Well Fed Moles Dig Better Hole

With works around the outside of the signalbox largely completed, this Mole turned his attention towards the missing section of the rodding run. There are only 4 stools required here, so thankfully it wasn't too daunting. However, the terrain was 'challenging'!

First up, stools were selected and moved close to the run, with exact locations (at 9' intervals) marked out.

The next job was to scrape back the ballast, concrete remnants and anything else that sat on top of the membrane. This then required cutting to enable the holes to be dug, and the stools planted.

The end two holes were dug first, with great care being taken to get the stools in exactly the right place. Measurements were made from the inner edge of the rail for these, and the tops set at the same height as the top of the sleepers. Our tape measure (named John) came into its own here. These stools were tightly packed in place, the membrane folded back around them, and then ballast packed on top to leave both tidy and well supported.

The central pair of stools had rough holes dug, before a string line was used to get a better alignment. First, however, the string line had to be untangled, which took rather longer than anticipated...


The middle two stools were then lifted (this mole got a bit keen), packed, and aligned to suit the run. Care taken at this stage will be of great benefit when it comes to the operation of the rodding.





The central pair of stools had rough holes dug, before a string line was used to get a better alignment. First, however, the string line had to be untangled, which took rather longer than anticipated...


This run will receive its rodding, and then the combined mole-force will set to with excavating for the crank and compensator benches so it can all be joined up shortly!


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