

With the work completed the train sets off back to Oswestry.

Thanks to Andy and CHR for the photos.

Until next time.

Mid June Update

Due to a house move the updates are a bit late and disjointed. 

Here are some of the goings on during the early part of June. Andy G and Guy N are the photographers.

The refuge siding has been lengthened and the stop block installed. Andy G's photos cover the work.

Here the cross beam is being installed.

Back at Oswestry Guy took a picture showing the new station sign. There are also further information panels along the platform.

Back at the siding the cross beam is bolted in position.

Previously the uprights had been installed and bolted to the rails.

The new stop block us seen here from a passing Pacer undergoing trails and training runs.

Before the block was installed the siding was lengthened by a further two panels.

Here the final panels are being laid out.

Before the rails are swung into position.

Further along the line excess material is gathered up and placed on the flat wagon.

There is plenty of material to collect, mostly old chairs from the old wooden sleepers.

At black meadow crossing the finishing touches are being applied.

Here the cattle boards have been installed and the fencing completed.

At the end of the working day the tools are gathered up in the toolbox and swung onto the flat so that the crane can return to base.

Many thanks to Guy and Andy for the photos.

Until next time