Today we started the Springtime Fishplate oiling at Boat of Garten Down Home signal, heading towards Aviemore, we were advised that we were to do the outside-nuts and here's me thinking we ARE the outside-nuts! To explain that each 60foot length of rail is joined to the next with a fishplate with 4 nuts and bolts, which need to be partially unbolted sufficiently so that we can pour track lube onto the fishing surfaces of the plates to lubricate them to allow for expansion/contraction of the rail. Then bolt it all up again so that it's all tight, the nuts alternate at each joint, so every 120feet needs to be done, only 5miles to do! this is not the most exciting job on the Pway but passing traffic and the wonderful weather kept us amused, in total we managed about 3/4 of a mile.
11.04 Royal Scotsman ECS move to Aviemore
1.10 Broomhill- Aviemore pass the "squad"
I believe that tomorrow the old water tank is to be removed by the rail mounted 12tonne crane, so next time I am down there should be a space here.