| Over the weekend of 8 and 9 January 2011 (and continuing for some weeks) track relaying is taking place at Bradford Abbas, just to the east of Yeovil Junction. All pictures by Brian Haigh (unless otherwise credited). |
| With old track loaded on the wagon on the right, the trackbed is levelled after removal of the top layer.. |
| More track panels (cut to the required length) are loaded. |
| Spent ballast is removed. |
| Fortunately the up line has not been removed permanently! Its not like the 60's and 70's!! |
| New concrete sleepers hauled by 66090. |
| Not entirely sure what this machine is - it looks like a whacker to compact the ballast. |
| Removing more concrete sleepers.... |
| ....and placing them on the trackbed.... |
| ....ready for the new rail previously left in the down line. |
| 9 January 2011 sees 66112 at Yeovil Junction having brought its train conveying old track from the work site. It has run round the wagons and will now push back to clear the points prior to running down the branch to Yeovil Pen Mill. (Photo Paul Gould) |
| Ballasting the new track at night. |
| 30 January 2011 More trackwork sees old track being lifted. |
| The wagon at the end of the train contains odd lengths of track. |
| 66016 run in to the sidings with a train of old concrete sleepers and rail. (Photo courtesy Paul Gould) |
| Dummy is off.... (Photo courtesy Paul Gould) |
| ....for 66047 which brought in the previous train carrying old old track and then reversed (after release) over the double slip to the sidings opposite the signalbox. (Photo courtesy Paul Gould) |
| 66047 then couples to the rear of 66016's train in readiness to movement away via Yeovil Pen Mill. (Photo courtesy Paul Gould) |
| Lining up the new rail - note sleepers not yet laid. |
| Cutting the rail to length. |
| A blue cable is laid on the ballast and sprayed for track laying machine to follow. |
| The machine pushes the rails apart whilst the front conveyor (running on crawler tracks) drops new concrete sleepers on the ballast. |
| The machine then raises the rail and clips it into position on the sleepers. |
| Work on ballasting continues into the night. |
| 06 February 2011 A fine array of rail mounted diggers!! |
| A ballast spreader (?) |
| Close up. |
| 66167 |
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