Stuartthegrant Posted March 6, 2016 Share Posted March 6, 2016 Having just read the article in "Rail", the full extent of the damage has become apparent. It explains some of David's pictures where the old timberwork was dug up. As they are going back to redesigning and then recreating the sea wall and track bed, it will be some time before trains are running again for sure. I am very surprised the "Rail Engineer" have made no mention of this ongoing job, I expect they are awaiting a conclusion. May be a long wait!! 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fat Controller Posted March 6, 2016 Share Posted March 6, 2016 Having just read the article in "Rail", the full extent of the damage has become apparent. It explains some of David's pictures where the old timberwork was dug up. As they are going back to redesigning and then recreating the sea wall and track bed, it will be some time before trains are running again for sure. I am very surprised the "Rail Engineer" have made no mention of this ongoing job, I expect they are awaiting a conclusion. May be a long wait!! More likely due to their deadlines; their last issue may have gone to press before NR were able to provide an interviewee and material. It does look as though it'll be a very long job. Some sort of concrete raft on bored piles will probably have to be built to support the track, whilst a new wall will have to be constructed inside the existing. The existing would then either be removed, or pressure grouted from the inside to fill the cracks to slow the rate at which it detoriates. Once again, our thanks are due to David for his excellent series of photos. It's to be hoped that they'll somehow be conserved for posterity. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Todd Posted March 7, 2016 Share Posted March 7, 2016 Having checked the data,there are no material delivery trains booked for the foreseeable future. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Todd Posted March 8, 2016 Share Posted March 8, 2016 Well,am atop of Shakey Cliff, having lunch. Here's one,that sneaked in this mor Ning. Took this a rew mins ago, am walking over the top and down into Samphire Hoe . 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lmsforever Posted March 8, 2016 Share Posted March 8, 2016 Lucky you having a spot like that to sit and have lunch and a reasonable day. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Todd Posted March 8, 2016 Share Posted March 8, 2016 Today, Couple of pics from the very top, by ferriesdover, on Flickr More later. by ferriesdover, on Flickr 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Todd Posted March 8, 2016 Share Posted March 8, 2016 Yesterday, the permanent way gang, were sent up to Abbots Cliff Tunnel. Today, I was not really expecting anything happening. But once on the cliffpath,I was a bit taken aback,with the appearance of the materials train. I had checked,every day the Realtimes train w/site. no info had been given. by ferriesdover, on Flickr Would interesting to know what these guys are up to,against the seawall. by ferriesdover, on Flickr by ferriesdover, on Flickr by ferriesdover, on Flickr by ferriesdover, on Flickr 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Todd Posted March 8, 2016 Share Posted March 8, 2016 The material train,seems to have a reduced wagon load this time,same materials, road stone chippings for the sub base. To me with limited knowledge, the reduced load,may indicate, they are close the the sub base level required. by ferriesdover, on Flickr by ferriesdover, on Flickr by ferriesdover, on Flickr 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Todd Posted March 8, 2016 Share Posted March 8, 2016 These, concrete patches, have appeared since my last visit. by ferriesdover, on Flickr by ferriesdover, on Flickr by ferriesdover, on Flickr One not filled. by ferriesdover, on Flickr The larger one, still open. by ferriesdover, on Flickr 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fat Controller Posted March 8, 2016 Share Posted March 8, 2016 I wonder if those chaps drilling into the wall were installing some sort of measuring device to see how much the wall moves when there's a bit of a sea? Those concrete patches are odd; I can't thing why they might have done something superficial like that, unless that's the upper part of some pressure-grouting. I really ought to show these photos to sister and brother-in-law; they're both geotechnical engineers, though these days b-i-l's retired and sis spends here time dealing in the technicalities of landfill site. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
runs as required Posted March 8, 2016 Share Posted March 8, 2016 When I was learning "environmental French" before taking students off (in loco parentis in the days when we still loved the EU) into Europe, the tutor said never mind the detail, concentrate on the big picture - paragraph by paragraph. Her advice has always stayed with me - so lets not rush to judgement on a few patches of readymix. If it is to provide a datum from which to take stock of movement, I would have thought there were more sophisticated ways of assessing this these days with GPS and satellite imagery analysis. So what are the options we onlookers can generate? I've already given you IKB's recommendation I recall (was it Mr 0 gauge Lancaster Green Ayre ?) suggesting stabilising this stretch with a repeat of Samphire point - as a site for chunk of coastal Real Estate it would fund this option do we need a sea wall at all if the railway is stabilised as a viaduct - as Stationmaster suggests. Let the sea do what it wants below. Re-arrange the Norwegian boulders so as to protect a laminated/welded waterproof membrane to keep the sea out. What about a wall of pensioned off Cruise Liners moored alongside the tracks as coastal protection - a kind of revival of camping coaches. ("Port outward Starb... um.. no, trade descriptions Act) ? What about s/h Cruise Liners along there as temporary migrant accomm.... ...time for bed said Zebadee dh 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold The Stationmaster Posted March 8, 2016 RMweb Gold Share Posted March 8, 2016 I wonder if those chaps drilling into the wall were installing some sort of measuring device to see how much the wall moves when there's a bit of a sea? Those concrete patches are odd; I can't thing why they might have done something superficial like that, unless that's the upper part of some pressure-grouting. I really ought to show these photos to sister and brother-in-law; they're both geotechnical engineers, though these days b-i-l's retired and sis spends here time dealing in the technicalities of landfill site. Looks to me like they are taking core samples to assess the condition and strength of the concrete - unless they holes are meant for drainage (but that would work two ways of course!) The concrete patches might well be in connection with some other measuring activity - providing a suitable base for kit? 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Todd Posted March 9, 2016 Share Posted March 9, 2016 I know we are concentrating on the repairs, to the Eastern side of Shakespeare Tunnel. But, thought you might like to see the Western side of Shakey tunnel. I needed to walk, kill or cure day. So after taking the photos, of delivery of materials and lunch on top of Shakey, a walk along the North Downs Way and down to the tunnel,then into Samphire Hoe,for a cuppa,in the office. Heading West, leaving the top of Shakey. by ferriesdover, on Flickr by ferriesdover, on Flickr Looking West, am heading for that slip road,into the depression,that is the tunnel entrance, that will take me down to the Hoe. by ferriesdover, on Flickr In the tunnel,the walkway, is raised above the road. by ferriesdover, on Flickr Tunnel opens out into a tranquil world. by ferriesdover, on Flickr 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Todd Posted March 9, 2016 Share Posted March 9, 2016 (edited) At the exit,looking west, here is the up and down line to Folkestone Ashford and London. by ferriesdover, on Flickr by ferriesdover, on Flickr This, is all that remains of Shakespeare Halt. by ferriesdover, on Flickr Edited March 9, 2016 by David Todd 8 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fat Controller Posted March 9, 2016 Share Posted March 9, 2016 (edited) You didn't see my binoculars whilst you were down there, David? How long ago were those photos taken? The running rail surfaces are clean, but the conductor rail could use some WD40. Edited March 9, 2016 by Fat Controller 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Todd Posted March 9, 2016 Share Posted March 9, 2016 Looking back at the tunnel I have emerged from. With Shakey Tunnel West, on the left. by ferriesdover, on Flickr by ferriesdover, on Flickr 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Todd Posted March 9, 2016 Share Posted March 9, 2016 (edited) You didn't see my binoculars whilst you were down there, David? How long ago were those photos taken? The running rail surfaces are clean, but the conducter rail could use some WD40. I took the photos at 1430 hours yesterday, As I said,in a previous post, the PW gang were dispatched to Abbotscliff tunnel,(you can see it in the distance), they used rail/road converted vehicles for transport, hence the clean rails. Edited March 9, 2016 by David Todd Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fat Controller Posted March 9, 2016 Share Posted March 9, 2016 I took the photos at 1430 hours yesterday, As I said,in a previous post, the PW gang were dispatched to Abbotscliff tunnel,(you can see it in the distance), they used rail/road converted vehicles for transport, hence the clean rails. Thanks- I missed the reference to the PW gangs. Presumably, they accessed the site via the gates at the Warren; there are still some narrow-gauge rails set in the hard-standing there, btw, from the days when they had a batching plant for the sea defences. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Todd Posted March 9, 2016 Share Posted March 9, 2016 by ferriesdover, on Flickr by ferriesdover, on Flickr Abbotscliff Tunnel. by ferriesdover, on Flickr by ferriesdover, on Flickr P1300375 by ferriesdover, on Flickr by ferriesdover, on Flickr by ferriesdover, on Flickr Western side of Shakey Tunnel by ferriesdover, on Flickr 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Todd Posted March 9, 2016 Share Posted March 9, 2016 (edited) Thanks- I missed the reference to the PW gangs. Presumably, they accessed the site via the gates at the Warren; there are still some narrow-gauge rails set in the hard-standing there, btw, from the days when they had a batching plant for the sea defences. No, you can see in this photo, the black fencing,in the buddlea hedge line, these are large lockable gates, to the lineside trackway. Edited March 9, 2016 by David Todd 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Todd Posted March 9, 2016 Share Posted March 9, 2016 (edited) This was the construction on Samphire Hoe sea defences, Two thirds of the Channel Tunnel spoil was used to create a new part of the UK, The creation of Samphire Hoe. Edited March 9, 2016 by David Todd 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Todd Posted March 9, 2016 Share Posted March 9, 2016 (edited) Another delivery, tomorrow, according to data. 0830 hours,arrival on site. Edited March 9, 2016 by David Todd Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce Depot Posted March 9, 2016 Share Posted March 9, 2016 Always seem to remember about visiting the Hoe, how long the traffic lights seemed to take to change to pass through the tunnel! Continuing to watch from afar with interest. keith 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Todd Posted March 9, 2016 Share Posted March 9, 2016 A different angle on the Western side of Shakey Tunnel 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Simon Lee Posted March 9, 2016 RMweb Premium Share Posted March 9, 2016 Bit more pointless trivia - this area in Davids photos was used quite a lot during the filming of the 1969? film "Battle of Britan". One man I worked live on the estate featured in some of Davids photos and had photos of mock ups of various German and RAF planes that were left after the filming for a few weeks until disposed of. I know we are concentrating on the repairs, to the Eastern side of Shakespeare Tunnel. But, thought you might like to see the Western side of Shakey tunnel. Looking West, am heading for that slip road,into the depression,that is the tunnel entrance, that will take me down to the Hoe. by ferriesdover, on Flickr I 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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