With a reasonable number of bodies present, the gang was split with Iain, Adrian N, and Adrian C heading off on the line inspection to Alresford, Pete and Keith H walking to Alton, and Eddie, John, and Martin W taking the Company transport to Ropley to prepare for the planned start of fishplate oiling on the Ropley to Alresford section. They also oiled the pointwork both at Ropley and Alresford, for which the line walkers were most grateful, lessening their workload.
The return train journey to M&FM for the Alresford inspection team was not without incident with Bittern failing at Ropley, and after a frustrating wait, a transfer had to made to the next train hauled by Wadebridge. The fishplate team meanwhile made a start just outside the Station, using John's adapted garden pressure spray vessel to deploy the oil behind the fishplates.
Back at M&FM, Adrian C, Keith H, and Pete, departed after a short break for the Chawton Heights hut, and Adrian N and Iain headed back down the line to Ropley to join the oiling gang. At the hut, the ground inside was reduced down to formation level for the concrete slab floor, and a bit later Martin R and Neil appeared to lend a hand (after deciding to take a ride behind a heritage 'paraffin can' that was also running for the day. Can't think why! Ed). Six slabs were laid by the close of play, which was not bad considering the delayed start. The oiling gang had a more productive day, processing 50 pairs of fishplates......only around another 190 pairs to go!
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| Keith H and Martin R laying the concrete floor slabs in the hut |
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