Silted up Level Crossings - 16th September 2017

 

The good sized P'Way squad met at Boat of Garten, loaded the appropriate tools into Georgie's van and proceeded to Lynchurn No 2 Level Crossing. Where for sometime now water has been running off the main A95 trunk road, down the short dirt track onto the Level Crossing, depositing a considerable amount of silt contaminating the ballast, which all had to be dug out by backbreaking shovel. This is the second time that I recall having to this at this location, plan is to use the JCB to dig ditches to hopefully prevent a reoccurrence.

 

 

Andy, Andrew, Ben, Roger and Mike (left to right) pose for Iain Ross at Lynchurn No 2. (I suspect fresh ballast will be dropped after ditches dug) The squad then went onto Croftnahaven No 2 level crossing to repeat the process and coachscrews inserted to keep the flangeway clear, alas no photos as what seemed like the remnants of hurricane Irma! forced the squad into the palatial barn to shelter.

 

Ian and John tried to mend the Jacker Packer at Boat of Garten North Yard and then assisted some of the Ellon Squad tidying scrap there.

 

On Sunday Andy, Bruce, Fergus and Georgie put in flangeway screws in Lynchurn No 2 and finished off tidying up, possibly also the cess at Aviemore Station loop.

 

Yesterday Bruce was painting with Reg Stanley (who is up for two weeks "Holiday", so best not standstill for too long when Reg is about!)

 

Thanks to all those that attended and for info/photo.

 

 

Aviemore Turntable Sign & Fishplate Oiling - 30th August & 2nd September 2017

 

 

The original sign was well past its use by date.

 



 



 Ray Kenyon and Colin Frost painted the supports first over the 24th & 25th of July.

 

Whilst PPS Glass Fibre Ltd of Inverurie (they also did the Roy Hamilton sign) fabricated the wooden former, encapsulated in fibreglass, with raised acrylic letters.

 

 

This was delivered at 1030 Wednesday 30th August, with the help of Colin Vaughan driving the Coal Loader, it was lifted into place, held in position with nine fixing bolts and the job was successfully completed by lunch time.

 

 

 

The Team on the day, left to right - Colin Frost, Jim Clark, Ray Kenyon, Andrew McCracken and Mike Tough (who took the photos)

 

We are deeply indebted to Colin who paid for the fabricated board, letters and delivery costs as a kind donation to the Strathspey Railway Co. 

As Colin says "it should never need further attention in future - weather permitting!"

 

 

Today the P'Way squad continued fishplate oiling from 92 1/4 milepost towards Broomhill, after Georgie found us some more oil. Above left to right Roger Snowden, Roddy MacPhee and Ben Tyrell with a busy Broomhill Station in the background, the three coaches came from Cruise Maritime & Voyages cruise ship Columbus berthed at Invergordon for the day,

 

 

hopefully they appreciated the great weather and scenery, we were hot & bothered and too busy trying to rapidly finish off fishplate oiling, for the season

 

although Mike Tough had time to gaze for safety reasons you understand!