Rother Valley Railway

Given that you are Mike Le Lacheur, who never has anything constructive or positive to say about the RVR extension, you will continue to be disappointed if you await responses from those of us you attempt to goad.

Bye bye Mike.

 

Your so funny.

 

Latest blog update, showing a superb and typically thorough restoration job all but completed on the ex-Hither Green turntable. And all despite the Batflu:
http://rvrailway.blogspot.com/?m=1

 

What a great story. Is there a planned location for the turntable?

 

I understand that it will be going in at Robertsbridge, in the triangle between the RVR proposed shed area and the NR siding headshunt.

 

So in theory then, it can be used to turn a mainline steam engine that visits the area if its terminating at Hastings and returning via Tunbridge wells the stock of course though will have to stable at Hastings, as there is not enough space to shunt a rail tour off NR onto RVR metals and to turn KESR engines so they are chimney first up Tenterden bank , or to even out wear ,

 

Thanks

There is about a 1/4 mile long siding in the shunt off the mainline that is currently blocked short with a temporary buffer stop due a very minor land slip some years back. With it being out of use at the time it wasn't worth repairing. We are on that issue and are optimistic will be sorted out in the not to distance. Mike Hart

 

Very

Very pleased to hear this, I'd been thinking it would be very useful for some years and especially since the turntable came on the horizon as it has.

 

Ah! The perpetual "tomorrow job!" By that I mean, it's one of those jobs that's always being put off

 

It's OK, I'm sure the They Department will fix it ...

Tom

 

Some interesting updates to Trevor's blog, mainly showing the current status of things at Robertsbridge, plus the environmental work undertaken between Junction Road and Austens Bridge.
The most interesting part is the specially adapted bogie flat wagon now at Robertsbridge. I'm sure we can all guess what it's intended for, the teaser being the logistics involved in the operation.
I'm really not sure about whether a full size low loader would either be able to turn into Station Road, or to negotiate the sharp changes of gradient into the station car park. Perhaps the intention is to crane it on at Northbridge Street? Whichever, its going to be an interesting operation.
http://rvrailway.blogspot.com/2020/11/now-arriving-at-robertsbridge-junction.html

Edit-if I'd actually thought about this, I would have realised that the Bogie Bolster C had to get there from the KESR first, so therefore it must be possible to get a vehicle of that length down Station Road. Duurgh!

 

Thanks Mark. No worries! The route has been surveyed by the excellent local haulage contractor who also delivered the bolster wagon directly to Robertsbridge Junction Station a few weeks back and who knows the area very well. Several bogie carriages have also been delivered to and from the station, including MK1's, over the year which are only slightly shorter than the 65 ft ex Hither Green turntable. The bolster wagon will be used to store the turntable until we are ready to install it, hopefully during 2021, as otherwise it would simply be in the way of the turntable and loco shed construction area. Once delivered you should be able to get a close look at it as its planned to park the wagon in the platform road on display. Hope that helps Mike

 

And Network Rail deliver their tampers to site using this route.

There is a picture of the Bogie Bolster wagon being delivered in the current Supporters Association Magazine. Just need to join to receive the Magazine.

 

Interesting pictures of the work on the badger sett showing 'one-way' doors. Pleased to note that the badgers have moved into their new sett.

 

Further to the Hither Green Turntable. Some of the components were delivered earlier in the week - see the RVR blog for pictures.

The Deck arrived today around mid-day. There are picture on the RVR facebook page - I assume that there will be pictures on the blog in due course.

 

It also now has a very interesting set of postings showing the removal of the turntable bridge; quite a process, and very interesting to see how they did it.

Noel

 

It looks rather complicated, presumably because of the restricted site. I recall going to Hitchin to help remove the turntable there, which went initially to Quainton Rd. With all the space around the turntable there it was a simple lift by a very large road crane.

 

Among other new posts on the news site, this one has an image showing a fairly immense stockpile of new? rails; far more than would be needed for local sidings/turntable/etc work. One can guess where those are (hopefully!) going!

Thanks to all who do the posts at the site, for that series of informative and interesting posts!

Noel

 

Meanwhile at Northiam, is an enormous stack of concrete sleepers to go with that.
At least there was the last time I passed that way.

 

I think new? Is correct. As far as I understand it, track removed from (LUL?) tracks during renewals is recvd as short panels which have been cut very short to fit on normal lorries for rapid removal. These short panels are then stripped to their components by volunteers when time is available. The sleepers are stacked in a huge wall at Northiam. Clips etc loaded into 1tonne bags easily loaded onto wagons. The short rails with gas cut ends are trimmed back to sound clean ends, which are then welded into usable lengths and stacked ready to be loaded onto wagons when needed.
A very good deal with a track renewal company together with a great deal of preparation effort by volunteers means that plentiful materials are stockpiled ready for the great day when track laying can recommence.
I believe the area at Robertsbridge Jn where most of those rails are stacked is the site designated for the eventual erection of a single track shed long enough to stable a five coach train set. Plans however are as always fluid within the constraints of planning permissions.