24 January 2026
Not too bad working outdoors today however rain stopped play at approximately 16.30 and getting chilly, we packed away and headed home. Nine friends today and were, Alan A, June, plus Tim, Mick, Alan S, Jamie, Dave MB, Dave M, Andy, Peter and Robin. David G has gone away again to a warmer climate, it's not that cold here. Thanks Dave MB for photo submissions, unfortunately they were portrait and to June for the teas and cakes. Projects today, included: Plastic sleepers under the foot crossings, Moving a block joint, Paving.
Left hand picture shows Jamie and Dave MB in the synchronised sweep and swept the ballast from the top of the sleepers, allowing them to air and dry. Robin moved a block joint at Baytree as it was too close to the platform starting signal (BE12) signal, the signal reverted to danger before the driver passed it. Full marks to Robin for making the job last all day as per full size practice. Plenty of banter to fuel the day.
Foot crossings
Pictures above show the start and finish of the replacing of sleepers at Baytree with Andy tamping whilst the others supervise or rest after doing all the other work. The vibration from the tool, certainly packed the ballast under the sleepers. A tube was laid in the ground in case any signal cables need to be run in the future and will save disturbing the new crossing.
Right hand picture shows the team in morning prayers deciding on how to finish the foot crossing at the greenhouse. All foot crossings have had new plastic sleepers inserted and are now waiting for the non slip wood to make the foot crossing useable.
Loco shed apron
Alan S started a project with David G before Christmas break and continued today by cutting and cementing the slabs to the loco shed base. Alan S can be seen checking his work, there is a gentle slope built in to allow the water to drain away. There was a slight delay as it was thought there was no sand and trouble starting the cement mixer, but all turned out good in the end. Hopefully the rain at the end of the day does not undo any work.
10 January 2026
Firstly, a very Happy New Year to all and a thank you to Robin who wrote the text last time for David G to submit. Robin apologises for no photos of the day but I think this is part of a plan so that he doesn't get to write the news each time!! I did ask but Robin gracefully declined as being retired he does not have time. Looks like I am back. Seven friends bracing the winter weather today were:- Alan and June plus Tim, Robin, Nick, Dave M, Phil and Peter. Excuses received from Alan S (Sick, we wish him well), Jamie and Dave MB and David G who doesn't want a cold on one of his holidays. Whilst we were deciding on the plan for the day, Dave M unloaded his Beattie Well Tank to test on the points etc then reloaded to take home. Reports of a successful test are noted. Thanks to June for the teas and cakes, Christmas cake still on the menu and to Berry for the scones. Also thanks to Dave M and Nick for submitting photos and David G for a formatting issue.
Nick in action
Nick can be seen showing us how to toss the caber or pole vault. Nick delivered plastic sleeper material from Robin which we are now using for the sleepers. The oak sleepers previously used below the foot crossings have deteriorated very quickly and today it was decided to replace all the foot crossings with plastic sleepers and eventually non slip boarding. Nick can also be seen cutting the sleepers to length of some sort.
Pictures above show the foot crossing outside Old Oak Signalbox which was dug out and three full length sleepers inserted plus others and a plastic membrane, then ballasted. It will require tamping next time and lastly, the boarding fitted, which is planned to be slightly wider than the previous.
Phil and Peter took charge of the foot crossing adjacent to the green house. The ground was frozen so an SDS drill had to be used to break the ballast. All ballast removed and again a plastic membrane was installed and is ready for ballasting. Time ran out for ballasting so a job for next time. Original plan was for the whole panel to be lifted and the fish plate bolts were removed. Decision taken to replace sleepers with track in situ and it became a problem to reinstate the fish plate bolts as the rail had shrunk with the cold. Eventually after persuasion the bolts were returned to their correct place. An electric cable also passes along the track bed and this was lowered out of harms way.
Righthand picture above depicts Robin showing Alan A how long his tape measure is.
6th December 2025
Robin writes:
Sorry - no pictures. Without Tim no one had the foresight to take any!
We had 9 Friends for the last gathering before Christmas, Alan & June, David G, Alan S, Jamie, Paul, Dave MB, Phil and Robin.
Peter put in a brief appearance and managed to collect buffer stops to be taken home for painting. He had an even more important job to get his car opening roof fixed - it was stuck open!
The main job was leaf clearing. Although Alan A had cleared a lot mid week there was still a lot to be done by Paul, Dave MB, Jamie and
Alan A. Hopefully this will allow sleepers to dry out and we can see how many need replacement and any other track work needed.
Alan S and David G started cleaning up pavers to go in the raised track area outside the engine shed. Phil started removing the old decking boards on the foot crossings ready for renewing rotten sleepers and fitting non-slip replacement boards. Robin continued to work out what’s needed for the Dingly Dell rewiring project.
Thanks as always to June for tea and cakes, which we managed to consume between the showers.
That’s it for 2025. Merry Christmas. Hope to see you all in 2026!
Robin
22nd November Cancelled
Cancelled due to poor weather forecast and only three friends showing as available.
8th November Pack away and winter work begins
Now that the running season has finished, we collected in all the signals and started a couple of winter projects. The aim is not to have a repeat of the last couple of years where we suffered from over running engineering works and were unable to run when other locations were.
Packing away today were:- Alan, June plus Tim, Heather, Alan, David G, Andy, Robin and Phil. Excuses provided from Dave MB and Mick who both had better things to do and Dave M due to sickness (and appreciate keeping that to himself). Thanks to June for the teas and cakes, Andy enjoyed the cakes baked by Phil's wife and finished them.
All signals bar Spinney number 8 signal were removed for winter storage, in the process it has been discovered that many are suffering from years of neglect and age and will require substantial repair / replacement and have been placed in Baytree Signalbox as wanting repair. Robin has taken home, two ground disc signals which require overhauling as they are a bit sticky. I am making new posts to ensure the signals are not touching the ground and remove the rotting issue. Hydraulic ram was removed from the unloading ramp and stored as well as the Old Oak water pump put away for storage. The station signs are showing signs of weathering and will also need some TLC.
Winter projects started with Alan S removing the screed at the loco shed using a kango as this had broken up with the weather affecting it. This will be replaced with a screed more adaptable to the weather using PVA as a bonding agent and in the mix. Robin and David G worked on investigating the Baytree wiring to establish the reason behind the faults we have been suffering from in the running season. Many references made to the schematic wiring diagram, but not sure if they could interpret it correctly. Also replaced was a micro switch in the point motor for Baytree point number 4. Some track circuits were showing occupied which could be due to the damp conditions and we will need to test it again when it’s dried up. Phil and Robin looked at the point number 20 outside Dingly signal box and Phil can be seen above finding it under many leaves.
At the end of the day, chatting with a cup of tea or coffee, June asked how the Pinewood visit went. Various editions emerged and when I said it is on the news web page, all had blank faces as it transpired NO ONE had actually read it........ Apparently my fault for not telling everyone.