October
At Medstead work has continued on the exterior of the signal box with the timber cladding being replaced after new breathable membrane was attached to the timber frames. The planks were primed and undercoated in the workshop and cut to fit in situ as many lengths were of differing dimensions. Hardwood lengths of timber have been purchased to create new window sills which were shaped for installation following the cladding replacement . Hardwood has been chosen as this will give a much longer lifespan than the previous softwood ones in this exposed part of the structure and will avoid the tricky job of replacement indefinitely. The new windows have been glazed, painted and are being fitted once the new sills have first been installed as we go.
In the workshop at Medstead work was carried out on the spiked fence panels removed from the end of the bay siding at Alresford station when the new buffer stop was installed. These were adapted to incorporate a gateway for public access to the museum exhibition coach to be stabled in due course in the bay siding. The panels were shortened in order to accommodate return lengths of fence to be attached to form sides with handrails for a short ramp that will provide easy access from the platform through the carriage end door. The panels were reinstated at Alresford and further work started to design and fabricate the gate posts, fencing and handrails for the ramp to be installed once the coach is in place and levels can be accurately measured.
At Ropley a new surface has been laid in part of the entrance area to the top public car park. This continues the improvements to this area and will provide a better surface for visitors using the parking at this part of the car park, particularly education visits from schools using coaches
At short notice we were required to install, or in effect re-install a foot crossing at Alresford both to accommodate a TV filming event and following that to provide a permanent safe route to access both sides of the tracks towards the Watercress Belle siding. The original foot crossing nearer the station was removed to accommodate the alterations to the track layout towards the headshunt and we had to place the current one in the new location further west in order to best suit the new platform and storage arrangements in that area. Another crossing is envisaged near the platforms at the country end of the station to serve the new train care accommodation at that point.
A local information map has been donated by Four Marks Parish Council for display at Medstead and Four Marks station which indicates places of interest around the locality for walkers and visitors. This was mounted in a frame and fixed to one of the piers to the footbridge at the station and also gives more opportunities for a stroll for passengers who want to alight here for a short stop over after visiting the station buildings and Goods Shed museum.
Bob Brooks
