FLOODLINE NEWS
For insurance reasons only working members of the Railway can be directly involved in repair activity. Any members not currently working volunteers and who wish to assist should contact Dewi Jones in the first instance.
FLOODLINE No 9
Wednesday 4th July 2007
Work proceeding at all previous work sites.
Knowlesands
SVR tree fell down probably last night breaking a neighbours fence – yet another job! – contact Dave Evans if you can help or it will be done on the weekend.
Sterns
Flail-fitted road railer working in this area. Will return tomorrow to move stone at Knowlesands.
Folly Point
Road-railer at Folly Point started to repair and build gabion rock wall.
Northwood
P W flat trolley brought on passenger train KR to BY then loaded onto road rail dumper truck to go to Northwood, trolley used to carry equipment associated with camera survey of drains.
Two members of the Coal Yard Railway were out clearing vegetation.
Sat 7th and Sun 8th July
Arley Station gang. Meet at the station 10.30am usual ditch clearing and vegetation clearance work.
Sat 7th and Sun 8th July
Works Train 10.30am ex Bewdley - staff if possible to bring short bowsaws and loppers to clear vegetation. Main line support coach BSK 35479 (moved to BY last night) will replace Riding Van 55 in the train for a little more comfort!
Sat 08 Driver D Price Guard I Hollis
Sun 08 Driver Bradshaw/Brooks Guard TBA
Wednesday 11th July
Cl 08 (Driver A Longdon) ex BY to KR to shunt goods wagons. Guard required contact Dewi Jones.
Dewi Jones
Traffic Manager
SVR
FLOODLINE No 8
Tuesday 3rd July 2007
Knowlesands
Temporary roadway being built. Machines going in tomorrow to extract spoil from track formation.
Spoil will be temporary stored in the industrial estate pending removal by road to a landfill site.
Eardington Bank Summit
Landslips still being washed away. The returning of soil and packing it back in the washout holes has not been successful and these holes will now be plugged with rock. Lorries can not get to site therefore a rock dump will be established some way away from the railway and dumper trucks used for the last leg across the fields. These dumper trucks may be reused to move the extracted waste spoil.
Sterns
There has been no report of any movement in this area. Road Railer with flail will be working here tomorrow. Volunteers required (BH P Way? And others) on coming weekend to clear up after it and if possible burn the vegetation.
HL - CPH
Authority given by council for SVR contractors to take road vehicles onto cycle path. One large culvert collapsed here and machines required for clearance work and possible thrust boring of a new culvert.
Borle Viaduct
The training wall ( a block of concrete 10 foot x 20 foot) has moved and scouring is now taking place behind it and further upstream. The possible solution to this is the fitting of rock screws to tie the concrete block to the river bank and then filling behind and around it with a mixture of rock gabions and concrete.
Victoria Bridge
The crawler bucket accessed SVR by going "through the hedge" at Trimpley Waterworks and driving down the track through Eymore Cutting and has started preliminary work
Eymore Woods
Flooding on the uphill side opposite the reservoirs has yet to subside. Can BY P Way check this one out this coming weekend?.
Folly Point
After last week's emergency effort of tipping 800mm rock into the river, today we have brought in 1.5m rock boulders and are taken one at a time along the footpath. Nearly half of the 75 foot erosion of the river bank is now protected with these boulders. This work should be completed within two days.
Northwood
One collapsed culvert probable repair will be to thrust bore a new one.
Cameras investigating BY to NH culverts tomorrow.
Wanted
Someone to help administer the Flood Damage Appeal. This will be at the Bewdley Office from Monday to Friday and will include dealing with paperwork and processing cheques etc. Ideally we would like to roster volunteers for half a day per day.
Wanted
Someone to start filling envelopes with Thomas leaflets and labelling them for posting. Again a Monday to Friday job but any time of day.
If you would like to help with the above please contact John Leach on 01299 403816
Off Topic
Doors and windows for engine house have been delivered and are being fitted
GWR Toplight 3930 entered C+W Workshop at BY and MK1 35219 brought out after overhaul
Dewi Jones
Traffic Manager
SVR
Photo taken this afternoon of crawler bucket on the south side of Victoria Bridge.
Video report from BBC Midlands Today 3rd July
FLOODLINE No 7
Monday 2nd July 2007
Oldbury Viaduct is not cracked. A separate stone built retaining wall has cracked under the pressure of the land its designed to retain. A drilling rig will bore into this side of the embankment to see how deep the slide is. After investigation a decision will be made as a result of the severity as to whether the wall has to be rebuilt or/and the embankment pinned with earth anchors and mesh similar to the solution they have used outside the Engine House at HY. A temporary roadway is being built from industrial estate onto trackbed. Further track was removed from the south end of OV and a deep temporary drain cut to divert any possible flooding away from the suspect embankment.
BH Down Home removed and recovered bits dismantled for removal and refurbishment. Location cabinet disconnected and taken to KR S+T for repair. Telegraph cables disconnected.
Daniel's Mill waterwheel has been moved by the force of the water and mechanism within mill has been damaged.
HL
The plan is to tramroad the line from Waterworks Crossing to the slip site alongside the caravan park. Machines can then drive along the raised "roadway" to extract the contaminated debris and drag much of it back from alongside the caravans. The reverse will be used when making good the slip with incoming rock
HY
Results of last week boring is expected mid week. More track removed over weekend.
Work on the yard in front of the Engine House has been stopped. A roadway will be built from where the level crossing was/will be onto the short spur to allow lorry access onto/above the slip site for extracting spoil and bringing in stone
Fisherman's Crossing
Estimated 600-700 tons of the formation has now been washed into the farmer's field.
Borle Viaduct
Our tree surgeon has cut an access to the base of the viaduct for further inspection to be made. Under no circumstances should SVR staff venture towards the brook. Between Friday and today the brook has risen 15 feet. From photographs it is now evident that the retaining walls have moved. These large concrete retaining walls were cast probably in the 60's but have now been undermined by the brook and have slipped out of alignment. The water is now eroding behind these walls and a swift repair is needed to prevent further erosion to the bank and longer term the viaduct.
Sunday AY gang walked to BV investigating and clearing drains. Some dipping of track nr AY Up Distant. Large quantities of water still flowing from high land. One stream flowing into embankment with no visible exit. Culvert entrances blocked by rock, silt and washed down vegetation. Not safe to send men it to clear until water levels subside. Culverts than were not known to exist have been found and ones known lost under landslips. Many earth pipes about 6-9 inch in diameter coped for a 100 years but now need unblocked although most are now free flowing. Camera check to be made.
Victoria Bridge
Saturday BY and AY gangs in Eyemore Cutting clearing drains, cesses, stream and siphon. Tracked caterpillar bucket to access site by Wednesday to start excavating south side of VB
Folly Point
The level of the Severn dropped over the weekend. The 800mm size stone which was tipped last week has done its job of preventing further erosion of the riverbank below the track. 100 gabion metal mesh baskets were delivered today. Does anyone know anything about the GWR sinking barges of rock at this point? Estimated timescale to complete FP and NL slips is about three weeks.
Northwood Lane
RR used to dig throught the tension cracks alongside the line but found them not to be as deep as hade been feared. Once all the stone has been tipped into the river the next lorry loads of stone will be for NL. Vegetation clearance train with volunteers staff BY to NL on Saturday and Sunday. One 7X year old lady who is not 100% on her pins came to make the tea for us. Not content to stay in the van she was helping us load sawn branches into a wagon. Now how comfortable is that armchair?
APPEALS
Would the person with drain camera equipment who contacted Johnathan Simonds to offer assistance please ring me on 01299 403816
Only SVR staff in the execution of their duties should be on the track and especially at the contractor led sites. No goules or gawpers please - you've seen the photos so please keep away. If you need to go through a contractor led site get their permission before passing through.
Borle Viaduct is not cracked
Closure of the line will "not be until next year" - wrong message to public
No reopening dates confirmed yet - too early to estimate but contractors confident of late July/early August opening for BY-AY section
Staff should give factual reports not negative guesswork to the public.
WANTED
A volunteer to co-ordinate the repainting of our mileposts (contact DJ)
Volunteer to lead lineside vegetation clearance gangs for a day, get the tea sorted first! (contact DJ)
Dewi Jones
Traffic Manager SVR
Photos of last week's P Way work by Pete Cherry:
Victoria Bridge - Chris Bagley hits rail with hammer
Victoria Bridge - with this intended result!
Victoria Bridge - Road-Railer removes rail
Victoria Bridge - Road-Railer lifts out sleepers
Between Stanley Cutting and Fisherman's - after removing south end fishplates
Between Stanley Cutting and Fisherman's - view from opposite direction
Between Stanley Cutting and Fisherman's - Chris Bagley burns through second rail
Between Stanley Cutting and Fisherman's - after shaking rail to make sleepers drop. Note broken chairs, and a key by itself in the rail!
Between Stanley Cutting and Fisherman's - RR drags rail out
Between Stanley Cutting and Fisherman's - both rails now out.
Further photographic contributions welcome via VLO Webmaster
FLOODLINES No 6
Friday 29th June
This morning water was still eroding the embankment south side of Oldbury Viaduct. The Down home signal was leaning and was expected to fall over. The retaining wall at the bottom of the embankment at Daniels Mill had bulged and the bank was showing signs of movement. S+T staff moved from south end of line to Oldbury Viaduct to disconnect electrical and communication cables and signal removed.
Four panels of track removed from south end of viaduct with one more panel to be done tomorrow.
New roadway being built through Knowlesands Industrial Estate to trackbed to allow machines access to Oldbury Viaduct.
100,000 Flood Appeal Leaflets being run off
On-Line Donations from Monday on SVR web site
Limited amount of Flood Appeal leaflets available at BY Office for collection this weekend. Arrangements made to distribute leaflets to KR and BY today and BH over the w/e
One road rail dumper BY d 10.30pm to Folly Point used to ferry drain camera equipment for BY-VB section.
Excavated contaminated spoil from worksites was to be tipped in KR car park. The Law does not allow waste to be taken from one site to another by road without exemption being applied even back onto the owner’s land. Other disposal methods now under discussion.
Drilling rig removed from HY, more track removed here today
Engine 1000 and tender now coupled and stored in KR CS
Saturday 30th June
Meeting with Army representatives at HY
Saturday 30 June and Sunday 1 July
Appeal for any SVR Staff to help clear lineside of vegetation, cess clearance, drainage clearance
Train leaves BY at 10.30am to Northwood Halt, bring tools and waterproofs etc
Still looking for an 08 driver for Sunday
Appeal for SVR staff to clear vegetation in Stourport P W area ready for clear out of scrap
HY and AY Stations could do with additional hands report to station masters
Help this weekend.
BY PWay require their flat trolley repaired, axle problem anyone at BY MPD who can weld and do some metal work repairs please.
This is the sort of work that SVR staff can do to help reopen the railway. This is a list produced by BH Station Master illustrating the type of work to be done. The list can be longer and can be duplicated at each station so if you want to help reopen the line this is where we want you.
Painting Railings : Wire brushes, paint brushes, paint are all in station workshop Rubbing down and painting station window frames and doors : Materials in station workshop Sanding down platform bench timbers - currently propped up in station workshop. Bench repair : Materials in station workshop Rubbing down & painting footbridge handrails (black) : Materials in station workshop Repaint platform 2 waiting room : Materials in station workshop
Retouching and repainting signs around the station : Materials in station workshop
Vegetation removal from town side of car park (strimmer in station workshop)
Repaint of buffet store : Materials in station workshop
Repaint of bar store : Materials in station workshop
Clean up and repaint of booking hall
Monday 2nd June
Second of planning/prayer meetings of engineers and planners
Next week
GWR Toplight Coach 3930 KR to BY C+W for repainting, BR MK1 35219 due out after overhaul
Drilling Rig Tuesday or Wednesday to Oldbury Viaduct
Soon
DMU Group could do with help to dismantle bogies in KR Carpark – contact Trevor Daw. KR Carpark tidy up contact Roland Bull (similar work and gang to the turntable tidy up). These jobs are connected with the reopening of the line as we may need additional space at KR for material and equipment.
Want a break? Bluebell Railway have invited SVR staff to visit their Railway’s 125 Year celebration. Twelve engines in steam all sorts going on. The Bluebell along with many other railways have offered P Way vehicles and machinery. Some railways were fund raising for us last weekend and other have plans to help us financially. Other railways have offered volunteers. We may well be taking up their offers during the weeks and months ahead.
FLOODLINE in now truly world wide. It's now read regularly by friends in Ireland and the Shetlands and photos have gone to Canada and Australia.
Its unlikely that I'll have the time this weekend to produce Floodlines the next issue will be on Monday
Dewi Jones
Traffic Notices
FLOODLINE No 5
Thursday 28th June
From an article in recent New Civil Engineer. Thanks to Simon Porter of Litchfield for sending it in. Published 27 June 2007 at 11:23
Freak weather damage “not preventable”
The damage wreaked by the freak weather conditions experienced across parts of the UK this week, which saw up to 100mm
of rain fall in one day, could not have been prevented by better design, engineers claimed. But they accepted that it was
possible to improve the water drainage rate from urban areas affected this week such as Hull, Selby and parts of Leeds which
suffered only surface water flooding according to the Environment Agency.
ICE vice president Jean Venables said: “It has been an extreme event and I don't believe here are any systems that could
have coped with all of [the flooding].”
He said that extreme events as seen this week were expected to become more prevalent due to climate change. The pilot
Schemes accept that design capabilities will be exceeded and look for stakeholders to work together to develop the best
ways for water to escape towns, such as the remodelling of roads to act as flood channels.
This may go some of the way to silence those who say that our line was not maintained to the highest standards.
Contacts and meetings have been made with Local Authorities and Central Government
Wednesday 20th June - contact was made with Bridgnorth District Council to advise of the extent of the damage and the likely effect that the closure of the line would have on the local economy.
Thursday 21st June – further contacts with Bridgnorth District Council and telephone contact with the MPs for Ludlow and Wyre Forest.
Friday 22nd June – meeting arranged with Philip Dunne, MP for Ludlow at Hampton Loade followed by a visit to Highley to inspect at first hand the large bank collapse and the destruction that has been caused to the railway and the chalets below; Bridgnorth District Council and local press in attendance.
Telephone conversation with Richard Taylor, MP for Wyre Forest and meeting arranged at Westminster for Tuesday 26th with both MPs and other agencies.
BBC Midlands Today carried a live broadcast from Bridgnorth and Philip Dunne was interviewed and asked about emergency funding to help with the recovery and repair of the railway.
Monday 25th June – Engine House funding agencies made contact regarding the opening of the visitor centre and consideration is being given to assistance being provided to ensure the earliest possible opening date.
Tuesday 26th June – Meeting held at Westminster with Richard Taylor and Philip Dunne; Mick York and Mike Ball representing the railway. Actions agreed and both MPs committed their on-going support to the railway
Wednesday 27th June
Emergency Board meeting where Directors were enlightened about the events of the last week by Johnathan Simonds (consulting engineer), Phil Sowden (Chief Engineer), Dewi Jones (Traffic Manager), John Leach (Marketing Manager) and Dave Mee (Education Manager).
Thursday 28th June
BH PWay working to remove track and sleepers from Fisherman’s slip. Rail to be cut up on site for scrap as it is twisted and is not reusable. Sleepers to be put to one side and maybe reusable.
S+T detail check of communication cables BY to HY. S+T asked to make arrangements to sever the cables to allow machines to work at major sites.
NRM 1000 (engine) arriving this evening.
Continuation of excavating work at Northwood, Folly Point and Knowlesands.
Meeting with Wyre Forest District Council, Chief Executive and Leader at Stourport Civic Centre 3pm Mike Ball, Roger Smith and Nick Ralls attending.
FRIDAY 29th JULY
Meeting with Advantage West Midlands, Bridgnorth District Council and Shropshire County Council at Highley 2pm on Friday; Mike Ball and Nick Ralls attending.
Tender for NRM 1000 arriving today and with engine to be stored in KR CS
Work to continue with BH P Way gang dismantling track at HY. By end of day Friday all the tracks from the boarded crossing to a point near the bridge at the south end of the station should have been craned clear and stored elsewhere.
Helicopter hired to film railway and up to a quarter of a mile from the river. The idea is to spot any slippages in the fields and forests above the railway which we have not had time to investigate.
Drain camera crew to start inspecting all culverts and drains on the line.
Saturday 30th June
Class 08 (Driver required – contact Dewi Jones) and Guard P Allision. SVR Staff Train 10.30am ex BY to Northwood H. Start of vegetation clearance back to BY. SVR staff to bring tools, wellies, waterproofs,
food and drink. Train will return to BY lunchtime then return to NH end of day not later than 4.00pm.
Tea maker rostered
Sunday 1st July
Class 08 (Driver and Guard required – contact Dewi Jones). Train 10.30am ex BY to Northwood H. Work as above. Vacancy for teamaker (contact DJ).
From now on
If an 08 driver and guard can be rostered it is intended that the w/e train runs until the line reopens.
I need someone to arrange and supervise the team to carry out lineside vegetation clearance work.
Some of you may remember the team effort a few years ago when Victoria Bridge was closed – well something along those lines.
If you want to do light duties and see the best presentable stations when the line reopens then HY and AY stations could do with help every weekend from now on – don’t all rush at the same time. Work such as painting, cleaning, tidying up, sweeping up, gardening etc. Please be patient as they are not geared up for too big an influx.
Contact:
Ian Latimer AY SM latimerofbewdley@aol.com
Tony Clifton HY ASM aclifton@kidderminster-ac.uk
Next week
BH P Way gang to remove track from Knowlesands slip. Repair made three years ago after last washout held, damaged elsewhere.
Authority received from Severn Trent Water for heavy tracked excavator to be moved from Trimpley to VB to start excavating
Appeal Leaflet being printed today, 33,000 copies to go out with next edition of Steam Railway Magazine.
Also Note
Next Special Event after 40’s is Bewdley Station Gala on 21st and 22nd July – please support it
Shops at BH + KR Pubs at BH + KR Buffets at BH, BY + KR all open, please support them.
Dewi Jones
Traffic Manager
SVR
28th June: More from the Express and Star with video showing recovery work at Highley and update of appeal fund.
FLOODLINE No 4
Wednesday 27th June 2007
This morning one RR bucket and two RR dumpers ex BY at 9.15am. One dumper developed electrical fault and had to return to BY, driver swapped onto spare dumper and returned to site. Bucket working on removing ash at Northwood and dumpers to remove spoil to Tenbury Wall.
Report from member of staff walking his dog last night that the River Severn at this point has eroded the riverside footpath. Originally it was about 8 foot wide its now about 4 foot. If it keeps eroding away it will take away the retaining wall that holds up the embankment the railway line rests on (well it did before we took it off yesterday).
As a result we requested authority from the Environment Agency and Severn Trent Water to bring in rock by road to the Elan Valley Aqueduct car park. Our method statement was approved and the footpath closed to the public. Road dumpers were organised and by the end of today 40 tons of rock had been deposited in the river. This process will continue early tomorrow morning. The hope is that these rocks will slow down the amount of erosion and hold until the river level drops. The Environment Agency was informed but like many government bodies in the area they have their priorities as well.
The contractors are now gearing themselves up for 12 hour days. Please do not drive to EVA to sight-see as this will cause traffic problems for incoming and outgoing lorries
We have received authority to access the landslip problems at Knowlesands via the industrial estate
To avoid additional movements of OTMs (on track machines) into and out of Bewdley Station and thus in and out of the Engineer's Possession at awkward times of the day and night a compound has/will be erected at EVA along with a portable toilet. Consideration being given to supply radios to all contractors on site as mobile phone communication is poor. All road rail dumpers to return to KR tomorrow and go off hire.Its been found that the two RR buckets with their trailer boxes are sufficient for the VB, FP and NH work sites
BH P Way gang and others at HY today dismantling track above the slip,may be appearing in the Shropshire Star tonight - that's a newspaper in case you think they are performing in some pub tonight! (Also reported in the Express and Star).
Sat 30th or Sun 1st July
Staff required to clear vegetation on the Stourport P W area and dispose of.This work is required to see what scrap metal we have at this site and make it easier to retrieve.We hope to benefit financially from disposing of unwanted scrap
Sat 14th and Sun 15th July.
Staff qualified to use oxy-cutting equipment,driving the Ruston or a qualified BY shunter to contact Colin Astbury at BY C+W. Others without bad backs etc will be required to lift and move items of scrap which may be heavy,suitable PPE required. Further details of this are tidy up project to be issued issued later.
BH MPD
7714 awaiting replacement flue tubes and it could be back in service in about 4 weeks. Consideration being given to move 5764 to KR/BY next week. As spare engine. Cant be bad - how many three mile long railways have a Black 5, a Micky Mouse, a GWR 45xx tank and a pannier? Moving the pannier out of BH is not easy, poor ground conditions, a lot of shunting of the the trailer and lorry, keeping the access road clear for the lorry etc etc.
One week ago Wed 20th June (How the picture unfolded from some hastily scribbled notes!)
6.15am DJ woken by KR Jn Signalman with report of tree down at Trimpley, awake so went to work.
6.45 DJ informed BY loco crew that inspection of the line required BY to HY
7.06 Coombies Farm phoned in -ballast washed from under track - ballast in field 1/2 mile south of HY
AY to HL now closed
7.14 Fire Service phoned in tree down across track half mile north of Northwood
7.27 informed driver of Diner engine of situation
7.50 Driver of LE ex BH who had walked from BH reported Knowlesands Industrial Estate washout and landslip across track on south side of tunnel
BH to AY now closed
8.10 BH Home Signal base washed away and only concrete anchor holding it in place
8.16 eye witness report of HY Up Home signal washed over,railway embankment opp Engine house may be damaged 3 chalets washed away/damaged
8.25 tested telegraph between BN and HY found to be not operational, CS+TE informed
8.36 inspection train BY to HY
8.38 BN1 guard stood down at home
8.44 Severn Trent reported tree down at Trimpley
9.00 (Normal booking on time for DJ!) Report received from staff inspecting VB large hole track in the air water washing from Eyemore Cutting into the Severn, BY to BH now closed
9.14 Fire Service reported that washout form under track at HL and washing into caravan park
9.34 BH signalman relieved of duty and went to work
9.34 report of debris from Eymore Cutting half way out onto Victoria Bridge
9.40 LE BY to KR instructed to inspect the BN-HY line
10.00 report from Northwood - line covered in debris,cracks alongside ballast not passable by train
10.30 inspection train returned from Northwood to BY to work additional dining car train
10.30 ex KR ran to BY P3 RR with hourly service for rest of day
Situation largely known by now and line from BH to BY had been walked throughout and inspected.
If you want to see a summarised version of previous Floodlines they are on the SVR On-Line Forum - and here!
Dewi Jones
Traffic Manager
SVR
FLOODLINE No 3
Tuesday 26th June 2007
It's five days to go until July and the flood barriers are up at Bewdley! It rained here all day yesterday but none today and the sun was shining giving the ground a chance to dry.
BH P Way gang and a few from BY removed two 60 foot lengths of rail and sleepers at Folly Point
RR machines BY to NH and RR Trimpley to NH made trial holes to investigate movement in gabion retaining wall at Folly Point, then moved off to Victoria Bridge to remove track and rail from BY end of Bridge.
Severn Trent Water have allowed us to use the carpark at the Elan Valley Aqueduct to move rocks in by road to this site. The lane from Northwood Halt to the EVA Car Parks will be closed to all except contractors vehicles and residents. SVR staff should in the meantime park at NH and walks to site.
Contractor removed SVR tree that was resting on a BT line in Northwood Lane.
Further clearance work at Eardington but no specific report
RR at BY for refueling in the morning
RR at Trimpley overnight
Further clearance work at Eardington but no specific report
Wednesday 27th June
Any BH and BY P Way Dept staff can go to HY Wednesday and report to Chris Bagley. A start will be made on dismantling track above the slip.
Drilling Rig will start at HY to bore into the area near slip. Samples will be taken to be evaluated before a reinstatement plan is drawn up, drilling will be finished by Friday.
The tension cracks alongside the line at Northwood will be excavated and ash shoulders to the embankment removed. Rock granules will then be brought in by road to the EVA to be railed to site, unloaded and then tamped in tiers. This work will go on until end of next week.
Folly Point. RR will dig down and remove 3 foot of ballast and about 75 feet long to reach level of first gabion. Decision on going deeper will then be made. The contaminated ballast, earth and spoil will be RR to the Tenbury Wall and tipped. This site will over the next few weeks be used as a dump and it may be winter/spring before we get round to moving it off SVR. This work is expected to take two and a half weeks.
All work at VB, Folly Point and Northwood slip will be done by contractors. Other work staff can continue with is draining one large pool alongside Eyemore Woods. Any staff wishing to tackle this job to report Saturday or Sunday to BY 10.00am
1000 Midland Compound from the NRM will not be arriving tomorrow. The haulier can not reach York due to floods in Yorkshire. Should arrive next week sometime.
Friday 29th
50 ton road crane to arrive at HY to remove drilling rig and track materials above slip.
Just for info
SVR insurance will cover consequential loss and damage to buildings and structures.It will also cover earthworks and track up to £500k. Above this figure the SVR will have to make up the difference.It is early days to pin point a near final figure but it could be £1m. This is where the moneys from the Flood Appeal will go. Not only do we need to reinstate the line but make improvements to ensure that we can cope with such extreme rainfall. These improvements could be an additional £250k. There’s no point saving money on just reinstating the line when we can make it even better. Although moneys are coming in this amount is still a long way off and every effort should be made to support the appeal.
One Week Ago Tues 19th June
At about 11.50pm DJ was informed of the slip at HY. I spent the next hour working out a KR-AY and HL to BH service ready for the morning - then went to bed.
Anyone who missed receiving Floodlines 1 and 2 can find a summarised version on the SVR On Line Forum, (thanks Chris)
Again Floodline is primarily produced for SVR staff but if you have friends who you think would benefit from it then this is not a private publication.
Dewi Jones
Traffic Manager
SVR
Three photos with Bradshaw's machines at Folly Point showing track removed, trial digging and out-of-line gabion baskets.
Three photos at Victoria Bridge and Eymore Cutting with track removed ready for further excavation.
FLOODLINE No 2
Typed 25th June 2007
No email facility at the Bewdley Office today (not SVR fault). Dewi Jones unable to answer or send. BT hope that is takes only a day or two to be rectified.
Sunday 24th June
Over w/e Arley gang cleared Arley to Highley of debris received welcome cups of tea from Highley staff
Fishermans crossing - staff closed gates only for the nice lady to purposely open them afterwards even though there was no road traffic. All staff should close these gates if passing.
Monday 25th June 2007
Very heavy rain 10.00pm Sun until 6.00am Mon
One road railer (Bradshaw’s No 35 for the OTM spotters) with bucket and two 20 ton trailers Kidderminster to Bewdley gauge tested through Bewdley P1 into Bewdley-Highley section 10.35am to work at MP 139 northwards to Northwood Halt
One road railer (Bradshaws No 8?)with two trolleys and four bins moved Kidderminster to Bewdley to transfer bins to RR No 35
RR No 35 with two bins to Trimpley stabled overnight
One RR dumper moved from Kidderminster to Bewdley (4 at BY now)
4 staff walked the line today Northwood Halt -Victoria Bridge to clear water ways
Notes from Planning Meeting held at Bewdley
No staff to be lone working between Bewdley and Bridgnorth
Always wear a HVV where normally required
Those with Track Awareness Certificates may work Bewdley-Bridgnorth if accompanied by a PTS Certificate holder
Major sites (eg Fisherman’s) will have facilities such as rest rooms and toilets.
Volunteers to keep away from marked contractors sites. Some areas will be hard hat areas. If you need to pass through these sites then work may have to cease for that period.
Northwood Lane – its believed that its only the ash surface that has slipped the clay underneath is slightly cracked but is absolutely soaking.. RR has dug away side ballast to expose and investigate extent of cracking and its as good/bad as was expected. Track to remain for repairs.
Folly Point. When meeting started condition was not known but now reported that some trial excavation exposed formation like a mix of jelly and porridge! Track will have to be lifted (P Way Dept to lead)
Work starts Tuesday Morning with small gang from Bridgnorth and Bewdley. Work will continue to dig out formation to depth of about 8 feet to gabion level, straighten the bulged gabions and infill with new rock (rock booked for delivery from Wednesday).
Victoria Bridge. Track Bewdley side in fresh air to be lifted clear to allow excavation of formation.
Timetable under discussion.
Borle Viaduct believed to be intact but concrete retaining walls in the brook may have to be replaced with gabions. No volunteers to attempt clearance work near this brook. Contract tree surgeons will be employed. From tell tale signs its believed that the level of the flood was thirty feet above normal.
Highley. The drilling rig brought in this morning to obtain ground samples could not be employed.
Due to last night’s rain more of the formation was collapsing. So much so that it was too dangerous to allow workmen onto the site. 50 Ton road crane to be brought in for rig and at same time could be used to recover S+T and signal (J Phillips will advise before work starts) and track points etc Unsafe to get steam crane near this slip. 1.08pm report that slipping continued due to continuing rainfall
Two trees north of Highley across track. One at the golf course crossing and one at MP 144 ¾ .
There need removing to allow rail roaders through. Report back to DJ
Hampton Loade/waterworks special plan to be discussed to formulate a method of accessing washout - still under discussion.
Several small slips HL to Knowlesands will/are being removed today by RR brought in at Eardington yesterday
Knowlesands/Oldbury Drainage scheme to be designed to prevent a third washout! And save the caravan site and Daniel’s Mill.
Planners progress meeting every Monday until further notice.
George Law is the leading contractor.
RR are on hire from Bradshaws
Priority work for volunteers BY side of Elan Valley Aqueduct, up hillside, water coming down. Please investigate where its coming from and report to DJ. Sleeper alongside is marked with yellow wax. Report back to DJ
Job to do
All culverts and small drains running under the track to be marked by painting a sleeper top on the cess side green. This will make it easier to locate as all will be investigated using a remote camera
Sat 28th June
Meet at Arley station to assist station staff to clear culverts in station area
10.30 for 11.00
Sun 29th
Meet at Arley station to assist station staff to clear culverts in station area
Eymore Cutting clearance of drains
10.30 for 11.00
Confirmed
Saturday evening Fish and Chip DMU will run on advertised dates
Timetable
Evening Theme Trains dated
Timetable
Roster clerks for Signalmen and guards be aware
DMU Group
KR and BY station
Worcester Road Bridge repair work will still take place next April
And when you think things are bad there are railway companies asking us to pay bills and asking to buy our engines before we go bankrupt! We’ll show them! Policy has been made that no engines will be hired for the duration of the emergency. One exception is that we will honour our commitment with 5764 visiting Bradford on Avon in July for one weekend.
Other railways have been in touch, offered any help, labour and rolling stock, we know who our friends are.
NRM engine 1000 still arriving on Wednesday to Kidderminster CS for storage for Highley Engine House.
SVR Flood Appeal information is now on the SVR web site. It may take a day or two for all facilities to be available Please be patient.
Dewi Jones
Traffic Manager
FLOODLINE UPDATE No 1
24th June 2007
I thought my days of running a three mile long heritage railway with one engine and half a dozen coaches was over when I stepped down as Chairman of the Gwili Railway! I managed that in my spare time so with now another three mile railway to look after full time I should end up with time to take on the co-ordinating of volunteers at the south end of the Railway in the task of reopening the line.
I hope to send out updates on a regular basis to help inform everyone of progress and of future plans and appeals for assistance.
It is unlikely that staff will be contacted by phone as the workload will not allow the time. The method of communicating any updates will be by email. These emails unless otherwise notified are not private and information may be passed on. It is sent out to SVR staff but if you feel that you have friends that would benefit from the updates then please pass it on. If you know of staff that can not be contacted by email please ensure that you do your bit to keep them informed. If you know of anyone who does not get this email but would like to, then ask them to send me their address and I can add them to the distribution list.
Please be aware that information issued will be subject to change, even on the day.
Bring wellies. shovels, bowsaws. This will be a muddy job. The first aim is to clear waterways, drains and culverts of debris, rocks and branches. Do not place this debris where it can be washed back into the drains! Clearance work so far has allowed the drains to run freely again and thus has started to allow the track formation to dry out. Do not spend time removing quantities of sand, mud and rocks from the ballast/rails as this will be done by machinery.
Who can drive dumper trucks? The aim is to have contractors on the road rail buckets and if possible SVR volunteers to drive the road rail dumpers (contact DJ).
Update
Thursday 21th June 2007
Cl 37906 and Engineers train Bewdley to Northwood Halt (limit of safe railway)
Clearance of waterways as far as Victoria Bridge
Friday 22th
Cl 37906 and Engineers train Bewdley to Northwood Halt (limit of safe railway)
Clearance of waterways as far as Victoria Bridge
Two road railer buckets, four trailers and three road rail dumper truck delivered to Kidderminster
The three dumper trucks were moved to Bewdley
Vic Bridge to Northwood Halt inspected by Chief Engineer and job list drawn up for Bewdley P Way to act on this weekend
Saturday 23rd
Bewdley gang (PW,MPD and others) Northwood Halt to Vic Bridge clearance of waterways
Arley station gang organised by Ian Latimer Arley station to Vic Bridge/Eymore Cutting
Bridgnorth gang led by John Walker worked from Bridgnorth (sorry have not had contact with the North end of the line yet)
Sunday 24th
Sometime over the weekend one road railer and trailer(s) were to be delivered to Eardington.
Bewdley gang Northwood Halt to Vic Bridge clearance of waterways
Monday 25th
Anyone willing to clear waterways to meet at Bewdley by 10.30am see Dewi Jones
There will be no Engineers train
One road railer bucket Kidderminster to Northwood Halt to start investigation trenches and some ditch clearance
Road railer dumper(s) Bewdley to Northwood Halt to work with bucket. The spoil will be dumped in safe areas alongside the line to save time and will be cleared after the line has reopened.
11.00am at Bewdley SVR Engineers to meet outside contractors to discuss reopening plan
As a result of this meeting much more detail will become available
Tuesday 26th
Anyone willing to clear waterways to meet at Bewdley by 10.30am see Dewi Jones
If a guard will volunteer to work the Engineers train (10.30am ex Bewdley) then it will be Cl 37 with
Dvr J Atkins.If no Guard then cars Bewdley to Northwood and then walk
Wednesday 27th
Anyone willing to clear waterways to meet at Bewdley by 10.30am see Dewi Jones
If a guard will volunteer to work the Engineers train (10.30am ex Bewdley) then it will be Cl 37 with
Dvr J Atkins.If no Guard then cars Bewdley to Northwood and then walk
Thursday 28th
Plan to be worked out in the light of progress
Friday 29th
Plan to be worked out in the light of progress
Saturday 30th
Cl 37 Kidderminster to Bewdley to work Engineers train Bewdley d 10.30am to Northwood
Any staff not required in the 1940’s Event welcome to come along
Bring your own food and drink
Volunteer required to run the mess van, tea coffee etc (contact DJ)
Arley clearance gang 10.30am meet at Arley. I Latimer will organise staff to work Arley to Borle Viaduct
Obviously you will have to get to Arley by road!
Sunday 1st July
Cl 37 Kidderminster to Bewdley? to work Engineers train BY d 10.30am to Northwood
Any staff not required in the 1940’s Event welcome to come along
Bring your own food and drink
Volunteer required to run the mess van tea coffee etc (contact DJ)
Arley clearance gang 10.30am meet at Arley.I Latimer will organise staff to work Arley to Borle Viaduct
That’s all for now folks, please be patient the Bewdley Office is doing as much as it can in these difficult circumstances.
Any issues regarding volunteer involvement please email me but don’t expect an instant reply (trafman AT svr.co.uk)
Confirmed Day out with Thomas will run in September Kidderminster to Arley only
Confirmed Autumn Steam Gala will run Kidderminster to Arley and Bridgnorth to Hampton Loade if line not reopened throughout
Confirmed Diesel Gala will run as above
Confirmed Classic Vehicle Day Oct 14th will run (with altered details TBA)
Dewi Jones
Traffic Manager
SVR
INITIAL DAMAGE REPORT
This last week has seen unprecedented issues facing the Railway. Although there has been plenty of media cover the full extent of all the issues is probably not realised. Listed are all the known problems that we are facing with others probably yet to be identified as repair work gets under way.
Severe thunderstorms on Tuesday night, 19th June 2007 caused substantial damage to the infrastructure from Bridgnorth Outer Home Signal to Northwood Halt where sections of the line have been subjected to landslides, with several sections of track left suspended in air, cuttings filled with debris and at Highley, a major landslide, with the Up Starter Signal washed away, down the embankment.
1. Damage Report - Bridgnorth to Northwood Halt
1.1 Both sides of Oldbury Viaduct affected, South End washed out. BH Outer Home Signal held by concrete anchor.
1.2 Oldbury to Knowlesands Tunnel – 3 x ballast wash-outs + ballast contamination.
1.3 South of Knowlesands Tunnel – 2 x landslips affecting 30ft of track with 4ft of debris on top of track.
1.4 Numerous small landslips to Crossing Cottage.
1.5 Erdington Platform – land slip but not affecting track.
1.6 Waterworks to Hampton Loade – formation washed into caravan site.
1.7 Milepost 146 ½ landslip with cess gone, cracks on riverside.
1.8 Milepost 146 ¼ 200yds South - culvert blocked by debris.
1.9 Milepost 145 ¾ 200yds South embankment affected both sides.
1.10 Milepost 145 200yds North - small washout at culvert.
1.11 Milepost 145 debris off hill side.
1.12 Milepost 144 ¾ crack on riverside 20 yds long.
1.13 Milepost 144 200yds North cracks in embankment
1.14 Milepost 144 200yds South debris build up with water disappearing
1.15 Milepost 144 400yds South small washout.
1.16 Country Park to milepost 144 ¼ washout on West side, track OK.
1.17 Country Park Halt – debris 30yds long, 2 ft high.
1.18 Highley Golf Course Crossing – small washout.
1.19 Milepost 143 ½ small washout, track OK.
1.20 Highley Barrow Crossing to Whistle Board – major wash-out with embankment gone inc. Up Starter signal; track hanging in air. 3 chalets affected.
1.21 Stanley Cutting – tree slumping.
1.22 Stanley Cutting to Fisherman’s Crossing – 50m of bank loss.
1.23 Borle Viaduct – base & tributary needs checking (water level too high).
1.24 Kinlet Straight – track kinked and dipped – needs monitoring.
1.25 Arley boarded crossing – moved to cutting + broken pipe.
1.26 Victoria Bridge, South End – 20m formation washed out + debris on bridge.
1.27 Eyemore Cutting – ballast contamination with debris + slippage of erosion matting.
1.28 Blocked drains by High Bridge at Eyemore. Syphon needs attention.
1.29 Tree blocking line at Trimpley Crossing + major flood on West side.
1.30 Foley Point – Gabions moved and land slipped on high side.
1.31 Culvert by aqueduct needs headwall clean.
1.32 Bridge 12 needs inspecting.
1.33 Milepost 138 slight running water.
1.34 Culvert near house at Orchard Crossing – build up of water.
1.35 Orchard Crossing – SW board – build up of water, needs monitoring.
1.36 Northwood Crossing – small culvert blocked.
1.37 Woodshed – large culvert debris & slight bank erosion.
1.38 Milepost 139 ½ to 139 bank moved, bungalow(s) under threat.
1.39 Level crossing – board up and bank erosion.