Track Laying

The yard was laid first using the original panels and points from the old site. All the old track panels were relaid back from the yard towards the station. Several new panels were constructed to enable us to reach the station site and complete the head shunt. Each panel consists of two 6m lengths of rail plus approximately 20 sleepers each of which requires 4 chairs and securing screws to hold the rails in place. Track panels are joined to eachother by two pairs of fishplates and securing nuts and bolts. All the sleepers and rails have to be drilled to accept chair and fishplate fixings respectively. We made templates to ease the process and ensure accuracy and consistency, It was a proud moment when we finally ran a test train into the area where the station was to be constructed. It was an even prouder moment when, just 11 months after commencing the earth works, we ran our first service train at the beginning of the Easter 2015 DOWT event!