A Pleasant Afternoon

Thursday 18^th December

Today the team enjoyed a very pleasant afternoon – but this was certainly not down to the weather. In fact, from mid morning to later afternoon, the weather was definitely very unpleasant; with extremely heavy rain (yellow weather warning) and low cloud. For sure, this was the heaviest rain we have experienced on a working day this year.

Before the rain started, Dave, John and Phil set off trackside to Hayles Abbey Halt with a supply of blue mesh GRP chamber covers. We had been notified that the robot flail had discovered one of the chambers that we missed when clearing the up side embankment there. The group found the relevant chamber with one broken lid and one in the chamber. Quickly fixed, temporarily with one of the mesh lids. We have added this to the growing list of cess chambers which either need raising with extra rings or marking with posts – or both.

Up side cess chamber at Hayles Abbey after the close encounter with the robot flail. [Photo by Dave]

... and after the temporary repair. [Photo by Dave]

The group then headed north to Didbrook to check on culvert 14B. Another report received we had received suggested problems with the down side toe ditch that takes excess water from cross drain 14A. However, whilst this was flowing strongly, the condition of the ditch where it enters the 14B stream had not deteriorated since our inspection two months ago. It is one that is on our watch list; as the downcutting of the toe ditch exit does need addressing sometime. As ever, the big problem is getting materials and plant to the bottom of a very steep embankment with ploughed fields adjacent. The group of three were back at Winchcombe in time for mid morning tea/coffee break.

Phil and John examine where the down side toe ditch from 14A starts downcutting on the entry to 14B. [Photo by Dave]

On the up side exit of 14B the backing up of the water because of poor conditions down stream outside of railway land is evident. [Photo by Dave]

We and the Railway’s vehicle manger have noted that our fleet of road vehicles are suffering from problems caused by infrequent and light usage. Very rarely do any of them get a long run, or even a day of heavy work. Consequently issues such a coking up of the engines are occurring. To address this we will be instigating a regular run out with each vehicle in turn on a route which includes some hill climbs and some roads where the legally permitted maximum speed can be safely achieved. So Jonathan and Polly took the white Ranger out to map out a suitable route for this. With the rain and low cloud, this turned out not to be the best day for a tour around the Cotswolds! So, sorry, no nice pretty pictures from this trip!

Meanwhile, back at base, the team's chief engineer, Ian, assisted by Martin undertook maintenance on most of our brush cutter and hedge trimmers. Some of these machines get heavy usage in the autumn and winter as they are shared with the Lineside Clearance teams. Hence the most common problem is erratic running caused by obstructed air filters.

The other attendees, Andrew, Peter, Roger, Stuart, started on the reorganisation of the wooden shed in Winchcombe Yard. Now that S&T have moved all of the equipment, tools and materials they wish to retain to their new workshop we have quite a bit more space for our items. However, a proper reorganisation needs to wait for the roof to be repaired and mains power and light to be restored. We carefully selected the driest part of shed to move our stock of cement and render to.

Elves in the dark! Shed reorganisation by torch light.

Dave sweeps some of the accumulated dust from where the concrete was piled. The snow scoops make for good dustpans!

Signing off time for all involved was 12:30; to enable a good wash and change into clean ‘decent’ clothes for our team annual lunch. The venue was the Royal Oak at Gretton. We had a table in the back lounge, which normally has the view over the Railway and onwards to the Malvern and Clent Hills. Not today though! Team member Dee and Infrastructure Manger Sarah joined us, for a very pleasant meal and an afternoon’s relaxation. A great way to finish off a busy and successful year for the team. The flooded roads and swollen streams and rivers that most of us encountered on our homeward journeys was a very apt reminder of why we have to keep on top of the Drainage infrastructure.

L to R - Polly, Martin, Phil, Dave, Jonathan, Ian, Sarah, Dee, Stuart and an arm of John's Christmas jumper! Rain and cloud in the background almost hiding the Railway less than 100 yards away.

From the other end of the table, (L to R) Sarah, Dee, Stuart, John, Peter, Roger, Polly, Martin, Phil.

Wildlife report: The group at Hayles Abbey spotted a single roe deer, a rabbit and a male pheasant. The resident robin of the wooden shed at Winchcombe kept a low profile whilst we reorganised the shed below his nest. We did find some evidence of small rodents (probably mice) having taken up home amongst all the old items which had not been disturbed for years. Once the rain eased and the cloud lifted a bit, from the commanding position of the rear lounge of the Royal Oak we did spot a small murmuration over the railway towards Greet tunnel – too far away to determine if they were starlings or finches. Other than that it was, not surprisingly, not a good day for wildlife spotting. Not a good day for working outside either.

Seasonal Greetings

Te team will not be working next Thursday (Christmas Day) or the following Thursday (New Year's Day). However, quite a few of the regular members expressed a desire to work off some of the festive excess, so our next working day will be Friday 2^nd January. Thus, as this is the last blog entry for this year, on behalf of the team I send Seasonal Greetings to all our readers and wish you all a peaceful, prosperous, healthy and happy 2026.