Digging deep

The team’s main task over the next few weeks is building a new structure for the inlet of cross drain 11B near Gallery Farm crossing at Stanton. As is often the case, the preparatory work revealed the task will be a little more complex than when initially planned.

Wednesday 19^th June and Thursday 20^th June

Three team members paid visits to the RAIL Live trade show at Long Marston. There were lots of interesting items, a few of which are relevant to drainage. New companies we made contact with were:
Demco (Marton Geotechnical Services Ltd) - make add-ons to GRP catchpit rings from Cubis which enable easier pipe connections; also make solid pipes with integrated sealing rings and tough solid pipes which can be placed as little as 300mm below running lines.
Geveko Markings - adhesive material for ground and structure markings; potentially a better way to attach identification numbers to structures and marker posts. We have got a small sample to try.
On-line On-track / Super-Rod - have ro-rail jet blasting machines and offer other culvert clearing services

A road/rail jet blasting machine of On-line On-track

Pulsar – a leading manufacture of certified, hi-visibility protective clothing. Founded over 40 years ago manufacturing clothing for deep sea fisherman. A productive piece of persuasive bartering has resulted in the donation of new hi-vis jackets and trousers for all the drainage team members; plus a supply agreement for the rest of the railway on advantageous terms.

93.001, the first tri-mode (25kv electric, battery and diesel) UK locomotive. Maybe a diesel gala visitor in the future?

 

Thursday 20^th June

Five of the team attended on the day of the summer solstice. However, we did not start work at sunrise!

The focus was on preparation for the build of a headwall on the cross drain 11B entry on the down side at Stanton.

Ian and Martin spent most of the day on vegetation clearance - first the remaining part of the down side boundary hedge/fence line from bridge 11 up to 11B. This is now sufficient to enable the dumper and mini-excavator access. They also pruned around the entrance to Stanton yard.

Roger, Dave and Andrew spent the day further excavating the area around the 11B inlet - mainly digging down to enable 100mm of concrete foundation below the bottom of the bore. This revealed that the first length of pipe we had left in the bore last week was actually broken, plus has a bad join to the second section and there was a large void above it. So it came out. This has meant a rethink on the alignment of the new headwall, but does enable a lot more concrete infill between it and the embankment. Even with assistance from Ian and Martin on completion of vegetation clearing, we still have some more spoil to shift next week. Despite the clay probably being the optimum consistency for digging, it was tough going work, especially in the heat of the afternoon.

Access along the boundary hedge/fence from bridge 11.

The old supermarket basket is now a temporary grill to prevent unwanted animal access.

Wildlife report: Solitary bee collecting damp clay; bumble bee; lots of unidentified insects in the long grass. Positively identified plants - Solanum dulcamara (Bittersweet/Woody nightshade) which is poisonous; Stachys sylvatica (Hedge Woundwort).

Hedge Woundwort [Photo by Roger]

 

Thursday 27^th June

Seven of the team attending for a very productive and pleasant day. The weather was ideal for working outdoors, warm but not hot. It was also ideal conditions for concrete to set without drying out quickly.

The main task was to complete the excavations of the cross drain 11B inlet at Stanton and to start the concreting of the base for the new walls. First item was to get all the materials and tools to the site. Unfortunately the slope up from the farm access track under bridge 11 to the down side boundary proved too steep for the dumper to negotiate safely. Hence we had to make an entry from the adjoining field through the fence near to the cross drain. The landowner of the field having granted access – actually he is keen to see us complete the work as it will improve drainage of his field. We used the dumper to bring in all the materials and with the cement mixer setup near the pit; this made the concreting straightforward. We modified a length of 9" diameter twinwall pipe to fit the remains of the original SGP - that will be inserted and grouted in next week. Also next week will be the final part of the concreting – this had to be achieved in two pours as the whole of the base of excavation will be filled. Doing that in one pour would not leave anywhere for someone to stand to tamp the surface. We placed reinforcing bar in the hole in the middle to strengthen the join between the two pours.

Ian and Jonathan unloading the dumper.

 

Further excavation around the damaged original SGP pipe.

Stuart and Martin complete the excavation of the pit.

Polly takes a breather whilst awaiting more concrete for the footings.

Nigel, Stuart and Ian on concrete mixing.

Completion of the first pour of the concrete base. Reinforcing bar in the 'hole' for the second pour next week.

An odd job attended to was to refit the trespass sign on the low mileage gate of Gallery Farm crossing. At Winchcombe we took delivery of an order for more cement, now stacked in the old wooden shed. The 11B inlet build will use up quite a bit of this.

Wildlife report: Lizards and plenty of insects on the sunny embankment at Stanton.