Working like Navvies along Platform 2

 

Over two weekends on the 14th /15th and 21^st/ 22nd of November, a call for action was answered by 32 members of the museum, and they did a great job and replacing sleepers along Platform 2. All were taking a rare opportunity authorised to work adjacent to the Network Rail line, as maintenance work was taking place on the Pitmore Viaduct over the River Stour beyond Bures, so blockading the line.

 Many of us could now appreciate a little more of what effort is required to work on the tracks, a tiny portion of the effort required by the original railway Navvies. Once signed in, and aware of safe practices to be followed advised by the Controller of Site Safety  Peter Robinson, the teams set to work.

 Our aim was to replace as many rotten sleepers as possible, using our own plant and with some hired-in tools. Museum P-Way leader Andrew Cullum on this occasion was required to self-isolate, however there will be many other occasions he may on hand to lead other teams.

The first action required was to  lift out both rails from each rail section. In all 10 rail lengths were taken out of the Platform 2 line, using the crane Jack Plumb, previously it was done with a crowbar and many people. Lifts were taken  under direction of Nick Proud the Slinger/Signaller, assisted with rail handling by Brian Sermons and Harry Brooks . Concentration is required when suspended loads were in involved and a range of hand signals exhibited, these subjects are  further explored in a separate posting “ the Rail Crane’s work-out “

 

Those not engaged  on specialist tasks, were to act within a Permanent Way gang. Much manual effort is required  to dig out “cribs”,  that is  the space between sleepers, then excavate further down to accommodate a new sleeper. These need  to be laid at a lower  level to avoid lifting and digging out again after placement. Excavation involved the  use of pickaxes, because old ballast is well compacted and bound together with dirt. Allan Robinson earning the reputation of the man with the golden shovel due to his high work rate

                                                                                                   Photo Phil Hubert (and edit)

Removing ballast also involved throwing stones, above your head, to platform level where it is then  placed in wheelbarrows and taken away to the spoil dump. Manhandling of sleepers from a stock pile to position and subsequent Ballast infilling is another task of the P Way gang. To  record all those who took part not dealing with specialisms noted elsewhere -  those contributed are name checked here…

P Way gang

Adam Baines,  Andy Craven,  Callum Roll,  Chris Yetman,  Ian Rushbrook,  Jenny Ball,  John Bicknell,  Lesley Pennell,  Linda Robinson,  Mark Cornell,  Paul Trowbridge,  Phil Hubert,  Phil Ainsley,  Phil Baines,  Robert Page,  Robert Varletta,  Robert West, and Vic Pitts.

                                                        Video still Peter Robinson

Wooden sleepers came from store in the set down area ,movement using the large military forklift,  removal of rotten sleepers and spoil  was done  in the main by Peter Martin. 

It was necessary to check suitability of the stock and required to fill the holes in the sleepers we received in the last supply and these plugged in the main by Matthew Cornell. I wonder if the local suppliers of broom handles were querying why customers asked for  48 then followed up by 36 more handles from the local Screwfix outlets 

Martin Gibbons loading spent sleepers onto the JCB for disposal

Meanwhile in the far south, in New Viaduct Siding, it was thought best to  replace timbers by craning off an old panel, and craning in a new assembled panel back.  Tim Rice operated our 360degree excavator, with Niall Thorogood and Bob Guest assisting in the removal of ballast.

This was done by lifting in and out the excavator into the trackbed.

                                                                      Photo Tim Rice

When new  sleepers are placed in the trackbed, they then have to be drilled and chair screws placed in position. Once gauge checked – they were screwed down, both these tasks eased by hiring in petrol driven plant. Packing ballast can then be done using the museum’s own “Cobratt” Tamper which compresses ballast at 1620 blows per minute. This team was led by Michael Sanders with Josh Fortescue as lead Track Ganger.

 It should be recorded that Bacon butties or rolls were offered by Leon and Amy from Platform 2 Cafe which were gratefully received and kept the gangs working.

 Peter Robinson has produced a YouTube video, using time-lapse photography edited down from 50 GB worth of data, you may view people running around,  as if they were ants or worker bees.  

https://youtu.be/3hpv5F--8_g

The end result is unfortunately almost an absence of any material change to just a casual by-stander ! But you may appreciate without safe track there can be no demonstration trains, and that is our  motivation. Our Museum chair Peter Martin gives thanks and writes:

 

“It must be said that we all deserve a pat on the back for everyone's efforts, where we have all achieved something more than others would have given their right arm for. As a team that have melded together to undertake what could be described as 'safety critical' work, we should pay tribute to all who have mucked in to do it in a safe fashion and are a credit to this Museum's standing. 

Credit where credit is due, it was a pleasure - nay an honour - to see it going on and be part of it. Wot a show. Let it be a lesson to others that WE can do it! 

We may be small fry in comparison to other bigger boys in the game, and perhaps we never make enough of what we do - but by 'eck, we just got on with it, so sing the song. Well done chaps”