Following the delivery of a fuel tank to supply a heating system in the wheel drop shed, both to make the working conditions in winter better for staff/volunteers and to help paint dry, we have started to build a base and brick enclosure to safely house the tank. The structure will be made to blend in with the current building and kept as tight as possible as to size so as not to reduce the walking space in the area. The loco shed will be involved in the scheme in relation to construction of the door, piping and roofing arrangements for access for re-filling.
At Ropley the lampost to provide the additional security and safety lighting to the station staff car park has been erected following the attachment of the lamp arrangement at the top. A delicate lifting operation was called for due to the proximity of the post to the mobile ticket office used for major events. The power cabling was drawn through, connected up, then the lamp units and anti-climb ring bolted on, and the post lifted by the telehandler. The post was then bolted down to the studs embedded in the large concrete base laid previously and made vertical. Everything went together well, and the various departmental teams involved were very satisfied with a successful and neat job.
Also, at Ropley we have been involved with the Ropley Site Care Team in renovating the old T Junction cabin- now the Beer Junction. This building is used during events for the sale of alcoholic beverages and following the move of the sale of refreshments to the new T Junction it required an overdue repair and repaint. One of the canopy beams need replacement which necessitated the support of an Acrow prop whist the work was carried out. Replacement boarding has also been fitted to deal with some rot in some of the lower panelling.
In the workshop at Medstead replacement doors are being made for the Goods Shed which houses the Delivering The Goods museum exhibition. The structure was refurbished a few years ago and the museum fitted out to display the artefacts and interactive equipment relating to the goods traffic business carried out by the railway in last century. However, the outer doors both on the platform side and the loading bay side were just re-painted at the time but now require more replacement to keep the weather out and provide long term use. A pair of the old doors were removed and the opening boarded up in order for trial fitting and full installation of the new doors. Other workshop jobs included the making of some new finger boards for stations along the line to indicate the Real Ale Train (RAT) on platforms. These will be placed in the platform brackets to inform passengers the correct train to join when other services may be in operation.
A couple of years ago we replaced two of the balustrades on the footbridge at Ropley after they were showing signs of their age after being in service over thirty years. We are now looking to replace two more that are showing similar deterioration. They are a complicated structure, in the original style of the London and South Western Railway, and unfortunately this design does have a tendency to trap water. In order to undertake a lengthy construction process and not tie up workshop space too much, like last time, we are going to try to do some of the work outside. To that end we have erected a couple of gazebo’s in the maintenance yard at Medstead to undertake the larger aspects of the tasks when putting the various elements together. Work will progress over the winter months and hopefully installation can take place during next year at a suitable time.
Nearby, in the new accommodation cabin we are in the process of installing a small kitchen for use by staff during the working day. The cabin will also contain a meeting/training room and an office for the PWay and Building Department management. Services are being laid in, new entrance steps and handrail were built and the building should be up and running in the next few months.
Bob Brooks
