Civil's Week 1999

January '99 - Dave Meller (left) and Nigel Hanwell at work on a turnout crossing.

This particular crossing is one of two constructed new at Gelert's Farm. Having been initially installed during July '98, the crossings were removed over the quiet Christmas period for minor adjustments to their geometry, part of the learning excercise of developing such hardware from scratch for the first time. Now the pattern has been designed and refined, the process of manufacturing such complex parts can proceed without the need to buy these expensive components from external manufacturers.

Shirley Goodwin, Jan '99

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Andy Goodwin, Dave Meller and Nigel Hanwell at prayer.

Shirley Goodwin, Jan '99

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Nigel Hanwell and Dave Meller checking by eye what all the measurements have resulted in.

This photograph is also interesting because it shows the unusual interlaced rails set into the concrete shed floor. Beyond the doors, the interlaced track begins at a pair of point blades with no turnout crossing.

In the distance, Russell waits in the open entrance to the locomotive shed.

Shirley Goodwin, Jan '99

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Andrew Goodwin seen with the newly-adjusted crossing nose.

The interlaced rails set into the floor can be seen more clearly here. Their purpose is to provide close access to the large radial drill behind Andy's head) that is used for drilling rails etc.

Shirley Goodwin, Jan '99

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Civil's Week '99 included a lot of fishplate oiling, plus fitting standard sets of fishplate bolts in the many places where odd nuts and bolts had originally been used. On the left, Gelert's Farm Halt provides a welcome resting place for the dedicated volunteers. If you're thinking they don't look all that dedicated, you can find out whether they work harder than they drink by coming along yourself. more...
(aerial photo)

Rick Beton

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Topped and tailed by the two Barclay Diesels, the rail bolster provides some gangers with a temporary seat! The late afternoon sun provides a bright silhouette.

Would you want to work with this lot?! more...

Rick Beton

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Russell stands at the head of the passenger train, ready to depart from Pen-y-Mount. Before taking this photo, I had moved the Barclay and vans out of the headshunt (out of site on the trackbed towards Pont Croesor) to their present position, ready for trackwork to resume once the passenger train departs.

Rick Beton

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Part of the gang is working on the RED siding at Pen-y-Mount. The ballast took a lot of firming up before the track had been made level. Afterwards, the kinks were smoothed out. The two Barclay Diesels parked in the loop (No. 554 centre) and platform road (No. 555 right) provide ready access to fresh ballast and power for the tools.

Rick Beton

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Barclay Diesel No. 555 being driven light southwards from Pen-y-Mount. This was a break period - the works train vehicles are visible in the distance.

Dave Gibbs

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Gelert at the head of a works train, departing southwards from Pen-y-Mount. Besides the gang (and ballast) in the open Hudson bogie wagon, the train also consists of the tool and generator vans plus a Barclay Diesel in tow.

Rick Beton

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