Last week, it rained a great deal - so those who were available took cover in the workshops at Ruddington, and finished-off straightening the door from the north side of the operating floor at Hotchley Hill.
This week, it rained too, but we did manage to tick off a couple of logistical tasks, with the help of a guest from the Cutting 'Edge gang.
For the last two months, there has been an awkward-looking gap in the timbers covering the concrete pit in front of the signalbox. To fit properly, these have to be a full six inches thick, more than the typical sleepers we have lying around. The originals were specified to be strong, to provide a solid base for the numerous cranks and wheels bolted atop them, but the new installation (when it happens) will be purely electric - so their replacements just have to look reasonable, and be safe to walk over.
The first two-and-two-halves lengths of timber were cut from the stacked-up remains of an old crossover at Rushcliffe Halt, but the pit needs four eight-foot lengths, and there were no more available in the area. We found some stored at Ruddington, but they were too long to fit in the vehicles available. Thankfully, Cutting 'Edge's resident chainsaw specialist offered to make a special trip to Ruddington for the job, and with the piece duly cut to length, it just about fit in the back of our van.
Down at HH, we carefully heaved the timber out and across the line, then breathed a sigh of relief as it slotted neatly into place, with no trimming required. After taking a moment to admire the torrent of rainwater draining off (not through) the roof, and into the culvert, we moved onto the second job of the day; handing over a recently donated display case for Rushcliffe Halt. After a bit of cleaning-up, this will hold a selection of ditch finds for display in the cabin there.
Back in the shelter of Ruddington's engineering shed, we found work progressing apace on the preparation of a colour-light signal for the gantry. This will control passenger movements into the station, with a route-indicator (RI) box mounted above it, shewing which platform the points are set for. We did have a suitable frame to support the RI available, but one sized to fit a three-aspect signal head. The station approach only needs two. Leaving a big gap below the RI would be untidy, and make an already tall signal even taller, so it has been cut down to size, and will soon be reassembled.
Nearby, we tackled another loose end for Hotchley Hill. The new steps down to the foot of the bank cross over a concrete pipe in such a way that one of the timbers cannot be retained in place with a stake. Unsurprisingly, this means it has fallen over, leaving the last step an odd height. To fix this, we have made a couple of iron brackets to hold the riser to the tread below. Today, we drilled them, and found some appropriate screws with which to hold them on.
Next Saturday will be the second of the month, so is penciled-in as a day for tidying-up. We may have to be flexible with that (considering volunteer availability and the weather), but are quite resolved that the S&T parts of the site /will/ be tidy, sooner rather than later. There is also a signal post sitting on the platform, awaiting a poured concrete foundation. Plenty of work to go around!
