After last week's effort making track circuit bonds along the chord from Asher Lane to the junction protecting signal, it was time to bring the extension into use.
Where the section started, on the northern approach to the level crossing, there was a track circuit feed in a wooden location case, maintaining a low voltage accross the rails. Besides being in the wrong place, this case was past being servicable, with the wood weak enough to push a finger through. This we removed.
Beside it were a pair of insulated rail joints, which we replaced with plain fishplates, bridged-over with new bonding wires.
Then, at the new end of the circuit, much closer to the junction, a new feed unit (to do much the same as the old one) was installed in the modern steel location case. We dug-in some protective orange pipe, and wired the new feed to the rails. Since every track circuit is different, we spent a bit of time 'tuning' its sensitivity. Too high and wet leaves show 'occupied'. Too low, and some trains might not be detected at all.
Back at base, the telecoms team have installed no fewer than four new high-resolution CCTV cameras on a mast in the station throat, covering the signalbox and the end of the yard. These are now active, we only hope nothing happens for which we need to review the recordings!
