During Spring of 2009 we started work on linking the loco shed to the turntable. This photo shows a trial layout before ballasting using standard 6m and 9m radius curves. |
Laying straight track from the turntable using a digital laser level to maintain horizontal level (0%). |
March 2009 - Both points laid. The furthest from the camera is to take trains off the running track the nearest one is the run around loop to the turntable. Both are 9m radius. The ballast as delivered was very white and we both got slightly sunburnt that day due to the reflection. |
July 2009 and track laying has commenced from the points towards the loco shed. The incline here will be 1% (1 in 100). |
The track from the turntable met with the point via a specially made curve section. |
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Sometimes I think progress has been very slow, but it is amazing what has actually been acheived! Compare this picture with with the picture to the right taken from a similar location during 2006. |
Photo taken in 2006. The loco shed and incline has been constructed but before the digger commenced the lowering of levels for the yard area. At the front you can see my attempts at dry stone wall construction before the digger obliterated it. |
Digital level with built in laser supplied by Machine-Dro which is part of Allendale Electronics. A really excellent and invaluable tool for track laying. |
Here is the laser target board. You can just see the laser beam hitting the lower pencil line. |
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Yard scene. The pink house belongs to my neighbour. |
One of the flat wagons originaly built at Ledbury High School in use again as a track panel carrier. |
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PNP tipper wagon awaiting use. Our purpose built ballast wagon is still containing last year's crop of almonds, probably now only good as firelighters! They are rich in oil. |
This is a good view, clearly showing the future route alongside the neighbour's corrogated steel clad stables. Track to the right will link with loco shed. |
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The laying of track is restricted to only one 2m panel a day in the summer heat to avoid excesss exposure! |
Only about 6 panels of track now to link up the line to the incline and loco shed.
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30th July 2009 - Track panels approach the 10% incline up to the loco shed |
The final link is in! Just need to complete the ballasting and levelling and create an even change in incline from 2% to 10%! |
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Another shot before completing the link...................................... |
...............................and after. |
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An interesting shot taken from rail level. |
Local flora is already establishing itself. I don't know what this is but it looks nice! |
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Ballasting completed on the incline |
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Phase 1 of the track laying in the yard area completed. |
The ballast wagon rests at the end of the yard area awaiting further track laying down the embankment. |
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The 6th August 2009 saw the LA Services Lister powered Auto Trolley arrive in the yard for the first time. Even though it had stood still since 2007 it started after a couple of swings on the handle. |
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Here the Auto Trolley is posed with the ballast/almond carrying wagon! |
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August 2009 - Work has started again on the incline from the yard to the bottom end of the almond grove. The gradient has been revised to 1% rather than the 2% originally envisaged. |
The laser inclometer and target is being used to set the incline at 1%. The soil conditions have proved unsuitable for the motorised compactor and I have had to revert to manual tools. |
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These two photos a great ones of me actually doing some work. Only happens when I have visitors....the photos of me, not the working! Thanks to Peter Ladbrooke for these. |
The PNP side tipping wagon works very well and is very stable during tipping. |
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1st October 2009 - Well we were all poised ready to extend the track down the incline, but then the rain came and boy did it rain! The Spanish call this type of rain storm a Gota Fria, or cold drop in English. Usually a large amount of rain over a short period causung flooding and damage. |
Early November 09 - provisional layout of the 'run around' loop at the turntable end. |
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25th November 2009 - Track laying continues on the incline down to the furthest end of the almond grove, a total distance of about 50 metres. |
Our three items of rolling stock currently in use. |
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Another 24 metres of straight panels after this lot has been laid will take us into the first curved sections around the almond trees. |
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Ballast retained either side with 120 x 35mm tanalised boards. Unfortunately these cost twice what you would expect to pay in the UK. |
Dec 09 - Weather still fine. Laying the siding as the rear of the stock shed. It comes off the turntable and has direct access to the run around loop. |
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Friend Peter Ball lends a willing hand to shovel ballast into the PNP side tipping wagon |
 Good tipping action there Peter! |
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It's amazing how much ballast one gets through. |
Hand tramming back for another load. |
