Weston Roundup

Although the major track laying work has been completed there are lots of other jobs to tick off the list before we can open the extension. Andy G gives us a photographic tour of recent work with his pictures and a couple from Ian and Phil. 

We start with Phil's photo of the all important signage that needs to be installed. Here is the shunt limit sign having the finishing touches applied before being mounted to the support pole.

Point 4 has had the point lever assembly bolted into position and the location cabinet installed. Photo by Ian.

The Weston beachfront has proved to be a popular holiday destination this year. When the time for tea approaches there is an almighty rush to get to the best seats as if it were a game of musical chairs.

We still have plenty of materials arriving to finish the station. Here fence posts are being unloaded ready to continue with the fence around the site.

The RRV makes short work of moving and installing the location cabinets.

Similarly the Automatic Warning System (AWS) ramps are easily moved into position for final bolting down.

The very useful crane is seen here coming down from Oswestry to Weston, passing the class 73. 

The materials for future permanent way works now have their own dedicated storage area and the opportunity was taken to gather together excess material from Weston.

Some people do try to seek shade from the strong sunlight but Brian has perhaps taken this a bit too far. He is actually finishing off the concrete pads for the lift out walkway that allows easy access from the platform fo the toilet block.

Meanwhile Ian is busy with removing rust from the signal post before this is restored and installed at Weston.

The Thursday team went on a camping trip to Llynclys and are here putting up the tent. They have in important guest coming to stay for a while so they need a large changing room. Before too long the DMU should enter the tent for repainting.

To keep the Weston site looking smart the banks are regularly strimmed, all part of the ongoing site maintenance.

At the Black Meadow Crossing the cattle boards have been removed to allow the tamper to work right up to the timbers. The tamper is due shortly and will work on the extension to bring the track to it's final alignment.

The next few weeks will see a big push to remove waste material from around the site. The recently delivered skip should soon be full.

As you can see there is plenty going on and still much to do. If you fancy getting involved in the ever growing group come along and have a chat.

Thanks to all of the photographers and to the volunteers who come along to help.

Until next time.

Brake Van Refurbishment

Thanks to CHR Facebook here is a picture of the brake van after it's recent refurbishment.

Lots of wood has been replaced and the colour scheme has changed from the previous bauxite to freight grey. It really is a credit to the team who worked on it. Well done.

With the holiday season things are a little quiet but lots of small jobs are being ticked off the list.

More updates soon.

Until next time.

Weston Touches

The team has been continuing to tick off the jobs as we move closer to the opening of the Weston extension.

Andy G was on hand with his camera to catch some of the latest goings on 

First we catch Dave R preparing the embankment for grass seeding with four volunteers watching and reminding him to keep the seeds in line. We do want to make a good impression on our customers.

Ian and Noel prepare the Mermaid wagon for the party by giving her a brush up.

John wisely moves to a safe distance whilst the wagon gets a clean.

The walkway from platform to the services was moved into position. This enables direct access from the platform to the toilets, very handy for young and old.

Here is the walkway in its final position. This can be moved out of the way when access is required to the inside of the goods shed.

There is still plenty of work to go but we are getting closer to opening. Thanks to all for the hard work and to Andy G for the photos.

Until next time.

Oswestry Station

As we prepare to open again for the public it's the vegetation clearance team have been busy through the platform roads at Oswestry. Colin took a few pictures to show the progress.

We start looking along the platform road, the vegetation has been cleared and various items useful (and not!) we're found along the line 

The centre road has has a good clean up snd the down platform base hashad a haircut.

The bags of vegetation were later collected for disposal.

And in the area still to be tackled we can see som buried treasure!

Many thanks to all of the team and to Colin for the pictures.

Until next time.

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 

Weston From The Air

Thanks to Les W here are a few recent shots from the air of Weston station.

We start looking south with the now complete track layout comprising from the left the run round loop, running line and sidings.

Looking north we see the running line heading towards Oswestry.

The next view shows the goods shed and platform.

Here we have an aerial view of the works train waiting at the platform.

Next we take a glimpse towards the level crossing on the A483. 

Finally a lovely view of Weston station from South of the road bridge.

 

Many thanks to Les for taking the time to fly the drone and share the pictures

Until next time.