KSE Signalling Project

The brickwork on the Junction Signal Box is gradually rising, in between pauses to position the leadout bench rails and access slots for the signalling wires. In addition, we are making some steel stools to provide intermediate support for the slot support rails. The minutiae seem endless, but progress is slowly being made. Looking at the pointing, you could be forgiven for thinking that some of it is sloppy and untidy. It certainly looks that way, but I hasten to point out that this is efflorescence: a white, powdery salt deposit that forms when water containing dissolved minerals from the cement migrates to the surface of the newly laid brick and evaporates, leaving deposits around the freshly pointed joints. It certainly makes a right mess! Let’s hope this weather holds a while longer so that I have more progress to report soon.

Over August we have tackled a wide range of jobs, some of which are described herein; others in separate posts. We were very fortunate to have a working visit from friends at the Corris and Ffestiniog Railways. Their presence, support and hard work were greatly appreciated, and saw further leaps in progress! Thank you to Samuel and Joe! Steve will relate the progress with track circuits and location cupboards separately, but work from this session did contribute heavily towards that. The lead out bench was completed, with all the flat wheels for the operational signals bolted down into their positions. This necessitated the use of a stringline to ensure the wire runs did not foul one another as they proceeded towards the next bench. The only remaining job here is to make a few new spindles to suit the assemblies. Next up to be tackled was the cross rod for No.9 FPL, which required digging out more ballast between the sleepers and inserting a couple of rodding rollers to support the cro...