Town End Trackwork

“Balfour Beatty has been asked to produce a budget estimate for replacement of the trackwork at Town End with the current layout, based on the works at Wakebridge.” Contact 379

The layout of Town End is a hangover from the quarry railway, when we laid second-hand sleepers, then second-hand tram rail on top of Stephenson’s track bed, a tactic that produced a working tramway from the very limited resources available. Those pioneers produced an acceptable line whilst working within constraints that today’s volunteers (if there are any) probably could not appreciate. It was less than perfect even in those early days.

The Wakebridge construction methods will undoubtedly produce a much more stable layout although the softer ground over the old cutting will be an additional complication. However we also need to consider what improvements can be incorporated and we need to try and think of what legislation and our customers will expect in 20 or 30 years time.

In a letter to Bob Pennyfather, Chairman of the Development Committee, I have suggested the following design aims:

• level track for at least two trams at both the loading and unloading points



• kerbside loading and unloading (many of our customers are elderly)



• a separate level loading and unloading point for Berlin 3006 and any future single sided access trams



• in the long term move the printing office sideways to give better clearances (this could be bundled in with the Ripley Police Station project).
  

My dream is for a scissors crossover which will address these issues. It will also give us the opportunity to demonstrate an electrically operated point mechanism – a world first for a museum line?

I suggest that you write to Bob Pennyfather with your ideas before it is too late and the new track is literally ‘set in concrete’.

Geoff Hyde

I am sorry to report that Geoff Hyde died on Friday 16th January at the age of 89. He was a founder member of the Society and served as Treasurer, Chairman and Vice-President. I last saw him at the dinner in Manchester in 2005 and was hoping to see him again in May.

The funeral will be at Dukinfield Crematorium at 1:00 pm on Friday 30th January and afterwards at the Broadoak Hotel, Broadoak Road, Ashton under Lyme, OL6 8QD.
Family flowers only and donations to Christie Hospital, Manchester or RNLI.

Wakebridge 14th January (3)

1. In addition to the points the position of 1622's wheels on the curve was checked.

2. Berlin 3006 had to be pushed over curves because the overhead has yet to be re-aligned.

3 &4. 3006 was able to use its pantograph for the southbound journey over the new track.

Wakebridge 14th January (2)

On Wednesday afternoon it was the turn of long wheel base Berlin 3006 and maximum traction bogie London Transport 1622.

Wakebridge 14th January (1)

On Wednesday morning by agreement with Balfour Beatty the earth wires were removed from the overhead line at Wakebridge and the whole length of the line was energised using the rotary converter.
1. Sheffield 330 was the first tram up the line under its own power.

2. Blackpool 717 was the second.

3. Yellow paint was sprayed on crical parts of the points and the track so that the exact position of the wheels and flanges could be seen.

4. 717 and 330 side by side.

5. 717 approaches the yellow paint travelling southwards.

Wakebridge 13th January (2)

1 & 2. Checking the north points. One of the track bonds installed by the Outside Works team can clearly be seen at the bottom of picture 2.


3. Balfour Beatty's 'lads' admiring their handywork and smiling for the camera.

4. About to set off back but delayed by the photographer.

Wakebridge 13th January (1)

The weather was better on Tuesday. In the morning the diesel engine, GMJ, and the Glasgow cable car trailer sucessfully navigated the new tack. In mid-afternoon GMJ returned to Wakebridge this time towing Sheffield 330. This was a time consuming journey on the very greasy rail.
1. Approaching the south points.

2. Passing over the south points.

3. Part way round the curve. Note that the power was off and 330's trolley tied down.
4. Approaching the north points.

Wakebridge 12th January

Monday, 12th was cold, wet and miserable.
1. Some of the undergrowth to the left of the track has been tidied up and the track has been slewed to give a straight approach to the points.

2 - 4. Now that the track has been aligned and levelled, Balfour Beatty were installing drain pipes in the pouring rain.

Books

On Friday 16th January we were able to start moving books onto the new shelves.
1. Helen Parr places the first box of books on the shelves.

2. Soon the first row was full and Roy Stone is seen here working on the second row.

3. Later in the morning, Helen started to unpack the books.

Shelves

On Monday 12th January, contractors arrived to install new high capacity in the library. The plan calls for shelving to be installed in six rooms over a six week period. The former Maps and Drawings room is the first and the former John Price Room the second. These pictures show the Maps and Drawings room.
1. Monday afternoon and a start has been made in laying the base. This has to be perfectly level in both planes and wooden packing shims are used to achieve this (they reminded me of the metal plates under the track at Wakebridge).

2. By Tuesday evening the base was complete.
3. Mid-day on Wednesday with shelf units being installed.
4. Wednesday evening and the job is nearly complete.

Gold Lining

Signwriter, Trevor Kervick at work on Cardiff 131.

1. Masking tape is used for straight lines.

2. The curved ends of the lines are painted freehand.

3. Gold leaf is then applied to the damp paint.
4. The gold leaf sticks to the paint and the edges are cleaned up with cotton wool.

London and Berlin

1 & 2. Yesterday London United 159 changed its position in the workshop.

3. London Transport 1622 has been replaced by Berlin 3006.

4. Bogie side frames for 159.