Re-conditioned Ground Signal Installed

Tuesday 20th Feb

The ground signal that we removed from Toddington a few weeks back has now had  a
comprehensive makeover - so today we returned to put it back in place.
It has quite a complicated base casting with some  awkward internal cavities to clean - but here it is ready to go:

A couple of mods have been made to replace the lamp case mounts but otherwise its now good for another 20 years

Jim P and John P cleaning out ballast from underneath the concrete mounting block so that the securing bolts can be pushed through - all a bit awkward and uncomfortable kneeling on the ballast.

 Two bolts fit and it is nice and secure:

All that remains is to re-dress it with all its fittings

Re-connect it and give it an oiling 

And then test it to give the tamper safe passage on its way to Broadway

Meanwhile back at Winchcombe Keith, Carl and Len had begun the task of clearing the yard. There is a large mixture of discarded rubbish here including several wooden cable drums, car tyres, rotten pallets, brambles, etc, so a large bonfire ensued. 

Here are a few shots of the action (please note that were careful not to incinerate the vintage wagons in the background!!!)

We left it looking a good deal tidier but it now needs the assistance of the telehandler to tidy up the heavy stuff. The metal skip is completely full so the removal of the  rest of the metal scrap will have to await an empty skip. 

Before we left Toddington I walked down to the Starter signal that had its down rod replaced recently to give the bottom end a coat of black gloss where the paintwork had suffered some scuffing - so Toddington signals now  in good order. 

Malcolm also took the opportunity to weigh up what is needed in the way of stretchers for the new turnout (see PWay blog for views of this. 

Curly