2015 December - Winter Work Update

Outdoor and Indoor


Long Weekend Working Party Report 20-23 November 2015

By Keith Theobald

On the Friday we ran a salvage train to move bonfire material from Wharf to Ty Mawr. After that we started the work to remove the straight stock rail from the turnout under Wharf bridge. The replacement stock rail was to have its base plates fixed with brackets that attached to the web of the rail, rather being riveted to the foot of the rail. Once the old rail was removed we prepared the area ready for the installation of the new one. The weather was overcast, windy and cold.

On Saturday we checked the fit of the new one and then delivered it to Pendre so the new fixing brackets could be fitted in the works. We then switched our activities to doing a task that has been on the to do list for too long. This involved collecting up the rail that had been displaced by the two relaying projects we have carried out in recent years on Cynfal Bank. This rail is slightly hogged however there is still plenty of depth in the head so we are proposing to use it on a slow speed section of the line at Dolgoch. We measured each length to find its midpoint before we lifted them onto the wagons using the HIAB crane. We took a break for lunch before delivering them to a prepared stack just east of Dolgoch Station. By the time we had completed the unloading the light was failing so we called it a day. The weather was bright and sunny but still cold in the breeze.

On Sunday we delivered the replacement stock rail to Wharf and set about installing it. Most of the work was completed by lunch time. Next we collected up the other half of the rails and delivered them to Dolgoch. Lunch was taken on the terrace/platform where the sun was very warm given the time of year. The weather was not so cold and very sunny for most of the day.

On Monday we completed the turnout and gauge maintenance work at Wharf and put all the tools away. Following an early lunch we spent the afternoon using the stone blower east of Quarry Siding. The weather was not so cold but very overcast.

Overall an excellent weekend with a number of tasks completed or progressed. Very many thanks to all those who took part.

Cable Replacement Project

Earlier in November, the Signalling and Telegraph Department undertook work to replace cable and repair joints, plus equipment installation work and improvements. Lots of cable faults were removed during the work.

Carriage Maintenance Working Party

Thanks to the hard work of the gang over a couple of weekends, the majority of the bogie carriages have had the new triple valves fitted plus the usual winter maintenance.

In the Paintshop work continues re-varnishing Van 10 . You can follow their progress on the Pendre Paintshop Facebook page.

Photos by Karen Willans