On track with infrastructure enhancements
Permanent Way work underway at heritage lines this autumn.
WITH no trains operating at many heritage lines between late October and into November, it provides a short window to undertake track maintenance before festive season services get underway.
Volunteers at the East Somerset Railway have been carrying out track improvements in Cranmore station. The work includes resleepering on the Down platform and attention to the drainage.
After Christmas, further work is planned to be carried out in the same area, replacing more worn-out components and taking the opportunity to modify the layout. The diamond crossing is to be removed and replaced by a point, resulting in the Tanker Sidings being accessed direct from the main – plus the loop being shortened.
Existing signals are being refurbished and a scheme for full signalling is being worked on with design, verification and approval ongoing. It is hoped this will allow enhanced operation in due course.
In mid-October, members of the Severn Valley Railway (SVR) Permanent Way team recovered track from the former oil depot near Brownhills, on the disused South Staffordshire line between Lichfield and Walsall.
The week-long operation yielded three sets of points. The pointwork was donated as part of the partnership between the SVR and Network Rail. The track recovery work was assisted by contractor Quattro Plant Ltd, which has a lease on the old terminal oil yard.
One of these sets of points is to be installed on Roads 1 and 2 in Bridgnorth yard this Winter. The SVR is appealing for volunteers to help with the project in Bridgnorth yard – including lifting, relaying, alterations to the pit on Road 2 and concreting works.
Work is due to take place from January 10 until mid-March. To lend a hand, contact the SVR Volunteer Liaison Office on vlo@ svrlive.com or call 01299 401776.
In November, volunteers at the Llangollen & Corwen Railway were removing the last remnants of Deeside loop. The East point at Deeside (Berwyn end) was being replaced with plain rail.
Meanwhile, the A1 Steam Locomotive Trust welcomed the 507 Specialist Team
Royal Engineers (Railways) to undertake the first major tracklaying exercise at its new Darlington site on October 21.
The training exercise supported the readiness of the soldiers, while also helping the Trust reach the important milestone of a main line connection in the coming year.
Track material has been acquired from both Nexus and Network Rail – some of the latter including rails cascaded from the Northumberland Line Project renewal programme.