Not a lot of major work took place over the last week. The weather has been dire on some days too. But there is good news to report: Bridge 1 at Broadway is finished ! Whoo - hoo ! Applause all round, pat yourself on the back, George Law and share subscribers!
Here is our report:

Bridge 1, Broadway
The carpenters have finished with the ballast boards, and we see them working below on the second half, Evesham side of the bridge.

Since then, fresh ballast has been laid on the deck to protect the waterproofing membrane. It looks really good, and ready to go. Can't wait to test it with the BAG dumper !

While we are basically happy with the ballast, we decided today that a little bit more would be even better.

Broadway's new pilaster and cap stone.

Notice also the new pilaster cap on the left hand side. This is brand new, and completes the bridge. We never did find out where the old one went. Is it buried at the foot of the embankment?

Doesn't the completed Broadway bridge look good? This is what your money paid for (if you were kind enough to contribute) and we have put every penny to good use. Can you imagine twin track rails across the bridge now? You have made it possible ! Thank you so very much.

I wonder which locomotive people would like to see across the bridge on the station opening day? Do give us your suggestions.

Now we can move on to

Bridge 2, Childswickham Road

The steelworkers have been on site for a day and the usual routine of cutting out corroded deck plates is in progress. 

Corrosion on the deck plate removed.

A pile of bits of corrosion. The rainwater ate its way right through some of them.

Above is an action shot of work taking place on a track bearer where major surgery is required.

And this is a photograph of pointing being carried out at Childswickham on the high level wing wall extension on the downside Broadway end. (to the left is the former goods yard)

In this photograph you can see how corrosion has affected one of the main bearers under the bridge - not good. This area is load bearing !

Moving on to bridge 4 (there is no news on bridge 3 - no news = good news?)

Bridge 4, Peasebrook farm

A reasonable figure has been agreed for the additional work required with the contractors. Instructions to proceed were given today, in accordance with the drawing shown here a few weeks back.

Bridge 5, Little Buckland

Although the bridge is not actually completed the pilaster capping stones are both on - no doubt they came down with those for Broadway.

Pilaster and cap completed.

 Just for comparison we include some before & after shots of the junction between the abutment end and the wing wall, which was quite badly cracked. 

What it was like before work started

 

Broadway side abutment. Looks like a banana, but there is a heck of a lot of concrete and tie rods behind it.

Repairs done - much better !

There are still the ballast boards to fit and the ballast, plus the fencing so it will still be a while before bridge 5 is totally finished, especially as it is likely to be used as the main access to bridge 4.