Because we are not running trains, visitors to Pitsford and Brampton station might think that January and February are quiet months for the Railway.
Anyone passing the Boughton extension in the past few weeks will see that is not the case! The Railway’s volunteers, with help from Community Payback workers, have been laying rails and sleepers for the points (also known as turnouts) at the South end of the passing loop.
Wooden sleepers are used for pointwork because almost every sleeper in a set of points has different spacings, whereas concrete sleepers are pre-fabricated to a number of standard designs. Once the rails and chairs are set out in the correct positions the sleepers are drilled and the track is bolted down.
The passing loop, once completed, will allow a locomotive to be detached from its train and “run round” to the other end for the return journey.
