Rother Valley Railway

Heavy rain throughout this morning

Also, only 4 of us on site, to try and achieve the daily average of 4 panels.
We managed 3 1/2 panels at the end of the day.
Still, we're that much nearer to joining up with the through road of the passing loop.

 

This is where we started :


i.e most of the way round the curve.

 

Example of this morning's weather conditions.



Water running off the trees ran straight down your neck

 

At lunch time the weather brightened, and we did quite well.


We began the week two fields away, and have now laid 16 panels in total.
It looks like the week's target is actually 21 or 22 panels, so pressure will be on during the last day.

 

The loop is required for 2028 to accomodate a third train set out on the line when the Sunday lunch Pullman train is in operation

 

The target is the rail head in the distance, the through road of the future passing loop.

 

The mystery of the moving chairs has finally been resolved...

 

Also useful against the rain!

 

30 seconds ago people were complaining about heatwaves and wildfires!

Only in Britain...

 

Oh I don't know.
Here in Northern Italy it's the same.
Heavy rain has been causing havoc as well.
Not had any rain here in the pre-Apennines yet and the grape harvest is almost done.
After a heavy day of track laying a shower would be most welcome...
It's looking good and everyone should be proud of their achievements. Can't wait for a ride on the reconnected railway.

 

Where will the turnouts be operated from?

 

The loop could be operated with hydraulically operated sprung turnouts so no need for a signalman. The token machines could be in a locked cabinet and operated by train crews. That system is in use on the Esk Valley line (and elsewhere, I believe) under NSTR rules - No signaller, token remote.

 

NSTR is a possibility, though, if you are unfamiliar with the clunky name, the Mainline (BR/Railtrack/NR) version required a signaller, it is no signaller at each loop, they are remote. Could be easily added to a different signaller (or control if KESR has a permanent one?) with a diagram & magnets.

As signalling is an interest of mine, this has prompted some questions in my mind that may have been answered in the wealth of info from the KESR & RVR but:

• The full barrier crossings are they remote CCTV, Obstacle detector or Traincrew observed to be clear?
• Will Robertsbridge Junction get a KESR/RVR Signalbox
• relatedly how is it signalled currently? is it a single staff/token for the lot (the RVR side of the mainline connection, RVR mainline pointwork and maninline to the bufferstops) or something else (could just be clip & padlock everything) as it must have a method as passenger shuttles have run
• Is there a plan at whatever development level for signalling the route as a whole?

 

NSTR on the Esk Valley does require the driver to contact Nunthorpe signaller but that is only to seek permission to withdraw a token, which is given verbally. There is no interlocking and the signaller has no other control. That permission can be given from any suitable location, which could be control, a signal box or even the general managers mobile (as long as he remains available!). All that’s required are two token instruments and a phone. You must have two tokens otherwise you can’t cross trains. Removal of a staff could be arranged to clear a colour light starter for (say) 3 minutes. If it is done by a simple train staff then it could be arranged so that a long section staff could be unlocked and that would also clear signals in both directions, as was done at Levisham until a few years ago.