Developments, Winter 2008-2009

With a full season's experience of running intensive train services on the full Bath & West Railway, a number of possible improvements were identified. So the winter has been spent turning some of these into reality, as well as fulfilling parts of the original plans.

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1. The area for the future steaming bays was prepared in the autumn. On the left is the form for the turntable and the excavation for the steaming bays is clearly evident.

2. A fine day in October was perfect for pouring the concrete for the turntable base.

3. A chilly, gloomy afternoon in the New Year, showing the concrete for the steaming bays beyond the turntable. The rails for the table have been rolled to the curve.

4. Dennis Rabbitts uses a mini 'Jim Crow' to form the turntable rail to the line drawn on the concrete.

5. The turntable itself is being fabricated by David Hale. This is a very functional but elegant design and clearly is built to carry some hefty locos! Even the Chairman's 7¼" Britannia will not fill its 3 metre length.

6. Access to the turntable and steaming bays will be be from the loop by means of a dual gauge point and a diamond crossing of the line to the shed traverser. A few years ago all there was here was just a single loop of track round the club house!

7. An overall view of the turntable and steaming bay area. When weather permits work will start on the blockwork around the bays.

8. In addition to the turntable and steaming bays, the station loop has been extended and a siding for a spare loco or an extra carriage laid to the left of the signal box.

11. Getting there. Some more brickwork needed to complete, together with the entry and exit tracks. Notice the ladder against the club house ..

12. A panoramic view from said ladder! The site for the steaming bays is ready for the trackwork. Tinkering continues with the diesel loco.

For the Royal Bath & West Show, 2009, see the  next page