Tracklaying at Hercules!

[Chris Janisch]

At last, a track gang has moved into Hercules and has started work. On Monday, attention was focused on removing the point from the entrance to the TFR yard and replacing it with a straight panel. The point will be relaid inside the FOTR site. The aim is now to lay track stright through the TFR cutting and into the site, from where the point will be laid, allowing two lines to be laid for rolling stock storage.
With the assistance of a TLB the initial wotk was completed, and by Tuesday a second panel had been laid on concrete sleepers. It is necessary to use concrete for the cutting. The TLB was also busy clearing and moving track. James Smith kept a supervisory eye on proceedings.
Early problems are a lack of sleepers and rail fittings. There is a concerted drive at present to obtain these vital components- the wooden sleepers we have are only of use for firewood! The gang does have other work, eg clearing the weeds from the departure area and positioning loose track.
The pictures below tell the story so far.

[John Ashworth]

Well done to all, especially James. Lifting and replacing that point is a major practical and psychological milestone in the development of the new site.

[Craig Duckham]

Can somebody use a google sat picture of the site and sketch where the new lines are going. This would give one a better understanding of the pictures and what is going on.

[John Ashworth]

Good thinking, Craig. Maybe Kevin or Steve can oblige?

[Nathan Berelowitz]

We are arranging to get 150 concrete sleepers to the site asap. I have arranged for fasteners and fittings. We will have a back actor TLB thingey on Monday to continue with sleeper movements and sorting out the Eastern car park area. It is indeed really something to be proud of, to see the work in progress.

By the way, there will be additional toilet facilities from the next train onwards, as the once bricked up doorway into the abloution area, will be reopened and steel door fitted. This will give the ladies a better seat!

[Gabor Kovacs]

Craig! Here with are Google earth pics that you requested!

If you have Google Earth software installed on your PC, here is a more-or-less co-ordinate position, which can be copied over to Google Earths' search bar;

25°43'5.89"S 28° 9'35.45"E or CLICK HERE
(Latitude & Longitude)

[Nathan Berelowitz]

Far out! Update here: The concrete sleepers are now to be followed by steel panels, as we find it too costly at present to retrieve the 150 sleepers as originally planned. The track panels across the road at the Russels Furniture warehouse, are to be inspected this Monday and hopefully removed by the end of the week and placed on the approach line. This is the heavy 96 pound track with lotsa good ballast and two buffer stops.
The East side parking area is also being developed.
A new steel door and frame has been installed from the platform side into the main building so there will be a seperate Ladies toilet facility aswell as releiving the burden of 400 people using one toilet!