WITH no trains operating at many heritage lines between late October and into November, it provides a short window to undertake track maintenance before festive season services get underway.
Volunteers at the East Somerset Railway have been carrying out track improvements in Cranmore station.The work includes resleepering on the Down platform and attention to the drainage.
After Christmas, further work is planned to be carried out in the same area, replacing more worn-out components and taking the opportunity to modify the layout.The diamond crossing is to be removed and replaced by a point, resulting in theTanker Sidings being accessed direct from the main – plus the loop being shortened. Existing signals are being refurbished and a scheme for full signalling is being worked on with design, verification and approval ongoing. It is hoped this will allow enhanced operation in due course.
In mid-October, members of the SevernValley Railway (SVR) PermanentWay team recovered track from the former oil depot near Brownhills, on the disused South Staffordshire line between Lichfield andWalsall. The week-long operation yielded three sets of points.The pointwork was donated as part of the partnership between the SVR and Network Rail.The track recovery work was assisted by contractor Quattro Plant Ltd, which has a lease on the old terminal oil yard.
One of these sets of points is to be installed on Roads 1 and 2 in Bridgnorth yard this Winter.The SVR is appealing for volunteers to help with the project in Bridgnorth yard –including lifting, relaying, alterations to the pit on Road 2 and concreting works.