Project 'DNF' - No.5 Refit

Pretty well a one job day today, that of the engine cover.  Following on from last Wednesday, we completed the fit of the six rollers to the boat.  Then it was time to affix the angle to the cover and profile the edges to permit it to slide backwards, thus exposing the engine.  A couple of slots needed cutting in the upstand to let the angle through.

There's a bit of welding to add some retaining brackets to prevent the lid being lifted off when closed,  We also received the aluminium tread plate today which is to form the ventilation covers in four locations.  Once all the bits are in place, we can get on and fibreglass the complete cover.

Very close to end of play, we decided to cut off the two very substantial steel posts that protrude from the rear of the boat, removal of these will permit the cover to slide that bit further.

The Boat Team

by: Dave I.

The Boat Team has now blanked off the water pipe that has for some time been leaking into the cut at Ebley. ‘Aquila’ was taken across the cut as the work platform. After clearing nettles and digging out the bank the fun really started: investigation having failed to locate where the pipe came from, and with no sign of a hoped-for stop-tap, the pipe had to be cut with water still coming through under pressure so a tap could be fitted. Paul got extremely wet but achieved his objective, and we now have a potential cut-side water point for future use. Thank you Paul and the rest of the support crew!

 Evidence of unhelpful canal enthusiasts was unearthed (should I say unwatered?) when a training crew drained Ryeford top lock while removing debris from Goliath’s prop. Tyres were found in the bottom, with suspicious bits of rope attached. It was eventually decided they came from the tyre-based support cushion made some time ago to dock Warp for welding. They had been stored as a really-difficult-to-move (but obviously not difficult enough) assembly on the offside of the lock. As well as the tyres, there was a lot of accumulated silt and rubbish, presumably dislodged by dredging just above. Presumably there will be even more in the lower chamber, which will need to be cleared in due course.

For those who’ve been near Ryeford Locks recently, you may have seen an excavation on the north side, and the start of clearing a path on the south side. This is to install a large water main that goes between the reservoir on Minchinhampton Common and Whaddon and Westrip. The cut will be closed while the pipe is installed: it’s supposed to be open again by the start of June, but we will wait and see if this is achieved.

Goliath arrived at the closure site to find a crane driver trying to measure the depth by dunking a bag of gravel across the cut. The team helped out by doing a snap profile survey, which seemed to be appreciated by the local site manager.

The day’s training ended with a quiet trip to The Ocean, seeing much wildlife including wagtails, swimming grass snake and Swan cygnets. Golith has been left at Ryeford Wharf rather than Ebley, so we have 1 tug either side of the blockage.

The team have been practicing towing ‘breasted up’. This is a well established alternative to pushing, which provides much the same level of control but results in a shorter overall configuration. One major advantage of it on our wide canal is that the tug and hopper can navigate through the lock while remaining attached – something not possible when pushing, where the combined configuration is over 90 ft long. The tightest challenge seems to be the swing bridge at Ryeford, but the tug and hopper still fit!

With thanks to Chris for the photos.

Wet Dredging with Patricia week 13th to 15th May

by: Andrew R.

Monday 
After a good discussion at the depot around the nearly refurbished Dredger No.5, on Monday, some stayed to continue the great work whilst others went back to Patricia.
Patricia has been feeling bad with hydraulics causing issues  - ‘old parts’.
But overall now we are back up to speed. 

To improve safety we now have van wing mirrors so the operator has all round vision and can stay in the seat when operating the rear legs and reversing, let alone know if crew are near the sides or legs.  As always aiming to make the vessels on the water safer.

Tuesday

Another training session.  First the jib slew locking pin was modified to enable its removal from the cab.  Up till now members of the crew had to be trapeze artists walking around the spud legs to remove the pin whilst tethered to cabin rail with safety restraint.  A foreseeable risk was identified and now removed from operations, another brilliant improvement to make crew safety better.

The trainee had a good day and we filled a hopper.

Still finding interesting things, sawn off bicycle parts and large plastic pipes as well as the known builders rubble and grit from the dumping era on this section.

Wednesday 
Again started at depo, modifying Annette2’s Swan neck in readiness for the return of No.5. Also an engineer removed some material from the slew lock pin to make it lighter. 
Then helped the Refit team by modifying a brass nut to the filters to stop a leak of hydraulics.
Back to Patricia and another good 4 hours Dredging. Feel a lot safer now during set up processes.
Another water main to be aware of and lots of silt and rubble east of Ryeford locks

So we are back into action now so dredging and training can continue.

In other news

Various project received attention in Western Depot.  There were continuous sounds of metal cutting, grinding, welding and painting!  Parts for another secure stop plank holder steadily heaped up in the back of the shed. (You may be able to spot one in the distance behind the 'Closed' sign in the first picture)

Out in the yard, the slow but determined efforts to fire life into the old fork lift continues. Most of the bits have worked recently at some time or another.  The main lift cylinder is away for repair just now, but there is certainly light at the end of the tunnel for this venerable beast - we could really use it at times.

The HIAB, destined for Samson (or is it Delilah?) , which has been suspended from the 'A' frame gallows for some time now bust into an area of activity around lunch time when new hydraulic plumbing was screwed into place.  It is looking quite tidy and mostly complete.

In common with roads around Woodchester, Selsley and Minch', a 'Canal Closed' sign has now appeared on the towpath around Ryeford Double Lock.  The trunk water main which is passing through the area, but under our canal has finally resulted in some serious action.

A bund has been installed, over which heavy plant can travel.  This will be a serious blockage for a few weeks.  There is no diversionary route signposted! 

There will be more on these stories to follow

Project 'DNF' - No.5 Refit

Time to apply some more paint, amongst other things.  It was out with the cabin floor boards so that the numerous primed faces could be given a top coat.  The opportunity to finish the front bulkhead was also taken.  There is some second coating to do another day.

Our sawn off ladder is now fixed in place and cleverly hinges up so you can gain access under the cab.  Speaking of which, there are two indicators in the high pressure hydraulic oil filters buried in a dark place, one of which spurts oil!  Since neither can be seen, the decision was taken to extract and plug the dials so that they cannot leak. 

Later in the day, the various fermenting ideas for the engine cover took a definite stride forward when a team decision materialised to go for the sliding option.  This permits access to all the key engine check areas, it will also permit quick and simple complete removal should the need arise.  

We are in the process of making the components for the fitting of 6 rollers which will run on rails secured to the frame of the cover.

As you can imagine, the question most often asked is 'When will it go in the water?'  Well, the engine cover is the most important job and then there are all the little ones like, labels for the controls, paperwork, insulating hot surfaces, plus the odd paint jobs etc.

It is our intention to run the craft for a couple of hours, or more, dredging air to exercise the systems thoroughly before putting it back in the water - oh, then there's that pile of ballast to install.

….and finally - This craft is out of the water just now, so a naming opportunity exists, preferable with a bundle of sponsorship.

Ham Mill Update May 15^th 2019

 by: Andy P.

The locks full

Still waiting .....Patiently

Landing Stages Team too busy to blog . .

by David M.

With lots going on, sometimes it is easier to await the next milestone - or the next one.  However, an update from the Landing Stages team is overdue.

The stage below Bowbridge was complicated by the need to rebuild the high stone wall retaining the towpath.  We also found that the steps platform comprising several tons of hardcore had a tendency to shift, and a new construction was required. Therefore, we have removed the original steps, the sheet-piled edge and hardcore, and replaced with steel OBB piles to support timber steps, which are being made.

On up to Griffin Lock, where we had to dig out an exceptionally large bank of dredging spoil, and deposit it on the opposite side, pushing the barge across for each clamshell load and hauling it back again, keeping us fit!  We found that the best solution for steps from high towpath is to place a square of four piles for the top platform, then wooden steps down to the stage deck.  The job was finished off with railings salvaged from Dudbridge.

Getting to Ham Mill was interesting, as a bund was in place for offside access for an excavator.  Our crane lifted out the bog mats, and the excavator made a channel to get the barge through with a gentle push.  Below Ham Mill Lock, the towpath is only about half a metre above water, but the stage is tucked in close so we used more steel sheets to retain the towpath.  The deck frames have been constructed, but we are delaying completion until the under-deck weed reduction strategy has been reviewed.

The team has also become a key part of the solution to fix the Ham Mill landslip just below the bridge, with a combination of screw piles angling a few degrees below horizontal, faced with a vertical wall of sheet piles.  While materials are awaited, the barge was hauled through the bund and back down to Bowbridge, where replacement of the steps platform was done.  Our next job will be bank protection using sheet piles at Arundel Mill, before hauling back to Ham Mill Lock.