Creeping Towards Weston

With the work going on under Gasworks Bridge, the attention of the PW Team moved to the cattle creep.  Regulars will have seen the new steel beams placed in position and then bolted together.  The working weekend took this job a step closer to completion with the installation of the decking.  We welcomed a group of Explorer Scouts as part of their community involvement project and it's hoped that they had a good time away from home.

Saturday was Colin's turn to photograph progress as the outriggers, handrails and support beams were positioned and bolted.  Here the team consult amongst themselves as to who should go and get tea and work out the best way to proceed.

 The last set of outrigger beams were bolted up.

Afterwards the handrail supports were positioned.  It was thirsty work and appetites for tea and refreshments were satisfied by Laura and the team.  Many thanks!

At the end of Saturday everything was bolted together and we were ready for the evening social at Llynclys.

 
Sunday it was the turn of Andy G to provide the photos and the day started off sunny as normal. The new sleeper deck was soon installed and a start made on the longitudinal beams that will support the rail.

The recovered bricks were then laid back to bring the retaining walls back to height, there are still a couple more to do but we got on so well we ran out of materials.

By the close of play the chairs were on the beams.  There needs to be some slight adjustments to the track levels.  In the background the line of trees is just to the North of the station site at Weston.  Not far to go.

A big thanks to all who came along and supported and for the scouts and their leaders who rolled up their sleeves and got involved. 

In other work the footbridge beside Middleton Road had a quick change of identity.  On Saturday afternoon we left it looking like this.  Trains ran under here and everything seemed normal.

 A ballast pad had been laid by the volunteers, everything was ready.

The secret weapon arrived and ran on it's own down to the bridge.  Here the crane is moving past the platform on it's way from the medical centre crossing down to the Middleton Road bridge.

When we awoke on Sunday morning the new footbridge was in place and the old one had gone.  That was quite an achievement and our thanks go to all involved.

Thanks to the CHR Facebook page for the pictures.

Until next time

Thursday Gang

This week the Thursday Gang toiled under the scorching sun keeping the vegetation in check.  The work was concentrated around the cattle sidings. Special works trains were run to check the clearances and allow access to points where other means just can't reach

Here the mermaid is being bedecked with greenery to hide.  She was being shy after her fame from appearing in the blog last week.

 By the end of the day the lineside was looking a lot better, thanks to all who turned up and helped.

Out of sight of Andy G's pictures (thanks) work continued on the coach with John continuing with repairs to the woodwork.  Ironwork was the name of the game for Keith and Henry down at the cattle creep.

The weekend promises to be fine weather and there should be a bumper turn out for the Big Working Weekend. 

Until next time.

Oswestry Events

In conjunction with the Food Festival running in Oswestry we will be having a Beer Festival at the station.  We have a short break by the contractors working on the extension so we are able to run trains this weekend.

Why not come along and sample some real ale, take a ride on the train and see what we are up to.

The working weekend will be concentrating around the cattle creep.  

The Machines

More pictures from Guy with views of the various machines that are working on our little project.  These have been going back and forth collecting the excavated material and taking it to where it will be reused or removed.  It's thirsty and dusty work under the sun and the mess cabins give a bit of shade and allow the workers to replenish themselves. 

There are piles equipment and supplies all around the site, it will take quite a time to move everything once the work is finished.

Here the machines are having a site meeting to decide the next steps and when to call a halt for a mug of tea.

The pile of spoil removed continues to grow.  There is still more to excavate  and once complete a ballast bed will be laid for tracklaying.

Here is the chief earth mover taking a break between shifts, it's quite amazing to watch the skill of the drivers as they scrape the track bed down to the indicated levels and rarely are they out by more than 1"

Work will continue until August but once the heavier work is done the larger machines will move off site.

Until next time

On All Levels

Further pictures from Guy of the work that is going on at the moment.  The first picture caused a bit of a concern that we were creating a new extension to the cemetery which backs on to the railway at this point.  These are the level markers that shows the datum in red and the expected new level on the unpainted cross.

Here you can see how the excavations are progressing and how the cutting sides will be re-graded once the drainage works are complete.  

  

There are still some areas where the work needs to be completed

Along the route there are a number of services which need to be identified and protected due to the lower levels.

This work requires creation of service and draining pits, this is not part of an extension of Oswestry cemetery.

Work is progressing well during the week as we get ready for the next working weekend.

Until next time.

Now We Are Digging.

With the contractors working during the week the progress is rapid,  Guy took time over the weekend to look around and take some pictures of recent progress.  The levels are becoming clearer and much of the material has been removed.  Many thanks to Guy for taking the time to take the pictures.

We start this first group of pictures looking towards the current running line with evidence of the drains to the left.  It won't be long before we can relay the track here.

The next picture shows how the levels have changed and the some of the areas that still need some work where services cross the line.

The next view shows how much material has already been removed, further work is needed to grade and reinforce the sides.

 Underneath the bridge the depth of the material removed is now visible.

 On the Weston side of the bridge the line rises back up to the normal track level.

The levels are set out by the surveyors and the level boards indicate to the machine operators how much is to be removed.

 With the right machines the work is much easier than if we had to dig this by manual means.

There will be further pictures during the week so keep checking back.

Until next time.

Another Day, Another Bridge

Not content with one bridge under repair, we now have two.  Member Guy N took a walk round the works and sent in these photos, thanks Guy. As the sign says the work will be complete within July.  This is the metal footbridge that runs alongside the brick over bridge on Middleton Road.

 The footbridge has been fenced off and already both ends have been disconnected from the footpath.

Under the bridge the ballast pad for the crane has been positioned and the lift should take place next weekend,

 A look back towards Oswestry shows the footbridge waiting for the crane.

Work continues around the various sites under the sunshine.  For those who want to join in for the Big Working Weekend of the 14th/15th July there should still be time to allow you to get home and watch the football match.  Though it's still to be decided when England will be playing.  That decision is not under our control but good luck to the England Team.

Until next time