Track relay at Black Hut starts
The November close down has allowed the next track relay start. The section benefiting from the upgrade is in the black hut area northwards towards Sharpthorne Tunnel. This is a continuation of an earlier relay. While the rail is not totally worn out the floor of the cutting is spongy and difficult to keep stable enough. The bullhead rail on wooden sleepers is being replaced by flat-bottomed rail on concrete sleepers.
Track relays vary considerably in difficulty and this one is in the more complex category. The track and ballast need stripping out, the track bed needs compacting, a sandwich of terram (fibreglass), plastic and terram put down to ensure that water does not collect under the formation and drains correctly to the gulley along the east of the cutting.The relay is on a curve so the inner rail needs cutting to length.
With setting up taking the first two days, it was Wednesday 5th November when the final measurements were taken. The distance of the old track from the concrete troughing (probably put in by Southern Railway) was measured to ensure we have references so that the new rail can be put back in the same place. The first three panels of track were removed.
Any wooden sleepers in good condition will be used to replace defective sleepers on the West Hoathly to Kingscote section. Some of the rail will be reused in the Horsed Keynes sidings.
 
In the left image, the 60 foot track panel has been cut in half and the road railer is lifting the half panel. In the right image, the half panel has is being loaded onto the road railer trailer fr transport back to Horsted Keynes yard. Six such half panels can be transported at a time. Images: Bruce Healey
