Saturday 26th October

On the second day of the Autumn Steam Spectacular Gala, six members turned out for the track inspections in miserable weather conditions, with Keith B, John, and Eddie Alton bound, and Adrian, Graham, and Keith H heading to Alresford. It was one of those occasions where the rain stopped and the sun came out mid way through the walks, making you wish that you weren't wearing your padded waterproof coat, and it being hot and uncomfortable for the remaining distance!

The gang were hopeful that the more favourable weather conditions would hold out for the rest of the day, and during the course of the afternoon's fishplate oiling session, but this was not to be.  It was raining again as they departed Medstead and Four Marks for Sun Lane cutting just outside Alresford, and continued more or less unabated. Eddie, Adrian, and John formed the advance party in the van with the tools, and began loosing stubborn bolts before the rest of the gang arrived by train (who had been joined by Neil and Paul C).

The gang make steady progress through Sun Lane
cutting.

A fractured chuck retaining pin on the impact wrench
is replaced.This is quite common with the intense
vibration when the machine is in action. 

Some gang members were more prepared than others
for the weather conditions, but subject to a fair
degree of 'micky taking'!

Progress was slow, but nevertheless a reasonable number of plates were oiled, reaching the Alresford advance starter signal with Sun Lane bridge in sight. Work will resume in a fortnight's time due to a trip to the Bluebell Railway next Saturday, when hopefully the far end of the Station will be reached, and the section completed.