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Once again the project has been delayed by the adverse weather during March, we did manage to complete the arches above the locking room windows and the Woodwork is now complete in a nearby workshop (see home page). The brickwork is very near to completion and is hoped to be done within 5 full days.

Chris and Danny have also been busy on the platform project whilst they await the delivery of the copings. The back wall is currently being built up using red bricks to both improve the appearance from the nearby drive way and provide extra structural support.

After a very long Winter break due to the adverse weather conditions we got back to the signal box project over this weekend. The Back wall has now reached dizzying heights (almost to the level of the operating floor) and there is still another 8 feet to go on top of this! The lead off benches have also been secured to the rails in front of the box and the first of the locking room floor timbers have been moved into place.

I must apologise for the lack of updates recently, with the bad weather things have been progressing a lot more slowly. The signalbox is now approaching the height of the operating floor and the window frames have been installed; a start has been made on the brick side panels and the structure is certainly looking a lot more like a signalbox now! Things understandbly will slow down a lot more on the approach to Christmas, however it is amazing how much progress has already been made! On the platform side of things Chris and Danny have been hard at work backfilling earth behind the now completed wall; this is proving to be a back breaking task as all the top soil is being barrowed to site by hand over a distance of over 100 yards! Hopefully more updates soon, and don't forget to come and ride the Santa Specials over the festive period to really see how well things are coming along at Thuxton!

The Signalbox as it stands in late November, the Window frames are in place and the decorative panels have been built up at the sides. - Bill Collins

This weekend a lot of progress was made on the blockwork of the signalbox and the structure is now around 5 courses higher than the previous picture. Chris has also been piling more top soil around the base and a start has been made on a temporary retaining wall at the back of the structure. If all goes to plan some scaffolding will be erected in the coming weeks and will allow us to continue on our journey upwards! May I also apologize for the lack of updates lately, the foul weather is beginning to hit hard and the rain has been hindering our progess. More to follow....

Great progress is being made on both the projects, with Bill and team working hard during weekends to complete the Brickwork on the Signalbox, whilst Dannys team does the same during the week on the Platform extension.

The signalbox is now really beginning to come together with all four corner pillars in place and the blockwork up to the height of the locking room windows. A lot of back filling has also been taking place to tidy up the appearance of the site in preperation for the landscaping at the end of the project. The team should be about most weekends weather permitting and it is still hoped that the majority of the brickwork will be complete by the time Winter really takes hold. The water pipe that was mentioned in the last article has also been fully buried and the water board will be connecting us to the system within the next couple of weeks.

Meanwhile the platform works have been moving along at full pace and the brickwork is now around 90% complete. Only a small section on the northern end is yet to be completed along with the final pointing work. The bricks should all be in place and pointed by late October ready for earth to be backfilled behind the wall in preperation for the copings to be maneuvered into positon.

The signalbox as it looked on Sunday 18th October. The blockwork is being built up around the openings for the window frames and the pillars are complete. a lot of earth has also been piled at the front to cover the foundations. - Ian Martin

The platform pictured on the same day as the above picture. Compared to the previous photo of these works things have really been transformed. - Ian Martin

Over the past few days Gary and co have been working hard at digging in the new water pipe that will eventually supply fresh water for the signalman. The trench towards the water main is now half completed. The next job is to finish off the trench and get the waterboard to connect the pipework to the supply.

Pipework in place outside of the signalbox. (Gary Hall) Internal pipework ready to be connected up. (GH)

A lot of progress on both the platform brickwork and signalbox over the Gala weekend and once again the weather held out for us! Richard and Bill laid the pillars onto the corners of the signalbox and made a start on the decorative white panelling (See Picture) now that the brickwork is above the plinth course it really is beginning to look more and more authentic. Whilst all of this was going on Danny and gang were busy continuing with the brickwork on the platform, Chris managed to lay around 150 new bricks and Danny followed closely behind with the rough cast concrete. The footer course has now been laid over around 80% of the foundation, so things are certainly moving along for a November completion.

Richard and Bill working on the white paneliing at the front of the box. Also notice the new pillars on both the corners. - 27th September 2009, Bill Collins

Some good progress made today as Richard and Bill continued at full pace with the signal box brickwork. After a few small problems in the morning were overcome, Richard steamed ahead an laid the plinths and 4 more courses on the back wall.

Whilst this was taking place, Chris and Ian continued with the Platform brickwork. We are now about half way through the bricklaying and are moving along alot faster than anticipated!

12th and 13th September 2009 - Signalbox Progress by Bill Collins and Ian Martin

Another good weekend, bricks and blocks on the front and sides up to where the plinth bricks will go. The lintel over the lead off gap has had its first courses of bricks laid on it meaning that the most fiddly part of the brickwork is now complete. Next week we hope to get the plinth bricks laid and start on the decorative part of the structure. Whilst this was going on Richard Waterhouse and Ian were busy clearing back the overhanging tree that was in the way.

Progress on the Signalbox

The signalbox at the end of play on Sunday 13th September, all three of the rails are in place and the plinth bricks will be laid next weekend. Excellent progress on the brickwork - Photo (Bill Collins)

5th and 6th Septmeber 2009 - Signalbox Progress Report by Bill Collins

This weekend the PW gang drilled holes in the rails and put them into position ready to be bolted together in pairs. The rails which will form the lintel were placed on the course of blocks at the front. The one which will sit on the brick course is also ready for when the bricks are up to the same level. Many thanks to the Pway team, we could never have done this on our own. All the corners are now started and some of the brick infill has been laid. It may not look as though much has happened but a lot of time was spent "laying out" bricks around the blocks to ensure the best possible pattern of stretchers, closures and flemish bonds.

6th September

The Signalbox as pictured on Sunday September 6th. The two lintel rails in place and the outer brickwork progressing well. - Photo (Bill Collins)

5th September 2009 - Platform Extension Progress Report by Ian Martin

With the blockwork complete work has been progressing well on laying the front face of cream bricks that will make up the final finish for the platform wall. All bricks are being laid using traditional English Bond and we laid in excess of 150 today. In the meantime Danny was busy filling the void between the blockwork and brickwork with roughcast concrete.

Platform

The Brickwork as it looked on September 5th. Notice the completed blockwork wall behind and the rough cast infill. The copings for the platform will sit on top of this. - Photo (Ian Martin)

31st September 2009 - Platform Extension Progress Report by Ian Martin

Today Chris, Danny and I worked well into the evening to complete the blockwork wall that will make up the hidden inner wall of the platform. In total we laid nearly 200 blocks and managed to lay the last one just before it was completely dark!

31/08/2009, The Gang

Chris, Danny and Ian taking a well earned break after laying blocks on the southern end of the platform wall. - Photo (Ian Martin)

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