Hercules - replacing sleepers

[John Ashworth]

Work began this morning replacing a handful of rotten sleepers.

Photos by John Ashworth 23rd June 2008

[Nathan Berelowitz]

Excellent start to the project.

[John Ashworth]

Our main worry was the set of points in front of the goods shed, but having dug it out it looks as if there are fewer rotten sleepers than we thought - we'll probably replace four or five.

One of the reasons for the rot is that water stands in this area after rain. We're going to try to improve the drainage while we're working on it.

Photos by John Ashworth 27th June 2008

[Gabor Kovacs]

Gents,

May I make please a suggestion to assist with the drainage problem?
I really hope it will be considered!
Would it not be better if the existing siding in its entirety be re-ballasted to raise the track level by at least a sleeper thickness in height?
Looking at the pictures already submitted, it looks that there is very little ballast and especially under the points concerned, the track seems to be resting more on hard earth than ballast!

Should the siding be re-ballasted there will be three key advantages;

1. Provide better drainage of water away from the track bed, thus reducing the rotting effect on wooden sleepers used under the points or other parts of the existing track bed,
2. Will raise the current track work off the ground, which will also provide the right support for our motive power and rolling stock, to prevent damage to suspension on the equipment which will traverse there fairly regularly.
3. Seeing that we are already regulated by the RSR, and Hercules will become our new home, we as FotR must been seen that we can and want to conform to railway specifications concerning building and maintenance of sidings, especially those lines, or sidings that are connected or will connect or give direct or semi-direct access to the national network, and the probably still remains that TFR might used these line/s for delivery purposes of other raw material or supplies!

I know ballast does not come cheep, but it certainly will help if EXCO seriously places consideration in having these two lines re-ballasted, tamped and levelled which will solve to some extent a current problem with drainage, until, such time that sub-surface storm water drainage can be incorporated into the Hercules infrastructure development.

Gabor

[Kevin Wilson-Smith]

Plasserrail offered to assist us with track laying, ballasting etc. I passed this on to someone. Worth contacting them again maybe?

[John Ashworth]

Thanks, Gabor. What you've suggested is in fact the long-term plan. We want to raise that entire platform loop and pack new ballast under it. However we'll be doing things in stages, due to time, personnel and money constraints. First step is to replace the rotten sleepers and improve drainage locally (TFR have already dug a drainage ditch outside our fence which we hope to tap into). When we put the new sleepers in we'll use clean ballast - you're correct in your observation that they are mainly lying on dirt now. Then at a subsequent stage we'll tackle the larger task of raising the entire trackbed.

[John Ashworth]

Thanks, Kevin. If they'd like to run their machine up and down our two loops to clean the ballast, raise the level slightly and do whatever other arcane things ballast machines do, they would be most welcome!

[Kevin Wilson-Smith]

Plass. - Can give it a bash again John. When though? Probably later when there is more line?

Will collect 2 or 3 extinguishers next week from one of our sites.

In terms of moving the tanks - these need to be stripped before moving, so bear that in mind in terms of the move. It should not take long to do. I will do some base measurements when I am next there.

[John Ashworth]

Any time after the end of July would be fine just to do the two loop lines in the paltform.

It wil be a long time before we have any new track laid on the other part of the site.

Please get the tanks prepared for moving as we have access to a lorry now so we can make a plan to relocate them as soon as possible.

[Nathan Berelowitz]

Good discussion here. The tracks and sleepers have been discussed at length(no pun!), and we are aware of what Gabor says. If we can get Plasser or likewise in at some stage, it will be great. Naturally the big track lay will be done the correct specified way as far as safety etc goes.