This place is for volunteers to describe their activities in 2010, to help keep RVR members posted. Simply scroll down to read the various comments, and maybe add one in the box at the bottom.
Apologies for not blogging for some while now. Hopefully, normal service is now resumed. Well, non-stop rain made this an ideal day for working on the track! There’s a lot of levelling up and un-kinking to be done at Robertsbridge and ballast to be topped up and we are several days into the task, using our trusty Permaquip machine, aka “Jenny M” or “the Tug”. This can grab a rail and then jack up, on one side or both, lifting up about fifteen feet of track fore and aft. This allows allow ballast to be packed underneath, or alternatively raked out, to help get the levels right. It’s slow work and the machine is very noisy and smoky which is tiring after a while, apart from the effort of putting heavy wooden blocks under the jacks, and packing and raking ballast with spades and rakes. Levels have to be checked both across the rails and along the rails too, and the Tug has to be moved away at intervals to provide a clear space to work or check. So it all takes time. But winter is ideal for this essential job, as one cannot work on our vehicle collection outside in the rain, and the work keeps one warm. Until that is the cold and damp finally gets inside one’s waterproofs and boots, and it’s time to head back for a warming cuppa.
SteveG. Since I am here and it seems to work again(or have i just remembered how to do it?)I will add another quick blog. Last Wednesday we had fun on the GBLV, which I have the brief pleasure of being sole owner of, pending its sale to the RVRSA. After three hours or so of work by a succession of volunteers, including new recruits Bob and his son Mark, Helen managed at last to diagnose and then free up the recalcitrant gangway end sliding-door of the GBLV. At the same time Geoff and I removed the east side end-doors for restoration, and fitted the new plywood doors in their place. The old doors complete with drop-light windows are destined to return to the middle of the van where they properly belong, once the door frame has been narrowed (see blogs last summer re the west side!). We hope that the next Phoenix will include an agreed internal layout for the use of vehicle once acquired by RVRSA - that is, if we can agree a plan at the March RMC meeting.
Sunday 7 March. A lovely sunny day, after a week of such days, but also fresh. Today about 6 of us planted over 200 hawthorn bushes at Quarry Farm, alongside the farm road to help intergrate the line into the landscape. Some more bushes were also planted at Robertsbridge to improve security alongside the open Culverwell's site. Meanwhile work continued on Dougal's braking system and to track down an oil leak, which seems to be down to some gaskets in need of attention. Felled trees on our side of the new Network Rail fence were chopped up. Last Wednesday, we freed up the stanchion bolts on the GBLV, ready for when we remove the large doors and relocate the stanchions to narrow the doorframes. We also brought some fill material to the final platform slope, which is now ready to be filled and graded and handrails added. We managed some track work and also dug out the long-damaged 10 mph sign close to the loading pad and got it back to the workshop to be straightened out and repainted.
More updates from Robertsbridge. We have levelled the final slope of the platform ready for its top surface; fitted handrails and fixed the sides; levelled the lawn area and made a ramp at the southern end; connected the GBLV to the mains; begun cutting up the fallen trees; painted more of the brake van and the roofs of the GBLV and the loader; and interviewed a buffet manager.
Incidentally, if you wonder why the above posts all carry the same date, it's because I moved them today from the 2009 blog series. They actually cover various dates in Feb and March 2010
Wednesday 17 March. Not many of us there today, but we were cheered to hear we will shortly have a new buffet manager for Sundays which will relieve the load on Helen a bit. We carried on with the lawn, moving more soil down from near B&Q, and then rolling and levelling; we got the 3-planker moved over to the pit with a bit of shunting; packed the track by the Oak Tree a bit more having allowed it to settle. Oh yes, and we dug over and weeded the vegetable patch ready for this year's crop of homegrown vegetables, which provided us with carrots for our lunch today. On Saturday I will be back again for the next RMC meeting.
Late March. Over the last couple of weeks we've welcomed our new Sunday buffet manager Jon, seeded the lawn, fitted the dumpvalve on the 3-planker's braking system and begun cutting timber for the bodywork; and removed the winch from the brake van deck (I think we fitted it to winch the van along the track from the loading pad years ago). More ballast packing too. The crane has passed its annual check. A regular lunchtime staff briefing has been introduced. We've also heard that the remaing 200 yards or so of tracklaying near Junction Road is on the cards this summer, if enough funds can be raised (see Phoenix, due out shortly).
April 3rd. Track weekend has gone well, with sucessful rail changes beyond the lorry crossing, along with some de-kinking. The tug did well, dragging rails along and helping lift the track to help de-kink a couple of places, as well as transporting the heavy jacks we use. More on Wednesday.
Weds April 7th. More trackwork, cutting a rail and pulling up its neighbour so that the rail joints align. Still need to cut and fit the two fanal rails before the buffer stop. More work on paving, plus GBLV, plus wagon timbers, and killing tree stumps.
Weds Aril 14th. Tidying up today, as the paving is finished off (thanks especially to Bob and Jack, our latest volunteers. Some shunting to get the vehicles in the platform ready for the modellers' weekend in early May. On Dougal, work began to remove the loco's sandbox, but it put up a real struggle. The aim is to allow the new vacuum pipe to pass behind the box, ie under the running plate, instead of going through the engine compartment where its presence would make servicing jobs more difficult. PS...am now away for about 10 days.
Weds April 28. More work improving the look of the site for our imminent open/modellers weekend. Including painting the very shabby buffer stop in the platform road, fitting handrails to the fencing. The new paving and gravel looks good...but the lawn will take a while longer to recover fully. Planking for the open wagon has been cut and smoothed, and fitting should begin soon.
Weds May 5. More preparations for next w/end, painting the brake van ends and more tidying (its a good job we have these events because it forces us to have a good old clear up at least once a year around the station). We had to clear the rolling stock from the siding north of the loading pad, ready for a team with a crane to begin cutting up and removing some of the surplus bridge sections. This gives them more working room. We also had to cover the Maunsell Coach roof in additional tarpaulins to protect the large layout due to go inside for the weekend - rainwater and scale models dont mix well. dont forget to come and visit us this weekend!
Weds 5 May. A postscript to the above. We learned this evening that Dave Rimmer died yesterday, after a long illness. I hope to include some recollections of Dave's time at RVR in the next edition of the Phoenix.
Sat 8 May. Modellers show and and open day, this weekend. On duty in the buffet which was made extra busy by hoards of Balfour Beatty trackworkers, who are relaying the point to the north of the mainline station, and pushing back the platform edges, during a weekend occupation. The combination of this work and the rainy weather, plus lack of normal train services, seem to me to have reduced visitor numbers but at least we ran out of bacon and bread so someone has been eating it all, even if not the public! tomorrow is another day but I cant go sadly.
Weds 13 May. Clearing up after the open weekend, including dismantling the large marquee and shifting tables, chairs, signage, and so on. Doesn't sound a lot but it took six of us several hours. Work has begun to cut up several of the old iron bridge sections stored on site for many years, which came from Staplehurst when that line was upgraded for Channel Tunnel trains I think. The surplus ones have recently been sold for scrap by their private owner. One section was used by RVR a few years ago for Bridge Number 2, and we should find use for a few more in time. The bridge sections aren't long enough to do the business at Bridge Number 1, as I understand it. Getting the sections offsite is no easy task and this will take a while.
Sun 16 May.Essential fence repairs by the public footpath alongside the village cricket pitches. We also planted some hedging hawthorns to deter trespassers from climbing the abutment to bridge number 2. Let's hope they last. Back at RVR Robertsbridge, guys were stencilling "SR" in white on the side of the brake van and doing further painting, plus some interior prepping of the GBLV zand varnishing of the 3-plank wagon timbers prior to fitting.
Mon 17 May. A sad day today, as Dave Rimmer's funeral took place at Medway Crematorium, high up on the North Downs ridge near Chatham. It was very well attended, with few seats left in the chapel and many from both RVR and Spa Valley Railway joining Dave's extensive family and friends in celebrating Dave's life and robust character. I miss him and many more do too, as a larger than life personality with great determination and a great sense of humour, and underneath a big generous heart, even if intemperate at times!
A 'red letter' day today - the first of the multi stacked sections is now on the ground curtsy of Leyland 16 ton recovery vehicle. Not seen one since shortly after passing HGV2 driving test in one.
Should have thought of this before. Jib hieght extended just right for moving top bridge sections without coming near power lines.
Three sections now gone with fourth on probably going tommorow afternoon or Wednesday morning.
'At this rate we should be able to start laying the shed roads the week after next.!'
Weds 19 May. A lovely sunny day, with work continuing on prepping the timber for the 3 plank wagon bodywork, and stripping loose paint from the GBLV. A warm welcome back also to Kim, a volunteer we hadn't seen since last summer due to work commitments but who looks set to be a regular once more.
Sun 23 May. More sun...shifted concrete troughing out of the way of the contractor's ongoing work on cutting up the bridge sections.We varnished most of the planking for the wagons, smoothed the remaining planks and treated the timber on the GBLV steps, and primed some of the metal work on the van end (south). Dougals' starter motor is off and receiving attention. Helen's plant sales are going great guns.
Weds 26 May. I had meant to get on with the GBLV roof but decided it was better to help finish off staining and varnishing the planking for the wagon, so that we can make a start on fitting the planks to the various stanchions and hinges. This is more cpomplex than it sounds as the long timbers have twisted in places and we'll need to choose, cut and fit them so that the ironwork helps straighten them out again. Three planks in the GBLV end were replaced, work began on restoring the ground frame, the gears on the crane were all greased, and we took delivery of some stuff for the Junction Road work and also for surfacing the final platform slope. Meanwhile the surplus wrought iron bridge sections continue to be chopped up chunk by chunk, another one having been lifted down from the stack by a 16 ton ex-Army Leyland recovery vehicle, an impressive beast which must be about 50 years old and still going strong. I will try and get a photo.
Sat 5 June. Down on a saturday for a change as I cant make Sunday. More work on the GBLV roof which is coming along nicely. The acrylic paint roofing compound used on the roof last summer has held up well, so more is going on now, and we will have to decide what to use as a top coat, if anything. Last Wedenesday we made a start cutting and drilling the two rails by the far end buffer stop. Hopefully this can be finished off soon. Sounds easy enough but it took all afternoon and we didn't finish, mainly because moving and positioning 30 foot rails by hand in order to cut them safely is slow and heavy work when there aren't enough people on the job. The rail drill is also hard to start and set up. We also prepared the two decks of the brake van for a coating of phenolic stuff, which isn't exactly paint but a compound that undergoes some form of chemical reaction with rusted steel or iron to form a tough black coating. We also cleared more concrete troughing from two of the bridge sections, to enable the scrap men to get on with hauling them down from the stacks and cutting them up. Some of the lids we have used to cover up the drainage troughing that runs down towards our front main gate, for safety. Work continues on making ready the vacuum brake reservoir for Dougal, and its mounting arrangement.
Sun 13 June. something of a setback... it's all hands to the pump to eliminate a local rat problem and ensure they can't get in the buffet in future. This meant moving all the magazines off the floor and exposing the floor and wall along the east side of the VSOE building, inside, and deciding remedial measures in consultation with a pest controller. As the kitchen is out of action, we have had to set up a Baby Belling and kettle etc in the GBLV for the active volunteers. So not that much time for other work today, but nevertheless more levelling off was done on the platform slope, weeds were sprayed up and down the track, and Dougal's vac tank work and the ground frame rerfurb continued. On the way home I diverted over to Junction Road and there is the new formation taking rapid shape on its way eastwards to Udiam Farm house, and looking as if tracklaying could start pretty soon on this final bit of Phase 3. As didn't have a map with me, managed to get lost coming home to SE London the quick way, avoiding the A21, which should have taken me past the Hop Farm. Don't ask me where I went, but it was very pretty ...
Sun 27 June. A scorching day and a good one not to waste watching a certain football match! More noisy dusty work on the GBLV exterior, while the temporary volunteers' caff area inside the van was also being stripped ready for a lick of paint. We are not yet cleared to reopen the shop, unfortunately, so there were some disappointed customers but also some healthy donations by visitors. Saturday saw some track work. But the big news is that RVR metals have now reached Junction Road (the B2244) from Bodiam. Only ballasting remains to be done, and there are several hundred tonnes of stone stored at KESR's Wittersham Road yard which should be heading westwards by train fairly soon to finish the job. Many thanks to KESR and several of their volunteers for all the assistance, as well to to the RVR folk directly involved in reaching this important milestone.
Sun 11 July. Cleared now to reopen the shop, and work on that has begun. More work on the GBLV roof and sides. One new window frame has been put in. Over at Junction Road, ballasting and fencing has already been completed, and the whole thing celebrated in some style! We will be holding another celebration at Robertsbridge this summer, all being well.
In absence of our usual intrepid reporter Steve, (hope you get well soon Steve) we can advise that things continue apace at Robertsbridge as well as RVR East (Udiam). Geoff, is working on the three plank Wagon. Helen is fitting out the VSOE (the shop) and Simon is undertaking a track weekend on 24th/25th July. Volunteers please report to any of the above 3 for a task of your preference!
If anyone is still looking for a task why not join me with Alan Bartlett on a vegetation clearing day 1st August.
Electrics done, floor replaced, carpets down. Some display on rear wall installed and all mags from 8 x 4 table transfered. Table now ready to move to new position.
With conserted help tommorow we could be well on the way to re-open on Sunday. Need help to move the heavy items.
Tables and chairs need moving to LNER van.
Fridges and stoves etc need moving to kitchen end wall out of way. Old screen from end of buffet counter requies moveing to new position. Helen
First has anyone any bookcases going spare, 3' wide x 4-5' high. Two needed.
Second. Good progress made yesterday on moving the large bulky items around to new positions. Thank you to all who helped.
However still a great deal to do produce a new look upto date shop.The new layout requires a larger box for magazines fior the centrte display area, these ahve been ordered but will not be available until week Sunday. With this in mind I would anticipate that I could get the shop open on Sunday 15th August.
I could do with someone to replace the flooring in corner by where the 8' x 4' table was and under the wall mounted glass cabinet.
However although I say it myself a great deal was achieved especially by Andrew and his 360. Very nice machine with good operator.
Site now cleared abd leveled from rail stack (by loading pad) to wood store.
All track pieces, wheel sets, timber baulks etc now stacked tidily in area just to north od bridge sections.
Track bed to south of present running line leveled and old ballast laid ready for point to be lifted out and track slewed to correct curvature tomorow.
Replacement rails identified for filling resultant gap once point lifted out.
One problem to be solved is how to get rid of a large quantity of impregnated timber.
First day of the latest track weekend, led by Simon Relf. We followed up the impressive work done earlier in the week on the main running line between Oak Tree and the loading pad, which has removed the redundant point and eased the curve and smoothed it, on an improved trackbed. All the non-standard rails have been removed, and it was a question of cutting and drilling the replacement ones and getting the last two rails into the chairs. We made good headway with this despite torrential rainshowers. Hopefully with drier weather forecast tomorrow plus more manpower on site the job will be largely completed this weekend, leaving packing and testing to follow. This will then enable ballasting of all the section east of the Oak Tree to continue, steadily working back to the station until we run out of ballast. It's great to see the curve cleared of clutter, at least on the inside (outside to follow).
Another productive weekend, with RMC on Saturday followed by the shop reopening on the Sunday, and a whole day of tidying with the help of Andrew Wood and his 360 digger on the beautifully sunny Monday. We cleared all the rails and point bits from the loading pad area, the stub of the point and various point timbers by Oak Tree, and pretty much all the other bits of rail and concrete sleeper from the main running line area, apart from one bunch of bits that we couldnt reach. A thoroughly exhausting but satisfying day as far I was concerned, moving stuff that its almost impossible to move without a crane or digger.
On the last two working days, we made a good start on preparing the proposed kitchen area for the Mark I coach, restoring the northern end of the VSOE building for use as an information/visitor area; clearing more site rubbish; repainting the Trams' utility van in SR green; investigating starter motor problems on Dougal/Mr Useful; mending fencing near bridge No 2. To finish off on Sunday I helped myself to a boxful of what I am reliably informed are damsons, small and quite tasty, that overhang our fence line with Culverwells. Maybe RVR will begin making and selling jam one day...
Today was the day for a major shunt around. The only vehicle that wasn't moved in the process was the Tramways' pmv. It was something of shunting puzzle - the objective being to get the GBLV coupled up to the Mk 1 coach (see forthcoming Phoenix) and also to get the three banana vans (eventually) into the siding vacated by the GBLV, all together. Space is in short supply at Robertsbridge Station RVR, so we had to squeeze various g wagons down the line while others were being moved. It took a bit of working out, plus pretty much all day to accomplish. As it was, we didn't quite manage to get any of the vans actually into the front siding before the end of the working day, so this will have to follow on. Volunteers looking for their mess van on Sunday may be scratching their heads for a while. I will try and upload onto Facebook soon one or two video clips taken of some of the movements. My weekend was largely spent at Bodiam station, manning the RVR stall set up by Trevor at the KESR Hop-pickers event on the Saturday, and also (on Sunday) Trevor's impromtu car-park which made some useful money for the RVR, as did the shop goods we had borrowed. Geoff, and the Peters French and Brown also did their bit, and it makes a nice change to get out and spread the word sometimes! Anyway, time for Mad Men now....
A rather quiet Sunday, but we made strides with two projects: setting up the buffet in the Mk 1, where we dug a trench for the water pipe, jacked up the coach body so its dead level at the buffer stop, began the business of setting up the water pipe run, and plumbing inside the kitchen. Meanwhile work was going on to refurbish the first of the seating bays, where some of the plywood panels are crumbling away under the windows. Over in the VSOE building, work was proceeding on cladding the walls internally where the old kitchen has been removed, including providing for new electrical sockets. This will be the RVR display/museum area for our visitors.
More progress with the buffet project, where the water heater and water boiler have now been fitted, a water supply pipe has been threaded right through the GBL Van, work continued on the deck connecting the GBL van and Mk1, and more cladding was put up in the VSOE building. Over at Udiam, the raw new bank was sown with grass seed to help integrate it into the garden landscape.
The buffet is taking up most of the time of the volunteers currently, but we were very pleased to be joined by David a new volunteer on Wednesday, following the arrival of new young volunteer Mark on Sunday. With several more potential volunteers promising to come along and have a look, things may be looking up on the workforce front. Meanwhile, we got permanent electrical power directly connected to the coach, and further progress on plumbing, and a safe access deck was completed betweeen the Mk1 and GBLV, allowing the volunteers and catering staff to access both vehicles using their own dedicated steps. Steps for the main customer entrance are now under construction, and we appear to have had good news about the design of the mains drainage scheme which could save on the cost.
With three volunteers aged 20 or less onsite on Sunday, our average age was considerably lower than for a very long time! A warm welcome to Mark, Jack and Jamie. We also had another potential volunteer look around and promise to come back this week, who may like to take on running the buffet which continues steadily towards completion. Work also progressing on the visitor centre area of the main building, and on Dougal's braking system, and on IT improvements.
Good progress made today. Two work gangs - Mk1 and track. Total 7 strong,nearly up tp Sunday standard). Around £80.00 taken by 'closed' shop! Plant sales good.
Saturday saw my goal achieved of cutting the overgrown trackbed from Bridge 1 to Northbridge Street down and unfortunaltey the local anti socials have damaged the Signal box down there which is a great shame after Helens hard work a number of years back building it, repairs urgently required. The Japanese Knottwood has been chopped back which was getting near to the farmers field and come next spring we can get strong weed killer down to prevent it reappearing and spreading even more
Congratulations Paul. Meanwhile back at the ranch, the Mk 1 buffet project advances steadily with inset sinks being fitted into new worktops, ready for the base units to be fixed in place. Gas cooker, microwave and water heaters are fitted,plus lighting and ventilation. At the front, the new visitor steps have appeared and look great.The coach roof has been transformed on the west side, and rust holes are being steadily filled along the coach sides. Seating bays are being refurbished too, and there is now Wi-fi for visitors.
As promised I have managed to get a simple system going - Office and shop and with answerphone. These are with new cables from BT terminal. Have installed backing board in new cupboard in info centre so Ttrevor you can mount your equipment, also have put in two gang electrical socket - do you need any more Trevor? Trevor can you fix all equipment and clip down all cables. I think some of the equipment faults recently was loose cables pulling out plugs and sockets. There are plenty on cable clips on site. Tommorow I hope to get the set of four phones working so that we can communicate with Mk1, GBLV and workshop, Apart from telephones it has been a very wet 24hrs at Robertsbridge - bucket outside of rear shop door has filled to the top in around 30 hrs!! around 10 inchs of rain.
Steve I am afriaid that the waterproofing of the GBLV roof has basicalled failed. The mess area is virtually waterlogged and uninhabitable. Floor, counter, tables all wet through. We need to think what else we can do I think. Maybe smooth felt painted white
Have trimmed the grass and cut back the weeds by the grounded tanker body up to the end of the bank, looks quite tidy now. Walked around and have made a note of the fences that are in need of some tlc and hopefully in December I may have a chance to carry out a few repairs.
Water pipe in Mk1 kitchen split, outside plastic pipe between Mk1 and GBLV frozwn up.
Some progree on track work.
Remainder of MK 1 seats returned to origional.
New carpet laid in musium / info centre. Davis we need 5m of skirting board and 5 m of cartpet joiner. Shall I buy these tomorrow?
Small N gauge layout now running but not in a good enough state to run with children yet. Has any though been given to what we are going to do in unable to get it ready in time? Who is organising? What space do we have? Where are we going to be?
As Helen said, we got some trackwork done last weekend. We drilled some remaining fishplate holes with the now-repaired rail drill, but the freezing weather meant that it was hard to remove the fishplates, and impossible to get them fully bolted up again as the rails obviously shrink so much that the holes are misaligned. So that must wait for the next thaw, as must any further ballast packing. We've acquired a nice new concrete breaker (donated) to help with packing (saving on the hard shovelling work); and maybe other jobs too like digging hard clay and even getting chairs off old sleepers when they are spiked on. But we need a working generator to use this, so another mending job for the list! We are currently planning a scrap round-up to generate some much needed cash for the railway.
Apologies for not blogging for some while now. Hopefully, normal service is now resumed. Well, non-stop rain made this an ideal day for working on the track! There’s a lot of levelling up and un-kinking to be done at Robertsbridge and ballast to be topped up and we are several days into the task, using our trusty Permaquip machine, aka “Jenny M” or “the Tug”. This can grab a rail and then jack up, on one side or both, lifting up about fifteen feet of track fore and aft. This allows allow ballast to be packed underneath, or alternatively raked out, to help get the levels right. It’s slow work and the machine is very noisy and smoky which is tiring after a while, apart from the effort of putting heavy wooden blocks under the jacks, and packing and raking ballast with spades and rakes. Levels have to be checked both across the rails and along the rails too, and the Tug has to be moved away at intervals to provide a clear space to work or check. So it all takes time. But winter is ideal for this essential job, as one cannot work on our vehicle collection outside in the rain, and the work keeps one warm. Until that is the cold and damp finally gets inside one’s waterproofs and boots, and it’s time to head back for a warming cuppa.
ReplyDeleteSteveG. Since I am here and it seems to work again(or have i just remembered how to do it?)I will add another quick blog. Last Wednesday we had fun on the GBLV, which I have the brief pleasure of being sole owner of, pending its sale to the RVRSA. After three hours or so of work by a succession of volunteers, including new recruits Bob and his son Mark, Helen managed at last to diagnose and then free up the recalcitrant gangway end sliding-door of the GBLV. At the same time Geoff and I removed the east side end-doors for restoration, and fitted the new plywood doors in their place. The old doors complete with drop-light windows are destined to return to the middle of the van where they properly belong, once the door frame has been narrowed (see blogs last summer re the west side!). We hope that the next Phoenix will include an agreed internal layout for the use of vehicle once acquired by RVRSA - that is, if we can agree a plan at the March RMC meeting.
ReplyDeleteSteveG said...
ReplyDeleteSunday 7 March. A lovely sunny day, after a week of such days, but also fresh. Today about 6 of us planted over 200 hawthorn bushes at Quarry Farm, alongside the farm road to help intergrate the line into the landscape. Some more bushes were also planted at Robertsbridge to improve security alongside the open Culverwell's site. Meanwhile work continued on Dougal's braking system and to track down an oil leak, which seems to be down to some gaskets in need of attention. Felled trees on our side of the new Network Rail fence were chopped up. Last Wednesday, we freed up the stanchion bolts on the GBLV, ready for when we remove the large doors and relocate the stanchions to narrow the doorframes. We also brought some fill material to the final platform slope, which is now ready to be filled and graded and handrails added. We managed some track work and also dug out the long-damaged 10 mph sign close to the loading pad and got it back to the workshop to be straightened out and repainted.
More updates from Robertsbridge. We have levelled the final slope of the platform ready for its top surface; fitted handrails and fixed the sides; levelled the lawn area and made a ramp at the southern end; connected the GBLV to the mains; begun cutting up the fallen trees; painted more of the brake van and the roofs of the GBLV and the loader; and interviewed a buffet manager.
ReplyDeleteIncidentally, if you wonder why the above posts all carry the same date, it's because I moved them today from the 2009 blog series. They actually cover various dates in Feb and March 2010
ReplyDeleteWednesday 17 March. Not many of us there today, but we were cheered to hear we will shortly have a new buffet manager for Sundays which will relieve the load on Helen a bit. We carried on with the lawn, moving more soil down from near B&Q, and then rolling and levelling; we got the 3-planker moved over to the pit with a bit of shunting; packed the track by the Oak Tree a bit more having allowed it to settle. Oh yes, and we dug over and weeded the vegetable patch ready for this year's crop of homegrown vegetables, which provided us with carrots for our lunch today. On Saturday I will be back again for the next RMC meeting.
ReplyDeleteLate March. Over the last couple of weeks we've welcomed our new Sunday buffet manager Jon, seeded the lawn, fitted the dumpvalve on the 3-planker's braking system and begun cutting timber for the bodywork; and removed the winch from the brake van deck (I think we fitted it to winch the van along the track from the loading pad years ago). More ballast packing too. The crane has passed its annual check. A regular lunchtime staff briefing has been introduced. We've also heard that the remaing 200 yards or so of tracklaying near Junction Road is on the cards this summer, if enough funds can be raised (see Phoenix, due out shortly).
ReplyDeleteApril 3rd. Track weekend has gone well, with sucessful rail changes beyond the lorry crossing, along with some de-kinking. The tug did well, dragging rails along and helping lift the track to help de-kink a couple of places, as well as transporting the heavy jacks we use. More on Wednesday.
ReplyDeleteWeds April 7th. More trackwork, cutting a rail and pulling up its neighbour so that the rail joints align. Still need to cut and fit the two fanal rails before the buffer stop. More work on paving, plus GBLV, plus wagon timbers, and killing tree stumps.
ReplyDeleteWeds Aril 14th. Tidying up today, as the paving is finished off (thanks especially to Bob and Jack, our latest volunteers. Some shunting to get the vehicles in the platform ready for the modellers' weekend in early May. On Dougal, work began to remove the loco's sandbox, but it put up a real struggle. The aim is to allow the new vacuum pipe to pass behind the box, ie under the running plate, instead of going through the engine compartment where its presence would make servicing jobs more difficult. PS...am now away for about 10 days.
ReplyDeleteWeds April 28. More work improving the look of the site for our imminent open/modellers weekend. Including painting the very shabby buffer stop in the platform road, fitting handrails to the fencing. The new paving and gravel looks good...but the lawn will take a while longer to recover fully. Planking for the open wagon has been cut and smoothed, and fitting should begin soon.
ReplyDeleteWeds May 5. More preparations for next w/end, painting the brake van ends and more tidying (its a good job we have these events because it forces us to have a good old clear up at least once a year around the station). We had to clear the rolling stock from the siding north of the loading pad, ready for a team with a crane to begin cutting up and removing some of the surplus bridge sections. This gives them more working room. We also had to cover the Maunsell Coach roof in additional tarpaulins to protect the large layout due to go inside for the weekend - rainwater and scale models dont mix well. dont forget to come and visit us this weekend!
ReplyDeleteWeds 5 May. A postscript to the above. We learned this evening that Dave Rimmer died yesterday, after a long illness. I hope to include some recollections of Dave's time at RVR in the next edition of the Phoenix.
ReplyDeleteSat 8 May. Modellers show and and open day, this weekend. On duty in the buffet which was made extra busy by hoards of Balfour Beatty trackworkers, who are relaying the point to the north of the mainline station, and pushing back the platform edges, during a weekend occupation. The combination of this work and the rainy weather, plus lack of normal train services, seem to me to have reduced visitor numbers but at least we ran out of bacon and bread so someone has been eating it all, even if not the public! tomorrow is another day but I cant go sadly.
ReplyDeleteSteve, Appreciate the updates... Keep up the good work all
ReplyDeleteWeds 13 May. Clearing up after the open weekend, including dismantling the large marquee and shifting tables, chairs, signage, and so on. Doesn't sound a lot but it took six of us several hours. Work has begun to cut up several of the old iron bridge sections stored on site for many years, which came from Staplehurst when that line was upgraded for Channel Tunnel trains I think. The surplus ones have recently been sold for scrap by their private owner. One section was used by RVR a few years ago for Bridge Number 2, and we should find use for a few more in time. The bridge sections aren't long enough to do the business at Bridge Number 1, as I understand it. Getting the sections offsite is no easy task and this will take a while.
ReplyDeleteSun 16 May.Essential fence repairs by the public footpath alongside the village cricket pitches. We also planted some hedging hawthorns to deter trespassers from climbing the abutment to bridge number 2. Let's hope they last. Back at RVR Robertsbridge, guys were stencilling "SR" in white on the side of the brake van and doing further painting, plus some interior prepping of the GBLV zand varnishing of the 3-plank wagon timbers prior to fitting.
ReplyDeleteMon 17 May. A sad day today, as Dave Rimmer's funeral took place at Medway Crematorium, high up on the North Downs ridge near Chatham. It was very well attended, with few seats left in the chapel and many from both RVR and Spa Valley Railway joining Dave's extensive family and friends in celebrating Dave's life and robust character. I miss him and many more do too, as a larger than life personality with great determination and a great sense of humour, and underneath a big generous heart, even if intemperate at times!
ReplyDeleteA 'red letter' day today - the first of the multi stacked sections is now on the ground curtsy of Leyland 16 ton recovery vehicle. Not seen one since shortly after passing HGV2 driving test in one.
ReplyDeleteShould have thought of this before. Jib hieght extended just right for moving top bridge sections without coming near power lines.
Three sections now gone with fourth on probably going tommorow afternoon or Wednesday morning.
'At this rate we should be able to start laying the shed roads the week after next.!'
Helen
Weds 19 May. A lovely sunny day, with work continuing on prepping the timber for the 3 plank wagon bodywork, and stripping loose paint from the GBLV. A warm welcome back also to Kim, a volunteer we hadn't seen since last summer due to work commitments but who looks set to be a regular once more.
ReplyDeleteSun 23 May. More sun...shifted concrete troughing out of the way of the contractor's ongoing work on cutting up the bridge sections.We varnished most of the planking for the wagons, smoothed the remaining planks and treated the timber on the GBLV steps, and primed some of the metal work on the van end (south). Dougals' starter motor is off and receiving attention. Helen's plant sales are going great guns.
ReplyDeleteWeds 26 May. I had meant to get on with the GBLV roof but decided it was better to help finish off staining and varnishing the planking for the wagon, so that we can make a start on fitting the planks to the various stanchions and hinges. This is more cpomplex than it sounds as the long timbers have twisted in places and we'll need to choose, cut and fit them so that the ironwork helps straighten them out again. Three planks in the GBLV end were replaced, work began on restoring the ground frame, the gears on the crane were all greased, and we took delivery of some stuff for the Junction Road work and also for surfacing the final platform slope. Meanwhile the surplus wrought iron bridge sections continue to be chopped up chunk by chunk, another one having been lifted down from the stack by a 16 ton ex-Army Leyland recovery vehicle, an impressive beast which must be about 50 years old and still going strong. I will try and get a photo.
ReplyDeleteSat 5 June. Down on a saturday for a change as I cant make Sunday. More work on the GBLV roof which is coming along nicely. The acrylic paint roofing compound used on the roof last summer has held up well, so more is going on now, and we will have to decide what to use as a top coat, if anything. Last Wedenesday we made a start cutting and drilling the two rails by the far end buffer stop. Hopefully this can be finished off soon. Sounds easy enough but it took all afternoon and we didn't finish, mainly because moving and positioning 30 foot rails by hand in order to cut them safely is slow and heavy work when there aren't enough people on the job. The rail drill is also hard to start and set up. We also prepared the two decks of the brake van for a coating of phenolic stuff, which isn't exactly paint but a compound that undergoes some form of chemical reaction with rusted steel or iron to form a tough black coating. We also cleared more concrete troughing from two of the bridge sections, to enable the scrap men to get on with hauling them down from the stacks and cutting them up. Some of the lids we have used to cover up the drainage troughing that runs down towards our front main gate, for safety. Work continues on making ready the vacuum brake reservoir for Dougal, and its mounting arrangement.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteSun 13 June. something of a setback... it's all hands to the pump to eliminate a local rat problem and ensure they can't get in the buffet in future. This meant moving all the magazines off the floor and exposing the floor and wall along the east side of the VSOE building, inside, and deciding remedial measures in consultation with a pest controller. As the kitchen is out of action, we have had to set up a Baby Belling and kettle etc in the GBLV for the active volunteers. So not that much time for other work today, but nevertheless more levelling off was done on the platform slope, weeds were sprayed up and down the track, and Dougal's vac tank work and the ground frame rerfurb continued. On the way home I diverted over to Junction Road and there is the new formation taking rapid shape on its way eastwards to Udiam Farm house, and looking as if tracklaying could start pretty soon on this final bit of Phase 3. As didn't have a map with me, managed to get lost coming home to SE London the quick way, avoiding the A21, which should have taken me past the Hop Farm. Don't ask me where I went, but it was very pretty ...
ReplyDeleteSun 27 June. A scorching day and a good one not to waste watching a certain football match! More noisy dusty work on the GBLV exterior, while the temporary volunteers' caff area inside the van was also being stripped ready for a lick of paint. We are not yet cleared to reopen the shop, unfortunately, so there were some disappointed customers but also some healthy donations by visitors. Saturday saw some track work. But the big news is that RVR metals have now reached Junction Road (the B2244) from Bodiam. Only ballasting remains to be done, and there are several hundred tonnes of stone stored at KESR's Wittersham Road yard which should be heading westwards by train fairly soon to finish the job. Many thanks to KESR and several of their volunteers for all the assistance, as well to to the RVR folk directly involved in reaching this important milestone.
ReplyDeleteSun 11 July. Cleared now to reopen the shop, and work on that has begun. More work on the GBLV roof and sides. One new window frame has been put in. Over at Junction Road, ballasting and fencing has already been completed, and the whole thing celebrated in some style! We will be holding another celebration at Robertsbridge this summer, all being well.
ReplyDeleteIn absence of our usual intrepid reporter Steve, (hope you get well soon Steve) we can advise that things continue apace at Robertsbridge as well as RVR East (Udiam). Geoff, is working on the three plank Wagon. Helen is fitting out the VSOE (the shop) and Simon is undertaking a track weekend on 24th/25th July. Volunteers please report to any of the above 3 for a task of your preference!
ReplyDeleteIf anyone is still looking for a task why not join me with Alan Bartlett on a vegetation clearing day 1st August.
Good progress made today on shop.
ReplyDeleteElectrics done, floor replaced, carpets down.
Some display on rear wall installed and all mags from 8 x 4 table transfered. Table now ready to move to new position.
With conserted help tommorow we could be well on the way to re-open on Sunday. Need help to move the heavy items.
Tables and chairs need moving to LNER van.
Fridges and stoves etc need moving to kitchen end wall out of way. Old screen from end of buffet counter requies moveing to new position.
Helen
First has anyone any bookcases going spare, 3' wide x 4-5' high. Two needed.
ReplyDeleteSecond. Good progress made yesterday on moving the large bulky items around to
new positions. Thank you to all who helped.
However still a great deal to do produce a new look upto date shop.The new layout
requires a larger box for magazines fior the centrte display area, these ahve been
ordered but will not be available until week Sunday. With this in mind I would
anticipate that I could get the shop open on Sunday 15th August.
I could do with someone to replace the flooring in corner by where the 8' x 4' table was
and under the wall mounted glass cabinet.
Wet, Wet, Wet and more wet. What a day.
ReplyDeleteHowever although I say it myself a great deal was achieved especially by Andrew and his 360.
Very nice machine with good operator.
Site now cleared abd leveled from rail stack (by loading pad) to wood store.
All track pieces, wheel sets, timber baulks etc now stacked tidily in area just to north od bridge sections.
Track bed to south of present running line leveled and old ballast laid ready for point to be lifted out and track slewed to correct curvature tomorow.
Replacement rails identified for filling resultant gap once point lifted out.
One problem to be solved is how to get rid of a large quantity of impregnated timber.
Update ref the points.
ReplyDeleteThe points have been removed and some track re alignment has taken place.
First day of the latest track weekend, led by Simon Relf. We followed up the impressive work done earlier in the week on the main running line between Oak Tree and the loading pad, which has removed the redundant point and eased the curve and smoothed it, on an improved trackbed. All the non-standard rails have been removed, and it was a question of cutting and drilling the replacement ones and getting the last two rails into the chairs. We made good headway with this despite torrential rainshowers. Hopefully with drier weather forecast tomorrow plus more manpower on site the job will be largely completed this weekend, leaving packing and testing to follow. This will then enable ballasting of all the section east of the Oak Tree to continue, steadily working back to the station until we run out of ballast. It's great to see the curve cleared of clutter, at least on the inside (outside to follow).
ReplyDeleteAnother productive weekend, with RMC on Saturday followed by the shop reopening on the Sunday, and a whole day of tidying with the help of Andrew Wood and his 360 digger on the beautifully sunny Monday. We cleared all the rails and point bits from the loading pad area, the stub of the point and various point timbers by Oak Tree, and pretty much all the other bits of rail and concrete sleeper from the main running line area, apart from one bunch of bits that we couldnt reach. A thoroughly exhausting but satisfying day as far I was concerned, moving stuff that its almost impossible to move without a crane or digger.
ReplyDeleteOn the last two working days, we made a good start on preparing the proposed kitchen area for the Mark I coach, restoring the northern end of the VSOE building for use as an information/visitor area; clearing more site rubbish; repainting the Trams' utility van in SR green; investigating starter motor problems on Dougal/Mr Useful; mending fencing near bridge No 2. To finish off on Sunday I helped myself to a boxful of what I am reliably informed are damsons, small and quite tasty, that overhang our fence line with Culverwells. Maybe RVR will begin making and selling jam one day...
ReplyDeleteToday was the day for a major shunt around. The only vehicle that wasn't moved in the process was the Tramways' pmv. It was something of shunting puzzle - the objective being to get the GBLV coupled up to the Mk 1 coach (see forthcoming Phoenix) and also to get the three banana vans (eventually) into the siding vacated by the GBLV, all together. Space is in short supply at Robertsbridge Station RVR, so we had to squeeze various g wagons down the line while others were being moved. It took a bit of working out, plus pretty much all day to accomplish. As it was, we didn't quite manage to get any of the vans actually into the front siding before the end of the working day, so this will have to follow on. Volunteers looking for their mess van on Sunday may be scratching their heads for a while. I will try and upload onto Facebook soon one or two video clips taken of some of the movements. My weekend was largely spent at Bodiam station, manning the RVR stall set up by Trevor at the KESR Hop-pickers event on the Saturday, and also (on Sunday) Trevor's impromtu car-park which made some useful money for the RVR, as did the shop goods we had borrowed. Geoff, and the Peters French and Brown also did their bit, and it makes a nice change to get out and spread the word sometimes! Anyway, time for Mad Men now....
ReplyDeleteA rather quiet Sunday, but we made strides with two projects: setting up the buffet in the Mk 1, where we dug a trench for the water pipe, jacked up the coach body so its dead level at the buffer stop, began the business of setting up the water pipe run, and plumbing inside the kitchen. Meanwhile work was going on to refurbish the first of the seating bays, where some of the plywood panels are crumbling away under the windows.
ReplyDeleteOver in the VSOE building, work was proceeding on cladding the walls internally where the old kitchen has been removed, including providing for new electrical sockets. This will be the RVR display/museum area for our visitors.
More progress with the buffet project, where the water heater and water boiler have now been fitted, a water supply pipe has been threaded right through the GBL Van, work continued on the deck connecting the GBL van and Mk1, and more cladding was put up in the VSOE building. Over at Udiam, the raw new bank was sown with grass seed to help integrate it into the garden landscape.
ReplyDeleteThe buffet is taking up most of the time of the volunteers currently, but we were very pleased to be joined by David a new volunteer on Wednesday, following the arrival of new young volunteer Mark on Sunday. With several more potential volunteers promising to come along and have a look, things may be looking up on the workforce front. Meanwhile, we got permanent electrical power directly connected to the coach, and further progress on plumbing, and a safe access deck was completed betweeen the Mk1 and GBLV, allowing the volunteers and catering staff to access both vehicles using their own dedicated steps. Steps for the main customer entrance are now under construction, and we appear to have had good news about the design of the mains drainage scheme which could save on the cost.
ReplyDeleteWith three volunteers aged 20 or less onsite on Sunday, our average age was considerably lower than for a very long time! A warm welcome to Mark, Jack and Jamie. We also had another potential volunteer look around and promise to come back this week, who may like to take on running the buffet which continues steadily towards completion. Work also progressing on the visitor centre area of the main building, and on Dougal's braking system, and on IT improvements.
ReplyDeleteGood progress made today. Two work gangs - Mk1 and track. Total 7 strong,nearly up tp Sunday standard).
ReplyDeleteAround £80.00 taken by 'closed' shop!
Plant sales good.
Saturday saw my goal achieved of cutting the overgrown trackbed from Bridge 1 to Northbridge Street down and unfortunaltey the local anti socials have damaged the Signal box down there which is a great shame after Helens hard work a number of years back building it, repairs urgently required.
ReplyDeleteThe Japanese Knottwood has been chopped back which was getting near to the farmers field and come next spring we can get strong weed killer down to prevent it reappearing and spreading even more
Congratulations Paul. Meanwhile back at the ranch, the Mk 1 buffet project advances steadily with inset sinks being fitted into new worktops, ready for the base units to be fixed in place. Gas cooker, microwave and water heaters are fitted,plus lighting and ventilation. At the front, the new visitor steps have appeared and look great.The coach roof has been transformed on the west side, and rust holes are being steadily filled along the coach sides. Seating bays are being refurbished too, and there is now Wi-fi for visitors.
ReplyDeleteAs promised I have managed to get a simple system going - Office and shop and with answerphone.
ReplyDeleteThese are with new cables from BT terminal.
Have installed backing board in new cupboard in info centre so Ttrevor you can mount your equipment, also have put in two gang electrical socket - do you need any more Trevor?
Trevor can you fix all equipment and clip down all cables. I think some of the equipment faults recently was loose cables pulling out plugs and sockets. There are plenty on cable clips on site.
Tommorow I hope to get the set of four phones working so that we can communicate with Mk1, GBLV and workshop,
Apart from telephones it has been a very wet 24hrs at Robertsbridge - bucket outside of rear shop door has filled to the top in around 30 hrs!! around 10 inchs of rain.
Steve I am afriaid that the waterproofing of the GBLV roof has basicalled failed. The mess area is virtually waterlogged and uninhabitable. Floor, counter, tables all wet through. We need to think what else we can do I think. Maybe smooth felt painted white
Have trimmed the grass and cut back the weeds by the grounded tanker body up to the end of the bank, looks quite tidy now. Walked around and have made a note of the fences that are in need of some tlc and hopefully in December I may have a chance to carry out a few repairs.
ReplyDeleteCold, cold, cold day!!
ReplyDeleteWater pipe in Mk1 kitchen split, outside plastic pipe between Mk1 and GBLV frozwn up.
Some progree on track work.
Remainder of MK 1 seats returned to origional.
New carpet laid in musium / info centre. Davis we need 5m of skirting board and 5 m of cartpet joiner. Shall I buy these tomorrow?
Small N gauge layout now running but not in a good enough state to run with children yet. Has any though been given to what we are going to do in unable to get it ready in time?
Who is organising? What space do we have? Where are we going to be?
As Helen said, we got some trackwork done last weekend. We drilled some remaining fishplate holes with the now-repaired rail drill, but the freezing weather meant that it was hard to remove the fishplates, and impossible to get them fully bolted up again as the rails obviously shrink so much that the holes are misaligned. So that must wait for the next thaw, as must any further ballast packing. We've acquired a nice new concrete breaker (donated) to help with packing (saving on the hard shovelling work); and maybe other jobs too like digging hard clay and even getting chairs off old sleepers when they are spiked on. But we need a working generator to use this, so another mending job for the list! We are currently planning a scrap round-up to generate some much needed cash for the railway.
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