Work on Horsed Keynes Platforms 1 and 2 nears completion
Work is reaching completion on Horsted Keynes Platforms 1 and 2. In the last month or so, work has concentrated on the platform edge slabs, drainage and the tarmac surface on platform 2 and on the north end of both platforms.
Sorting out the overflowing gutters on Platform 2 led to the discovery of leaks in the underground drainage pipes which was causing dampness in the cellars and required replacement of the rainwater drainage system.
The former model railway room is having a disabled toilet and a unisex toilet fitted. These toilets will be invaluable for special events to save people having to go to another platform.
Some of the stone slabs were loose, others had delaminated and required replacing and there was the remains of an old tarmac surface to be removed. Spare slabs recovered from platform 1 were provided the replacements.
Before replacing the slabs, it was necessary to repair the wall of platform 2. This was in far better condition than platform 1 but there were quite a few loose bricks and also slight subsidence where the culvert runs under the platform but this was nothing like as pronounced as the platform 1 side. The slabs were replaced ensuring that there is a slight backward slope from the platform edge.
At the north end of both platforms, the grass has been removed (it was unpopular with women with high heels) and a flower bed created. The water crane was removed, the stonework around it was replaced making it level with the rest of the platform and at the correct height. The crane was replaced.
With the platform surface work approaching completion, the tarmac surface could be applied.
Preparations to lay the track into platform 1 are well advanced. With the old track long removed, the trackbed has been scraped and levelled, a drain which connects to the culvert put in, terram fibreglass matting laid and ballast spread. The line of the track has been altered to take account of the new profile of platform 1. This has required removing the foot crossing into the field at the north west end of the station.
At the time of writing this, reinstating the foot crossing and compacting the ballast are the only jobs remaining before the track can be relaid.
  
 
Left – Martin Whitting and Nigel Chard removing old tarmac from the edge slabs (Jon Goff)Â
Centre and above right – Drainage work on Platform 2 (Bruce Healey)
Right – The corbelling on platform 2 has been repaired (Tony Astor)
  
 
Left – The platform has a temporary surface prior to tarmacking (Bruce Healey).
Centre – The tarmac has been laid round the new base of the water crane (Bruce Healey)
Right –Â A new beam has been spliced into the canopy structure replacing one which had severely rotted. (Tony Astor)
The trackbed for Platform 1 under preparation (Tony Astor)
