Double figures

Thursday 24^th October

This was a historic day for the team—for the first time ever in the GWSR history the number of drainage team members working was in double figures. Yes, all ten of us were in! Primarily this was to enable all the team to undertake the confined spaces training lead by Kevin Jarvis. Kevin also mentioned that this is the first time ever a whole department has completed this training in one session. The training (and exam) took about 90 minutes—so it was after morning coffee break we set out from Winchcombe.

Jonathan, Ian and Peter headed south to Cheltenham to attend to a couple of small jobs. First was to remove silt and debris from the road gully which runs just outside the down side crossing gate opposite Cheltenham Racecourse Signal box. They also deepened the soak away on the low mileage end of the crossing. Hopefully this will stop the large puddle forming on the crossing by the down (platform 1) line when there is heavy rain—and thus keep the signalman's feet dry when exchanging tokens.

Gully just outside of the down side of the crossing gate at Cheltenham Racecourse Signalbox cleared out. [Photo by Jonathan]

The second job was to secure the blue mesh chamber lid on the cess drain in the 6 foot right by the north portal of Hunting Butts tunnel. The clamps had been removed, possibly by trespassers or possibly by the contractors working for GCC on the cycleway.

It is a tight squeeze in the 6 foot at Hunting Butts; the sleeper ends touch the concrete rings of the chamber. Acceptable as these are sidings, not running lines. [Photo by Jonathan]

Our colleagues from the Wednesday Lineside Clearance team have been working at Hunting Butts in recent weeks to clear access for an external inspection of the tunnel portal. This view from above was taken on Wednesday 23rd October. There is no access for the Timberwolf chipper - so all cut material had to be burnt. [Photo by Ian S]

The other seven team members traveled north to Little Buckland. Nigel and Polly sorted out some minor brick work repairs to the down side of culvert 4A and later re-pointed most of the cracks on the up side.

Polly attending to re-pointing around the barrel of the up (Malvern) side headwall of culvert 4A.

Dave, Stuart and Martin got stuck in with brush cutting. One section was on the down side low mileage of culvert 4A to reach a toe drain chamber and an badger set to enable inspection.

Badger sett entrance.

The other section was on the high mileage of cross drain 5B alongside Archer Farm, to ensure the mini digger can access the length where the toe ditch needs digging out.

South of 5B ready for re-excavating the toe ditch.

 

Roger and Andrew went to cross drain 3A at Peasbrook Farm to complete the inspection of this. This involved putting the confined spaces training and procedure into practice, as to clear logs and other wooden debris from the up side outlet chamber entry was required.

Outlet chamber of 3A at Peasbrook is a confined space - as demonstrated by Roger. Note the gas detection unit deployed before entering.

Then with the repairs to 4A completed, that was inspected. After lunch, it was clearing and inspecting of culvert 5C and cross drain 5D; plus some of the toe drain chambers alongside the up side boundary on the low mileage side of 5D.

Stuart clearing the outlet side of culvert 5C - this is one where the Broadway extension work is starting to show its age.

Wildlife report: The warm sunny weather had brought out the insects, several butterflies (Red Admiral) and lots of flies noted. A kestrel was spotted hovering over culvert 4A once we had finished - no doubt looking for small mammals. No sign of the badgers who occupy the sett on down side low mileage of culvert 4A today. Near to this under the hedge line we spotted a pheasant's nest. Also apparent was a multitude of fungi growing on the sections of south facing embankment that we have recently cleared at Little Buckland.

Sunday 27^th October

The second day of the Autumn Showcase (aka Mixed Traction Gala) is our traditional department day out. Seven of the team met at Winchcombe for a whole line round trip; with suitable breaks first at Broadway then at Toddington. An important aspect of the trip is to met and chat with other departments and teams. As we were all off duty, lunch was taken in the bar section of the Cotswold Halt – a very comfortable and peaceful spot. Quite a bit of our time at Toddington was spent chatting to the chaps on the 76077 Toddington Standard Locomotive stand; and inspecting the boiler for that locomotive. One of the team is also an active supporter of that group, so some of us bought raffle tickets. Maybe Lady Luck was smiling on us, as both the first and second prizes were won by members of our team.

2807 in world war II  unlined black livery with Caerphilly works style GWR lettering at Winchcombe - at least one team member mistook it for 3850 (also currently in black).

Green diesels in the C&W down side yard at Winchcombe.

Like a lot of folk, we ensured we took a ride on the class 117 DMU, as this was it’s last day in service before departing for Scotland. Certainly unusual to see the DMU getting as much attention as steam and diesel locomotives.

Enjoying the rear view from the 117 DMU leaving Winchcombe.

Last 3-car class 117 DMU arrival at Cheltenham.

Unusual view for us of the Malvern Hills framed by a Mk I compartment window.

We rounded the day off with a very enjoyable meal at Ye Olde Hobnails Inn at Little Washbourne. We did not encounter the resident pub ghost, but we certainly agreed the food was excellent both in quality and quantity.

Thursday 31^st October

A glorious autumn day—perfect for working outdoors, sunny, warm but not too hot and importantly no rain. And with two steam trains to interrupt work! Seven of the team enjoyed the day; the last normal operating day of the 2024 season.

The most significant item was the commencement of the excavation to the toe ditch on the down side high mileage of cross drain 5B alongside Archer Farm at Little Buckland. Jonathan was operating the mini digger, with Polly and Peter providing assistance with clearing more vegetation and broken bits of fence. At the end of the day the ditch extended through the hump on the high mileage side of the cross drain. With a short side extension into the farm's field the big puddle in the field started to drain. This really pleased the farm’s owner. Peter also spent some time clearing out more obstructions from the ditch on the low mileage side of 5B.

Jonathan operating the digger whilst Polly and Peter check the ditch on the low mileage side of 5B at Little Buckland.

First job for the digger was to clear a flat area to enable safe work to commence on the excavation of the ditch. [Photo by Jonathan]

Peter waves to 3850 on a down train passing Archer Farm - hedge/fence/ditch clearing has opened up this location. [Note - this picture was taken from the grounds of Archer Farm with permission of the farm's owner.]

 

Reinstated down side toe ditch south of 5B - dug out to the low point in the adjoining field. More to dig next week! [Photo by Jonathan]

Side ditch into the field already filling with water. [Photo by Jonathan]

The other four attendees first attended to some clearance and inspection items left over from last week. Nigel and Dave attended to the up side toe drain chambers north of Laverton Meadow Lane bridge.

Nigel locates one of the up side toe drain chambers - this drain runs almost the whole length between culvert 5C and cross drain 5D. [Photo by Dave]

Whilst Roger and Andrew tackled the down side north of of culvert 4A. This is the site of a badger sett, with many entrances. Unlike the two entrances uncovered last week, some of these appear still to be active. We also found badger bedding inside the toe drain chamber by rail length 18 of milepost 6.

Summer lodging for a badger - it will be too wet in the winter!

 

Once the 12.15 from Broadway passes it is time for lunch. Quite rare for us to be in just the right place at just the right time on a day with just the right weather - and for the loco crew to oblige with a fine exhaust. (35006 P&O at Laverton Meadow Lane)

After lunch the gang of four completed the clearance and inspection of cross drain 6A, culvert 6B, cross drain 6C and culvert 7A. Also cleared around milepost 7 & quarter (the one that was lost in the undergrowth a few years ago); the fences at the foot crossing by culvert 6B and it's sound whistle signs.  Between culvert 7A and bridge 8 (B4632 main road at Stanton) a safe vehicle parking spot was cleared.

A scenic view to illustrate the location of cross drain 6A - that is Bredon Hill in the distance.

To avoid entering confined spaces, for some inspections we use a remotely operated camera. This is the outlet (up side) of 6A.

Outlet side of syphon culvert 7A, showing the depth of water due to the shallowness of the ditch in the adjoining property.

The outlet of culvert 7A on the upside is going to need some more work, but the main problem here is the ditch in the adjoining property is too shallow. There is some flow out, but our observations indicate quite a bit of the flow from the stream which comes under the B4632 road appears to be going into the cess drains then flowing north to culvert 6B.

Autumn glory - with the sunshine now from the up side, 3850 approaches the B4632 main road bridge (8) at Staverton with a mid-afternoon down train.

Wildlife report: Not a great deal of interest noted (apart from the evidence of badgers at Little Buckland). Several crows, one buzzard and a few pheasants were noted. Plus quite a few unidentified fungi.