NEWS

Winter 2007 Platform Widening Project         background to this story
 

Over the weekend of 9th & 10th February the track work rebuild was started. Photos above and top right shop the point in its new location and a team using portable electric tampers to pack ballast under the timbers (sleepers) to ensure alignment.

The team in the foreground in top right and right photos are relaying sleepers to extend the loop to join the point.

It is expected that another "track bash" weekend in early March will see the final track panel and all tamping completed.

Part of the old locomotive water supply bracket foundations can just be seen in front the lad with the pale blue overalls in the top right photo.  Much of this will probably have to be removed to provide the necessary clearences. 

"Run round" means to take the locomotive off the front of the train and then to move past the train on the adjacent Loop line and then recouple to what was the back  so that the train may proceed in the opposite direction.

This meant that 2 locomotives were required to operate trains longer than 4 coaches and the train would be "top and tailed" with a loco at each end.

The plan is to move the point approximately 60 feet east towards Liskeard (away in the photo left) extend the headshunt and then widen a short length of platform by up to approximately 18 inches.
This will allow 5 coach trains to operate with a single locomotive.

Part of the fence would then be removed from this (Lostwithiel) end to approximately the next lamp post. (see photo right)

The point (below) moves towards the camera position.

(Right)  The headshunt is very near to the Up Main line and all work will be carried out by arrangement with Network Rail.

It is anticipated that the work will be completed by March 2008 before the main operating season.

Santa Special Trains will not run to or from Bodmin Parkway nor will those on December 26 & 31 or January 1.  

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