A bridge too far?

We had a good day today; as five of us had a jolly up to Tufts bridge (too far a walk from Norchard - so we loaded up the Geismar EGO4 trolley and it's trailer). Our main task for the day was to replace a pair of timber sleepers that were directly on the bridge itself.

Our first task was to take out the timbers that we were going to replace. This is easier said than done as nearly everything has to come apart (this is quite a feat as the wooden sleepers are coach screwed onto longitudinal timbers; of which are subsequently coach screwed onto the bridge deck - the heads of which are helpfully in a recess underneath the rail chairs - in line with the check rail). After a lot of exertion we were able to get the old timbers out, mark up the location of the holes for the coach screws and lift the new timbers into place.

Marked up ready to drill the holes for the coach screws. Pic by Rob Alpin.

The next task was to produce the recess that was to take the coach screws, we used a special drill for this which is basically a Forstner drill bit combined with half a Spade bit!

Yours truly drilling with the combination drill bit, whilst Keith checks the level. Pic by Rob Alpin.

Time to swap to prevent white finger, Keith drills whilst I check the levels.

Once these recesses were cut, the first of the coach screws could be put in (these secure the sleepers and the longitudinal timbers to the bridge deck). The chairs that we had taken out could then be replaced and the check rails barred back into position, fish plated and keyed back up. The next task was to screw all of the chairs back onto the sleepers.

Rob cuts the holes ready to take the chair screws and Keith followed with the power-spanner.

Here Gordon is holding one of the screws and socket ready for Keith to attack.

Once all of the screws and fish-plate bolts were tightened up and the keys checked it was time to give everything the once over twice before heading back to Norchard to fill out the paperwork!

Until we meet again...