Twas the night before Christmas

Saturday 21 December 

Not quite the night before, but it's our last working day before Christmas. A time for tidying up some odds and ends ready for a new start in the new year. First off the blocks today was checking the slip in Winchcombe cutting, then out to Stanton to continue the confined space survey and have a tidy up in the yard. All the photos today are from Alastair. 

Winchcombe cutting up side slope 

Stanton drain ring replacement 

Michael with the measuring wheel 

Depth and gas recording 

While in the vicinity the aqueduct got a clear out... 

Dave clearing the up side outlet from the aqueduct 

Stream flowing well across the aqueduct 

Some land drains were installed at Stanton on the down side during the years when the railway wasn't operating. These pipes run out onto the surface of the cutting slope, this has the potential to make the slope unstable as it wasn't deigned to take extra water flows. The plan is to extend the drain pipes down  to the cess to safely remove the excess water. First job is to find them all. 

Dave cutting the veg back round a suspected land drain 

Marker post knocked in at the end of the land drain 

Down in Stanton yard a bit more of the overgrown vegetation was removed to expose the stored rail and fencing materials. 

Fighting the way down the hedge line 

Michael and Dave have to resort to hand tools in amongst the rails 

It looks like we are starting a collection of stray furry animals, Michael found a lonely Christmas pug discarded on the side of the track, he possibly got lost on the way home from a Christmas party. If anyone wishes to make a claim, he's now resident in the truck. 

Alf, the pug in the elf suit found wandering the track 

On behalf of all the drain gang, I'd like to wish all our supporters and followers a happy Christmas. We are taking a break for a week and will be back with more adventures soon.