SVR - 'Underground Lines' report on winter works

I thought I'd set up a thread here for those interested in the SVR's expensive winter works programme, that's been referred to elsewhere. I'll add links as new updates are published

Underground Lines no. 1 is at Underground Lines 1

Patrick

 

Underground Lines 3

Patrick

 

Patrick: Since Tuesday, presumably the contractors were able to move on site and get digging the drains. Do we know what they have acheived this week? Tantalisingly the report doesn't tell us.

 

Sorry, I don't know and am not involved in the project. I volunteer at BH and if I get reliable and reportable info I will post it up

Regards

Patrick

 

Presumably, the progress will be detailed in Underground Lines 4.

 

Yes I am sure it will be std tank, but Undergound Lines 4 is, if the schedule is maintained, a month away. Pity issue 3 wasn't just that bit more uptodate.

... I'll take my binoculars next week when I pass through Kidderminster from Stourport and see what I can see from the road overbridge. Hopefully the relatively bland weather here in the Midlands will have allowed the contractors to push ahead with the drain trenching.

 

Have not ventured through Kidderminster as hoped, so not able to have a look from the Stourport road bridge. However the weather in this neck of the woods has been quite benign, indeed mainly dry, so the drain trenching work should have had an easy run on the "outside" parts of the project.

 

The feedback from the SVR staff I spoke to on Saturday was that works are within a day of the schedule and are expected to be completed on time

Patrick

 

Underground Lines 4 now up, showing considerable progress, with much track at the Bewdley side down and ready for tamping. May the favourable weather continue, we want a joined up railway by half-term!

Underground Lines 4

 

Underground Lines 4a now up, same link as above, but further images added showing new trackwork, and class 20 hauled ballast train.

With the weather holding out it looks as though this job is progressing well.

 

Underground Lines issue 5 now online, link below. Includes images of relaying through the single track bore of Bewdley tunnel.

http://www.svrlive.com/Pages/UL5.aspx

 

"Undergound Lines" issue 6 now online. Nearly there, but lots to do before services start next weekend.

http://www.svrlive.com/Pages/UL6.aspx

 

Important - Opening Weekend News

"The P way and S&T teams are working very hard to get the Railway ready for the opening on Saturday within a tight timetable. The freezing weather does mean that they have encountered problems in ballasting, the ballast literally froze in the hopper wagons. However this has been overcome, but finishing the ballasting and tamping for Saturday is going to be incredibly tight. Everybody is doing their utmost to deliver the project on time involving working through the night if needs be and thinking of ways to save time and increase effort. This will include extra deliveries of ballast to Kidderminster today to try and move this project towards completion. Luckily the forecast snow was relatively light. A problem with a rail at Arley has also been encountered which means Phil Brown has had to make alterations to the timetable.
I hope that 2012 is buoyant and wish you a fulfilling 2012 season on the SVR".


News

Patrick

 

Ballasting and final tamping reported as complete, along with signalling work, by 2100 yesterday evening. First train out of Kidderminster at 10-35 this morning on what looks like a lovely cold sunny day here in the West Mids. A slightly modified timetable operates today due to the need to replace a defective rail at Arley, hence trains will cross at Hampton Loade. See the main SVR website for today's revised timings. Services then run through half-term week.

A close run thing, but the SVR returns as a joined-up railway!

 

And we're open again; Celebrating 150 years of the Original Severn Valley, it's an exciting time for the railway, 7812 Erlestoke Manor had the honour of taking the first train out of Kidderminster today, suitable adorned with the Train Reporting Number 150 displayed on the Smokebox, seen here departing Bewdley (we were on a Tree-Burning sesh!)

Magic, the Valley Echoes to the sounds of steam once again...

 

How well patronised did the trains look today? Hopefully well filled! Lovely image, by the way.

The weather over half-term looks as though it will be reasonable, and not so cold, so maybe could be a decent week for SVR visitors.

 

Looked very reasonable for the time of year, from my post in Hampton Loade 'Box.

 

Presumably with the benefit of a roaring fire and a mug of tea, Jamie!

 

Alas, Hampton Loade 'box is the only one on the line without a fire! Happily, two electric heaters and a good deal of sun made up for it - and a few mugs of tea across the day!

 

Underground Lines issue 7 now online, giving a blow-by-blow account of the last week of this job, battling both the elements and the clock. Further work will take place with weekday possessions once half-term is out of the way.

Link: Underground Lines 7