Mid way through the track relay
The Black Hut track relay is on schedule with all the old track removed and the ground prepared. The old track panels have been cut in half and stacked ready for transportation back to the yard at Horsted. The old ballast has been retained as an additional base for the relaid track. This will mean that the relaid track will intentionally be a few inches higher than before. A sandwick of terram (firbrgalss), plastic and terram is laid on top of the old ballast to ensure that water does not collect under the sleepers and the new ballast laid on top.
Left image – the old track panels stacked ready for transportation back to Horsted Yard
Right image – The compacted old ballast is levelled
Left image – the compacted trackbed looking north
Right image – the first layer off terram and the plastic sheet are being laid
 
Left image – another view of the terram and plastic being laid
Right image – with the top layer of terram laid, the first bag of ballast is dropped
All images – Bruce Healey
