KSE Signalling Project

Our last report of progress centered on the rough planting of stools for the rodding run. We had dug holes at regular 9' intervals to approximately the correct depth, and deposited concrete stools into these excavations.  No need for a gym membership. Next comes the process for aligning and levelling them up: the straighter the rodding run, the easier it will be to operate as friction and strain is minimised, so the incentive is there to do it really well, once, and not have to keep coming back to alter it later on! First of all, we set the two ends of this stretch of rodding: the alignment is taken from the Tebay line, whereas the level is taken from the (slightly lower) Penrith / Eden Valley line. It had to be this way around, as the EVR line will be slewed slightly later on as part of Permanent Way (track) work associated with the project. With the Cumbrian weather having filled the stool holes, baling out was first required! Bailing Out With the ends set, we borr...

The latest update from Bob describing the work undertaken last week. It was hoped that we would be able to save 100%of the original rear wall of the signal box. However, close inspection reveals that while the lower section of the wall amounting to approx. two-thirds is sound and true, above this there are two areas that are bulging slightly. As a result, we are minded to remove the inner skin of this section and rebuild in block. I understand the purists amongst you may wince at the use of blockwork, but please bear in mind that the structure has to be sound, none of it will be visible on the finished product and we are working very hard to produce a finish that will replicate the original. The original 1860 wall in the background in a blog picture for once without rain! All the loose material that comprises the remains of the fireplace has been successfully removed from the precarious corner where it once stood and reinforcing blockwork installed on the inner skin prior to removing a...

The latest update from Bob describing the work undertaken last Friday. Visiting the site for the first time in a week of appalling weather saw us confronted with materials strewn everywhere. Waterproof covers weighted down with concrete blocks had been swept away by the storm leaving the building and materials sodden which makes working with mortar much more difficult. However, today, the sun was shining, the sky was blue, and all was well with the world as we tidied up and prepared to start work. The job in hand today was to begin the installation, along the front of the signal box, of the first of two ‘string’ courses of decorative sandstone that surround the ‘box. These had been beautifully cut and delivered, in a variety of lengths, by our good friend, Graham Walton. Graham specializes in this material and previously supplied us with the sandstone for our award-winning water tower that we built a number of years ago. The large, heavy, expensive lengths of surprisingly fragile stone...

We have now reached the half way stage with the digging of holes for rodding stools. We have successfully dug 15 holes through all sorts of ground conditions, marking the half way point in the rodding run from the S&D box to the end of the shed crossover. This run will also incorporate a re-jigged ground frame for the turntable road. One of KSE's moles! The differing layers we have to dig through. Some are far tougher than others! However, these are only roughly dug, and the stools we have deposited now require squaring up, aligning exactly and levelling. The better and more accurately constructed the run is; the easier it will be to operate and look after. Molehills/stools A different view of the run so far Since we have reached the half way stage, we will tackle the alignment of these as the next job. The molehills will therefore disappear, and things will look far tidier! The water is a constant battle. Hopefully the levels will recede enough to allow the fine tuning of the ...

A further report from Bob Tyson following the work that took place on Tuesday last week. Having placed the lintels in position, we have now brought the walls up to the full height required for installing the first of the two ‘string’ courses which will bring us up to operating floor level thus, in effect, completing the bottom half (the locking room) of the building. Each stage of the build brings its problems and each problem brings its solution. I will enjoy documenting these for you as they arise as I know there will be many more to come...

The latest update from team leader, Bob Tyson. We have at last managed to mount the lintels over the locking room doorway giving us an inside and an outside for the first time in over 60 years. There is still much to do in all areas and, while it might appear a little haphazard at times, I can assure you that this is not the case. The wall over the lintels is leading us towards the corner of the ‘box where the fireplace once was. This appears to have been removed by dynamite judging by the condition of the wall which will require much thought and careful planning to repair if we are to retain its originality. Our progress is slow, but sure, and we hope to report further developments soon.