Readers may have noticed that we have had the odd spot of rain in recent weeks, this has slowed some jobs down slightly but overall we have managed to maintain good progress on a number of tasks.
At Alresford the new yard gate at the end of the cattle dock has been installed with the assistance of the PWay Department and signs added. This gate replaces the rather unsightly crowd barriers that have ungraced the area for a while. The gate will be supplemented by picket fencing with a wicket gate to allow catering staff access to the storage container on the West Country Buffet side. The panels and posts for the fencing have been made and painted in the workshop and are in the process of being installed at the station.
At Ropley the replacement booking hall doors on the car park side have finally been installed and final painting completed. Apart from looking great they will be more weatherproof than the old doors that had significant rot in them, particularly at the bottom. The doors compliment the internal refurbishment of the booking hall, ladies waiting room and museum room undertaken by the Ropley station maintenance team. Also at Ropley, another more traditional looking sign has been installed replacing a temporary foam board variety that has served its purpose but which suffers from wind and weather easily.
In the workshop extension the second set of barrier gates are being made and painted which will be installed at the London end of the platforms to restrict access at that location at Medstead station. The barrow crossing has been completed and the tarmac approaches resurfaced, and subject to application of a couple of non-slip board coverings is ready for use. This crossing replacement was waiting for the track upgrade at this location to be undertaken in conjunction with the changes to the point and signal scheme that is now commissioned and formally opened.
Another job that has kept volunteers busy on wetter days is the repair and cosmetic renovation of some station waiting room benches. These have arrived over the years from a variety of Southern Railway stations and enhance the character of our stations for visitors waiting for the next train. Following renovation in the workshop at Medstead they were returned by truck, and also by train, to the various station waiting rooms.
Bob Brooks
