22nd June 2009

Under a threatening sky and in oppressive heat the various projects in hand proceed apace.

Below: As the 360 digger retreats eastwards down the railway cutting, removing the mud and spoil, a start has been made on ballasting the route. This is the first time the railway here has seen stone ballast and whilst ash ballast is appropriate, particularly on an NER branch line, it is hopeless in a poorly drained setting with annual leaf fall adding to the mush.
A perforated drainage pipe is also being installed to remove the water draining down from the embankment sides. Progress is good and the Komatsu team has made major inroads into vegetation clearance as well as preparing to start reassembling the railhead to follow the works along the route.

Below: Tram 264 noses into the scene as preparations are made to move 16s truck (foreground) around to the workshop road for replacing under the body.

Below: Though an agricultural project, Dave Sheen has single handedly rebuilt this chaff cutting machine which was recovered in hedgerow condition and has required complete dismantling, repairs, repainting and reassembly. It is hoped to see this driven by steam in the not too distant future.

Below: Dave Young has completed machining the front chassis bracing and pedestal for the steam mule. He is now making patterns for the rear axle supports. An outcome on funding for this project is still awaited.

Below: The chimney has been removed from the steam roller to enable us to clean the blast pipe. Poor steaming and a lack of ‘chuff’ suggests that the blast pipe nozzle is blocked and results in the cylinders having to pump steam clear, as well as do their designed work. We’ll clean this up this week and test the results next week…