19th June 2009

Progress on the NER demonstration line proceeds at quite a pace, though the torrential rainfall lately has turned the trackbed into a muddy passageway for the dumper truck and excavator. To maintain progress a second dumper has been hired in, and the wet has necessitated a new approach to the drainage in this location. With this in hand, the continued process of digging out the mud, establishing a level then laying ballast continues. The Komatsu and Beamish team have also removed dozens of trees from the embankment sides, mostly Silver Birch. The embankments will then be burnt, as per traditional practice. The felled trees are providing ample materials for the woodworker in Birch Wood, who is starting construction of his charcoal burner in the not to distant future.

Below: A view looking West along the cutting towards the station.

Below: One of the 6 ton capacity dump trucks being used – the spoil is taken to the centre of the site and the turnaround time for each load is twenty minutes, whence bringing in a second machine.

Below: Looking east – note the tree clearance on the left hand side embankment. The same will be done on the right, opening up new views of the railway.

Below: Mud! This was the original sub-base of the railway here – the problems with drainage are evident! 100m of perforated field drainage pipe is being laid, tapping into existing storm drains, to alleviate the collection of water in this area.

Below: This view usefully illustrates the depth that the formation is being dug out to. Note the newly ballasted pointwork, previously inaccessible to machinery.

Below: Looking east from beneath the footbridge. The view along the railway will be substantially different when work is completed and will hopefully resemble a railway rather than an abandoned siding!