The recent freezing temperatures and snow have restricted what jobs we have been able to tackle around the Railway this last couple of weeks, and with a few people unable to get here. The building work on the water crane platform has of course had to be suspended as pouring concrete and laying blocks when it freezes is not a good idea, not least as our little fingers get very cold as well. You can spend more time warming your hands around a cup of tea than actually laying blocks- (no change there then perhaps).
We have however been able to get more building materials transported to the site ready for when we resume, which is probably this week as things are looking better weatherwise. Also the mid- week gangs have been able to clean off some of the blue edging bricks that came available after the recent repair work by contractors to the platform edge at Medstead. These bricks will be able to be used to edge the water crane platform around the sides and back, with the reclaimed bull nose bricks we have had stored being used on the front face.
However, the weather did not prevent work progressing on the water crane itself. More flanges and pipe work have been able to be welded and bolted together to form the inlet system. The dished rotation ring and roller for the top of the column have been completed, which will enable to crane arm to swing back into its resting position after filling the tender. Things are looking towards a completion of this now it the not too distant future.
Talking of water cranes, the cold weather didn't do any good the balloon tank at Alton with the feed pipe splitting at one point with ice. A small team set off by train on Sunday with the welder and gear to effect a repair to make sure that water was available at that location should it be required.
The finger board box has now been fully constructed and received its final gloss paint and will now be taken to Alton to take its pace on the platform So there we have it for now.
Bob Brooks