Welcome
to the Oct 2006 Trackwork page 1
of the FSMR website
These photos were taken during the October track weekend in 2006 when 5 panels were lifted and replaced on
badgers curve in one weekend. At the same time the opportunity was used to
install a sleeper retaining wall against the earth bank at this location.
The works train in use over the weekend, having the luxury of
steam power in the diesels absence on its heavy repair and overhaul this
winter.
The first task was to set up a laser level to maintain the
gradient profile between the two untouched sections of line. The first section
to be lifted is in front of the laser. At the same time, the new sleep wall is
being constructed behind
After lifting cutting off the fish[;ate bolts and lifting the
panels out onto the bank, the next step is to use the tractor loader and hand
tools!! to remove about 4 inches of the old track ballast The end of this
weekends working area can be seen where the track restarts.
Even my youngest gets in on the act with the shovel!!.
Next, after fitting new sleepers to the old panels, they are put
back in place on a geo-tex membrane to prevent the fresh ballast getting
contaminated from below. The fishplates are then fitted with new bolts and
greased to ensure trouble free movement (critical to avoid thermal damage in
the hot sun!!)
The scale of the weekends work can be seen here, the new panels
starting at the bottom right of the picture through to the top left of the
picture. The full size sleepers are ready for the new sleeper retaining wall to
be installed at the same time