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David Holmes, WSRA Chairman, explains "Barnstaple Junction has been chosen as the name for a new lead on the West Somerset Railway giving access to the triangle which is planned for completion in the new year. The name , chosen by Association members in an on line vote, reflects the placement of the new lead which diverges from the existing Minehead branch along the truncated formation of the old line to Barnstaple which now forms one side of the new triangle. The junction formed by a single new lead will eventually be operated using a groundframe locked by the Bishops Lydeard to Norton token.
Background information, more photos and a location map can be found at the » Norton Fitzwarren Project page and also at » www.wsr.org.uk/norton.htm and » www.wsr.org.uk/nortonmap.htm
The new lead which is 46 metres long overall has been made for us by Eastleigh Switch & Crossing ( » www.eastleighsandc.co.uk ) using a mixture of recovered and new components. It has been manufactured from 113lb flat bottom rail matching the Network Rail connection and the new triangle - the branch itself becomes bullhead rail at this location. After trial assembly and acceptance at their works it was match marked, dismantled and delivered to the Norton site by road in component parts on Wednesday July 7th. Once offloaded it was taken to site using the WSR PLC road railer and trailer.
The original intention had been to assemble the components into sections over two or three weekends and then lift the larger assemblies into place in a repeat operation of the point installation carried out between the East and West chords in February. However when a convenient window in the HOBC programme opened to give four consecutive days without services the temptation proved too much and in a combined PLC/West Somerset Railway Association operation the P.Way teams set to work.
The branch was severed on Thursday July 8th and the first panel of track lifted out before the trackbed was levelled. The new switch section was the first to go in on Friday 8th followed by the removal of a further panel of track and installation of sleepers for the crossing and nose on the Saturday. A big gang on Sunday helped complete the basic ironwork installation. Final packing and adjustment completed the job once the closure rails were cut and fitted at either end of the new installation. The branch was handed back after inspection on Monday July 12th in time for the first train which is due just a week after the components were delivered by road. Once again sterling work by our combined P.Way teams.
For the moment the lead will be clamped and locked out of use but a token operated ground frame is nearing completion and will be installed at the first available opportunity. A second lead will now be installed and interlocked to act as a catch point to protect the new lead from conflicting movement from the triangle. As a token operated ground frame and the first piece of infrastructure beyond Network Rail metals the location needed a name and hence the selection of 'Barnstaple Junction'. The existing token operated access installed in 2006 at the Bishops Lydeard end of the triangle and already named Allerford Junction will remain in use and with a third junction which has already gained the name of Orchard Junction will be the only points on the site to gain official names.
PLEASE NOTE THERE IS NO PUBLIC ACCESS TO THE SITE OF THE NEW JUNCTION AT PRESENT AND WSR LINESIDE PASSES ARE NOT VALID ON OR NEAR NETWORK RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE.
Thank You"
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Posted: 12 July 2010
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In an unprecedented three day marathon the WSRA P.Way gang has severed the West Chord of the triangle at Norton, taken out three lengths of rail and sleepers, graded the trackbed, installed, bolted, lined and levelled a complete point and the replaced the rails either side of the new point before ballasting it all.
The West Chord of the triangle was originally laid in plain line through the location where the East Chord will leave it. This was because the location forms the unloading site for the HOBC and we didn't have a suitable turnout. However since then a refurbished bullhead lead had been donated to the Association and was available in three large sections at Norton. With the HOBC on temporary stand down now was the time to put the lead into place.
The weekend job started on Thursday when a GPS survey of the site was done to find the exact position to place the new lead, which has a turnout radius of 184m to align it with the 200m radius of the chord. The centreline was marked and the sleeper positions pegged out. On Friday three 60 foot panels of rail were lifted out and the sleepers put to one side before a large loading shovel was used to grade the trackbed down to the required level.
On Saturday a Hiab equipped lorry was used to lift the three pieces and place them in exactly the right position defined by the GPS survey before the three were bolted and aligned as a single but still isolated lead. On Sunday the four rails either side of the new lead were cut, drilled and then bolted into place before the whole length was jacked to level and ballasted.
The completed lead was then clipped, locked, scotched and plated before being offered for hand back inspection. Photographs of the various stages have been posted on the website in recent days.
Whilst this takes a few minutes to describe this is was a very large job to be undertaken by our volunteer P.Way gang in such a short space of time and I am both grateful to them for their efforts and hugely impressed at what they have achieved - so impressed I must get another 500 concrete sleepers for them to lay, because whilst they were doing this job someone else was ever so quietly marking out the alignment for the next batch to be delivered........
Thank You Guys
David Holmes
Chairman WSRA
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In the last two weeks Network Rail and the WSRA have exchanged contracts on the sale of a short length of the original Barnstaple branch to the Association. Paperwork is still awaited from solicitors but the land which will be incorporated into the triangle works has been sold to the WSRA for the consideration of £1. It will enable the headshunt at the Taunton end of the triangle to extend to a locomotive plus four or five coaches if necessary and may in time permit the re-connection of the Barnstaple line junction with the Minehead branch.
Earlier this year Network Rail permitted and supervised some undergrowth clearance work in preparation for the final transfer which will make the process of restoring the trackbed much faster and easier.
The deal has been several years in the making because of the complex and contorted system of due diligence that has to be observed to ensure that land which is sold is truly redundant and is of no further use to the national network. The sale has come just in time for the Norton project as recent ballast deliveries mean that further work can be carried out on the formation before the autumn weather sets in.
David Holmes
Chairman WSRA
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| NORTON FITZWARREN |
| CHANGE FOR |
| MINEHEAD |
| AND BARNSTAPLE |
| BRANCHES |
...so read the Running in Boards on the original Norton Fitzwarren station platform before it was closed and demolished in the 1960s. The branch line to Barnstaple disappeared in the 1960s and long sections of the trackbed have since been built over or ploughed back into farmland. However the Minehead branch still survives and is nowadays home to the very popular West Somerset Steam Railway. No trace of the station remains although the original Up Relief line, now the West Somerset Railway's connection to the main line, still deviates as if inviting the original island platform to return.
However Norton Fitzwarren now has a new island platform and a new station. The new station is a more modest four-coach affair with one face to the West Somerset Railway and one face that has yet to have track installed. The station, the newest in Somerset brings the 20 mile railway's total to eleven stations, two of them built since the preservationists took over the former Taunton to Minehead line in the 1970s.
Built on the edge of its 37 acre site by the West Somerset Railway Association, the new platform was built in just six weeks by Tiverton based John Luffman Trading and inspected and passed for operational use by an Inspector from the Office of the Rail Regulator on Friday July 17th 2009.
The new platform has been designed and built to current modern day standards and can therefore be used by both the steam and diesel heritage services normally run by the railway or modern visiting trains from the National network.
Currently the platform will not be open for regular services but will be used to bring passengers to events such as the railway's Steam Traction Engine and Vintage Vehicle Rally to be held at the site on August 1st and 2nd or for Gala services which will run to the platform from the railway's usual terminal station at Bishops Lydeard thus offering the visitor a new destination on the line.
The local Parish Council who were treated to a pre-view of the station before the ORR inspection declared they were delighted to have a station back in the village and looked forward to the day when it might be possible for the steam railway to run regular services from Norton Fitzwarren or for Norton to be again regularly connected to the national network just 300 yards distant!
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Working during the coldest weekend of the winter and with the agreement and approval of Network Rail, volunteers from the WSRA Cutting Back and P.Way gangs have removed years of undergrowth from the ditch between the original Barnstable Line formation and the Up Exeter to Bristol Main Line.
The short section of branch trackbed is due to be transferred to the Association in the spring for incorporation in the triangle works currently ongoing. The heavily overgrown ditch will mark the new boundary between the WSRA land and Network Rail and needed to be cleared before the transfer could be completed.
This is the second occasion when WSRA volunteers have been permitted to work on Network Rail land – the first being the removal of artefacts from the original Taunton steam shed site. Whilst the work is carried out to strictly agreed Methods and does not involve working ‘on or near the line’ Network Rails’ approval is a reflection on the professionalism of WSRA volunteers
Brambles, overgrowth and tree stumps have been removed. Further work is planned to lift the willow roots out of the ditch and prevent re-growth. This work, which will require the use of a mechanical excavator, will be undertaken by John Luffman Trading and is likely to involve the attendance of a Network Rail supervisor due to the proximity to the Main Line.
The trackbed behind the ditch was cleared by a bulldozer just before Christmas to allow access to the ditch and means that subject to final grading the entire triangle is now ready for progressive ballasting during the spring of 2009.
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The West Somerset Railway Association has announced plans to build a four coach platform at its Norton Fitzwarren triangle site in time for the 2009 Steam Fayre – due to be held on August 1st and 2nd.
The station, which will be an un-staffed Halt, will lie alongside the existing West Somerset Railway. Its main function will be to bring visitors to the site, although it is likely to have a role to play in future Gala events, and at busy times may be used for overspill car parking with a shuttle to Bishops Lydeard. It will be built on the trackbed of the original down line constructed in 1936 but lifted in the 1970s. The site has most recently been used by the HOBC to discharge ballast before the line into the triangle site was completed in April last year.
Norton will be the eleventh station on the 22 mile line giving the WSR more stations than any other Heritage line and more stations in Somerset than Network Rail. As a new station it is required to comply with current regulations and standards, although the WSRA do not consider it will be necessary to include a painted yellow line 600mm from the platform edge!
Exploratory discussions have been held with the Office of the Rail Regulator, Taunton Deane Borough Council, the Environment Agency and Somerset Highways in addition to the local Parish Council. All have signalled their approval in principle and the WSRA has now entered a Planning Application with Taunton Deane Borough Council.
» Full story...
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The West Somerset Railway Association report work in progress to level the Allerford length of the old Barnstaple branch prior to ballasting.
The works have revealed the original formation was widened on the Up side using locomotive ash - probably from Taunton shed. This is more likely to have occurred during the installation of a second track in the 1930s.
The formation rises sharply as it approaches the remains of the bridge over Allerford Lane and the formation is being lowered slightly to reduce the slope - the extra material being re-used to widen the trackbed to accommodate the ten foot requirement between tracks on what will eventually become a siding and a headshunt.
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 On the Barnstaple formation
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The WSRA Norton Fitzwarren site was a busy place on 13 July. The day saw the combined forces of the WSRA Permanent Way and Special Projects teams preparing for the Steam Fayre and laying the first section of track on the Barnstaple formation.
At one time there were five different groups, preparing the crossing from the public cars park ready for the Rally, taking shuttering off the last culvert under the East Chord, erecting a banner to face the mainline and advertise the Steam Fayre, safety railing a footbridge across a ditch and of course a further group laying a further three 60 foot panels of track on the original up formation. In all approximately thirty volunteers.
Meanwhile Wessex Water has almost completed the installation of a metered hydrant at Norton Bridge to supply water for the Steam Fayre and in the future for visiting locomotives - the connection being near enough to the WSR line to connect a hose from hydrant to locomotive.
A stop for morning coffee was timed to coincide with the passage of Tangmere on the Torbay Express service, and there were plenty of FGW and CrossCountry services passing during the rest of the day to admire our progress.
If you've not seen Norton be sure to make a date for 2-3 August for the Steam Fayre when the public will be admitted to the site....
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 The West Chord Junction
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After an atrociously wet winter work has recently restarted at Norton…only to be stopped almost immediately by another ten days of rain. However the surface is drying out again so we hope to bring the plant back and continue work again shortly.
So far this year we have cast the raft across the fourth and last culvert and have put up the shuttering for the wing walls. The walls were due to have been cast ten days ago but this coincided with a couple of days of heavy days of rain and the pour was cancelled. This culvert is located where the East Chord rejoins the Barnstaple formation back toward Taunton. Once completed we will be able to join the East Chord and Barnstaple formations and have the basic triangle formation completed. Before you leap to your feet with anticipation there is still a fair bit of clearing and ballasting before the trackbed will be ready!
Most of the rest of the work so far this year has been concentrated on getting Norton ready for the Steam Rally so we have topsoil and seeded where the ground had settled or was still uneven from previous construction and made up the various crossings across the formation for foot traffic. The arena and show area is being currently being fenced with a multitude of gates to allow vehicles and visitors to move from one area to another.
Car parking will be in fields across the WSR line from the Norton site, and the disused accommodation crossing has been refurbished and resurfaced and will be brought back into use for pedestrians to access the Rally from the car parks. This alone took 6 tons of ballast – the loading shovel having just an inch to spare either side when passing through the gates onto the line – good driving Andy!
A water main is being brought to the site to terminate in a hydrant supply close to both the line and stone roadway so that it can be used for the Rally and to water visiting locomotives if necessary. Although volunteer labour is digging much of the route where it parallels the rail line the pipe, connection, hydrant, manhole and of course the meter (!) are being installed courtesy of Wessex Water and we extend our thanks to them.
Meanwhile the Steam Enginemen courses pass frequently to check on progress and we briefly hosted The Duchess which was coaled at Norton during her recent lay over on the line. Almost routinely now the HOBC continues to call most weekdays and to build up a stock of ballast ready for a push onto the Barnstaple branch and yet more track laying.
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The earthworks and ditching alongside the West Chord have been completed and the 'right hand side' of the line tidied up ready to hand back to the farmer. Track and sleepers are available to complete the line around and onto the Barnstaple formation - watch this space for an appeal for help to lay this when the time comes.
The Barnstaple trackbed has been stripped and levelled for approximately half of its length back to the dismantled Allerford Lane Bridge and ballasting will follow over the winter months.
The East Chord, curving toward Taunton, has been completed and the first section of underballast laid. The last culvert under this chord is being installed at the moment and will be completed in time for any rain that may occur this winter!
Once ballasted this chord is likely to be used as a road to get other materials down to the Taunton end of the Barnstaple Branch. We shall require further deliveries of track to complete this section anyway.
We have received 1600 concrete sleepers from Exmouth following a relay by Network Rail and these are currently in store at Norton for future use.
So there is plenty going on even if it is a little mundane at present and not immediately visible from the site boundary. Of course the HOBC calls every day and simply moving the ballast heap can take up to half the day. With the shorter daylight hours now upon us and an increasing chance of rain this does reduce the amount of construction that can occur.
There have been rumours that we have deliberately slowed progress to allow the delayed turntable works to catch up rather than taking too large a lead. I am afraid I can't possibly comment on that but rest assured work continues apace, and yes everyone is working very hard!!!
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On 25 July, Class 66 no 66616 led a relatively limited nine vehicle High Output Ballast Cleaner (HOBC) on to the new trackwork at Allerford Junction, in so doing it became the first train to run on this new line. Once on the new western chord, the HOBC discharged ballast from the nine vehicles close by the existing heaps of aggregates and then proceeded to the present limit of trackwork near the oak tree close to the Barnstaple formation, to prove the entire length thus opening the way for longer trains in the future The successful operation has proved the HOBC can now be locked in, releasing the main WSR line for use by the Minehead-Bristol trains which pass the site twice a day, three days a week. Check out » Recycled Aggregates
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On 24 July Class 08 diesel shunter D3462 was the first locomotive to run the full length of the new western chord line at Norton Fitzwarren. This was done to help settle and test the new track prior to it being used by the HOBC trains to unload clear of the WSR running line. Passengers on a passing HST must have taken a double look at the sight of a locomotive travelling out across the fields.
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When 6024 King Edward I arrived on the WSR on 17 June the King became the first steam loco to grace the new track at Norton Fitzwarren when the length of line already laid was used to stable the unique water carrier wagon there for the duration of the Kings visit due to all other siding space on the line being in use during the Mixed Traffic Weekend. Perhaps this superb ex-GWR loco will also be the first visiting loco from the mainline to be turned here when the triangle is complete?
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The West Somerset Railway is now able to supply environmentally sourced and sustainable recycled aggregates. In association with » John Luffman Trading, the West Somerset Railway Association has achieved Certification for a number of common product grades and is making this available to the West Somerset/Devon and South West market as a good local source of environmentally produced aggregate. The aggregate produced to WRAP guidelines is certified free of contamination and has been cleared by the Environment Agency for use on the local flood plain and thus in a water course where required. Quality assured recycled aggregates are free of aggregate tax levy and are increasingly sought to increase the sustainable content of new build projects. The lower economic cost and good public relations value of using recycled products is becoming increasingly attractive over the penalties associated with freshly quarried stocks. » Full details...
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At the Institution of Civil Engineers Annual Award Ceremony at Bristol on Friday 8th June the West Somerset Railway and its partners at the Norton Triangle site, John Luffman Trading were awarded a Certificate of Merit jointly with the Network Rail High Output Team.
The award recognised the exceptional engineering and co-operation across several organisations that has combined to produce two successful projects with a high degree of innovation and environmental sensitivity - the WSRA Triangle and Network Rail's Fairwater Yard.
The award dinner was attended by representative from the WSRA and Network Rail. David Holmes, the WSRA's Special Projects Officer, would like to thank all those who have helped with the WSRA portion of the scheme and consider the award is recognition of the efforts put in by everyone to make this project the success it has become.
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Cables going down and ballast going up… Western Power Distribution have completed the replacement of the overhead 33kv power cable at the WSR Association's Norton Fitzwarren worksite with an underground line right on schedule. The underground cable which was installed several weeks ago was connected and the existing overhead dismantled on Tuesday 5 June, which required considerable resources and co-ordination to ensure this major trunk line could be taken out of service and re-connected with minimum disruption to electricity supplies. The removal of the overhead cable will allow the completion of the ballast on the western chord and brings the prospect of track laying one step closer. The ever growing pile of ballast delivered by Network Rail's HOBC train has been considerably swollen in the last two weeks by several record deliveries each over 900 tonnes. The stocks which dwindled during a recent HOBC outage have now been replenished ensuring enough ballast to cover the fast emerging embankments and also to realise some useful revenue from any excess.
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The unique Norton Fitzwarren Triangle Project brings 100,000 plus tons of fill materials required for the scheme as used ballast which comes free-of-charge for re-cycling to the West Somerset Railway Association - a registered charity which is developing the site - via a partnership scheme with Network Rail. The WSRA is busy recycling surplus ballast and infill which it is now selling locally as a commercial product. It also confidently expects to supply this re-cycled stone by rail to new construction projects in West Somerset. As an incentive to encourage developers to 'go green', the WSRA is also offering a draw prize of a luxury four-star dining train trip on the West Somerset Railway, plus a special pass to travel on a steam locomotive footplate, for bulk aggregate orders.
» More details...
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Recent progress on the site at Norton Fitzwarren over the last few weeks has seen the second culvert completed, concreted and the bank built across it and ballast laid. The new western chord is now fully ballasted for approximately 70% of its extent with just one break, which is awaiting the dismantling of the 33kV overhead line. Western Power have installed the new underground cable and the process of backfilling the trench is now complete. Once completed and tested the new line will be connected and commissioned and the old overhead dismantled. Once the Contractors have completed the earthworks for the western chord, the next principal task will be to extend the short track spur already laid around the first part of the triangle itself – thus enabling the HOBC to be recessed away from the main running line and allow the ballast to be dropped closer to the stockpile area.
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The HOBC received from Fairwater Yard today saw Freightliner Class 66’s Nos 66604 & 66603 top-and-tail the train which comprised no less than 24 full MFS wagons, the total tonnage of stone being around 1,100 tonnes – a new record……so far!
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Undergrowth on the trackbed of the former Taunton to Barnstaple line – from the new western chord to the parapet of the former Allerford Bridge – is cleared...
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The Association Permanent Way Gang install the next run of trackwork on the triangle, with the laying out of over 50 concrete sleepers and the next three pairs of 60foot lengths of bullhead rail. The rail was delivered to site earlier in the day on a works train from Bishops Lydeard on a works train hauled by Class 25 diesel No D7523.
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A press event, hosted by Network Rail, was held in Taunton’s Fairwater Yard today to mark the official opening of the yard. The event detailed how Network Rail will be investing £750million on upgrading the West of England main line over the next three years. As part of Network Rail’s £750 million programme to improve the railway along the Western Route, a specially designed operations base has been built in Taunton to house the High Output Track Relaying System and High Output Ballast Cleaner.
The High Output equipment, worth in the region of £85million, will bring a major improvement to the railway in the West Country over the next few years. This world class, award winning equipment works three times faster than conventional renewals systems. This not only reduces the need for lengthy closures of the railway for engineering work, but also improves passenger comfort by making the track smoother and preventing the need for speed restrictions.
Colin Ness, Network Rail's High Output Programme Engineering Manager, said: "The High Output Track Renewals Systems do the work of several machines simultaneously: one system removes old rail and old sleepers, levels the ballast bed, lays new sleepers and installs new rail – all as one continuous process - the other system deals with the ballast. This means that we can replace up to five hundred metres of track, sleepers and ballast a night each night. We successfully used the High Output Systems in the recent three week closure of the railway between Taunton and Highbridge." As part of the project, Network Rail is working closely with the West Somerset Railway, through the operation of the High Output Ballast Cleaner, which is currently supplying up to 1,000 tonnes of used ballast to an unloading and stockpile area at Norton Fitzwarren, where a turning triangle is currently being constructed, avoiding the need for many lorry movements in the local area.
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With no HOBC running today, the WSR has taken the opportunity to run a works train to the Norton Fitzwarren site from Bishops Lydeard. The train, hauled by Class 25 No D7523, has delivered trackwork – including a lead and buffer stop – which was recovered from the former Taunton Cider site near Norton Fitzwarren Junction. The material was unloaded with assistance from the Railway’s appointed contractor, and is now stored on site ready for future re-use as part of the triangle project.
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Following a successful trial late last year, the first Network Rail High Output Ballast Cleaner (HOBC) train arrives at the Norton Fitzwarren site, worked by FLHH Class 66’s Nos 66581 & 66506 and comprising 17 loaded MFS wagons of ballast collected from the up main line at Brent Knoll (between Highbridge and Weston-super-Mare) the previous night.
After leaving the Network Rail worksite, the train works back each morning to Fairwater Yard, Taunton and is then top and tailed by two Class 66’s onto the WSR at the recently upgraded Norton Fitzwarren Junction for unloading on the triangle site at Norton Fitzwarren. The train is now expected to run almost daily (except weekends) for up to two years, dropping spent ballast from the West of England mainline track renewal and upgrade programme. The HOBC will regularly consist of 20 MFS wagons. The material will be used to create the formation for the new triangle of track at the Norton site. Please note the area is a construction site and access is not allowed without prior permission.
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The long-awaited first scheduled delivery of ballast to the Norton Triangle from Network Rail’s HOBC was cancelled this morning due to the weather conditions. Heavy rain has delayed Network Rail’s work programme and meant the HOBC was not called upon to work on Sunday night as planned. As a result, there was no ballast available to unload this morning. It is hoped deliveries will start later in the week. The weather has also not helped progress on site, which has been effectively mothballed since the middle of December with the ground too wet for any construction activities. Once ballast begins to arrive it will enable some areas to be blinded with a stone blanket, and work will then recommence on the formation of the western chord.
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A second trial run of the High Output Ballast Cleaner arrives – this time worked by Nos 66603 and 66519 – again formed of five MFS wagons. After the 250 tonnes of spent ballast were dropped, and the train return to Fairwater Yard, contractors moved in to spread the stone over the newly-installed culvert in the north-eastern corner of the site, adjacent to the unloading area. The operation of the two initial trains was very successful and regular HOBC trains – delivering anything up to 1,000 tonnes of spent ballast per day – will commence in the new year.
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The WSRA Annual Draw has been the most successful to date. Over £31,000 was raised – a new record. The Association is extremely grateful to all members and friends who have supported the Draw in record numbers, and all those who sold tickets on trains during the course of the year deserve a special mention. Proceeds from the Draw have gone to the Norton Fitzwarren Development Fund.
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The Network Rail High Output Ballast Cleaner (HOBC) makes its first visit to the WSR, delivering the first quantity of spent ballast for the Norton Fitzwarren project. The first train – topped and tailed by two Freightliner Heavy Haul (FLHH) Class 66 locomotives, Nos 66603 & 66611 – was a small trial affair of just five MFS wagons, conveying approximately 250 tonnes of ballast.
» Full details...
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After taking a two-week possession, Network Rail complete the relaying of the first quarter mile of the Minehead Branch, from signal E627 to the WSR boundary at milepost 165¼, which runs parallel with the Network Rail main line. This involved the complete removal of the old track, regrading of the trackbed and the laying of new track on the formation using concrete sleepers. Much of the old track is likely to be used to form part of the new triangle and has been stacked on the former Down trackbed between mileposts 165¼ and 165½.
As part of the work, three train movements were run. On 1 November Class 66 No 66550 (with 66619 at the rear) brought in a train of flat wagons delivering the new track materials (6Y35). After unloading on site, this returned to Fairwater Yard the following day, with No 66619 leading. On the 14th, No 66550 (again) hauled a train of fifteen autoballasters to the worksite (6Y35) – which dropped ballast around the newly laid track – with No 66530 at the rear. Finally, on 15 November a tamper (6J81) arrived, which worked overnight to complete the job – which presents a much better first impression of the Minehead branch to both local residents and people travelling on main line trains.
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After a period of heavy rain, the better weather enables excellent progress to be made at Norton Fitzwarren this week and the triangle is beginning to take shape. The compensation pond has been dug out to a sloping depth of 0.5m and the topsoil replaced to allow it to be grassed. The excavated sub-soil has been used to form the base of the embankments which now stretch from Norton Bridge past the point at which the triangle arms split and onto the two chords themselves. The sub base has been power rolled to compact it. The culvert close to Norton bridge has been installed and will be backfilled this week ready to join the triangle to the end of Allerford siding. Finally, the ditch approaching the main drain under the main line has been excavated to ensure water flows away from the site and does not back up unnecessarily.
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Work begins in earnest at the WSRA site at Norton Fitzwarren… Contractors move in with heavy machinery, initially removing vegetation from the alignment of the proposed new western chord of the railway triangle. During the rest of the month, the main focus of work has been in two areas – the removal of top soil to create a compensation pond and further removal of top soil along the route of the new western chord. Along with the eastern chord, this formation will be the first new stretch of railway line built in Somerset for some years. The aim is designed to take off the soft top soil and get down to firm clay. The level will then be built back up with a mixture of clay taken from the compensation pond and aggregate.
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Richard Jones is appointed as Project Manager (New Works) to oversee the development of the site at Norton Fitzwarren and co-ordinate the train movements and possessions required in connection with the project.
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The Norton Triangle gets the green light… WSRA plans to build a turning triangle on land it owns at Norton Fitzwarren are about to reach another significant milestone with the imminent start of construction on site. WSRA Chairman Humphrey Davies comments: "This project is a win for rail and the environment. The material we need for the triangle will be recycled aggregate, delivered by rail, with no impact on local roads. The project will allow us to handle more charter trains from the main line network, as well as turn our own engines, and is an important milestone in the development of the railway."
» Full details...
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The WSRA Special Projects Gang commences “serious” lineside undergrowth clearance at Norton Fitzwarren. The initial focus is on the area that, later in the year, will be used as the unloading area for ballast delivered by Network Rail’s High Output Ballast Cleaner, and – subsequently – to clearing the patch in the triangle of land bordering the WSR and the trackbed of the former Taunton-Barnstaple line. At the same time, the drainage channels down to the culvert under the main line were "ditched out" and a new gate to the area installed.
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WSRA Chairman Humphrey Davies confirms to those attending the Annual General Meeting that the Association’s land holding at Norton Fitzwarren has been expanded with the purchase of the market garden adjacent to the 33 acres already owned. The re-ballasting project was at an advanced state of negotiation with Network Rail, whose High Output Ballast Cleaner (HOBC) would be visiting the WSR regularly from November 2006. Approaching 50,000 tonnes of ballast, plus around one mile of track, was expected...
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The Signal & Telegraph Department begin work on the installation of a new ground frame to control the new lead at Allerford Junction. At the same time, the Permanent Way Gang start to remove the rails from Norton Bridge to the newly-installed AWS ramp, ready for the change from wooden to concrete sleepers.
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A special train – "Destination Somerset" – formed of Class 158 No 158 855 Exmoor Explorer runs from Taunton to Minehead to celebrate the commissioning of the new signalling installation at Norton Fitzwarren, which will enable more trains to operate from the national network to the West Somerset Railway than ever before – thus bringing increased number of visitors and economic benefits to Somerset. The special train left Taunton at 10:31 and, upon arrival at both Bishops Lydeard and Minehead, drove through a special "Destination Somerset" banner. Representatives from Somerset County Council, the West Somerset Railway and Network Rail were all on board to mark the occasion.
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The new signalling installed at Norton Fitzwarren Junction is passed fit, following a successful inspection, and the West Somerset Railway is now “"properly" re-connected with the national railway network.
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WSRA volunteers have been digging trenches at the Norton Fitzwarren site in the fashion of the Channel 4 TV archaeological series Time Team. Wessex Water has a high pressure sewer pipe from Cotford St Luke running across the land at Norton. The Railway needs to locate the sewer and attempted to locate the sewer by hand digging an admirable trench 22 feet long by nearly 5 feet deep. The initial "dig", sadly, proved unsuccessful…
Meanwhile, efforts continue by both Network Rail and the WSR Signal & Telegraph Department on the work involved with the re-signalling at Norton Fitzwarren Junction. A new exit signal – number E627 – from the Minehead branch to the main line network has been installed, which will replace the former position light signal, which is also being fitted with AWS and TPWS. This is controlled from the signalbox at Exeter, and is equipped with a single lens capable of showing either a red or green aspect. WSR signalling engineers are busy at Taunton station wiring up the new signal release equipment that will allow the signaller at Exeter to clear the signals and permit trains on and off the WSR. A similar installation is being provided on the wall of the Relay Room at Silk Mill, located under the new bridge.
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The full-time Permanent Way Gang install a new culvert, parallel with the new spur that will lead to the planned new Norton triangle, underneath Norton Bridge.
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The long-awaited work of upgrading the signalling at Norton Fitzwarren Junction commences. Until Sunday 21 May no movements onto or off the branch will be possible. The points at Norton Fitzwarren will be disconnected, scotched and clipped for normal running on the main line. This is to facilitate the removal of redundant equipment and the installation of new equipment. The majority of the work will be carried out by the contractors, Amey, on the Network Rail and WSR side, with the WSR installing the special signal release instruments at Taunton and Silk Mill. The main working area extends from Milepost 165¼ to the Junction. Once finished and commissioned, new arrangements for the operation of trains to/from the West Somerset Railway will come into force. Once complete, the current restriction on the number of passenger trains using the main line link will be removed and many more charter trains can be accepted.
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The West Somerset Railway announces it has received an approach which may bring, by rail, spent ballast providing core fill for the new triangle banks, and to re-build and re-profile the section of the Barnstaple branch as far as Allerford Bridge. After screening, the material will also yield enough reusable ballast of an acceptable quality to use under trackwork on the triangle and "Allerford spur". As a bonus, there should even be enough quality ballast left over for relaying work elsewhere on the West Somerset Railway over the next few years.
» Full details...
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The Railway’s Permanent Way Gangs (both full-time and volunteer) have joined forces to start constructing Allerford Junction. A new lead, costing £25,000, has been purchased, delivered and, more recently, installed near milepost 165¾ to create the new junction. Work will now focus on laying new track parallel with the existing running line, under Norton Bridge (it was once double track between Norton Fitzwarren and Bishops Lydeard) and terminating at a point where, eventually, the spur will strike southwards into the new land and form the western chord of the Norton triangle. Installation of the lead was preceded by the Cutting Back Gang clearing undergrowth from the former Down trackbed in the area.
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WSRA Chairman Humphrey Davies reports to the Association’s Annual General Meeting that negotiations were currently taking place with National Grid (due to pylons), the Anglers Association (they have a pool nearby) and Network Rail. The latter was being consulted with regards to the possibility of the WSRA purchasing a further two acres of land at Norton Fitzwarren, which had been agreed in principle and a sum not exceeding £7000 quoted. Initial expenditure for the purchase of track for the site (as and when suitable materials become available) has been authorised. A very positive response was being received to the project from the residents of Norton Fitzwarren. Several locomotive-owning groups have expressed an interest in using the site…
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Following the receipt of Conditional Planning Approval, the Association has submitted a full Flood Risk Assessment to Taunton Deane Borough Council and the Environment Agency, which has received approval. This contains details of the WSRA’s proposals to ensure an unimpeded flow of water across the land.
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A leaflet is published – Development of land at Norton Fitzwarren for the future expansion of the West Somerset Railway – giving updated details of the project…
“Last March the WSRA announced……it had concluded the purchase of 33 acres of land at Norton Fitzwarren which it intended to develop to provide additional facilities and a turning triangle. All together, four separate parcels of land were purchased and amalgamated to form the 33 acres now available.
Clearly turning facilities were a priority enabling us to turn incoming charter locomotives……and our own stock. This latter exercise would help reduce the one-sided weathering currently seen on our carriages. Other uses include enhanced locomotive facilities, storage sidings for stock, a station and much else besides.
In the short term, and in order to progress as quickly as possible the Association drew up an outline scheme for Norton, but took the decision to implement just the triangle in the immediate future. Further development will depend upon factors outside our control, including the flood prevention scheme, road development and, by no means least, funding and may well change by the time conditions are right.
Whilst a relatively small triangle could be used to turn even the largest main line locomotive, these usually come with a support coach, which would either require shunting or to turn with the locomotive. A larger triangle would also enable a number of our own coaches to be turned in a single movement, making such an operation an easier task. In addition, access to the truncated Barnstaple branch would require a long connection laid across the land. Finally, the HMRI were keen that our designs minimised the number of leads that connected to the existing WSR line. Together, these factors led us to propose a larger triangle…[which]…does not rely on the use of the existing WSR line.
A small length of the disused Barnstaple branch remains in Network Rail ownership, but would form the optimum route for the third side of the larger triangle. Negotiations to secure this length are under way, but have not yet reached a conclusion.
Work is now progressing on the detailed design and construction specifications for the earthworks, the culverts and drainage work that will be required. Work commences early in 2006. This phase alone will take a considerable amount of money – current estimates are a spend of around £150,000…….The phase is expected to be concluded during 2006, with the smaller temporary triangle coming into use in the latter part of the operating season.
The installation of the larger triangle will depend on the progress of negotiations with Network Rail and Western Power, but could be completed relatively quickly due to the previous formation of the majority of the earthworks and infrastructure required. It will also be possible to then relay a short section of track back to the dismantled bridge at Allerford Lane on the old Barnstaple branch…but no further!
It is our intention to explore all major funding opportunities…”
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An article in Issue 110 of the West Somerset Railway Journal – written by the WSRA Chairman, Humphrey Davies, and entitled Norton Fitzwarren: It’s All Systems Go! – provides an update about the project. This makes a number of points, including:
| » | After the initial purchase, the land was cleared, rotivated and seeded for grass – and a tenant appointed to manage the land on a short term basis;
| | » | Locomotive/turning facilities established as the immediate priority for the future development of the land;
| | » | A detailed survey of the land was conducted and professional planning consultants retained to help the Association deal with the extensive consultation and paperwork required for such a large project, mindful of the fact that the entire land is designated as a “flood plain”;
| | » | Work is now progressing on the detail design and construction specifications for the earth works, the culverts and drainage work that will be required;
| | » | A recognition of the massive (volunteer) contribution made by David Holmes to the project.
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The WSRA Board report that Conditional Approval for a turning triangle at Norton Fitzwarren has been announced by Taunton Deane Borough Council. The statement continues: “This will allow the construction of a turning triangle in line with the drawings and details previously published. In keeping with the sensitive nature of the land, which is rural and a natural flood plain, the approval contains a number of conditions which have to be met before, during and after the construction. In particular, there will now need to be a period of detail design and submission of our proposals for the construction, drainage and landscaping of the scheme. The Board now intend to proceed with the designs as rapidly as possible in order to be able to complete the work and provide this much needed facility as soon as possible. It is, however, inevitable that there will appear to be a further period of inactivity whilst this work is completed behind the scenes. The Board is grateful for the support of our members, the WSR plc, the communities of Norton Fitzwarren, Taunton Deane and West Somerset and particular individuals for the support and encouragement we have received in bringing this application to a successful conclusion.”
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Julie Higginbottom from the consultants working with the West Somerset Railway Association has today submitted a formal application to Taunton Deane Borough Council in connection with the development of the land acquired last year at Norton Fitzwarren. The application is for the formation of new embankments and railway lines to form a triangle for the turning of railway locomotives and stock.
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The WSRA Lineside Clearance Gang clearing the former Up refuge siding at Norton Fitzwarren, with the aim of enabling an advertising hording (created from a former Class 115 dmu power car) to be erected to indicate the presence of the West Somerset Railway to travellers on passing services on the main line…
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WSRA Chairman Humphrey Davies reported to the Annual General Meeting that, at Norton Fitzwarren, a turning triangle for locomotives was the first priority. He noted that “it might be two years before any significant developments take place”…
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The WSRA Permanent Way Gang install a post and wire fence across a corner of the field near the trackbed of the old Taunton-Barnstaple line. The gang also worked on making a new access road for a neighbour, a market gardener, who has right of way across the WSRA-owned land. Meanwhile, a contractor was busy ploughing the fields and, later, these were sown with grass.
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Issue 106 of the West Somerset Railway Journal reports that the WSRA has instructed planning consultants to act on its behalf with regards to obtaining the necessary planning permission to change the use of the land from agricultural to Heritage Railway use. A planning brief has been drawn up for the consultation meetings, which identifies certain key items which the WSRA Board believes should be important ingredients to the success of the plan. These include a locomotive turning triangle and loco servicing facilities for the Railway as a whole, but also for use by other train operators working on/off the WSR from the national network. A carriage storage siding shed and possibly a ‘new’ station were also being envisaged.
The whole development is planned to take place over the next 10-15 years, “progress being determined by the rate at which we can generate the necessary funds”…
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The West Somerset Railway Association announces ambitious new proposals to boost tourism and further develop the southern end of the West Somerset Railway through the purchase of 33 acres of land at Norton Fitzwarre.
» Click here for the full text of the WSRA press release confirming the land purchase announcement.
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