Wallbridge Lower Lock

Ian Moody reports:

Yesterday the SDC volunteers made good use of the barge Delilah as a floating bridge to transport materials to the offside of Wallbridge Lower Lock and also as a work platform to set the last few coping stones in place. About 5 tonnes of type 1 aggregate and topping was wheel-barrowed across to construct a path and a small team cast the concrete footings for the offside quadrant.

It was nice to see a decent amount of sunshine and it was doubly nice to hear all the positive comments from members of the public enjoying the recently opened towpath. Next week we will finish off the path and, weather permitting, construct the brick quadrant.

Ham Mill update

2 days of heavy work on Monday involving emptying the bottom gabions 1 bucket at a time, firstly to fill the end gabion and then back filling behind where the concrete is going to be filled.  Re-bar was carefully wired in place to add some strength, in addition to the screw piles already in place.

Really unpleasant weather on Wednesday saw the gabions being shored up to stop the stones under the concrete from falling out.  Hard work as there is very little space to manoeuvre. 

The little digger was brought into use, along with several jacks, to move the amenity cabin to allow for a temporary tow path diversion to be made when the spill weir is installed.

The final wiring was completed to support the curved shuttering along with some very large pieces of stone.  Think everyone slept well that night.

30+ tonnes of concrete to be filled next week, should be fun.

-- 

Andy

Ryeford - Chesnut Lane action

Dave Irving reports:

As you may have read previously, barge Delilah was pushed by our tug Goliath from Ryeford to Chestnut Lane on Tuesday. Goliath had to stop at this point, as a gas main below water level is currently too shallow to allow her to go further. Here's a picture from the tug of the handover to the crew who then manually hauled her to Wallbridge. 

What the previous blog doesn’t mention is that this was Goliath's first work outing since a major engine rebuild over Christmas and New Year. 

Those of you who know Goliath may have been aware of ever increasing amounts of smoke over the previous few months.  In December, the decision was made to remove and disassemble the engine to see what was causing the problem.  We found the engine was well worn (it was built in 1968!) but otherwise in great condition.  Over the holiday period, the usual suspects were sourced and replaced - valves, valve stems, piston rings, bearings & gaskets.  Other parts like diesel injectors and pumps were fine.  The rebuild was completed late January and the engine replaced early February.  Trial running shows great improvement, with normal running essentially smoke-free. 

We’re looking forward to lowering of the gas main at Chestnut Bridge, so Goliath can work past this temporary obstacle, and to many years service in the future.  We pass on our grateful thanks to all those involved in the rebuild. 

If you're interested in learning more about tug operations, and perhaps training to drive her, please contact Dave & Myron at Dave.Irving@CotswoldCanals.com & Myron@Hamshill.co.uk.

Bowbridge Dredging Progress

The dredging project between Stanton's Bridge and Bowbridge Lock steadily progresses. Tug team volunteers Dave and John willingly turned up today to help bow-haul the full and empty mud hoppers around. 

Andy and Les were suffering in the rain and wind even getting to the diggers to empty the hoppers, the deepening mud on the bank is making it hard work and potentially dangerous.  Meanwhile, Bob and Andrew were manning the floating Dredger No. 5 filling the hoppers. We disposed of 4 more loaded hoppers and filled a fifth. One hopper is partially filled and completed when we return. 

The weather deteriorated even more, so this is the dismal view site as we left earlier than normal at 14:00. The 90% cleared area is between the round end of the Dredger and Stanton's Bridge in the background. 

Bob Hallam.

"May your bilges always be dry and your anchor always hold."

Western Depot - other news

Our new welfare unit has now in the process of being fitted with the most essential catering corner equipment.  The service connections are coming on.  High level activity has taken place in the form of new paper on the ceiling, this to hide the nasty marks left when the internal partitioning was removed.

 

Mole has received further fitting out.  It now sports a new wooden floor, the installation of which was commented on as something akin to doing a puzzle.  Work also took place on the bespoke trailer for Mole and Ratty.

Much wood chopping took place and the usual departure of vehicles to elsewhere on the canal helped clear the yard first thing this morning.  It was a breezy and drizzly day in contrast to Monday's ice and sun.

Pat's Progress.

Today's achievements should probably be measured in units more associated with plate tectonics!

The final pin put up a magnificent fight and defied all our attempts to extract it today.  The usual application of massive force coupled with rotation did yield some results.  In the image below there is a bright hacksaw mark, the distance from that to the trunnion support represents about 4 man-hours of effort.  It will not beat us.

All the leg actuation gear has now been assembled in the yard ready, first for a costing for shot blasting and then, subsequent removal.

It should be noted that on arrival this morning, Patricia had not received a red rose from the Project Leader!

Wallbridge Lower Lock

Chris Clark reports:

The SDC led Tuesday volunteers are putting the finishing touches to Wallbridge lower lock and its surrounds. The towpath is largely complete and attention is now focussed on the off bank which does require some TLC.  A few coping stones need fixing in their final places by the lower gates and the lockside needs the topping layers applied other heavy work.  The bulk materials need to be transferred to the offside which is now only accessible via the lock gate.  The solution has been found in the shape of one of CCT’s river barges, Delilah. 

 

She is shown here in the lock which was full when this picture was taken.  The SDC volunteers will construct a temporary pathway across the centre raised platform to allow them to bring bulk materials to the off bank safely as well as all the tools required.

Delilah was lying below Ryeford locks and was towed by our tug Goliath as far as Chestnut Lane swing bridge.  This is as close as the tug can get to Wallbridge as she cannot pass over the gas main laid on the bottom of the Stroudwater at this point. It fell to the small band of volunteers to bow haul the barge through Chestnut Lane and Lodgemore bridges and through the narrow dredged channel between Lodgemore and Wallbridge into the lock.  All this accomplished in today’s inclement weather and adverse wind.

Well done boys!