Building Developments: steel
skeletons and outline plans.
Good progress has been made on construction in the Running
Shed during the summer months following the
forced lockdown period. Currently it could be described as a steel
skeleton – but it will grow While it is known you should walk before you can
run, the local council have approved plans for a new exhibition shed.
Current works
on the Running Shed
Construction has many phases and looking at the running shed
now, Allan Robinson can now report that three quarters of the perimeter
internal walkways have been cast. Having at least a roof enables work to
proceed useful in hot weather to shield from the sun, and no doubt in future at
least some rain protection.
A pause now takes place for some drainage and water supply
pipe re-arrangements take place, before an application for funding to start on
the cladding framework
Photo of construction as of 20 08 20
Strength is required as the slab will also support the
timber studwork for walls and bear weight of iron windows. Inspections by
building control have taken place, a point to bear in mind that all is checked
by the authorities.
Works are pictured (also in the Photo Miscellany section) at the
beginning in early July, and more recently at the 75% mark. Allan is
appreciative to those who have been assisting especially as the slower
self-mixing method has been used, for it would be more expensive and difficult
with cash-flow, to fit temporary form work and pour in commercially mixed
concrete in one go. Once walkways are in-situ temporary track can be installed
( which is why some old sleepers are left around)- so our railcrane can lift
timbers and window frame safely.
Planning
consent for a future Exhibition Shed construction
As one project is progressing in the construction phase, another is queued behind and just cleared planning. Permission to erect an Exhibition shed has been given; a start must be made within three years.
The location shown in light blue, West of the existing "railway street scene" on made up ground. A single siding connection connected to Picnic siding. The extent of earthworks is significantly less than the now discarded 2017 Eastern field and 1000 square metre Restoration shed proposals.
That’s
the museum’s intention, in practice of course we currently have our hands full
at the moment. If this preliminary step was delayed, then the prospect of
undercover protection is overtaken by ravages of the elements and deterioration
continues for both unrestored, but more importantly recently restored items of
the rolling stock .collection.
