Saturday 5th October

With fine weather forecast for the weekend, 5 members of the gang arrived for the usual early start on the line inspections to Alton and Alresford. The realisation however that the service had now changed to a single train, with the first Alton departure not being until 12pm (and the prospect of a long wait), led to a slight change of plan, with only the Alresford section to be walked (The Alton section would be inspected by the mid-week gang on the following Monday or Tuesday).

Martin and Eddie approach Rookwood Lane on the line

 inspection to Alresford.

The gang also welcomed a new member, Graham W, who in accordance with definition of a volunteer, had obviously not understood  the question in the first place, following his attendance at a Railway Welcome Day two weeks before.

The gang take a well earned rest and refreshments at
Alresford.

Following the 6 mile walk to Alresford, which always includes the oiling of the pointwork at each of the Stations, a return on the service train to M&FM was followed by a trip down the line to Bishops Sutton to continue with one of our favourite tasks, the dreaded fishplate oiling.

Neil tightens the bolts back up on an oiled set of 

fishplates using the petrol driven torch wrench. Not the

lightest of machines! Our Lookout, Keith, stands in the

background to warn of approaching trains.

Eddie and Graham replace a damaged bolt.

A good afternoon's work, with just over a quarter of a mile of plates oiled.