Leon Posted November 22, 2017 Share Posted November 22, 2017 Concrete blocks being loaded at the docks today, hopefully not a one off and a regular thing ? 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig1989 Posted November 22, 2017 Share Posted November 22, 2017 Out of interest what were the wagons used as they look like spas but I thought they were used for steel coil? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Saunders Posted November 22, 2017 Share Posted November 22, 2017 Out of interest what were the wagons used as they look like spas but I thought they were used for steel coil? SPA's were built for plate but that does not mean you cant load them with anything else! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fat Controller Posted November 23, 2017 Share Posted November 23, 2017 I fear this traffic will be only a short-term one; those blocks look very similar to those to be seen until quite recently around various bridge renewals in Eastern Cardiff. As regards the wagons; though nominally intended for steel plate traffic, they've been used for all sorts of things, from steel coils to trailers for the British Army. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rivercider Posted November 23, 2017 Share Posted November 23, 2017 (edited) 1100 new SPAs were constructed between 1979 and 1981. Unfortunately at the same time British Steel was looking to rationalise its steel plants, and in 1980 there was a strike at British Steel that lasted nearly 14 weeks, following which some plants closed. This meant there was never enough steel traffic for all the new SPAs hence some were used on other traffic (and an order for 600 additional SPAs was cancelled), cheers Edited November 23, 2017 by Rivercider Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
br2975 Posted November 23, 2017 Share Posted November 23, 2017 (edited) The blocks look as though they have locating 'pips' on the top, allowing them to be slotted one on top of the other so could be for some local civ-eng project. . RTT keeps kicking me out, so I've been unable to identify the working. Brian R Edited November 23, 2017 by br2975 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fat Controller Posted November 23, 2017 Share Posted November 23, 2017 The blocks look as though they have locating 'pips' on the top, allowing them to be slotted one on top of the other so could be for some local civ-eng project. . RTT keeps kicking me out, so I've been unable to identify the working. Brian R They do key into one another, rather like giant Lego; there were enclosed compounds made of them around the bridge projects in Splott. I suspect the ones in the photo have come from there and are either going on to another project, or are being returned to the hirer. There have been some used to build retaining walls at the former TML yard at Sevington, currently being used as a base for the High-Output Ballast Cleaner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonny777 Posted November 23, 2017 Share Posted November 23, 2017 (edited) Deleted my pathetic attempt at humour. Edited November 23, 2017 by jonny777 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leon Posted November 23, 2017 Author Share Posted November 23, 2017 These are not being returned, they are produced at castle concrete on the docks. I have used some at my site. We have them to separate bays with product in. They do indeed work like Lego. These must be off to a project somewhere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fat Controller Posted November 23, 2017 Share Posted November 23, 2017 These are not being returned, they are produced at castle concrete on the docks. I have used some at my site. We have them to separate bays with product in. They do indeed work like Lego. These must be off to a project somewhere. Thanks for that, Leon; I wasn't aware of a concrete-product manufacturer in the docks. I wonder if they'll do them in a selection of different colours? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leon Posted November 23, 2017 Author Share Posted November 23, 2017 Thanks for that, Leon; I wasn't aware of a concrete-product manufacturer in the docks. I wonder if they'll do them in a selection of different colours? Haaa haaaa. I can ask them when I’m passing...lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
br2975 Posted November 23, 2017 Share Posted November 23, 2017 Castle Concrete Products . http://www.castleconstructionproducts.co.uk/ . Brian R Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leon Posted November 23, 2017 Author Share Posted November 23, 2017 The wagons are still sat on the line from the dock into Tidal sidings at 1600 today. No loco attached now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edwin_m Posted November 23, 2017 Share Posted November 23, 2017 This is unlikely to be a regular flow, since the demand for the blocks will vary in time and place depending on what work is happening. And since the railway doesn't really handle one-off revenue consignments these days my guess would be an engineering train for some Network Rail site where it's most practical to bring them in by train. Or could it be that the blocks used around Cardiff were only hired, from the manufacturer, and are now being returned? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leon Posted November 23, 2017 Author Share Posted November 23, 2017 (edited) This is unlikely to be a regular flow, since the demand for the blocks will vary in time and place depending on what work is happening. And since the railway doesn't really handle one-off revenue consignments these days my guess would be an engineering train for some Network Rail site where it's most practical to bring them in by train. Or could it be that the blocks used around Cardiff were only hired, from the manufacturer, and are now being returned?[/quote Hi Edwin, Yes I agree, maybe not regular. However they are not being returned as I watched them being loaded from the site not being unloaded. Edited November 23, 2017 by Leon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leon Posted December 1, 2017 Author Share Posted December 1, 2017 Well, These did not go far at all, The blocks are being unloaded a few hundred meters from where loaded, They are being used within Tidal sidings just as the track enters from the docks, not sure why but they are being laid alongside the track. I will see if I can get a clear picture. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fat Controller Posted December 1, 2017 Share Posted December 1, 2017 Well, These did not go far at all, The blocks are being unloaded a few hundred meters from where loaded, They are being used within Tidal sidings just as the track enters from the docks, not sure why but they are being laid alongside the track. I will see if I can get a clear picture. Perhaps a stacking area for the stone traffic that is currently brought in by road to the docks? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
br2975 Posted December 1, 2017 Share Posted December 1, 2017 Well, These did not go far at all, The blocks are being unloaded a few hundred meters from where loaded, They are being used within Tidal sidings just as the track enters from the docks, not sure why but they are being laid alongside the track. I will see if I can get a clear picture. Once upon a time, the South Wales IEP Depot was proposed for Tidal Sidings, but then moved to Maliphant, Swansea - so that's one job ruled out. Could it be in advance of the next stage of the A4232 extension toward Eastern Avenue ? . Well they aren't intended for the new Cardiff 'bus station that is being conceived by elves, designed by fairies, built by goblins and will be used by unicorns drawing crystal coaches. Transport improvements in Cardiff ? How silly of me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leon Posted December 1, 2017 Author Share Posted December 1, 2017 Once upon a time, the South Wales IEP Depot was proposed for Tidal Sidings, but then moved to Maliphant, Swansea - so that's one job ruled out. Could it be in advance of the next stage of the A4232 extension toward Eastern Avenue ? . Well they aren't intended for the new Cardiff 'bus station that is being conceived by elves, designed by fairies, built by goblins and will be used by unicorns drawing crystal coaches. Transport improvements in Cardiff ? How silly of me. Ah yes Brian, It is just off the round about as the track comes under the bridge from the Docks. Could be a retaining wall ? I will grab a picture later of where they are. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leon Posted December 1, 2017 Author Share Posted December 1, 2017 Hi all. This is where the blocks ended up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clarkea1 Posted December 3, 2017 Share Posted December 3, 2017 Can't help but wonder if this is to separate the area in front of the Western Mail printing works from the operational railway. Redevelopment of some sort coming? If I remember correctly, the Western Mail print works is closing / has closed..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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