News

What's happening at the CSME?

The project for refurbishing the elevated railway track has been completed Over the last five years all the Sleepers (Ties) have been replaced with new ones made from LARCH heartwood that have been jig drilled and professionally TANALISED (i.e. pressure treated with preservative). New 5"G rails have been laid using polypropylene 'chairs' from PNP Railways. Many thanks to all the members who assisted with this project over the last five years. If you have any questions or queries about the Society elevated track please sent them to the Track Manager, Barry Leach.

The Society ground boundary fence refurbishment has finally been completed. Under the project leadership of Barry Morgan the final panels were replaced on Work Day 2008. All that remains is for additional supports for the centre of the lower arris rails to be fitted. These should see the fence maintaining its 'sag' free shape for many years.

Construction of the new unloading facilities for locomotives is complete. The new gateway has been completed and the traverser roadway extended out into the driveway. An hydraulic lift for the safe movement of locomotives from flat bed vehicles into the steaming bay has been put into place. At the present time the hydraulic lift has to be used in collaboration with the original traverser to move locomotives onto the elevated track. The picture shows the ground railway side of the linear steaming bay. Construction of the 'swinging' sections to allow passage over the elevated track onto the ground track is complete. Completion of the signal interlocking and the visual/audible warning devices to ensure safety in the vicinity of the 'swinging' sections will hopefully be completed during the 2008 season.

The ground railway has been extended from the 'out and back' line to a full continuous loop. The new track sections and the main line through the ground railway station have all been laid with recycled plastic sleepers to hopefully minimise future maintenance. 'Rustic' level crossings have been installed at the entry and exit gates of the elevated track station, as well as the crossing point at the elevated track opening section near the single arch overbridge. Safety needs to be a concern at the above crossing points. Gates at these points are a possibility, but if public passenger hauling is to take place (which it undoubtably will one day), then the gates would have to be opened/closed every four or five minutes. This does seem an onerous task, however, we must consider "Is it really necessary?". Do we really have a major safety concern here? With due diligence from the drivers and the correct use of the locomotive whistle we should not have a real problem. After all, it is only basically an unmanned crossing - there is no track to 'climb' over like there is with the elevated track - and we would have a member present at these crossing points on public days. Enhancement of the single arch bridge is being considered. A design that effectively 'repeats' the existing single arch bridge in an adjacent position over the ground track is being considered. If this new bridge is constructed access and egress from the centre of the ground should be as safe as the Society can make it. Members opinions on these safety issues would be welcomed, along with any other ideas.

Station Entrance Crossing Points

Passenger Crossing Point where an additional adjacent bridge is being considered

Autumn 2007 saw the start of the next enhancement to the ground level track facilities. The scheme for this layout is shown opposite, and is displayed on the noticeboard in the canteen. A slightly larger image may be downloaded from here. As they are used for completely different things, the sidings have been separated from the turntable and the turntable moved to the inside of the track. This has also eleviated safety concerns associated with the turntable being in close proximity to the elevated track. The large mound between the well and the double arch bridge is being seriously considered for the construction of a ground level rolling stock building. This would be a 'feature' type of building, constructed in something like red/blue engineering bricks with a pitched roof. Any ideas from members would be welcomed. However, if this project goes ahead many hands will be required to finish construction in a suitable timeframe. Contact Barry Leach.

Ground Level Track Sidings

Ground Level Track Sidings

Site of the Ground Level Track Turntable

Turntable complete with Hedgehog escape route

Friday Evening, 04 April 2008

Sunday morning, 06 April 2008

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Sunday Morning is the traditional time when members meet at the CSME ground and perform all those 'run of the mill' maintenance tasks so necessary for keeping the Society a safe and inviting place for all our members, invited guests and general public (on public days).

The tasks/projects being undertaken at present (in addition to those detailed above) include the following:

• Painting(?) all fences with wood preservative (please wear OLD clothes)
• Refurbishment of the Signal Box
• Grass Cutting (weather permitting)
• General Tidying (there is always 'timber' and leaves to be collected and cleared, especially after windy weather)
• Assistance with the Ground Level Track enhancements

If you want to be involved with any of the above (please!) see Barry Morgan. He will point you in the direction of the person in charge of the project. All projects should have a member who is 'Project Leader'. This member is responsible for ensuring that the Society Health & Safety guidelines are adhered to. Please do your part by being Health & Safety conscious in everything you do. E-mail Barry with any offers of help, or ideas that you might have for ground development.

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