GWSR Lineside

Four of us today on a fine Autumn day. First job was to clear the side walls of Peasebrook Stud underbridge, ready for its inspection, which we did. Driving down the track to the bridge we noticed that there was a fair bit of growth over the signal wires, and as we understand that these may become operational soon, we decided to pre-empt a job request by clearing back the growth over them - well done Jonathan. Otherwise we were back to the car park slope at Broadway, making slow but steady progess along the bank, carefully clearing the area with the mesh ground reinforcing.   Last weeks experiment has proved that we can cut this area with brushcutters, with the cut bramble acting as a protective layer. Several of the brushcutters were playing up and so hopefully our Drainage friends can work their magic on them. We will be back at Broadway next week, after a brief interlude chipping another pile of cut stuff at Toddington first. Nick Wright   

 A team of 8 today with Andy and Alex on the chipper, Paul, Sally and Graham on recovery of cuttings and Steve, Lawrence and Ian on chainsaws. Excellent day today in almost perfect conditions, if not a little warm. Eight of us tackled the cherry trees between the engine shed sidings and the narrow gauge at Toddington. They were lovely trees but sadly were moving down the ash filled bank towards the narrow gauge buildings so they needed to removes. The trees were also leaning towards the buildings so great skill was required by Lawrence and Ian on chainsaws with help from the rest of the team on ropes to ensure the trees fell correctly. It was good to see a few red kites and a young deer in the field opposite the work site. Next week back, we have tunnel bridge 30 to clear, and if we have enough brushcutters and chainsaw it's also back to Townsends embankment. Instructions email out Wednesday as usual.  There will be pictures on the blog but a personal favourite, not showing ei...

F ive of us today on our first visit of the season to what will be our long term home at Broadway.   Whilst it was a bit rainy at times, it was not so bad as to stop us and we have made a start at the Station end of the car park bank, working southwards. We have thus cleared the section from the Bridge (1) to the start of the area with the ground stabilization mesh.  The cut bramble has been left to mulch down and any tree saplings have been cut down and chipped As an experiment, David made a start clearing on the meshed area and we have found that there is so much bramble (approx 6' high) that when this is cut down with a mulching blade on the brushcutter, it leaves enough derbris such that the blade is kept away from the mesh.  We shall hopefully continue this next week, as well as popping down to the Peasebrook Bridge to give it a tidy prior to its inspection. Thanks everyone. Nick Wright     

 Three of us this week, Brummie Dave, Alex and me on a wet Saturday.  The primary tasks were the Manor Lane (35) and Granna Lane (34) bridges to be cleared ready for inspection. We started at Manor Lane and cleared the wings but not too much to do.  Pictures below are before and after.             We then moved down to Granna Lane but next to nothing was required other than clearing some high branches which needs a visit from the pole saw at a later date.  Pictures below:       Dave and I then went on via Dixton Yard to check out the remaining bridges down to 30 which the Wednesday team are due to hit later in the week.   Bridge 32 MC 14-4 (Bridge 30?)       On the way back we did a "drive by" of Mrs Ts.  Unfortunately Tom has completely closed off the bank on her side and the undergrowth is coming back quickly so we will need to access from the top to clear the remainder.  No chance of g...

  4 of us today at Winchcombe.   In hot and humid conditions we completed the tidying up of last week’s arising and also finished brushcutting alongside the siding on the Cotswold side. We then moved on to brushcutting the openings, on both sides, to ensure the views of River Isbourne remain visible. It is a feature mentioned in the Railway’s guide book! We also cleared around the steps and handrails that facilitate safe access down to the river.   A couple pictures courtesy of Brian.   David M   I now hand back the reins for organising Wednesdays to Nick, as we commence the winter programme of work from next week  

 Five in the team today with Brummie Dave on safety, Alex, Nick and Rachel on hand tools and me on brushcutter. The original task was to clear between Didbrook 1 and 2 but we were asked to also clear the bridge piers ready for inspection. As the track between the bridges was largely clear with no vegetation within 10' of the track on the Malvern side and very low on the Cotswold side we focussed on clearing the heavy growth on the bridges. Didbrook 1 was not too bad on the Cotswold side but heavy growth on Malvern south pier.  There was a similar challenge on Didbrook 2 with the added issue of a part felled tree which Alex enjoyed cutting up to allow the heavy brambles to be removed.  Nick and Rachel managed most of the undergrowth on the north piers. It seemed to be a busy day on the track with a lot of diesel activity and a quick pass by from a shunter. A great job from all on the team. Lawrence Before and after pictures from both bridges are shown below. Didbrook 1 Bef...