KSE Signalling Project

The remaining front bearing plate castings were drilled by Alex, Dave and I, following on from the marking out Will did previously. This part of the job was very straightforward, and we soon had them all done. Drilling interrupted for a photo Concentration! It then got rather more complicated, as we came to offer the front bearing up to the post itself. We knew the casting fitted the routed posts, as we trial-fitted these before planting the posts. The central hole through the post, for the spindle itself, was drilled oversized to cater for any discrepancies. Or so I thought! ...unfortunately, it appears that this drilling of the post (hopefully in the singular) was out by more than expected. Looking through the post to the casting beyond, showing the margin of the error. After much shuffling to see if we could make it work, I took the more brutal option, and set to with a hammer and chisel, opening out the post hole to suit. At this stage I can confirm the castings are correct, the ho...

The Moles have been hard at work again; this time burying the benches that have previously been built up, as well as the new concrete bench legs for the rest of the crank and compensator benches we require. Since all the materials are all to hand for this job, we can fit it in as the weather cooperates. 

A new progress update from Tim:  Readers of my ramblings may well remember the posts alluding to all the new castings of NER Central Division signal components. They may also recollect the preparations carried out to the wooden signal posts in order to accommodate the said castings... Routing out the signal posts Well, after much avoidance of setting to and drilling out the castings, ready for f tting up, things got serious! In the machine shop, the radial arm drill has been commissioned, and appropriate training carried out. The raw castings, as collected from the foundry, but left to weather, slightly. The castings were cleaned up and marked for the hole centres whilst suitable clamping arrangements were devised for the work. The first front bearing casting, clamped down onto a couple of spacers to raise up from the bed and prevent damage drilling through. The four mounting holes were drilled in one go, once the centres were marked and double (triple!) checked, but the centre piv...

Hot on the heels of the previous update as to the optimal working conditions for the Moles of Kirkby Stephen, more digging has occurred! The signal box requires power and other cables running to it. These are carried in ducts. The ducts need burying underground. The digger had issues trying to dig a trench as the water table was too high. So it's a case of the Moles' talents being required! A lot of the run has already been completed, the ducts dropped in and the trench filled accordingly with sand. The last section under the bridge and into the box itself needed tackling once the rodding run was in place and before the lead out bench and walkway could be completed. So, the Moles set to; having established the fixed points in the run, and the best route between them. This wasn't set in stone: rather, stone was found that caused slight diversions!! Thanks for reading. More news soon..