Saturday 24th January

Jes Mania reports...........Saturday the 24th January dawned bright but cold. The second Saturday for occupation of the railway by the Permanent Way chappies. It is surprising just how much work you can do, when you don't have to consider a regular track inspection. Adrian, Eddie, Peter, John, Ian's R & J, Martin B, Graham, Neil were in attendance and after the usual meeting/tea before the start we divided into two Gang's. 

With the use of the Wickham trolley we took one gang out to the site of the new hut. A very good day was had there, with the start of the erecting of the walls to the hut, and the completion of the brick inlay to the fireplace hearth. In addition we could start to burn the arisings on the site, including the sections of old timbers. The other gang returned to the top of the hill and worked their way down through the flat bottom rails replacing cracked RNB 6 fastenings. We also re-set/adjusted a number of loose fittings, something made much easier, with the aid of a Wickham and supporting trolley and occupation of the line! 

Returning from the hut, location for lunch which now includes freshly brewed tea,  we were able to finish off the first (longer) stretch of flat bottom rail by the end of the day, with just the 6 (shorter) lengths to go on the Alton section. This will leave us with the two long sections in the Ropley-Medstead section to do. The site team had a good day, having completed enough walling, close of play, to give a good indication of the structure to come...............

Pete digs the trenches for the erection of the timber hut
walls, while Neil mixes a batch of mortar to lay the
brickwork in the fireplace hearth

Ian R and Martin B in charge of the bonfire

John, Eddie, and Graham attend to the RNB6 fastenings

The front wall and of part of the Four Marks facing side
wall of the hut erected by the end of the day