End of the Dixton Summer

Our work at Dixton Cutting over the past three months neatly coincided with the metrological summer, both coming to a close at the end of August. Removal of the broken red house bricks has made a big visual improvement. By using concrete rings from the bargain purchase a few years ago, the outlay on new materials has been minimal. From next month our attention turns to the annual internal visual inspection programme for culverts and cross drains. We hope the dry spell continues for a while, shallow or no water in the ditches makes this task a lot easier!

Thursday 11 August

Five of the team members attending on this very hot day.

High summer in Dixton Cutting. Diesel hauled train (Peak 45149) due to fire risk; deep blue sky; dry grass. But at least two cess chambers were in the shade.

Main task was to continue with the cess chamber rebuilds at Dixton cutting. Fortunately most of the work was in some shade. We took another seven concrete rings from Winchcombe to site. Five of these were installed on prepared chambers. Additionally we fitted a second ring to one chamber we dealt with last week; and replaced the permanent lids on that and the others from last week.

Polly puts the finishing touches to the flaunching on an down side chamber.

We are now at the point on both up and down sides where the cess drain is the concrete U shaped channel.

Square U section channel at the low mileage end of this down side chamber.

On the down side most of the lids for this (probably dating from the 1950s) are fine, there are a few that need replacing. On the up side most of the channel has a porous plastic pipe backfilled with pea gravel. There are several inspection points with concrete lids. We marked some of these with poles sprayed yellow & blue to make them more obvious; we don't want any more vehicles driving over them. There are a few more to mark.

Another sign of the dry summer, just a trickle of water in the Tirle Brook, the flume culvert 32A.

Secondary tasks were the installation of a finer mesh on the inlet grill of culvert 39A, Pecked Lane Bishops Cleeve. This will stop small twigs and leaves getting into the main culvert and the twin pipes which lead out under the neighbours property on the up side.

Clearing small debris from the outside of the inlet grill of culvert 39A will be a lot easier than from the inside.

Also our plant operator moved some items for C&W, including a pallet of brake blocks.

Thursday 18 August

Six members of the drainage team working today.

Once again we lent our plant operator out to another department, this time C&W to excavate an area next to the C&W workshop. However we did get a few minutes of his time using the dumper to move concrete lids in Winchcombe yard. First time the dumper has been used by Drainage!

Using the dumper to move concrete lids.

The other five members headed to Dixton cutting. We replaced the proper lids on the cess chambers which we rebuilt last week, recovering the blue mesh covers. As we are now very close to completion of the cess chamber rebuilds, we recovered all unused bricks, water, sand, cement and tools. On the down side we made good three sections of concrete cess U channel using the original lids. On a fourth section we inserted an old narrow concrete lid to repair the broken U channel blocks. Ballast which was in the channel was removed.

Repair to broken U channel on the down side cess. Replacement sections and lids for these are no longer available.

On the down side we added a concrete ring to the last chamber where the concrete U channel ends.

The last chamber on the down side.

On the up side we dug out what we think is the last lid on the concrete U channel. The channel is filled with ballast/rubble. We dug a few exploratory holes to try to locate the path the channel takes down to the high mileage up side wing wall of bridge 32. Nothing positive, this will need some further digging, which can also include the ditch by the boundary fence. This will need the mini digger and our operator and also some softer ground conditions.

Three team members popped down to Bishops Cleeve to clear the grill on the boundary fence inlet of culvert 39 (Pecked Lane Crossing). The heavy rain on Tuesday night had brought down a lot of leaves and twigs. Removing from the grill is easier than cleaning inside the manhole in the up side path where our oblong bore flows into two circular pipes under the driveways of the houses.

Wildlife today was lizards.

One of the lizards which inhabit the chambers; moved to avoid squashing by the new concrete ring.

Thursday 25 August

All seven of the team present last Thursday. But as usual, we loaned our plant operator, not sure exactly to which department, to operate the mini-digger for digging the trench for the electric cable for the new shipping containers in Winchcombe Yard. At least one of those containers is for the Estates Management department.

The other six members headed for Dixton Cutting to complete the last tasks on the cess chamber rebuilds.

Before taking the road vehicles across the line at Gotherington Yard we await the passing of the 0915 Toddington to Cheltenham ECS train. Left to right: Dave; Martin; Polly; Roger; Nigel.

Today was the last working day of visiting 2-6-0 Ivatt 46521. Note the correct ECS lamp code.

Also replaced some of the broken lids on the down side concrete U channel using odd small chamber lids.

A mixed bag of lids, but at least they keep the ballast out of the U channel.

We left the 'new' chamber on the up side just before Prescott Road bridge with a blue mesh cover. This is temporary, we want to monitor what is happening there when the wet weather returns. There is buried concrete U channel heading towards the high mileage up side wing wall of the bridge, but it is blocked with ballast and other debris. If we do notice any water pooling there, then some digging with the mini digger will be required to put in a new pipe to the boundary ditch.

Up side new 'chamber' added where the U channel currently ends.

The external inspection programme is now to include culvert 31B, as this is really integral to Prescott Road bridge 3. The main clearance was by the outlet catch pit (low mileage up side); mainly to expose the edges of the pit prior to the visit by the external inspection team. We removed all the broken and loose pieces of the old fence. We trimmed the vegetation on the roadside by the bridge abutment and up to the inlet chamber which has the road kerb stones as covers.

Culvert 31B outlet, the catch pit has over 2 foot of soft silt in it. Still a trickle of water running.

For the first time for months it was raining at lunchtime, so we used the Churchward House mess. After lunch one group surveyed the chambers on the down side crest between Greet Road bridge and Greet tunnel. There is one that needs an additional cover, and one that needs building. This later one is our side of the boundary fence to the one that we built in the farmers field earlier in the year.

Down side crest near Greet tunnel low mileage - we will be building a new brick chamber here. Photo by Roger.

The other group cleared the access to the down side of the River Isbourne bridge 21A in preparation for the external inspectors. We cleared the rope handrail section and around the metal safety rails over the portal and wing walls. It was not possible to clear all the way down to water level as the ground is too steep and the vegetation too dense. This will need to be done, by approaching along the line of the ditch that runs behind the wooden shed.

Down side access to the River Isbourne is a lot safer with no vegetation covering the handrails and safety rails.

Rings, and more rings

The main task of the team continues to be the rebuilding of the cess chambers in Dixton cutting.

Thursday 28^th July

All seven members of the drainage team in attendance yesterday. We lent our plant operative to take the mini digger to Toddington to assist with excavating a new concrete area by the unloading road. Unfortunately the digger developed a fault with one of the hydraulic pipes - plus the trailer got a flat tyre.

The other six of us headed to Dixton Cutting to continue the cess chamber rebuilds. Another four were completed with concrete rings; two had the top courses of brick repaired; and one the top course of brick was removed ready for a concrete ring. As we are now working beyond (that is north of) the Gotherington down distant signal; there is room to park the vehicles and set up the mixer track side. This meant a lot less time ferrying materials and equipment to where needed. Together with six working, we actually came to a halt because we ran out of concrete rings on site. Anyway it was getting rather warm by early afternoon.

An up side chamber mortared up ready for the concrete ring.

 

After ring placement, the next job is flaunching the side. That is smoothing the mortar into a diagonal. This chamber required some internal repointing. Not many left now with the infamous distant signal wire in the way!

Martin & Roger start on removing the damaged brick courses of an down side chamber.

Placing the concrete rings into position is a team task. They are heavy!

Dave clears the vegetation from an up side chamber. Looks like this does not need any demolition, just concrete ring added to raise the height.

Thursday 4^th August

Another day will a full team attendance of seven.

The plant operative went to Toddington to collect the mini digger which needs some new hydraulic hoses fitted. He spent the rest of the day cleaning the trailer of spilt hydraulic fluid and using the telehandler to move some lengths of wood for C&W at Winchcombe.

The other six team members headed to Dixton Cutting. Thy took another seven concrete rings from WInchcombe. These certainly speed up the rebuilding of the cess chambers, particularly where there are no courses of brick which need patching. On a couple of chambers, we removed all the bricks on any damaged course - this will mean a couple of chambers will have two concrete rings added. With a team of six, progress is rapid, three rings had been laid by the time the first up train passed. The temporary blue mesh covers on the chambers completed last week were replaced by the proper lids. One chamber required a new lid. On the demolition front we prepared another six chambers. We now have reached mp 14 3/4; over half way in terms of distance. More than half way in terms of chamber quantity, as there are now fewer chambers on the up side.

Dixton cutting in the summer - an idyllic spot! Looking south to bridge 33 and the chambers we have completed.

 

A completed down side chamber, reusing all the existing lids.

A completed up side chamber. A mixture of lids, a new own make on the left and probably an original GW big lid on the right.

Dinmore Manor passes the work site at mp 14 & three quarters with an early afternoon down train.

Once again the heat of the afternoon meant an earlier finish, plus the requirement to bring yet more concrete rings from Winchcombe.

Final task for the day at Dixton was to shift a length of rail from the middle of the vehicle track to lie alongside another length by the ballast shoulder. It did take all of the coordinated bar work with six people to shift it. It was moved as the previous day a road vehicle suffered a punctured tyre when driving over this length of rail. The vehicle involved had been left at Gotherington yard; so we recovered it after supervising the tyre replacement by Ski Tyres.

The team take a breather after barring the length of rail from the middle of the vehicle track on the up side of the formation. The photographer had been using the bar on the ground - so it was a full six man shift.

 

The perfect way to end a day of physical work. Cup of tea from a china mug, sat at a table and watching trains. Martin, Dave and Roger watch Dinmore Manor pull in to Winchcombe.

Nature corner

For this entry the subject is spiders. So arachnophobes stop reading now!

Big black spider on an egg sac. (Photo by Dave)

The large black spiders we saw in one of the chambers are either the European Cave Spider (Meta menardi) or the closely-related Meta bourneti.

The European cave spider is not dangerous to humans and although (in common with nearly all spiders) they have venom, its effect on large mammals is negligible. They are unlikely to bite if carefully handled but if sufficiently provoked they are capable of inflicting an unpleasant "nip". They are non-aggressive and generally slow moving and are regarded (by arachnophobes) as "gentle giants". So no need to panic! The cotton wool balls are egg sacs, tear-shaped white pendants (sometimes with a slightly yellow centre) usually hanging from the roof of the habitat by a silk thread.

Four men went to mow

Thursday 14^th July

But it was not a meadow we went to mow, nor did we have a dog called Spot with us.

As the annual external inspections of bridges, culverts and other structures is planned to commence by the end of July, the task for the four team members today was clearing the access to the seven culverts to be inspected. This would make a change from chamber rebuilding at Dixton Cutting – helpful too as our two bricklayers were away.

First culvert was 39A by the foot crossing at Pecked Lane, Bishops Cleeve. This has the big cage over the downside inlet; whilst the upside outlet is a manhole in the footpath.

The cage on the down side of 39A requires some careful work when clearing with a brush cutter.

Next was 38A, on the low mileage side of Station Road, Bishops Cleeve. The up side outlet is not on railway land. The down side inlet is by the mobile homes, most of the flow comes from a stream that flows through the mobile home park.

Jonathan and Nigel clearing the top of the access path down to the down side of 38A.

Then on to Gotherington Yard for culvert 33B. We also cleared the edges of the yard to make it easier to bring the trailer with the mini digger or dumper in. Culvert 32A, the Tirle Brook flume was the next to receive our attention. The down side had been cleared a few weeks ago; so only up side needed cutting. There was very little water running in it; a sign of what a dry spring and summer it has been.

Usually it is impossible to stand here on the up side (exit) of 32A the Tirle Brook flume.

Culvert 27B between Townsend Farm Accommodation Bridge and Stanley Pontlarge Bridge cam next. Here there was a large growth of ferns on both sides. On the up side, we noted that one of the slip marker posts we installed in April 2021 when dealing with the boggy area in the garden of the White House was at an angle. There were some cracks in the embankment around it. As ther is possible movement still occurring, we will keep this under close watch.

Even though it has been dry, in some places there is deep water. A pallet makes a useful duck board on the down side of 27B.

Next the down side of 24C near Working Lane. Most of the growth here was nettles. In fact, almost all the clearance was of grasses, ferns, nettles – there were only just a few pieces of bramble. This just shows the benefit of regular clearance.

24C down side.

The upside of 24C and all of 25A at Working Lane were on our list. However, with the afternoon temperature over 25C we decided to call it a day. Certainly we do appreciate an end of day cup of tea from the station cafe at Winchcombe.

Thursday 21^st July

Back to Dixton Cutting chamber rebuilds. Well at least for five of the team. We lent our plant operator to assist with work on both sides in Winchcombe Yard in connection with resumption of the River Isbourne bank stabilisation.

Two team members first headed to Working Lane with brushcutters to clear access to culvert 24C up side and 25A. Amazing how tall the vegetation had grown, when the left 24C just a few months ago it was bare earth. The opportunity was taken to load some of the metal rubbish from the spoil which originated from the Toddington garden centre; destination the skip at Winchcombe.

Dave finishing off the trim around 24C up side.

 

Just a trickle of water flowing in 25A under Working Lane bridge.

At Dixton Cutting, it was more of the same – rebuilding cess chambers. One only required the addition of a concrete ring – good to have an easy one now and again! One required pumping out to enable the pointing of cracks inside to take place. Most require the top course of bricks to be rebuilt; or at least a few bricks to replace. The rubble generated is finding a good use; C&M have used it for infill around the Usk building in Winchcombe up yard.

An up side chamber that required part of the top course replacing. Note the Gotherington down distant signal wire running right across this one.

 

A downside chamber after repair; temporary blue mesh cover whilst the mortar dries out.

 

We have seen lizards like this in quite a few of the chambers in Dixton Cutting. (Photo by Roger)

 

In terms of distance we are now over half way from Gotherington Yard to Prescott Road Bridge (32); so approaching the Gotherington down distant signal. This will be a big bonus; as the wire to this signal won’t be in the way and the formation is wide enough to enable the mixer to be setup safely. So no more transporting of mixed mortar from Gotherington Yard.

Not quite so hot today - but still warm enough to enjoy a cup of tea on the platform at Winchcombe before heading home.

Carry on guys!

The lack of a blog entry in the past month is not indicative of lack of activity of the team. Just that the chief blogger (and team leader) was on holiday.

Thursday 9th June 

Four team members in attendance. The main task of the day was continuing with the cess chamber rebuilds at Dixton Cutting. The two chambers temporarily left with blue GRP lids from the previous week were finished off. Three chambers worked on and again left with temporary blue GRP lids for finishing off next week after the mortar has set.

Even with temporary blue GRP lids, the rebuilt chambers look neater. (Photo by Dave.)

The vegetation and ballast around the next chamber on the down side was cleared, this chamber appears to be below a small historic slip and to be the outlet for water draining from the slipped ground via French drains.

Site of an old slip on the down side. (Photo by Dave.)

The rebuild of the small headwall behind the down side chamber immediately north of Dixton Road bridge was progressed. The back needs a top course of bullnose bricks and the sides to be built up with staggered imperial solids.

Rebuilding the retaining wall which supports a counterfort drain leading down from a roadside ditch on Dixton Road. This was the site of the pea gravel wash out in late December 2020. (Photo by Dave.)

The trailer for the dumper and digger arrived at Winchcombe. Just now awaiting a new electrical socket to be fitted, and hen it will be ready to roll! 

Thursday 16^th June 

With six team members in we should have been able to complete 50% more than last week! However the hot weather meant a curtailed working day. Once again the main task was to progress the cess chamber rebuilds at Dixton Cutting. (I hope you readers are not getting too bored with this!) The three chambers bearing temporary blue GRP lids from the previous week were finished off. The down side chamber below the old small landslip was repaired. About half the top course of bricks were replaced with blue engineering bricks and the chamber topped with a GRP lid, ready for the application of a concrete ring and lids once the mortar has set.

Down side, two chambers on low mileage side of Dixton Road bridge. (Photo by Dave.)

On the up side, one chamber required only the replacement of three bricks along the front of its top course. This was again left topped with a temporary GRP lid prior to later finishing with a concrete ring and lids. Another up side chamber required only the reseating of a few of its original top course of brick, making it so far the best condition chamber we have encountered. It was then topped with a flaunched concrete ring and temporary GRP lid.

Up side, the best condition chamber so far, just three bricks to reseat. (Photo by Dave.)

The bricklaying part of the rebuild of the small headwall behind the down side chamber on the low-mileage side of Dixton Road bridge was completed with the use of reinforcing concrete blocks and bullnose headers. Final completion will involve concrete backfilling between the wall and the cutting side. As this involves barrowing concrete across the line, this will be undertaken on a Monday when no passenger trains run and we can have an engineering possession of the Winchcombe to Gotherington section.

Putting the finishing touches to the small retaining wall; ready for concrete backfill next time. (Photo by Dave.)

We are now approaching the Tirle Brook flume culvert (32A) and while in the area, moss and other vegetation were cleared from the concrete deck on the down side.

Down side (inlet) of the Tirle Brook flume culvert (32A) cleared of weed. (Photo by Jonathan.)

Regarding our new (to us) trailer for transport of the dumper or digger, there continued to be a problem with the lights when hitched to the Isuzu pickup. This is puzzling as the lights were reported to have been working when tested earlier. 

Monday 20^th June

A small team of three in, unusually on a Monday, to barrow concrete across the track at Dixton Cutting on a passenger train-free day. The forecast 'perfect English summer's day' turned out to be a bit too hot — maybe it was the microclimate in the cutting. The rebuilt retaining wall behind the down side chamber just north of Dixton Road bridge was backfilled with concrete, completing work on this chamber.

Concrete backfill complete on the rebuilt small retaining wall. All engineering blues this time! (Photo by Dave.)

Concrete mixing operation on the site of the former up line, barrow crossing in foreground. Hence the need for an engineering possession. (Photo by Dave.)

Some further work was done on other chambers. On the up side, one chamber was completed by the replacement of a temporary blue lid with its original concrete lids.

The wire for the Gotherington down distant signal unfortunately aligns with the edge of most of the chambers on the up side. (Photo by Dave.)

Another was progressed by the addition of a concrete ring, temporarily topped with a blue lid while the mortar sets. On the down side, a concrete ring was also added to one chamber, which was again topped with a temporary blue lid. Loose and damaged bricks were re-laid and replaced at a further chamber, before covering with a blue lid prior to application of a concrete ring.

Down side - another one complete, blue GRP cover will go on temporarily to be replaced with the original concrete lids when the mortar sets. In this summer heat that will be only a few hours - but past knocking off time! (Photo by Dave.)

The next down side chamber was also investigated. This has a top course of red engineering bricks in very good condition, but the mortar holding them in place has totally failed.

Good bricks, but where has the mortar gone? (Photo by Dave.)

Finally, our resident botanist spotted the common spotted orchid, also known as the heath spotted orchid (Dactylorhiza fuchsii), growing on the slipped land on the down side. Perhaps it was enjoying the microclimate more than we were! It does however show that the GWSR bio-diversity plan is having benefits.

Dactylorhiza fuchsii (and daisies) in Dixton Cutting. (Photo by Roger.)

 

Thursday 30^th June

As often happens, we get a request to attend to something unplanned. Hence today we gave Dixton cutting a rest, and the three team members headed to the crest of the down side cutting between Winchcombe and Greet tunnel. We had been requested to replace a missing cover on a chamber in the farmer's field close to our fence.

Chamber in neighbour's field by the hedge obscured by vegetation. (Photo by Dave).

Cut back the vegetation and the bridge rail cover is revealed. (Photo by Dave.)

Rebuilt with concrete rings and steel grating. (Photo by Dave).

The outlet from the chamber runs under our fence and joins our drainage system. Three concrete rings, topped with a metal grating, were fitted to this chamber. 

The team then tackled two more chambers in the same area inside the railway fence line, replacing bridge rail used as covering with concrete rings and metal gratings.

Inside the railway boundary, a similar chamber. (Photo by Dave.)

Also rebuilt with concrete rings and metal grating. Unfortunately the lengths of bridge rail previously used as a cover are too short for use as milepost uprights. (Photo by Dave.)

Thursday 7^th July

Unlike the UK Government, there were no resignations in our team today! With six members present, we split into two teams, with four going back to Dixton Cutting to continue chamber renovations, while the other two returned to last week's site of operations, the down side between Winchcombe Station and Greet Tunnel, where discovery and reconditioning of crest chambers were the tasks.

On the down side at Dixton Cutting, most of the top course of bricks on one chamber had to be relaid.

Down side at Dixton, relaying the old red engineering bricks. (Photo by Dave.)

Dixton Road bridge is getting further away! From this point there are fewer chambers on the up side. Will we finish at Dixton before the end of the summer? (Photo by Dave.)

While at the next chamber only the replacement of a few and the filling of the hollows in the top course of bricks with mortar were necessary.

An easy one to deal with. (Photo by Dave.)

No need for a temporary blue GRP mesh cover here. (Photo by Dave.)

The next chamber was also investigated: the brickwork looks to be in generally good condition, but the filling of the hollows in the top course with mortar is needed.

Bricks OK, but hollows need filling. On rebuilt chambers the top course of brick are laid vertically, not horizontally. (Photo by Dave.)

On the up side, the next chamber in the run required only the replacement of two bricks and the installation of a concrete ring.

Up side - again the biggest problem is working around the distant signal wire. (Photo by Dave.)

Replacement bricks are blue engineering, but that will not be noticeable once the concrete ring and covers are in place. (Photo by Dave.)

The next chamber will require some brickwork replacement and the repair of the brickwork around the pipe entry point at the high mileage end of the chamber.

High mileage pipe entry needs attention. (Photo by Dave.)

The signal wire is a bit further away from this one - but not by much! (Photo by Dave.)

As the flow of water through this chamber is so low, and rain is not forecast in the coming week, we hope that, next week, the water in the chamber can be pumped out and the work done, with the mortar going off before any interference from returning water.

As we approach the ant swarming season, our activities disturb more ants every week. On this evidence, they appear to be doing well enough and not in need of nesting season protection, unlike our feathered friends.

Ants nest. (Photo by Dave.)

The smaller team at Winchcombe Down Side Cutting Crest uncovered a third chamber with the aid of the bulldozer blade on the mini digger. They then used the wide bucket to clear the vegetation. The bridge rail covering was replaced with a concrete ring and metal grill, both brought to the site by a combination of the Thwaites dumper carrying them up the more even, field side of the fence and the Telehandler lifting them over the fence and hedge. (Good proof that a variety of mechanical plant is required for some of our tasks).

Further investigation along the crest revealed the start of the crest drain which was simply a hole in the ground (no chamber) on the railway side of the fence where the pipe from the repaired chamber on the farmer's land joins. This was cleared and dug out with the excavator arm of the mini digger.

The mini digger makes uncovering these chambers easy work. (Photo by Jonathan.)

Broad gauge bridge rail used as covers. Probably these chambers were added during the drainage work BR(W) undertook at Winchcombe in the 1950s. (Photo by Jonathan.)

 

 

Where the pipe from the chamber in the farmer's field enters the crest drain. (Photo by Jonathan.)

Concrete ring added, metal grates to go on. (Photo by Jonathan.)

Searching for the crest drain, entry without headwall in foreground. Building a headwall here is now on our outstanding task list!  (Photo by Jonathan.)

Holiday snaps

The team leader’s boating holiday this year included visiting the Montgomery and Llangollen Canals. Currently the Montgomery is navigable only as far as Gronwyn Bridge near Maesbury Marsh. We explored some the section to Welshpool by road and then took a trip on the Welshpool & Llanfair Railway (Rheilffordd y Trallwng a Llanfair Caereinion). The mileposts were of particular interest.

Taken from the rear balcony of a former Zillertalbahn coach; the winding nature of the WLLR is very apparent.

Interesting the mileposts on the WLLR are painted black with white numbers, dividers and quarter marks. Mp 9 on Llanfair Caereinion platform could be closely inspected. GW broad gauge bridge rail for the post; but the head is a reproduction in plastic!

The Llangollen Railway was operating a reduced service with a class 47 diesel only as far as Carrog. Hopefully steam hauled trains all the way to Corwen will commence next year.

The headshunt at Llangollen is just long enough for a Brush Type 4. Getting the Mk I coach into the bay is probably fun!