Branching out

Diversity is a current buzz word in the Estates Management Department. During 2023 we will be assisting with the planting of over 150 new trees at several sites along the line, and digging out a new pond in the Orchard at Chicken Curve. Some of the trees will draw out ground water, thus reducing the water run off which we have to deal with.

We keep a close eye on the existing lineside trees. Previously we have written about the apples, damsons and pears; two more crops to add are walnuts and mistletoe. Unfortunately the squirrels beat us to the walnuts at Dixton and Gotherington. However, there was plenty of mistletoe – particularity on the boundary trees at the navy camp site at Greet Tunnel (up side, Cheltenham end). We found some on lower branches of an apple tree at Manor Lane, this was reachable with the loppers from the ground. Maybe next year we can join forces with our Clearance colleagues to provide a festive greenery provision service. Must check the Risk Assessments and Method Statements to ensure they cover Christmas decoration collection.

Mistletoe

Thursday 8^th December

A very cold and frosty, but sunny day. By carefully choosing sunny spots, it was just possible to sit outside for coffee breaks and lunch. With 100% team attendance, we split into a team of 4 and a team of 3.

The team of 4 tackled culvert/cross drain internal visual exams and clearance. This covered 27C, 28A, 30B, 31A and 33A. This competes all those on the internal programme as far south as Gotherington - except for 30A at Tunnel Bridge, Middle Stanley. We omitted this today as with frost on the ground it was too dangerous to approach from the railway embankment, the sides here are steep and there is quite a fall from the bridge wing walls. Glad to report no major deterioration in any inspected today from their previous inspection.

The team of 3 tacked the access drive repairs at Stanley Pontlarge. We found some suitable small stone at Winchcombe; in dumpy bags that were just about to fall apart and on pallets that were rotten. Loaded this onto the tipper and spread it on the top part of the drive; getting the bit under the gate level with the no1 stone put down by the Clearance team the previous Saturday. Then on to Gotherington yard to collect the dumpy bag of pea gravel that had been sitting there for around 18 months. But it had gone! Looks like it disappeared recently as there was the impression of the dumpy bag on the ground. Finally manually moved some of the pile of logs at the toe of the embankment on the down side low mileage of bridge 29. These were on the line of the new fence, which our fencing contractors are installing. The embankment is too steep for wheeled vehicle access. A friendly request to the fencing team resulted in recovery of the logs using their tracked fence post driver.

Unloading stone on the access at Stanley Pontlarge. Reduces the churning from vehicle wheels and tracks during wet weather.

You can almost feel the cold! Stanley Pontlarge, fencing contractors using their tracked post drive on left; chamber of cross drain 28A in foreground. Note our Transit in the background parked in a sunny spot!

New fence line and logs at the toe of the embankment on the down side low mileage of bridge 29. Impressive clearance by our contractor's remote controlled flail.

 

 

 

Thursday 15^th December

Snow fell on the Cotswolds in the early hours of Sunday (11^th December) and the temperature did not rise much above freezing for several days. Overnight Wednesday/Thursday, Winchcombe was one of the coldest places in the Midlands, recording an overnight minimum of -12C. Not surprisingly we cancelled our work planned for today.

Thursday 22^nd December

Just four of the team in attendance – well it was 3 days before Christmas!

Jonathan and Polly took the Drainage LWB Transit truck for a longer run to charge the batteries and to collect the overhauled Efco flail from Blockley. The flail is almost like a new machine now! They called in at Toddington on the way back with the intention to move some of the 150+ trees delivered. Unfortunately timing of the Santa ECS trains and associated loco movements meant it was not possible to use the loco department's telehandler.

Efco flail loaded for return to Winchcombe. With new control cables and sharpened blades it will be working hard in the Spring. [Photo by Jonathan]

Martin and Andrew continued with culvert/cross drain clearance and visual internal inspections. This covered 36A, 36B, 37A and 37B south of Manor Lane, Gotherington. Quite an achievement for just two, particularly as Santa trains were running one had to be a lookout when working near the line. The cold damp air meant the exhausts from both Foremarke Hall and 4270 were impressive on the climb from Bishops Cleeve to Gotherington. Once again no new major problems discovered on the inspections; the main item of note was at 37A down side with evidence of animal den use in the dry summer.

Outlet (up side) of culvert 36B has a unique footprint!

Foremarke Hall with the first up Santa train of the day approaching Manor Lane.

4270 approaching bridge 37 - having just passed the source of our mistletoe. Probably the last time we will be passed by this loco.

New Year Resolution?

If you would like to work off the excesses of the festive period, why not consider joining our team for regular workouts in the fresh air. It is cheaper than joining a gym! If you are interested, please contact the Estates Management HoD or the Railway Recruitment Office; alternatively email draingangGWSR@gmail.com.

Wishing all our readers a peaceful, prosperous and healthy New Year.