28th November 2010

Guess what it did overnight?! After more platform and point clearing we could get back to our own work. We also had a further 4" of snow during the day giving us around 16" overall! Many hands make light work though so thanks to Geoff, Stephen, Neil and Beth for their help over the weekend. The Christmas banners are now fitted on the lamp posts and the ‘Big W’ light is hung on the front of the cottages. Work for the sales cart cupboard has continued with the old end wall removed and a new door made and hung. A new rim lock has been fitted. Thanks to Geoff for his help here whilst his wife Janet opened the Weighbridge for our visitors – there were quite a few! Michael renewed the extractor fan in the Weighbridge as the old was has worn out.

A snowy 27th November 2010

It’s snowed, big time! Yes we have another 12” of snow to deal with. It doesn’t stop us though although some staff had to walk to the station as they could not get down last night. Both platforms have been cleared several times during the day, as were the points, to ensure the trains and passengers had a safe journey. Its still snowing so I’m sure we will be doing the same tomorrow.

21st November 2010

Following on from last weeks excavations it’s been personal access chambers this weekend – and what a pig they are! Tight space, working around cables, oh and a large gate post to plant as well! Anyhow the one next to the signal box is nearly done and the lineside one is started.
In our lineside storage hut further organising has been undertaken by storeman Steve and new steel doors prepared for fitting on a unit inside. Work has continued in our shock van getting it sorted out by our electrician with new lights and sockets. The big changeover today has been the relocation of the coke machine from one end to the other in the lean to shed, with the tea machine moving sideways as well. This is part of making a new store for the sales cart instead of using our warehouse, releasing this back into a metal working area. Thanks must go to Richard H for moving all the gardening stores into van, whilst we get a new gardening shed, Michael for moving the electrics around and Tony 2 and Malcolm for doing the rest. We even had a visit from Glynnis and Tony 3 who PAT tested our concrete mixer and new 110v light set – their list of equipment at the station keeps growing and growing.
Right at the end of the day we went to Pickering to collect a load of spare ducts and bends, transport being via an empty stock train move back to the station. These will be used for the undertrack crossing north of the level crossing this winter.

14th November 2010

The P-way department had delivered us a wagon full of ash from Pickering during the week. Time was spent pushing the wagon further up the north end siding before dropping the side doors and shovelling out the contents (about 20 tons).
After getting in practice a fortnight ago in Pickering, it was back to digging at Levisham. As part of the works towards renewing the level crossing, new cable ducts were required for the S&T cables across the road so we were back in our element. Most of the excavation went fairly straightforward but several sections required old concrete or large stones breaking out. With the trench dug, 2nr 4” and 2nr 2” ducts, complete with draw wires, were installed, surrounded by sand and covered with concrete before warning marker tape was laid on top. New personnel access chambers are required at each end and the bases have been laid. Guess what we are doing next weekend?! With the short daylight hours, flood lighting was required both days to complete the works. The loco crews did ask whether we had a home to go to as it was dark!
Weighbridge teas had a good weekend with a steady flow of passing visitors sampling their wares.

7th November 2010

Well this weekend went with a bang and a flash, yes, it was the Womble bonfire on Saturday evening complete with a few fireworks! A large pile of lineside tree and brushwood trimmings and life expired timber from recent fencing works made a grand blaze to keep away the evening’s frost. The temporary rails on the new fence at the north end hut have now been replaced with the correct size new ones - 5 rails with anti-climb mesh affixed. Two gates give access to the lineside. Thanks to Kevin and Elaine who stayed on from the Weighbridge into the dark to help us get the job finished! With the trains only running at weekends in November, the Weighbridge team are still opening to provide much needed hot drinks and snacks for passengers, passing walkers and motorists and, most importantly, the staff!!! Tony 2 has taken in the fire buckets for a clean and winter refresh along with the small roadside notice boards next to the station yard entrance. Our thoughts are turning more to this winter’s job of replacing the level crossing surface and associated works. We’ve been checking what materials we already have and what we need to bring in and making plans for how the project will be done.