Of a box for the future
10th March 2024
How else can I contain my enthusiasm?
Andrew has a vision for the site at Darley Dale which at times seems pie-in-the-sky (and changes in detail periodically) but nonetheless still remains a goal. For example there are two abandoned and derelict box van bodies. They look unsightly and the places they occupy are in a sense wasted space, moreover Mark Sealey could sell them for up-cycling as glamping huts. One of them however is acting as an effective wall, so until the new pallisade fence can be extended north it must remain in place. On that topic there is as yet no tangible progress, though of the two dead branches one is now resting on the most northerly fence post which it wasn't before and may well fell itself before much longer.
Anyway, the sites occupied by these two box vans would be better utilised, says Andrew, by a container which would be dry, provide more secure storage (so helping to tidy up the yard) and properly painted, would be more aesthetically pleasing for the owner of Station House - whose view he has already canvassed and gained approval. Thus when a week or so ago he saw some containers and such on auction, he put a low bid in for a 30footer and acquired it. Now, you might notice that this is rather putting the cart before the horse - or maybe the train before the track. The place for this container to go is occupied by the box vans, which can't be moved until the fence has been completed and that is in limbo awaiting the Council. Mark Sealey was willing for it to stay a short while at Rowsley but that meant double handling and there would be complications in getting it unloaded, whereas at Darley we already had a crane and the lifting tackle. A tape measure showed that the ex-Deutsche Reichsbahn flat wagon wasn't actually long enough, but as it has longer than industrial buffers we could live with the overhang.
Thus one day this week a lorry arrived with a 30ft container, and the crane lifted it off and plonked it on the drive. In the afternoon, with permission to draw the token, we opened the blockpost and found it wasn't there. Back to Mark who thought it must be at Matlock signal box and he'd go get it, but then had a crisis at home when large chunks of wall render became detached by workers installing his new kitchen, and it was late afternoon when finally we could access the line and we were up against declining daylight.
Louise drew the train back on Road 1, leaving a few vehicles behind and heading over the crossing and into the Redhouse cutting before propelling forward up the line towards Darley Dale station. The crane then deftly lifted the container and lowered it onto the flat wagon, which had 3 sleepers on its deck to support it clear of buffer faceplates. That sounds easy, but getting it evenly on the centreline as well as equal overhangs each end and with a slight breeze and a tendency to turn on the hook took time which we didn't have.
A couple of straps to hold it down and we set off back southward, me acutely conscious that I must not over run as a container sat on sleepers on a flat wagon is a teensy bit out-of-gauge and would make a helluva bang if I struck the road bridge with it. (Actually I had more than 2 loco lengths clear.) The train was returned to road 1 and there for now it will have to stay, as with the overhang we can barely open the doors on it and anyway, we don't want to put anything in as it will only make it heavier and more awkward to handle. But I notice that Andrew has added some industrial racking bits to the ebay Watch List (and I suspect that some personal items may be in there shortly....)
Work on DL34 is now nearing the end (I hope). The items which were worrying me were the two pulleys (for hydraulic pump and compressor) have been machined and one fitted this weekend.
The vac/air control has progressed - here's the interface panel trial fitted before painting, and (below) here's it later with relay valve plumbed in at the bottom, its pilot valve to the right and the enclosure for the electrical gubbins upper left. It will be wired in shortly.
The crisis over the trailer brakes has been resolved - at not inconsiderable expense and lead time, sadly, which looks to have cost me at least one job while it waits sans wheels. I had a run out with the van, to an airfield which we have been to before, to collect some cylinder heads, but on the way back not only could I feel as though I was 'hearing' that front wheel bearing again but I glanced out the mirror she black-smoked on acceleration. Not good with MoT 2 months off maybe I should replace the air filter just in case. Trains resumed at Peak Rail this weekend with Kathryn and Waleswood both in steam. Mark Sealey called out that it was Hudswell Day as he went past - as I watched the two passing this afternoon I was struck with the thought as to how different the railway is from say 4 years ago, yet even now I was beginning to take it for granted. Hopefully later in the year we'll have a diesel loco out on traffic and I'll get to wear my train driver's outfit again.
But for now that's it. I'll be back next week, all being well, with more to report. See ya then.