Two teams out today.
Team 1:
Fred, Graham and Frank H went to the Hangingroyd area of Hebden Bridge to attempt the construction of a set of steps up a very steep, overgrown bank. Some idea of the scale of the problem can be seen from these 'before' pictures:
The plan was to construct some steps with a slight curve on the initial section of the flight. This would help to overcome the steepness problem and, if extended stobs were used, allow sections of of shoring to be added. The following pictures might help!
Team 1:
Fred, Graham and Frank H went to the Hangingroyd area of Hebden Bridge to attempt the construction of a set of steps up a very steep, overgrown bank. Some idea of the scale of the problem can be seen from these 'before' pictures:
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| This is the bank: overhung by a large Hawthorn bush and covered by ground foliage. |
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| More of the same! There are traces of an old path/set of steps under this jungle! |
The plan was to construct some steps with a slight curve on the initial section of the flight. This would help to overcome the steepness problem and, if extended stobs were used, allow sections of of shoring to be added. The following pictures might help!
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| Work in progress. The first step is parallel to the track and the second step starts the slight curve to the left. |
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| Closer detail showing the extended stobs acting to pin the steps in place and to support the side-pieces that hold back the banking. |
Later in the day:
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| Steps now 'tidied-up', a third riser added and a platform cut for the next step |
Overall a day of slowish progress because of the initial clearance work, the very hard compacted-shale ground and the need to think twice (or even three times!) before driving stob-holes, drilling risers or cutting timber!
However it was pleasing to overcome several technical difficulties and to find that our plan was viable. More of the same next week . . . so watch this space!
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| Fred putting his best foot forward while Frank does the drilling. |
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| Fred (again!) driving an iron bar into the iron ground to make a pilot-hole for the stob! |
However it was pleasing to overcome several technical difficulties and to find that our plan was viable. More of the same next week . . . so watch this space!
