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Severn Valley Railway and Network Rail salvage point works.

The landmark partnership between the Severn Valley Railway and [1] bore fruit last month when SVR’s permanent way team, along with a number of volunteers, descended on a former oil depot.

The activity took place at the closed installation near Brownhills on the disused South [2] line which used to run between [3] and [4].  The object of the exercise was to dismantle turnouts and track components.  As a result of the week-long operation, SVR is now in possession of three sets of points.

[5] project manager Nick Yarwood said: “One of these sets of points has suitable dimensions and configuration for the [6] Yard project and is destined to be put back into service this winter on roads one and two. These are the ones against the back of platform two. The last time it was used would have been around 20 years ago, for the last of the oil trains.

“There are another two sets to be recovered and these will be used elsewhere on the railway for planned replacements.

“We are fortunate and very appreciative of the assistance given at Brownhills by Quattro Plant Ltd, who have a lease on the old terminal oil yard. Quattro is a specialist equipment supplier to the rail industry, and they kindly loaned us the use of one of their road/rail vehicles, which was essential to the success of the operation.

A smiling Jon Evans at work near the former Brownhills oil depot
The smile on Jon Evans’ face says it all. // Credit Nick Yarwood

“One of our new infrastructure volunteers, Jon Evans, joined us for his first couple of days of volunteering. He said he’d used muscles that hadn’t had so much use in ages – feeling achy, but well satisfied with his experience and contribution to the job. A great start to working with the SVR. In the photo, he’s captured removing chair screws with the ‘Monster’. His smile says it all!

Removal of pointwork at Brownhills for use not eh Severn Valley Railway
Removing pointwork at Brownhills // Credit: Chris Bond

“Volunteers are still needed to help with track lifting, track relaying, alterations to the pit on road two and concreting works. Please volunteer if you would like to learn new skills or have construction or permanent way experience. We need a few more willing volunteers to help the project to run like clockwork.”

Work will be taking place from 10 January until mid-March. To sign-up to a very worthwhile project, please contact the Volunteer Liaison Office on 01299 401776, [email protected][7]

References

  1. ^ (www.railadvent.co.uk)
  2. ^ (www.railadvent.co.uk)
  3. ^ (www.railadvent.co.uk)
  4. ^ (www.railadvent.co.uk)
  5. ^ (www.railadvent.co.uk)
  6. ^ (www.railadvent.co.uk)
  7. ^ [email protected] (www.railadvent.co.uk)

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