Point Clipping Made Easy

 Tuesday 18th May

Another use for some spare point rodding was being developed today to make the  signalman's life a bit easier in the event of motor point malfunction.

If this happens the signalman has to walk from the signalbox to the points in order to wind them over with a hand crank and then the points have to be clipped for safety. Carrying a (not light) point clip over this distance is somewhat tiring. So the plan is to have a secure place at the points to mount a clip and make it vandal proof. 

Here is a mock up of the proposed unit.

Five lengths of rodding have been prepared 

Here John P is cutting the ends with the angle grinder to prepare a point to make it easier to hammer into the ballast

Then they will be made secure with a bed of concrete

A rectangular slot will be cut into the top of rod into which the clip can be locked .

So each motor point will have a secure  local clip for use in emergency with only a key needed for the lock!

The deconstructed back blind has been cleaned up and has been given a coat of green primer

The signal that once had this on Chicken Curve was moved to the other side of the track and visibility of the arm is no longer a problem - so we won't need it now. So once it is all repainted and assembled if anyone has need of it we would be happy for it to go to a new home for a small donation to the GWSR!

And the post holding the keypad at Winchcombe gate has received its cream and brown top coats

Curly