The work started overnight - here follow the first pictures - from Mick House we'll try to get all pictures sorted into some reasonable order in due course. Many thanks Mick.
Up line on Hayle Viaduct is no more, (Photo 1) 7019 removes two track panel lifters F01 & F02 for transportation by rail to Gwinear Road one of the staging posts for the Viaduct renewal.
(photos 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 & 7) at Gwinear Road track panel lifters are offloaded and Unimog U1540 is taken off the rails and they are all put on a lorry for road haulage to Carlisle, they are owned and operated by McCulloch they are expected to return in two week time.
We are informed that the down platform at St Erth is completely closed off as all trains on the shuttle between St Ives & Penzance are using the crossover to gain the down line.
At 11.30 Roger Winnen reported that all that is left on the viaduct was the down line which extends for about three quarters of the way across. At that time excavators had removed some of the old ballast at the St Erth end of the viaduct revealing the old timbers beneath. Once these have been removed and replaced by new presumably the down line will be progressively be cut back. The cunning plan is being revealed!! Spent ballast being removed is taken across the up track side of the viaduct in dumpers and then transferred to a rail borne lorries for further distribution in a field alongside the track towards Gwinear.
Up line on Hayle Viaduct is no more, (Photo 1) 7019 removes two track panel lifters F01 & F02 for transportation by rail to Gwinear Road one of the staging posts for the Viaduct renewal.
(photos 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 & 7) at Gwinear Road track panel lifters are offloaded and Unimog U1540 is taken off the rails and they are all put on a lorry for road haulage to Carlisle, they are owned and operated by McCulloch they are expected to return in two week time.
We are informed that the down platform at St Erth is completely closed off as all trains on the shuttle between St Ives & Penzance are using the crossover to gain the down line.
At 11.30 Roger Winnen reported that all that is left on the viaduct was the down line which extends for about three quarters of the way across. At that time excavators had removed some of the old ballast at the St Erth end of the viaduct revealing the old timbers beneath. Once these have been removed and replaced by new presumably the down line will be progressively be cut back. The cunning plan is being revealed!! Spent ballast being removed is taken across the up track side of the viaduct in dumpers and then transferred to a rail borne lorries for further distribution in a field alongside the track towards Gwinear.
1 On Hayle viaduct at 07.30 - track lifting in progress. 8th November 2014 Copyright Mick House
2 Gwinear Road 8th November 2014 Copyright Mick House
3 Gwinear Road, 8th November 2014 Copyright Mick House
4 Unloading at Gwinear Road 8th November 2014
5 Gwinear Road level crossing. 8th November 2014 Copyright Mick House
6 Change here for Helston - who'd have believed Gwinear Road down platform would pay host to these. 8th November 2014 Copyright Mick House
7 Lorry at Gwinear road loading plant. Picture by Mick House Copyright
8 Much plant in evidence Gwinear Road, looking up the line towards Camborne Copyright Mick House
9 07.50 at the timber storage point this is near the Go-kart track at St Erth. OS Ref SW553364 Looking at an OS Map you will see the old A30 now the B3301. Heading west take the turning off this towards St Erth Village, the 'timber site' is to the left immediately after passing under the rail bridge. Copyright Mick House
10 It's a misty morning - another view of the teak timber temporarily stored. 8th November 2014 Copyright Mick House
12 Another view of the west base point. Copyright Mick house