Our engineering team was enlisted last week by WyvernRail; a community-owned locally managed company overseeing the restoration of the Ecclesbourne Valley Heritage Railway.
We were tasked with carrying out a tactile, detailed examination of a 3-span brick arch bridge passing over the line. Access was made by an elevated work platform whilst the line was blocked.
Protection of the railway was by way of a token system whereby trains may not operate unless in possession of the token; in the case of the Wirksworth to Duffield line, this was a very ornate metal key as pictured.
In addition to the condition examination, we also undertook a topographical survey of the structure to detail the location of services and drainage.
It was an honour and a privilege to work on a section of line with such a chequered history including the transportation of limestone, textiles, milk and passengers since it opened in 1836 and also being used as the test track for the invention of diesel locomotives in the 1950’s.
#engineering #heritage-railway #examination #ecclesbourne
