With roughly two months left until we reopen, this week we have started work laying one of our ‘new’ points at Launceston station. The first point is being laid at the western (Newmills) end of the station, to replace the point currently there. In turn this point will be moved to the eastern (car park) end of Launceston station, to replace the point which gives access to the siding on our platform.
With the temperature having dropped recently, we have been treated to some snow showers this week, and the railway was attractively dusted with snow when we started the second day of point work this morning (Tuesday).
4th February:
Another day of work completed, with the old point now removed and new point in place.
5th February:
Day four of “pointbash” and the blades are fitted to the point, and the point then connected to the mainline.
12th February:
Work has continued apace over the last week, with the new point connected up and trains run over it, carrying surplus rail to the car park. Although only a small railway with an average daily workforce of 2.5, it has taken us a week to complete a job which many larger railways would need an army of workers and several weeks to finish. The next stage will be to lay the new connection from the run round loop to the new point.
