Went down quite early this morning to see if the track laying machine had started as scheduled and I wasn't disappointed. Unfortunately it had made such good progress that I missed the actual track laying. It had reached the far end of the viaduct and a number of construction workers were in evidence along its length. They appeared to tying down the wagons that had contained the sleepers. There still seemed to be two flats still loaded with sleepers. Soon after they all departed on foot along the viaduct to waiting vans on the former Bedford line embankment. Then off for a well earned breakfast I am guessing. I waited for a while in the hope that I might see a loco arrive to take it away but no luck. There were one or two other small developments since last week.
First picture taken from the end of Wilbury Way shows the entire length of the track laying machine
The front almost at the end of the viaduct. The strange white contraption is used to bring sleepers forward from the flat wagons and drop them on the conveyor belt.
The middle containing the empty flat wagons with workers appearing to be tensioning straps that probably held the sleepers down.
The rear of the train with some sleepers remaining.
Some workers leave on foot whilst the others finish off.
Whilst strictly nothing to do with the construction work, this was a welcome development. New steps have been installed since last week. No more slithering down a steep muddy bank. I would like to think they have been installed by friends of the blogger but the chances are they were done by the"Friends of the Purwell Valley" who created this river side walk. Anyway I am very grateful!
All the gaps in the guard rails have been marked by blue netting, health and safety in action.
The line of vans etc about to depart with the construction workers just visible on top of the embankment.
Rear of the train seen from the conservation area on the west side of the ECML.
The front end looking through the piers of the viaduct from the higher ground.
I was correct last week that this was drainage pipework now in evidence all the way along.
Here you can see the pipework connected to the drain holes in the viaduct.
Pipework not going very far yet but definitely working!
More drainage work at the start of the viaduct.
Wider angle from same spot. Some extra earthworks have been added.
Finally first overhead gantry support post has been installed, likely to be the only one on that side of the line.
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