External renovation of the Speyside Signal Box at Aviemore over 5th to 10th October.

 External renovation of the Speyside Signal Box at Aviemore over 5^th to 10^th October.

With the autumn weather setting in, a great push was needed to finish our remaining tasks before the weather changed.   The biggest hold up this time would be the completion of the windows, both glazing and painting, so with 12 panes of glass to be fitted a start was made to remove the old putty (which was very stubborn) along with the damaged glass, and then fit the new glass.

There was still quite a considerable amount of painting to complete, with more gray and white undercoats to apply before the final top coats where painted.  So a shout out to our friends in the p’way team was made, and they stepped up to help, which was very much appreciated.

From the top level down the final gray undercoat was applied, which allowed the ‘brown’ top coat to be finished, and this was followed by the remaining top coat of ‘pollen’ to the walls.  

This just left the white undercoat on the window frames before, the top coat of ‘banana dream 6’ could be applied. Three members of the Ellon squad joined us for the weekend when the vestibule was also sanded down and repainted to match the remainder of the box.

The windows were completed and on the Monday when all had departed, Ray and I did any touch-ups that were needed, and the window glass was scraped down and cleaned.  

The original paint colour on the window frames was dark brown, so this cream colour brightens up the appearance of the building, and also matches the North Box at Boat of Garten.

Thanks to the team; Mike Tough, Neil MacQueen, David Getliffe, Bob Vincent, Simon Hinsley, Jim Hardy, Nick Courtier, Jim Pittendrigh, Ray Kenyon  and Colin Frost.

The final work to complete the renovation of this box is planned to take place in March 23, before the running season commences.  The replacement stair case, which is currently stored under cover, will be fitted along with the handrails and associated timber work. 

 

Finally scaffolding will be erected on the west side – which will temporarily block access to roads, 6 & 7 of the Roy Hamilton carriage shed, but this will give us access to the west side roof and wall to complete the painting. 

Autumn S&T Report.

Autumn S&T Report

By Robert Law

With the coming of Autumn and the successful running season coming to an end. It is time for the winter program of work to come out of planning and begin. This year we have two big jobs, that we are preparing for. Firstly the upgrading of Dalfaber level crossing, along with timber renews of the table opposite Boat of Garten South Box. But to start with we have been doing some interesting cable renewals between our pole route and our signal lighting location. At the Up section starter at Boat of Garten.

The pole in question with a faulty cable coming down and new cable sitting on the bottom cross member, still to be connected.

As you would imagine this is a simple job and would be, if not working 8 metres up. With a safety harness on, pockets full of tools that prefer to be down on the ground. But yes, after going up and down several times to pick up the tool that was dropped. The 110v supply between the pole route and the signal lighting location was restored with a new cable 70 metres of length.

Looking down the wires before the new cable was installed.

Once the cable was replaced and tested at the signal lighting location. It was time to go up the next signal pole to check that the correct voltage was at the signal lamp. Good views to be had! No need for drones in this department.

Top of the Up Section signal looking back at the signal box.

On to Dalfaber, our department have been working heavily in the office, designing the new crossing for our railway. I am happy to report that this has all been successful and has been approved by the ORR and Highland Council. Small jobs have now started, such as the bonding of the track joints for the implementation of the new track circuits through the crossing operating area.

Rail drilling in progress for the bond wires to be fitted.

The end result, one of lots of joints that are bonded up to insure the track circuits work correctly.

As of the 31st October, the S&T department will be taking a possession of the line between Boat of Garten and Aviemore. With the help of contractors and our own P-way department. The removal of all the old level crossing equipment plus road deck and track will begin. This will then be replaced with new track, a new road deck, warning lights, barrier pedestals, flood lights and driver indication units. Plus all the other equipment associated with the new level crossing.

An earlier plan with some of the detail that has gone into this project.

Sorry to our association members who will miss out on the pre-AGM jolly, we hope that you can forgive us. It was hoped to have Dalfaber commissioned, before the Christmas season trains began. Unfortunately with some equipment now not been scheduled to arrive with us until the new year, modified working will be required for the Christmas season. The hope is now to have the new crossing commissioned before the trains start running in February.

The old, current table that is to be replaced at Boat of Garten.

Back to Boat of Garten, unfortunately at the same time, some large works is to take place here as well. The table opposite the signal box, that was install around 1978. Is now life expired and requires replacement. Unfortunately November is the only time that no trains are running on the railway. So with hope that the weather will be kind and Dalfaber goes to plan. It is planed to do this work at the same time. Preparation work has now begun with the table been made up on site ready to be lifted in after the old rotten one is removed. Sounds easy when you write it on hear but it involves a lot of work. The table it’s self measures 12ft by 5ft on top and goes down under ground by 3ft. 

Under the signal box new replacement cranks have been looked out. Unfortunately they have sat so long that they have stiffened up. Oil has been applied to help free them up. Closer to the time of installation they will get cleaned down and greased up ready to be installed.

Oiled up. Still to be cleaned and greased for use. 

The bottom and middle timbers screwed together and flipped over ready for the top.

Mid way through the build, with a delivery being made for the railway.

The table completed, wagons off loaded. MK2 loaded and Scotsman arrived.

The banner in this last picture summarises it very well! Do you have time to volunteer? This November with so much planned. The railway as a whole WILL need your help. Please get in Contact through the railway’s website if you can. https://www.strathspeyrailway.co.uk/

All are always, very welcome.

External renovation of the Speyside Signal Box at Aviemore

 External renovation of the Speyside Signal Box at Aviemore 

21st to 25th September.

By Colin Frost 

Our first task this time was to complete the replacement of the remaining timber on the south wall and the large beam on the northwest corner of the roof line, so with much measuring and cutting on the saw bench this was completed.   To replace all the areas of rot we have used 21250mm x 220mm of planking, four 100 x 100mm by 2.4mtr posts (to support the veranda) as well as numerous other pieces of timber found around Aviemore shed.  A replacement staircase and handrails have been built in hardwood and this will be placed in position once the scaffolding has been removed.  

South wall timber been replaced.

The replacement beams under the veranda.

We were joined by a squad from p’ way  on Friday, who sanded down the remaining brown paintwork and fitting flashband on the edges of the roof line, and rubbed down and painted the east side roof metalwork (wriggly tin).  Their help was very much appreciated.

Not the easiest surface to work on.

The gable ends being sanded down.

Top coat on one side of the roof.

Over the weekend we were joined by another three members of the Ellon squad who finished sanding down the remaining brown paint and applied a gray undercoat to those areas.  Finally the top coat of ‘pollen’ was applied, on the west wall, as far up the as can be reached, and also to the wall under the veranda.

The South wall painted as high as we can reach.

Top coat painted under the veranda.

This signal box is in daily use when our trains are operating and is essential to the operation of our railway. With thanks to our operating staff that are being patient with us working above, below and around them. The signal box has been showing us that it has been in desperate need of reconstruction to conserve it for the future.  

Thanks to the team; Mike Tough, Neil MacQueen, Roddy McPhee, new volunteer from Kingussie, Simon Hinsley, Dan and Nick Courtier, Jim Pittendrigh, Ray Kenyon  and Colin Frost.

12 panes of glass that are needed were measured up and ordered from Inverness.

Next time; final painting and glazing.

Housekeeping at Aviemore (Speyside) Signal box

 Housekeeping at Aviemore (Speyside) Signal box

By Graham Maxtone

I had started as a volunteer in 2019 and managed one summer season working all the signal boxes before the pandemic struck and blew a massive hole in our regular timetabled operations and my ability to support the railway in a meaningful manner.

Slowly but surely as life again returned to something closer to normal it was apparent that the S&T had not been idle. Aside from the new signalling work at Boat of Garten North and commissioning of the Electric Key Token system between Boat South and Aviemore some very important tasks had been carried out at Aviemore. The most important was the work on the mechanical interlocking under the frame which at last made the ‘box complaint and safe after many years of hidden dangers just waiting to trap the unwary signalman. Then there was the provision of a ‘Calling On’ arm under the Down Main Home signal. Future plans are an exit disc from the engine shed to the head shunt plus an electrical release for Aviemore station North Ground Frame thereby doing away with the shunt key. Colin, Ray and the Ellon gang had started a much needed external refurb (including new stairs) and repaint of the signal box. That very welcome project is still ongoing at the time of writing as the timber work requires a lot of attention before any painting can start. Once complete all three Strathspey signal boxes will have been done. The very talented Dave Grantham renewed two window frames (one sliding and both including glazing) on the south facing elevation to a very high standard. What with all the sterling S&T work Rob and Ben were undertaking around our Railway coupled with the Ellon Gangs professional building repair work I felt it was about time I put some effort into making the interior of Aviemore cabin a bit more presentable.

Figure 1 The Lever Frame before restoration work

Figure 2 The Train Register desk, Key Token Machine cabinet & lockers

The levers

There were two key elements that required attention the first being the actual colours of each lever. Some were painted as operational but were spare and some were spare and actually operational plus the pulls were so faded they could hardly be read. So with emery paper, masking tape and the appropriate pots of the correct colours (thanks Willie Dodds) all the levers were completely repainted. Black paint was removed from the handles and catches of the 14 working levers and hammerite silver painted onto the handles and catches of the sevenspares. Then the lever badges were all renewed. Plates and badges were either incorrect or missing altogether. The new badges were made in a similar fashion to those already in situ. They were typed up at home (cottage industry style) on Microsoft Word and then encapsulated. After trimming them to the correct size and drilling a small hole in each corner they were put into my suitcase ready for the next trip over to Spey Lodge. With the aid of mini cable ties they were finallysecured to each lever. The working lever handles were burnished to give a reasonable shine to then, but there is much more to do here as many are marked and pitted. A proper deep shine will only be achieved over time and with regular cleaning – just as the old Signalmen used to do.

Figure 3 The renumbered and repainted lever frame.

The frame

The McKenzie & Holland frame had possibly not been painted since it had been installed many years ago so, unfortunately picking the hottest day of the summer, Irvine Roy and I sanded it down and gave it two fresh coats of hammerite smooth black. The quadrant runners of the working levers were burnished and those on the spares painted black. The floor at the rear of the frame was painted matt black. If you’ve ever worked in a greenhouse you’ll understand what it was like. The signal wire adjuster for No 1 Up home was also rubbed down and painted black. The two varieties of lever collar were hung on new hooks provided behind the block bench.

Figure 4 The frame painted and burnished quadrant runners

The Block Instruments

The Electric Key Token machines was polished up and the block indicator labelled ‘Boat South’ - at Boat South the indicator there was of course labelled ‘Aviemore’. The bell on the block bench which was a former L&NW dog kennel bell & tapper was cleaned up (an accumulation of inconsiderate bird crap) and repainted.

Figure 5 The repainted Block Bell for Baot South

The furniture

There was a miss match of furniture accumulated over the years : train register desk, block instrument cabinet and lockers for the radios/S&T/Pilotman etc. Again thanks to Willie Dodds a very appropriate tin of gloss green was procured and they were all painted to match with gloss black tops where appropriate. The train register desk was treated differently with four coats of Ronseal Woodstain as was the block bench above the levers. Coat hooks have now been provided at the door and to the left of the TR desk. Three better and more comfortable chairs have been sourced. We still await the more historically correct  very comfortable armchair though, but we’re on the hunt… reasonable donations are welcome.

Figure 5 The desk, cupboard & lockers as they were

Figure 6 After repainting

The windows

Irvine Roy obtained some appropriate cleaning fluid and went round all the windows both internally and externally. Very unfortunately some panes are actually perspex and thus had already been easily scratched which over time will reduce visibility from the operating floor – not ideal at all. It is hoped than Colin, Ray and the Team will replace those with proper glass to make a great job even better.

The Notices

Better use was made of the glass notice case on the south facing wall. A tidy up of the information sheets on the west wall with due consideration to the fact that many of the notices are actually contained within the four new coloured folders located in the TR desk.

Still to do

The floor has to be repainted. Ideally it really should be linoleum but given the common user nature of the signal box a repaint is more sensible. Robert Walters has secured a pot of red floor paint identical to that used in the Boat of Garten ‘boxes. What is being considered is a non-slip industrial black rubber matting that will cover the more used area of the floor– at least the length of the frame and back to the train register desk.

A kick board is needed in front of the frame. The only location that currently has one is Boat of Garten North.

The future

When the dust has settled and the current scheme of works completed then it will be down to keeping Aviemore (Speyside) clean and tidy and we all have a responsibility here. A simple regime of housekeeping and sweeping of the floor regularly will keep the place looking professional. Not at all easy for the Footplate crews who are essentially in and out with more pressing matters to attend to but certainly so of the Operating folk.

 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.

External renovation of the Speyside Signal Box at Aviemore continued

External renovation of the Speyside Signal Box at Aviemore

10th to 14th August,

By Colin Frost

While we are still waiting for the scaffolding to be erected, we were only able to concentrate on the lower portion of the box accessible by low ‘hop ups’.

Only Colin was available for the first three days, so work was concentrated on areas accessible from the veranda, loose putty was replaced on the windows and the window and surrounding timber-work sanded down and painted with two coats of undercoat.   Dan, Jim and Nick were available for the final two days when a great deal of progress was made with the west and east walls.

Being a live railway, train movements were observed and no work could commence on the west side until the coaching stock had been moved from the carriage shed at about 9am, and as the weather was very hot,  work on the west side was preferable in the morning.  The west and east sides and the north wall under the veranda have all been sanded down, and two coats of white undercoat applied.  

On the north wall rotten timber was cut out and new timber panels installed and primed.

All the painted areas are now ready for the final top coats to be applied, but this won’t be done until the remainder of the upper areas of the box have been finished.  Where is that scaffolding, which was ordered back in July and may not be available until mid-September!?

Work by Dan Courtier, Nick Courtier, Colin Frost & Jim Pittendrigh.

External Renovation of Speyside Signal Box

 External renovation of Speyside Signal Box at Aviemore

Over 27 – 30 July.

By Colin Frost 

The access staircase and veranda on the North face of the box are both in very poor condition, so the first task has been to take measurements and order new timber for the replacement of the staircase.   For which we are immensely grateful to Dave Childs who has taken the new build in hand.  

The repair to the decking of the veranda was our next task and-as the box is in daily use, we set up a temporary ladder access and blocked off the stairs.  The walkway is supported by three 6x 2inch timber beams, so the first 5ft of planks, forming the walkway, were removed and the top three inches of rotten timber in the centre beam cut out, this was repeated to a lesser extent on the other two beams and treated with Cuprinol preservative.  

New wood was then screwed down into place and primed. However as happens, further rotten timber then came to light on the east side beam and main NE corner vertical support of the building. After removing more rot, treating with Cuprinolnew timber was installed, so following two and a half days work, the walkway and staircase was restored to use. 

In the meantime another 5 planks of wall cladding had been delivered to Boat yard, so we proceeded there; cut to length two 4.2mtr planks (to fit the car) and stored the remainder under cover. 

Back at Aviemore we installed further pieces of wall cladding onto the south wall, applied filler to some small gaps and completed primer and undercoat painting on the newly installed timber. 

The plywood timber facing measuring 92 x 20inchs, which covers the exit of the signal wires and point rodding on the east side, has also now been replaced with a new sheet of thicker plywood, (care of Ray) and transported in my car from Newburgh, anyone would think I had a van!!

(see enclosed photos) 

By Ray Kenyon and Colin Frost.

Sorry for the late posting Robert Law.