LNERGE

A freight entering the down good loop at Ely Dock may not pass the box for some time. The loop had phones marked as Rule Hails for the guard to comply with rule 147. (I’m looking for a suitable rule book).

A freight entering the down good loop at Ely Dock may not pass the box for some time. The loop had phones marked as Rule Hails for the guard to comply with rule 147. (I’m looking for a suitable rule book).

With my Ely North Junction there is an exemption from observing tail lamps on trains comimg from Chettisham. The section from Chettisham is fully track circuited. If a first train was accepted under regulation 4 and came to a stand on P track it was possible to swing 70 points and unrestrictedly accept a second train provided H, K, L, D and X are clear. Similar arrangements applied at March South Junction from Horsemoor and St Ives from Needingworth Junction.

I believe it is Obeche. I took a rotten panel of track to a local firm and the guy there made a best guess as to the original size. Turns out he was pretty damn close to perfect. This is how the track I was given looks…

No further progress today as I have a helper and it’s not too bad outside. G scale repairs taking place. By close of play last night I had done a bit more. 12 inch to the foot point construction tomorrow then playing seven and a quarter at a friends place so another day will slip by.

Finally some time away from 12 inch to the foot, OO, G and domestic duties. I thought I would try and make a point.

In my quest to find conductor rail chairs I’ve been handed these.. one appears to be plastic so is hopefully easier to find a supply of? edit to correct. The left hand pot is white metal.

Elsewhere on the line all fishplate bonds are checked and replaced as necessary. Ballasting has progressed well and the sun has baked it on nicely. Large scale embankment works have been completed and all drainage channels cleared. There are four electric points and these were made to work again. Buffer stop and switch stand lamps are next.

There have been some delays in the construction of the swing bridge. Unfortunately the bridge construction engineer works for other railways and hasn’t had time to make progress. Having been taken to task about this by the operating department and the management the decision was made to forge a temporary diversion route via two sidings and a temporary trestle. The construction team assembled this morning and by late afternoon the technical department were adding bonds round the fishplates. There are still two bridges that need repairs before the return loop becomes useable but significant progress was made today. The test loco made over the new temporary trestle and to the far end of the reverse loop. The track there is dead and several defective bonds have been noted. The next session should see continuous running restored.

A curved ball from the operating department today. (The kids) One particular LGB caboose type thing was a very close fit on the bridge. Additional clearance required. Two extra strips added. The trusses will be refitted soon.

Using untreated wood so hopefully the goldfish, newts, frogs, dragonfly larvae and every other critter that decided to make it home in there are not offended.

All very much by rule of thumb but I think it’s going to work. The bridge bolts driven in.. The pointed ends will raise the bridge off its centre bearing when they are pushed in. Alignment should be reasonably good each time. Only trying to make it fit in two places is easier than three. Bridge overview showing progress..

The early stages of the swing span with the derelict fixed span it will replace

Each year that passes more and more work needs to be done to bring the line back to life. A section of the line is now completely out of use due to the condition of the timber trestle bridges over the pond. In a rare initiative funding for their replacement has been agreed with ‘The Management’ subject to various environmental concerns. (the pile of free wood is treated so untreated wood will need to be purchased) (we can’t upset the newts). The loco fleet has diminished over the years too. One loco is completely worn out. Two others have decoder issues. What is the cheapest decoder available nowadays to work with the LGB multi train system?

Note the connecting line. This had facing point locks and was for for passenger train use. This was a wartime thing and linked the Enfields with Palace Gates and Seven Sisters.