Trackwork at Corfe Castle on Sunday 9th Feb 2003

Photo Report from Andrew P.M. Wright dated 11th Feb 2003
Official photographer & press officer, Swanage Railway.
Photographs are copyright Andrew P.M. Wright. To view a larger version of any photograph on this page, just click on the thumbnail photograph and subsequently use the Back button on your browser to return to this page.

The annual shutdown period on the Swanage Railway allows the hardworking volunteers to undertake large maintenance tasks without fear of disrupting services. During this season's shutdown the opportunity has been taken to replace a number of old sleepers at Corfe Castle. Andrew P.M. Wright has sent us these photographs he took of the work on Sunday 9th February 2003.

This first photo shows (left to right) Barry Light, Reg Christopher, Wayne Masters, John Drew and Andrew Gale preparing for the first job. This heavy maintenance is vital for the long-term future of the Swanage Railway.

The resleepering work took place just south of Corfe Castle - between the Swanage end of the Corfe Castle loop and the Bridge No.18 at Corfe Common (just where the line has finished climbing at 1 in 80 out of Corfe Castle).

The work was being carried out under the supervision of Permanent Way department head Tony Andrews (who isn't shown in the photos as he was collecting the permanent way train from Corfe Castle to take to the work) and permanent way volunteer Barry Light.

The team first prepares the site by clearing away the ballast from around the old sleeper which has been previously maked for replacement with a painted white 'X'. The securing bolts can then be released and the line jacked up very slightly to provide enough clearance to slide out the old sleeper.

A brand new sleeper is then repositioned in place of the old one, and the securing bolts replaced and tightened. The ballast is then repacked around the new sleeper and the team can move on to the next task.