Recent Extension works

 

I have been away on holiday hence lack of blog posts. I believe the 12 Tonne Rail Crane was used to place the above troughs onto the bridge awaiting to get bolted into place. The Flatrol in the background is the limit that the service DMU (Diesel Multiple Unit) can go as far as, to view our work.

 

 

The authorities stipulated that the appropriate signage be erected at the five Level Crossings between the bridge and Broomhill for commencement of the DMU service (refer to Strathspey Railway website for dates/times) This has now been completed with a combination of JCB digging a hole, planting a post, concreting it in and of course our Infrastructure Director checking the plumb!

 

 

 

before shovelling in all the earth again.

 

 

 

The opportunity was taken to dredge the outflow sump of a culvert, who said we don't leave the best jobs for the new volunteer!  Welcome Fergus.



Tamping & Oiling Saturday 5th July 2014

 

Significant progress was made on Saturday- with an excellent turnout of Volunteers.

 

 

 The morning was spent tidying up the ballast on the extension (further slewing still required)

and in the afternoon the Jacker Packer was used to further iron out the top level.

 

 

Above going through one of the five Ballast Level Crossings on the extension, meant a bit of digging out so the rail clamps can get to the rail without ballast in the way and of course we had to make the Crossing safe again immediately for our busy neighbours below. 

 

 

 

 Thanks to Colin and his enthusiastic friends from Aberdeen-Shire, a good mile and a third of Fishplate oiling was achieved starting from Broomhill loop. I can now report that the maintenance task of Fishplate Oiling between Aviemore and Broomhill was finally completed yesterday, except for "a few at Boat".....



Mid week Versines & Chords 1st July 2014

With Planning Permission apparently imminent up to the A95 at Gaich, the kind offer of    "Big Railway"  expertise could not be turned down, in surveying the alignment of the proposed Track over the Dulnain on to the long straight to Gaich yesterday, unfortunately Georgie on Leave for a few days.

 

 

 



I didn't understand it but I think we used 10 metre chords and measured versines off them?? using the centre of an underbridge close to Ballintomb Farm as a reference point. On occasion I did manage to assist where I could, above is Chris crouching in what should be the "four-foot" in the not too distant future.

 

Chris and colleague measuring below what they called "The Thermilizer" but I suspect they were taking my ignorance too far!! I have to thank them for their time and effort, had I not left my wallet at home I would have bought them both a pint afterwards as It certainly was a hot day.

Midweek Oiling 25th June 2014

Back to routine maintenance today, all be it slowly, as a bit too warm!

Roddy in foreground Craig almost shimmering in the heat or possibly just out of focus. Reached 90 and a half milepost for the record.

 

 

Time for a quick snap of passing traffic, Fishermans Crossing and River Spey in background.



Mixed Tasks 21st 22nd June 2014

 

Following on from the previous Blog, temporary rails now removed from bridge

 

 

 

 

and steel has now been ordered to fill in the gaps either end of the bridge. 

 

Saturday saw a small squad, so fishplate oiling continued from Boat of Garten and Lackgie Level Crossing has now been reached which is about the halfway mark.

 

 

 

 

I think a further 290 tonnes of ballast was strategically dropped over the length of the extension using the modified Dogfish and Catfish Ballast wagons mentioned/photographed in Keith's Blog http://restoringcoachesataviemore.blogspot.co.uk/ and on the Sunday we used the Jacker Packer to pack it, unfortunately after a couple of lengths a bit of metal broke off one of the rail clamps making it inoperable. (hope to get it welded back on)

 

 

   

The afternoon was spent removing the metal surveying stakes, which was easier said than done! above Norman who has been a PWay stalwart since his student days does battle, hopefully they will be re used in the not too distant future on the other side of the River Dulnain.



Bridge work 11th June

Our 12 tonne self propelled Rail Crane was used for removing the temporary rails off the Dunlnain bridge and installing the last diagonal beam, the mounting holes need re-drilling at one end and still to do by the local Blacksmith are the diagonal braces to fill in the gaps on the bridge.

 

 

 

After lunch fishplate oiling continued from 89 1/4 mile post progressing towards Broomhill but you have seen plenty of photos of that of recent times!

 

(photos and information courtesy of John Wood)



Tamping and Slewing 7&8 June 2014

 

This weekend in warm sunny weather, saw the last 400yds or so "tamped" all the way from the bridge to almost the 93 milepost, as per above.

 

 

On the Sunday afternoon we used the "Muscle man" to slew the remaining horizontal alignment wobbles out over the extension and Georgie was pleased with the progress over the weekend, with only "a few holes" to fill in, with a further ballast drop proposed, when ballast becomes available.

 

 

The next job is to remove the temporary rails and sleepers off the bridge.....