October S&T Round Up

 

Welcome to the next instalment of the S&T Blog. Lots have been going on, but nothing that shouts out ‘look what we have done!’ Well have a read and see what you think. 

5025 passing the new signal post. Before the arm went on.

To start with we have had two callouts to deal with signalling issues on the railway. Both being with Dalfaber level crossing this summer. One for lighting damage. On a non running day, only our Pway colleagues were affected by this one. Nothing too spectacular. Just the normal problem with Diode track circuits. When lightning strikes the rail the diode goes pop! A simple fix, just a change of component, test and everything is back to normal working. The second, unfortunately. Was an alleged incident of miss use by a motorist. With this, the company’s written instructions were put into use. With a caution given to the drives as they enter section, to approach at caution and stop if required. This was in place until the crossing had been functionally test. Proving that the alleged incident is of no fault of the equipment and that it is operating correctly. The Data recordings were read proving that the crossing operated correctly at the time of the alleged incident and saved if it is required by the courts. The Police attended to download the video recording from the CCTV, that watch the crossing.(This is a Highland Council asset). With all this done normal working was resumed.

The old diode to one side with the new one installed in its heatsink. A cup of tea then back out to install it. 

At Aviemore Lodge our telecoms team have made a visit and have been enjoying digging holes and filling them in again! This job had come about quickly after Open Reach bringing forwards the job of installing fibre to the railway. This is after all the lightning damage that happened in the village at the same time as our problems with Dalfaber. This trench is for the conduit to be installation that will house the fibre under the railway and joining onto the conduit that goes to the lodge connecting use into the network with in Dalfaber estate. This investment will help improving the integrity of the railways systems for the future.

Trench dug to receive the new conduit.

 

One of the cable chambers being modified for the new conduit to be connected in.

Back to Boat of Garten things have been progressing well. The most noticeable being the completion of the new Down direction signal, complete with its new finial on top. This finial was kindly donated to the railway and it was decided that a fitting place for it would be on the top of our new signal. It is originally from the London & South Western Railway. Still it looks great on a highland railway post!

The next day 5025 passing the now completed signal

With the lift bar being completed in the last blog. The next task was to get it all connected up and working correctly from the signal box. Now believe me this was no simple task. Lots of time has been spent fine tuning the movement of all components. Some rodding stools required to be adjusted. Extra stools added where more support of the rodding was required. Cranks adjusted to remove bindings and give better balance. Missed split pins installed. The vertical crank under the box, stoke adjusted so that the movement made by the signal lever is increased to match the movement that is required to lift and drop the lift-bar. In turn, inserting or removing the bolt that locks the points. It is now set up properly and working well allowing us to move on to the next part of the project.

46464 passing on the down, with the completed FPL and lift bar.

Moving onto the signals, all the signal wires have now been run! From the new signals, back to the lead off table in front of the box. Under the box the vertical wheels have been installed, with wires from the lever tails to the lead off table. Everything is now ready for the final connection to be made at the lead of table. This will be done after the Scotsman has made its last visit for the year, on the 1st of November. 

The three flat wheels waiting for final connection.

The decision to wait until after the Scotsman has finished has been made. As it would affect the safe running if done before hand. As the existing signals will need to be decommissioned. Equipment removed, bench removed to allow for the new detector to be connected. Once this is done we will be able to bring the new signal into use. Once the interlocking is done.

The old signals and equipment in the way of the new.

Under the box, new locking trays have been added and some changes have been made to the locking already. Allowing for the points rodding to be swapped onto 20 lever. Then the new FPL to be connected to 19. Then testing could begin. All this done, while continuing to maintain safety and control over train movements.

Three new locking tray added ready to receive the new locking.

So that brings us to the end of the blog for now. As ever if you fancy joining in weather it be with us or any of the other railway departments. Please get in contact through the railways website and we look forwards to seeing you in the future.