Token Exchange Platform

 Monday 19th June

Our mission today was to install the new token exchange platform at Gotherington signal box. This is a steel fabricated structure to replace an old wooden unit. The main reason for this is that the old platform was too far away from the track ,  meaning that token exchange was difficult.

So....5 of us off we set off from Winchcombe with the platform already loaded on the railcar trailer.

This had been lifted onto the trailer by the telehandler and placed in such a way that it can be tipped off safely by hand at site.

The sequence of events was as follows:

Quite a heavy lump!

Then the levelling up began with a significant re- distribution of ballast and with the rear rh rear leg set solidly on a concrete filled brease block. So the measurements for the shape of this platform fitted the profile of the slope here pretty well.

The boards for the platform had been pre-cut and creosoted - now they needed drilling to place and bolting. 

A good view from this vantage point

And the whole team  (Peter B, John B, Neil C and Malcolm W) with me behind the camera

You may have noticed that access to the platform will need steps. These will be made back at base and will be in place in time for the diesel gala when Gotherington signal box will be in operation.

Curly