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News of projects around the GMES site.
Replacement of the rail and sleepers on the raised track. Len Steel is the driving force on this major project.
Len has completed the section of track between the Freddy Love Gate and the mower gate and the track across both gates. He estimates that this is about one third of the total length. He's taking a break until after the rally.
A recent e-mail from Paul Tompkins:
Martyn Harold does a great job in sawing up the sleeper blanks. They then come to me, the machine has been programmed to cut 36 at a time, 6 passes with an 18mm bit approx 1mm deep, the jig was made by Len Steel. They then go to Uncle Dave, who de-burrs then drills 8 jigged holes in each. We estimate 3,600 sleepers are needed to complete the track so that is just under 29,000 holes!. Once that is done the sleepers go into a tank of creosote for 7 days. Sleeper routing video.
Len Steel tested the raised track today and confirmed that all is well and it is now open to use. However caution needs to be used on the three and a half inch track as the transition is steeper than on the five inch because the original track is not worn as much. Len has ground away some of the 3 1/2 rail to improve matters though.
Anyone using the raised track needs to walk it first as at the moment the tunnel has some tables stored in it.
Martyn
More work on replacing the raised track will start on Monday the 15th February and continue for 2 weeks. This work will concentrate on the mower gate so while the circuit will not be continuous it will be possible to use it for testing if required.
We now have new track from just before the Freddy Love Gate to the steaming bay switch; 55 feet. See the new album in the photo gallery.
Despite the covering of snow, Len has now started the on-site work and there is currently a break of 60ft in the raised track!
Len has been working on this for a few weeks now, assisted by Paul Tompkins who is routing the slots in the sleepers. Len now has thirteen 10ft track panels ready for installation. He intends to start the on-site work at the Freddy Love Gate just after Boxing Day. The intention is to leave the track complete at the end of each working session, joining the new track to the old with special fishplates but this may not be possible in all cases. Check the Notices for Members for track restriction updates.
Demolition of the wooden garages and replacement by a brick-built clubhouse extension containing a workshop, ticket office for the Rally and storage above.