West Somerset Railway General Discussion

Water will pass through the membrane into the ground, but the membrane will not allow soil and mud to pass into the ballast layer.

 

Thanks for that. I assume this is something to do with local conditions because I don't recall seeing it done elsewhere on the line such as at CH but maybe I missed it! Please enlighten me further.

 

I suspect Terram geosynthetic matting, or some other commercial equivalent from another supplier. It's quite new technology (last twenty five years or so) so only seems to have been working its way into heritage railway operations fairly recently. There is a bit of info here about what it is designed to do:

http://www.terram.com/market-sector/railways/

Tom

 

Thank you Tom. A fascinating, and informative, read over breakfast. Much appreciated.

 

I believe the SVR have began to use it and the GWSR extension blogs show them using it as well.

 

Its older than that Tom & is in regular use for similar purposes on roads & other Civil Eng projects & I seem to recall it being used on site as a young engineer in 1973. In another universe we have used it with good success when building a 7 1/4" gauge passenger hauling line.

 

Ditto the Bluebell - it was definitely used on the Northern Extension and I think it has become standard to use it wherever track is relayed. We have a particular issue on a lot of the line with "clay pumping".

Tom

 

Ah, interesting - though in my head, the early 1970s were only 25 years ago

Tom

 

I had a day out as 'travelling signalman ' today to run a light engine from Williton to Minehead and then a ballast train from MD to BL. I've sent Steve Edge a few shots which can be found on www.wsr.org.uk A rather damp day, but fun in its own way. The crew was Stuart Nelhams, Paul Fleet and Angie Scutt.

Meanwhile, the P.Way and S&T were doing the hard work at Williton..

Robin

 

That link comes up with spam. I think it needs changing.

 

Its www.wsr.org.uk

 

Well I hope @Robin White Will edit the link in her post.

 

The gap gets narrower.......

 

Will it be ready for the Half Term?

 

Six watching and one working.......Not unusual, I guess.

 

Probably 7, given that I stopped by to take a snap....

Now that is a good question....

Robin

 

I very much hope so. I am booked to fire the first down service on the Tuesday. Don't want to be bumping into the up train!!!!

 

When is the next steam train running?

 

16th February 2016

Details on the WSR PLC website.

http://westsomersetrailway.vticket.co.uk/

 

This is where we are at as of sunday 31st.......WSRA PW volunteer gang assisting PLC gang......