Three stanchions.

Monday at Broadway.

Three of us on Monday - Neal, Yours Truly, and Steve, from the steam dept.

We had hired in a medium sized digger, in order to lift in the three stanchions at the end of the footbridge steps. 

 

 

The first job was to dismantle the temporary stanchions. These were held on with three bolts at the bottom.

Here Steve is trying to undo one - not easy, as the nuts are +/- inaccessible, and the threads are covered in paint too. 

But no matter, as we had the time. The digger delivery was late anyway.

 

 

 

 

 

Here is the first RSJ being removed and taken away.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The next job was the preparation of the 'cast iron' replica stanchions that we had manufactured in the loco shed at Toddington.

The job here was to ream out the threads that Neal had prepared earlier. Now they were filled with galvanisation residue, and paint. 

This picture shows the area where the first two stanchions will stand. Left and right of the steps then.

A third one was requested by our engineer (not GWR design practice) to be in the corner on the left, to prevent the canopy twisting.

Neal has already removed the gutter and the bottom row of roof panels. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After quite some wriggling the first stanchion was in.

 

We were very happy with this; unfortunately, it was only a test fitting, as the stanchion had to come out again to have three holes drilled to take the stringer. 

 

 

 

 

 

This is what the bottom of the stanchion looks like. A broad base plate, 4 threaded bolts to hold it down, and another four bolts that go in the other way, to allow correction of the stanchion's bearing.

 

Once the stanchion had been removed again after the trial fitting, Neal drilled 3 holes in places that he had marked up.

The stanchions were also checked with a laser level to make sure they were the correct height, and with a plain level to make sure they were straight. That's a lot of variables to play with. 

Then Neal was happy, and he drilled the holes for the stringers. 

 

 

 

 

After drilling the three holes, the stanchion was lifted back into place and bolted down.

 

After lunch in the shade - it got increasingly hotter - we addressed the second of the three stanchions.

 

The bolts in the ground had been there for coming on to 10 years, so some were stiff and one was bent.

Luckily Neal had brought a specialist tool with him for that purpose: a length of scaffolding pole. It was just right. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The second post was a lot more reluctant, and we missed Steve's calm wisdom in the afternoon (he had a doctor's appointment). The trouble was that the stringer wasn't entirely straight, and so wouldn't fit the slot for it in the back of the stanchion.

In the end we had to cut a piece off the box to make it fit. Then we got it on, and stopped for the day, a good point at which to do so. 

 

 

Here are both staircase stanchions in place. The one on the left is a trial fit at the time of writing, and needs to come out again to have the holes drilled for the stringer attachment.

The third stanchion can be glimpsed on the far left. That will stand on its own in the corner, and will need holes drilling in the concrete base. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This was the view from the footbridge at the end of Monday. With the laser level at the end of the ladder on the building we were able to verify that each stanchion was exactly the same height as the steel framework of the building.

 

 

 

 

 

Clearing up at the end of the day we noticed that our staircases were not only used for someone's gardening project, but also as a notice board.

You can debate whether people need to be told to drink water when they are hot, but does the notice have to be stuck on to our replica footbridge? There were three more of these notices around the station already.

So that makes two things now that detract from the authenticity of what we built. 

 

 

 

 

And here is a warning from another, minor railway of what can happen if you allow random things to be placed on or attached to your historic station:

 

Before you laugh, phew, not on the GWSR, we do actually have a pair of planters at Winchcombe with little wagon wheels on. It's what you can get if there is no style guide, or heritage oversight. It could come to Broadway too.

Tuesday at Broadway - back to the stanchions.

Tuesday was the second day on the stanchions.

The second stanchion was in place, but not yet marked up for drilling the holes.

Neal spent a lot of time with a level, a line, tape measure and laser level, getting the position just right.

Then he marked up the holes for the stringer bolts, and the stanchion was lifted out again. 

 

Neal has a replacement Mag drill now. You may recall that last year most of his tools were stolen.

Neal buys wisely, always second hand, so the financial blow was bearable. 

 

Here he is, drilling the three holes, which he then threaded. 

This picture shows an inside view of both stanchions in place at the bottom of the steps. The third stanchions still lies on the ground, centre right.

Tuesday being a regular running day, we saw lots of steam trains. Here is 3850 just running round. There seemed to be quite a few customers too. The heat had not deterred them.

Yes, it was quite warm, but it is summer after all. Many people book expensive holidays for temperatures like these; now we have them at home.  We had two breaks during the day - sitting in the shade of the canopy outside the cafe, with a tea and a coffee. Bliss.

After the break, and with the second stanchion securely bolted up, we took the third one and placed it on the concrete block that we cast last year.

That was the start of another long measuring session, until we were satisfied that it stood in the right place, and was high enough. 

With a few steps back we could show you this picture of all three.

This enlargement gives you a better idea of what the canopy overhang is going to look like.

The fourth truss will sit on top of these. Originally the GWR only had two stanchions, but our engineer advised a third one, in the corner. So there it is. 

The original GWR design with two stanchions still stands at Hall Green station. It hasn't fallen over yet.

The corner post is slightly shorter that the other two. Why is that?

Neal explains, using a builder's pencil.

 

It's all in his head... 

During one of our refreshment breaks we could see the result of our works from the other side. The digger is standing in the covered area of the canopy overhang, with a big (formerly) acetylene lamp to come in the middle. Yes, we have a second! All thanks to generous sponsor Paul Keen.

Once the position of the third stanchion was definite we drilled into the concrete for self tapping bolts.

Neal plans to replace these at a later stage with resin fixed threaded bars. 

 

 

 

 

With the first two stanchions also in their definite places, Neal attached the angle iron that was on the end, previously attached to the temporary RSJs.

 

The roof had gone a bit out of shape, so it was helped back into place with the boom of the digger. 

 

 

Broadway station was quite busy today. Here is one of the two steam hauled trains just rolling in, with the popular Black 5 at the head.

Did we hear it clank quite a lot? 

 

This being the penultimate train of the day it was diesel hauled out again, with a quick turnaround and no running round.

 

The 'Whistling Wardrobe' did the honours. 

The Black 5 trailed behind, allowing a nice shot with the sun just about managing to shine on it. Most of the day you are looking into the sun when photographing from P2, or indeed anywhere along the line on the Malvern side.

With the train gone, and the station almost completely clear of passengers, you can see what a lovely mottled light the riveted replica canopy casts on the platform in the early evening hours.

This is why we battled hard 10 years ago to have an original canopy, with its arched ridge purlins, and not the bricked in modern roof that was almost built, as at CRC. It was worth it.

Wednesday on the PWay.

No pictures this time - too hot to touch the track. But they were out nonetheless.

 

Preparations were made for a job on Friday, to deal with a thrupenny bit curve at Prescott. Ballast need removing - hence STEVIE with a narrow bucket - and the track needs pushing into a nice round curve.

Spare a thought for those venturing out! 

 

Digging at Broadway.

Friday, checking the line.

Readers will know that we stopped running for 3 days during the heatwave, so on Friday a small team went out for a fun ride in the class 45. Sorry, that should read 'a careful line inspection'! Extreme heat, and extreme rain, are not friendly to railway line infrastructure. So a good look was due, before we started running again on Saturday.

Wednesday's rail temperature, almost off the scale.

 

 

It seems that we have a wag amongst us, as David found this car first thing, hiding in the shade, and preventing the vans from being used.

This caused some heated dialogue on the PWay WhatsApp group, until it emerged that the owner of the car was - er, David!

Yes, we have a sense of humour... it's a rather wicked one.

 

 

As is often the case, we try to combine several jobs into one on special days like Fridays ( a non-running day, unless a fire & drive has been organised.)

 

The line inspection with a Peak was combined with moving the left over spoil train from the Cleeve slip works from Winchcombe to Toddington. It looks like the contents could be used in more than one place along the railway.

Once the Dogfish were out of the way, the line inspection could go ahead. Paul very kindly sent these pictures of the day's activities. Some of the team were in the rear cab, some in the front.

Coming off Stanway viaduct, and the start of the CWR section to Broadway.

Heading north, here by the bridge to the hamlet of Stanton Fields.

Just entering Broadway station, on board the Peak.

Waiting at Broadway. Cafe closed, so no ice creams...

The inspection revealed nothing of major concern. Our CWR track held up remarkably well, a tribute to our track maintenance team.

Afterwards there was some time left to take some expired timbers to our storage yard at Working lane. This involved both the RRV and the Telehandler.

After a few hours left in the hot sun, our RRV looked like a piece of molten cheese...

(Another example of our sense of humour). 

Monday and Tuesday at Broadway.

 

Neal continued at Broadway with the stormwater drainage, aided by lower temperatures than last week, which pretty much brought the whole railway to a stop.

 

Neal's solution to the spoil that fell down the deep stormwater collector was to carefully dig out another ring, and then reach right down into it. In this way the drain was cleared. The rest of the trench was then infilled, while a branch line was dug in the direction of the bottom of the stairs. Here it will pick up the water from the footbridge steps, and the corner gutter on the canopy overhang.

 

It is hoped to erect the three stanchions next week, providing a larger digger can be hired in time. 

 

 

The Usketeers on Wednesday.

 

A nice warm day, not too hot this time, brought out three Usketeers to continue work on the platelayer's hut.

 

 

 

 

On opening the door we found this growing out of the concrete floor. Weed control is going to be an issue here. When we started work here the site was completely overgrown, with quite a big tree growing out of the back of it. We dealt with all that, but it looks as if underground root systems are still going, and throwing shoots out here and there. 

 

 

The 6 sheets of corrugated iron are on the roof OK, but we still haven't dealt with the gap around the chimney. So that was the main job today. 

 

Here is Paul working the lead to the right shape. 

 

 

 

At the end of the day the flashing was all in place, and some more mortar had been put in left over holes that still needed to be done. So that's the roof done.

 

 

 

The hasps on the door are there, but we don't have any standard GWSR locks for them yet - that needs to be organised.

Jules fitted a sturdy handle, so that the door can be yanked open (if it needs to be).

 

To be honest, we don't see this little hut in that much regular use. It's more of a heritage asset for photography. And it wasn't long before one of our photographic specials stopped here:

 

Copyright: Jack Boskett.

 

They came a bit too early, as the door was still in its original wood colour, with a temporary bar across it. We didn't want to cover it in wet paint while work was going on with the door.

 

 

So today the door was finally painted black - now it looks alright. Paul is just locking up.

 

Back next week, with more Usketeers antics. 

 

 

PWay today.

 

Three activities today. Pictures by Paul, with thanks.

 

Simon got RRV training, under the watchful eye of Walt. It would be great to have another RRV operator, to spread the responsibilities.

 

 

 

 Andy passed his operational assessment again - OK, on Friday, but you get the RRV theme.

 

 

 

The main gang was out by the Royal Oak, where there is an old length of wooden sleepers that need fairly regular attention.

 

 

 

 

Nine sleepers were changed here today, which is an excellent achievement. It is helped by those Robels, which make the packing so much more efficient.

 

That left nine duff sleepers lying along the line. They were taken back to Winchcombe for sorting, and then...

 

 

 
... two van loads of very duff sleepers were taken to Working Lane for long term storage.

 

In the background is Dave D's Chevvy, back from the levvy. These balmy days are the ones when you take your prize oldtimer out. But we're not allowed to load it up with any sleepers, they might scratch the bed, he said, firmly.

 

 

Dobbies at Broadway.

 

Great was our disappointment and frustration to find that numerous modern flowerpots had been scattered about the new station, including two hung on chains on our carefully sculpted footbridge from Henley in Arden.

 

 

 

That big replica gas lamp took 5 years to study, draw and make, to look just like the original. A blog reader and sponsor gave us £5.000 to have this beautiful replica made, and now it's got a modern flowerpot dangling in front of it. The team that built the canopy, made the stairs just like the original, fabricated and installed the replica GWR signage was not consulted. The canopy is just seen as a handy frame for someone's interest in gardening. How is this even possible? Are we not all singing from the same hymn sheet?

 

Sadly, this shows a certain lack of respect for those that built the station, and who fought so hard to make it look original. What will they do to the P2 building and its canopy? Where will it stop? There are no rules. The plc says that 'we want to be the best heritage railway in the country' and the Trust aims to be 'a living railway museum', and these flowerpots should be at Dobbies, we say. 

 

There is no heritage oversight. A Heritage Railway in the shareholders' meeting, but not on the ground. People do what they want.