The task was clearing
of tree limbs underneath pole route wires and clearance of the
visibility splays at the Estate Crossing... We started off from a chilly
Boat with the class 08 locomotive, 3 well wagons and a brake van, with a very reluctant
fire and headed 2/3 of the way to Aviemore. Three of our lot (Mike, Jim
and Roger) were dropped off near the summit with Bow Saws and tasked
with clearing the Broom around the stay wires for the Pole Route
above
shows them being tasked, Peter and Ian then carried on in the train down
to the Estate Crossing where the brake was wound on in the Van, the 08
and first well wagon detached and set off for Aviemore, where they were
needed by our S&T colleagues. Peter and Ian set too with bowsaw and
electric chainsaw clearing back as far as possible.
About
11 we heard a locomotive coming back to out train, to find Georgie had
swapped the 08 for the NBL shunter - her favoured locomotive now it is
in finer fettle, although it still needs a few finishing touches - one
thing is for sure - you can hear it without the warning horns. This took
us to an early lunch, by which time the rest of the team were down with
us at the Crossing and lunch was had in the Brake Van - which was full of
smoke thanks to the just discovered hole in the chimney....
Today
was a shortened day as some had to get back to Inverness for other
plans so a shortened afternoon saw us working towards Dalfaber Crossing,
undertaking similar work to clear stay wires for the pole route (the
rest can be handled by the flail on the Road Rail JCB) and clearing
saplings and tree limbs affecting the pole route wires. Work done we
then propelled back to Boat of Garten and into the Yard by the NBL (below),
which we could certainly hear... Georgie told Ian that she thought the
same engine was used in U Boats - we pity the poor submariners!
Thanks to Mike, Peter, Jim, Roger and his Son in law and Ian (for also supplying all info/photos)
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