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Eridge Extension News

There is a lot of work going into the extension to Eridge, both at the railway and behind the scenes with detailed negotiations between us and the other parties involved, namely Network Rail and Westinghouse Signalling Systems. Here is where you will find out detailed information regarding the extension and the work involved to return regular passenger services between Tunbridge Wells West and Eridge after a period of 23 years!!!

Latest Eridge Extension News
BV Point Installation - Winter 2009
2008 Eridge News
2009 Eridge News
'Return to Eridge' Project Home Page
Eridge Project Requirements
Read the Steam Railway Magazine Article "Great Eridge-pectations" outlining the project

12th March - SIGNALLING UPDATE

Groombridge signalling continues to make good progress on two fronts with the onset of better (ahem) weather.

On the civils side, all the signal bases have now been cast and attention turned towards the retaining walls that are required around the two signal posts in Groombridge passing loop. In late February in what can only be described as a monsoon, the guys cast the final concrete base for the signals. This was around the former Down Birchden Junction distant signal, which is being converted into the Up Groombridge home signal. Having stood for all these years, it was felt that some extra support was required.

On 14th February the shuttering is removed from around the signal base - Photo R. Sharpe On 7th March the retaining wall had reached half distance - Photo R. Sharpe

Above Left:- On 14th February the shuttering is removed from around the signal base - Photo R. Sharpe
Above Right:- On 7th March the retaining wall had reached half distance - Photo R. Sharpe
Below:- The shuttering was then put in place ready for the next part of the wall to be cast - Photo R. Sharpe

The shuttering was then put in place ready for the next part of the wall to be cast - Photo R. Sharpe

Below Left:- A view of the Up Home signal base on Birchden Bank in mid February with all the formwork in place to pour the concrete - Photo R. Sharpe
Below Right:- A couple of weeks later at the beginning of March, the concrete had been cast and this element of the job complete - Photo R. Sharpe

A view of the Up Home signal base on Birchden Bank in mid February with all the formwork in place to pour the concrete - Photo R. Sharpe A couple of weeks later at the beginning of March, the concrete had been cast and this element of the job complete - Photo R. Sharpe

Elsewhere, the signal box has continued to make great strides since becoming weather tight. The locking room has benefited from some additional lighting whilst the leaver frame is rapidly being assembled. The latest work includes fitting the levers and tread plates. The building itself continues to receive coats of paint internally and the glazer has now commenced on fitting the individual panes of glass into the frames.

Above Left:- A view of the signal box interior in early February showing the freshly painted windows and associated woodwork - Photo R. Sharpe
Above Right:- At the beginning of March the lever frame had been partially dismantled to allow some refurbishment work - Photo S. Pay
Below Left:- By the 7th March the tread plates had been refitted - Photo R. Sharpe
Below Right:- A few days later on 10th March some of the levers and operating catches have been installed into the frame - Photo R. Sharpe

A view from the locking room shows where all the levers will be fixed to the frame - Photo R. Sharpe A view late on the 10th March shows all the levers fitted into the frame. This is the first time since the mid 1980s when the frame was in Birchden Junction signal box, that it has all be assembled - Photo R. Sharpe

Above Left:- A view from the locking room shows where all the levers will be fixed to the frame - Photo R. Sharpe
Above Right:- A view late on the 10th March shows all the levers fitted into the frame. This is the first time since the mid 1980s when the frame was in Birchden Junction signal box, that it has all be assembled - Photo R. Sharpe

ERIDGE

At Eridge our contractors, Gamble Rail, have moved in to complete another stage of works on the track in readiness for the commencement of operations. A groundframe has been transported from Tunbridge Wells West for use in controlling the crossover that enters the bay platform. At the same time Gamble Rail have removed the former crossover that led from the mainline into the long siding. This has been done because of the amount of work that would be required to keep the points in operational condition for the amount of use they would see. The points however have been removed and placed into store for eventual use elsewhere.

A view of some of the new signalling rodding along with a ground signal in the bay platform at Eridge in mid February - Photo M. Dives A view towards London shows just one crossover remaining in position. The other crossover started just after the pointwork on the left and went back into the siding on the right. Some of the new rodding can be seen on the far right - Photo M. Dives

Above Left:- A view of some of the new signalling rodding along with a ground signal in the bay platform at Eridge in mid February - Photo M. Dives
Above Right:- A view towards London shows just one crossover remaining in position. The other crossover started just after the pointwork on the left and went back into the siding on the right. Some of the new rodding can be seen on the far right - Photo M. Dives

5th February - SIGNALLING UPDATE

Since the beginning of the year, work has continued to progress on the signal box and signal post bases.

Fitting out of the signal box continues along with work commencing on the lever frame, which has recently been moved out of storage into the building itself.

January was spent making the framework up for the final signal base for this part of the signalling scheme. This base is located in the at the Tunbridge Wells end of the passing loop and will form the Up Starting signal for trains pulling into Groomrbridge platform. The foundation was dug out over a number of weeks in late 2009 and at the end of January the concrete base was poured. Once this has set and the framework removed, all that will remain to be done will be the retaining wall for both this base and the one at the far end of the loop for the Down Advanced Starting signal.

The framework for the base under construction on 24th January - Photo R. Sharpe On 31st January the concrete base has been cast, completing the project to cast all the bases for the new signal posts. As can be seen, a retaining wall is yet to be built at the back of the base - Photo R. Sharpe

Above Left:- The framework for the base under construction on 24th January - Photo R. Sharpe
Above Right:- On 31st January the concrete base has been cast, completing the project to cast all the bases for the new signal posts. As can be seen, a retaining wall is yet to be built at the back of the base - Photo R. Sharpe

This is possibly one of the most exciting times to get involved with volunteering at the railway. For more details on how to join the railway, click here.