Broadway Bridges - Repairs

Either sound equally likely, add to that the door thing, and I think we can safely say that we won't be seeing double track along Stanway viaduct any time soon. I've thought of brillaint solution though - rebuild the viaduct so it could take three tracks then have two centralised - will be rebuilt as stronger and no need to worry about doors as same situation as now. I know, I come up with all the best ideas

Edit - the main reason I meant to post was to point out that all the stuff in Hunting butts tunnel has been dragged out so the p'way people can have a look and see what's there. So first steps of actual track laying extension taking place, as detailed in the CRC P2 blog, of all places...

 

There isn't anything wrong with the build quality or current repair of Stanway viaduct, the track could go up either running line or the centre as it has. The centre option was taken on advice from HMRI at the time. Subsequent discussion with follow on personnel/organisation preferred a different option, luckily a paper trail is evident for the current track position. Thus, if required, two tracks could be reinstated at a later date.

Regarding the wagons ex Hunting Butts, material to be removed to allow rail and sleeper loading shortly, materials to be assessed for use elsewhere in house or disposal.

Regarding working north the lineside clearance gang are working north from Laverton up the "Malvern" side. The Pway dept are clearing off scrub/weeds from the previously laid "headshunt".

 

I take that this is an informed decision based on the strength of the embankment at either side? I don't mean this critically, just I know the problems we have had with certain embankments...

 

For the geographically-challenged, where is Hunting Butts?

Tom

 

Just south of the Racecourse, a very short tunnel. Currently has double track to end and used as storage of "bullet" proof wagons, though someone managed to fire one recently.

 

Clearance chosen due to access, current embankment "status" etc. Track is closer to centre of trackbed and will require pushing back to Malvern side prior to start of northward push.

 

Thanks - just found it on Google Maps. Must admit I can't remember ever noticing before - I assume it is just beyond visibility when standing on the platform at Cheltenham Racecourse?

Tom

 

I think it might be just about visable, but maybe only if you're standing on the over bridge., probably not the platform as the bridge is in the way.

 

Thank you for clarifying the true situation and apologies for having had my wires crossed. It's good to know that double track is an option in the future

 

Hello,
Anyone know which wagon was 'fired' on at or whatever at Huntings Butt?

Nick

 

A view (not my photo - I believe it might be from an old GWR blog) from the top of Hunting Butts Tunnel looking towards Cheltenham Race Course Stn in 2010 after the Cutting back gang had done wonders to the overgrown cutting sides. Note the variety of wagons, many of which have now been moved, the most recent being a few days ago, consisting mainly of flatrols and weltrols (I believe that's the correct term for these) etc. The 2nd photo shows the tunnel in the background as a Grange heads north towards the Race Course Stn in August 1963. (Apologies as I can't verify the source or the photographer.)

 

Some were Ractracks, also what looked like a Crococdile.
Looks like the remains of the Ashford turntable on one of them

 

Ah yes, the Ashford Turntable. I wondered what happened to that. I was there when it arrived, in sections, at Toddington all those years ago (in 1982). Toddington was very much a "pioneer" site then and the Station didn't open to the public for train services until 1984 of course.

 

Oh yeah I heard we'd got a turntable somewhere! I wonder where we'd put it if/when we get round to it...

 

Unfortunately you heard wrong!
The parts of the Ashford turntable that use to be at Toddington (where the new access road to shed viewpoint) were chopped and skipped a couple of years ago, I believe there are a couple of bits on a wagon at HB. This was a bit of a sore point in pway as some of the pioneers of the department put in a lot of time and effort to retrieve.

 

Ok then I suppose I heard we had a turntable! I was at Winchcombe today and there was lots of shunting going one, presumably with the wagons that came up from CRC on Monday, so all still happening. I think it might have been the last EE coach also left Winchcombe, probably to be collected at Toddington today On the plus side, that side of the yard now looks comparatively, especially as the P'way train was out and about today!

 

As far as I could make out when I had a look, we have about two thirds of a turntable. One of the three centre sections seems to have been scrapped, and I have heard say that the brass metal has also gone. This seems incredible, and I can quite understand the feelings of those that went to all this trouble, way back in the 1980s. The whole kit is resting on some of the old wagons stored in the head shunt at HB.

 

Cutting up a rare turntable is wrong from any perspective, when other lines need one. If it is in a bad state, restore it, as a Barry wreck would be restored. The railway press doesn't seem to know about this loss or, partial loss.

 

The GWSR website today announces that the Railway has now ordered the 1st batch of new rail for the Broadway extension past the current railhead at Laverton. Sufficient rail to take the P-way to Little Buckland Bridge.
See:http://www.gwsr.com/news/latest-new...or-broadway-as-share-offer-passes-target.aspx
Meanwhile work continues on the remaining bridges, including Peasebrook Farm bridge, which had one or two surprises when repair work started. I have to say that I've not seen a bridge deck constructed quite like that.
See the latest blog at:http://bridgestobroadway.blogspot.co.uk/

The fact that the Bridges to Broadway Appeal (which is still open!) has raised £540K is commendable to say the least and this has clearly allowed the GWSR to proceed at pace. Whilst trains to Broadway can't come soon enough for me, I'm very grateful to all those (including me!) who coughed up some money to make this happen. Onwards.