Truscotts Rd Level Crossing.

The weekend of Aug 11/12 was booked for the upgrade of Truscotts Rd level crossing. Even with a lot of preparation work prior to the weekend, it didn't go entirely to plan! Falling quite short of having the crossing fully completed.

By the end of August, the track had had more ballast dropped. Lifted, lined and hours of tamping put into it. The cutting and notching of the timber decking continues on the left. The new location box for the crossing is being fitted out by the signals gang. 25/8/07.

EThe timber road crossing is finally beginning to take shape. 8/9/07.

The signals gang have fitted the new track circuits for the crossing alarms. Hard fill has replaced the ballast for the road surface. Tamping continues on soft spots that develop. 22/9/07.

By the end of September, the timber decking is nearly complete. Three of the four new crossing poles have been installed. The ground around the pole bases has been built up. October will be taking up with a site clean up and trenching runs along side the mainline for signal cables. 30/9/07.

The first weekend in October sees the timber decking finished. The last jobs to complete are rail fences either side of the crossing nearest the camera. These will provide added protection to the crossing alarm bells. 6/10/07.

Bagnell Tr 156 running the test train over the new level crossing. The new crossing alarms were formally passed for service later in the day. 1/12/07.

Article by Peter Jenkinson, Photographs by Peter Jenkinson.