External renovation of the Speyside Signal Box at Aviemore over 2nd to 5th September.

By Colin Frost

While we awaited the erection of the scaffold on Friday a small team of Mike, Neil, Roddy, Ray and I dug three holes under the veranda for the placement of extra timber supports, mixed concrete and filled the holes. The three beams were cut to length in the shed by Willie and the metal boots attached.  

The following day these supports were placed under the veranda, secured into position, primed and the first undercoat applied.

Now able to finally use the scaffold to gain access to the window level on the south side we commenced assessing and ripping out the rotten timber, of which there was plenty, we also removed nesting material and other debris that had accumulated between the inner and outer walls over time.  

Using timber that I had stored in the Lodge we commenced replacing the wall cladding, before travelling to the Boat to collect the final 3 stored planks and the remainder of the half-round strips that had been specially cut for the renovation of the North box last year.

Back at Aviemore we cut to size and installed further new pieces of wall cladding on the south wall, applied filler to some small gaps and primed. 

There is still more to be replaced before attempting to paint the corrugated iron roof weather permitting - next time.

(see enclosed photos)

Thanks to Mike Tough, Neil MacQueen, Roddy McPhee, Ray Kenyon and Colin Frost.