Part of the SRPS's Bo'ness & Kinneil Railway
Today sees the start of the Annual Volunteers Week so why not come make that jump into the volunteering world where the SRPS will be more than happy to see you. Please contact our Volunteer Liaison Officer volunteers@srps.org.uk for more information on how you can help bring Scotland’s railway heritage to life.
Work continued at the top end of the Fireclay Mine Haulage system to give visitors to the station a sense of what it looked like when in operation. There are a few bits left to do to tidy from the top fence to the footbridge which will be tackled next weekend. This work is the first of many mini projects to provide points of interest along the meadow walk.
View before the slope was tackled. Due to the old sleeper bed foundations most of the bramble & nettle roots had matted together 4 – 6″ below the surface which made it hard going in between and underneath the rails.
Below are views after the clearance – the cable used to pull the hutches is still present along with the roller guides. These will be cleaned up in time and close up images of the makers name taken.
While clearing the vegetation some old nails and large drill bit was discovered. These will be cleaned up and will be eventually exhibited at the station.
Meadow Walk Picnic Area
Work commenced on the tidy up of the Meadow Walk picnic area on Saturday, one of the first tasks was to remove years of grime from the picnic tables and after plenty of elbow grease. The weather was poor but three out four tables where cleaned and are now ready for a coat of paint. The next task is to cut the grass area and a general tidy up
Mine Haulage System
Work also commenced on the clearing of the mass of brambles & nettles overgrowth at the top section of the old Birkhill Fireclay Mine Haulage system, once cleared it will provide a good view of the track & pulley system used to move the ‘Hutches’ up from the mine entrance.
One of the last tasks for the Birkhill team before the Thomas Weekend (13th & 14th May) is to put up the buntin, banners, posters and a general clean up. As it has been for a few weeks the weather was once again kind to allow some grass strimming to be done too!
A little interest was created for the team first thing Saturday morning of the arrival of class 37 37703 used to collect wagons from the loop at Birkhill. The wagons had been used during the week as part of the drainage installation and the 2nd platform prep work.
The Birkhill Group, continued clearing the overgrown vegetation on the embankment on the north side of the bridge. As we got deeper into the brambles, nettles and saplings spots of blue began to appear. I suspect this will be the first time in years they have managed to show themselves. There is a little bit of work left to do along the fence, but hopefully the supressed bells and other wild flowers will get a chance to show there colours.
Before After View from the Bridge
The Civils team have been hard at it again, with a further three drainage chambers complete or near complete. Work was also undertaken on the embankment on the south side of the proposed new platform,this has made it a lot tidier and will help enhance the views to the top of the bank where a great showing of Blue Bells will visible in the next week. The spoil to be used as backfill once the platform work commences.
Its getting close to the first of this season’s Day’s Out With Thomas on 13th & 14th May, and so preparation work for the event at Birkhill has commenced. Clearing the over growth to the car park area was the main activity of the day once started it quickly came apparent it had not been done for some time! One of the original picnic tables was also moved to the area to provide an additional area to sit.
Station building outside got a well deserved wash and brush in preparation for the new running season. The waiting room was also treated to a little clean up too!
Moss removal & gutter clearing progressed, to the rear of the station & path cleared for preparation of new guttering & water collection system
