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Winter 2006 Engineering Work 1

The last two weeks of January 2006 saw two major engineering projects undertaken simultaneously. This page documents in photos the replacement of 'No.16' points at Sheffield Park under the direction of our contractor Matt Crawford. Click on each picture to see a larger version.

New Sheffield Park pointwork A reminder of the previous point, seen shortly before work to replace it began. Note the left-hand turnout, with the direct route leading into Platform 2 (J on Bowers).

New Sheffield Park pointwork On the first Monday of the working fortnight, the brand new pointwork is unloaded (David Chappell).

New Sheffield Park pointwork With the old trackwork and ballast removed, and the formation prepared, the white Terram matting is ready to be rolled out (David Chappell).

New Sheffield Park pointwork By the Tuesday of the first week, ballast had been laid and levelled (David Chappell).

New Sheffield Park pointwork Sleepers are hoisted into position on the new ballast - note the wooden sleeper spacers (David Chappell).

New Sheffield Park pointwork Although the weather stayed dry, it also was rather chilly at times! This was the scene early on the first Wednesday morning (Jon Bowers).

New Sheffield Park pointwork New timbers are laid out ready to take the new pointwork (Jon Bowers).

New Sheffield Park pointwork The new switch and stock rails roughly in position. Note the old point in the background (Jon Bowers).

New Sheffield Park pointwork A view back the other way, with some of t he chairs now fastened down (David Chappell).

New Sheffield Park pointwork With the point-motor in position, Tim and Alan of the S&T department are obviously enjoying their side of the job! (Jon Bowers).

New Sheffield Park pointwork Monday of week two - can you guess what it is yet? (Jon Bowers).

New Sheffield Park pointwork An elevated view of the new pointwork taking shape on the Monday afternoon (Jon Bowers).

New Sheffield Park pointwork From left, Maurice Hare, Jon Goff, Nigel Longdon and John Smith working on fastening the Panlock clips (Jon Bowers).

New Sheffield Park pointwork "I'm sure I saw those timbers earlier on!" (David Chappell).

New Sheffield Park pointwork David Wigley indulges in some keying up (David Chappell).

New Sheffield Park pointwork By the Thursday of the second week, No.1 road was connected up, with No.2 road not far behind (David Chappell).

New Sheffield Park pointwork Later that Thursday afternoon, only one rail remained to be connected on the west side of 2 road (David Chappell).

New Sheffield Park pointwork With the final rail inserted and 2 road re-connected, a nasty kink appeared! Thanks to the wonders of modern(ish!) technology, the Tamper sorted out this little problem in a matter of minutes (Jon Bowers).

New Sheffield Park pointwork Al though everything was reconnected on the Friday, a reduced service operated on the Saturday to enable the volunteers to bring the track up to standard. Saturday's "jacking and packing" gang are seen here in full flow. A special thanks should go to the Northern Extension gang for providing much of the labour on this additional Saturday session (Jon Bowers).

New Sheffield Park pointwork By no means perfect, but we were very pleased with a job well done at the end of the Saturday.

New Sheffield Park pointwork What must be one of the largest steam-rollers in Sussex tests out the new trackwork. No.96 had been the first locomotive to run over 1 road, and No.65 had the honour for 2 road. Note that the main route now leads into Platform 1, a reversal of the previous s ituation (Jon Bowers).

New Sheffield Park pointwork The first passenger carrying train over the new pointwork was the evening Golden Arrow Pullman on Saturday 4th February, hauled by No.75027. Here the afternoon ECS working passes the jacking and packing gang on the Saturday afternoon (Jon Bowers).


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Last updated 22nd February 2006 by Jon Bowers, with thanks to David Chappell.
All photos on this page © Jon Bowers and David Chappell.
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