Hercules track-laying report and pictures

[John Ashworth]

The cutting to the TFR yard was cleared and scraped where necessary.

The rails heaped at the top of the cutting were moved clear of the cutting.

Eighteen concrete sleepers were moved into the cutting and have been laid 1.5 metres from each other. The sleepers still need to be aligned against where the proposed line will run.

An initial section of two rails has been laid on top of the first seven sleepers.

The two long continuous sections of rail have been moved into either side of the cutting.

The team working on the dismantling of the right hand point was able to cut away bolts which had rusted and which could not be undone. Some more work needs to be done before the point can be dismantled and moved.

The lamp post at the end of the platform was straightened but will need a concrete collar cast around it as a permanent solution. This will be done by the site caretaker.

To speed up the process of laying the line and sidings in the FOTR yard the following needs to be done before the LGB is brought back on site:

1. The dismantling of the right hand point needs to be completed.
2. The point needs to be moved to the FOTR site, possibly using the site caretaker’s truck and crane.
3. The proposed entry line from the TFR site to the FOTR site and the sidings in the FOTR need to be marked.
4. The bolts holding the two continuous lengths of rail in the cutting need to be loosened so that the rail can be placed on the sleepers section by section. This should be done by the site caretaker. Placing of the whole rail in place is time consuming and this will speed up the process.
5. The fittings on the two continuous lengths of rail need to be removed by the site caretaker.
6. The right hand point needs to be re-assembled at the FOTR site.
7. Clips to secure the rails to the concrete sleepers need to be sourced.
8. Contact was made with a Permanent Way team who will be able to ballast the line. They will be available from the 20th of January, if needed.

Photos by James Smith December 2008

[Nathan Berelowitz]

Fantastic. Thanks James for all the efforts. Lets keep up the momentum, amongst other pressing projects we have.