We watched a big shed go up today. This is the last of for major structures to go up as part of the project, so an end is in sight.

We started the day off by cutting a nice straight 4.2m point timber into 2 2.1m pit timbers. These are for the end pieces, which we will install on Tuesday during the predicted rain.

In the afternoon we did a few odd jobs, one of which was extending the 2nd turntable road by another couple of rail lengths.

We also cleaned and lubricated several of the turnouts, tidied up our worksites and pulled the hi-rail gear off the back of the takeuchi, so it can receive some maintenance.

Tuesday next week we’ll be in the locoshed finishing the pit timbers, meeting there from 8am.

Thursday and Friday we’ll be undertaking our detailed track inspection, for which we’ll be meeting at Maldon at 8am.

Two sides down and just the ends to go now!

Here Mal helps showcase the scale of the new workshop under construction in the background.

After working out exactly what we needed to achieve, we set about lifting off the timbers and getting on with the grouting.

And in no time, we were into applying the grout. I’m not sure we’ll make brickies just yet, but we got the job done.

This side took no time compared to the other side, amazing what a bit of practise can do.

The lap joins were coach screwed down, while this probably isn’t necessary, it’ll help keep everything in alignment until the rails are fixed on top. Given the recessed nuts, having the joins over a bolt would have mean for a very thin section of timber to use to secure the timbers down, with way should prove stronger in the long term.

And it did come up looking very snazzy.

After morning tea, it was into getting some more of the 2nd turntable track in place.

Unfortunately these concrete sleepers are a much older style and while still perfectly good sleepers, the clips are hard to get on and things just don’t go as smoothly as with the new style sleepers. But it’s a perfect location to use them as they’ll need little to no attention for a very very long time.

The last few pandrol plates at the end of the turnout were also installed, completing the turnout.

We’ve added a bit of ballast and given it a very rough pack. It’s starting to come together and by tomorrow we hope to have this more or less completed to final height to allow for relocation of the gates to enlarge the secure area.

Tomorrow, we’ll be meeting at Castlemaine, by the loco shed from around 8.15am. However, we’re not sure what access will be like while the shed is being erected, so parking down at the station and walking up may be more appropriate.

A successful day today, the first without any real rainfall in quite a few dayswhich certainly improved moral.

We’ve completed the trackwork part of 3 siding, just a light ballast and tamp to go.

Then we headed down to make a good solid start on the 2nd turntable track. We’ve got about 1.5 rail lengths clipped. The rooster decided he needed to inspect the progress and then annoyed us right through afternoon tea!

Thursday will see us grout in the pit timbers we prepared on Friday, then we’ll get into doing some more work on this siding. However, given parking may be problematic this week, we’ve going to suggest parking is down at the station, with a gentle stroll up to the depot area. Meeting at the depot area around 8.15 on Thursday.

While we sheltered from the rain showers, the footings for the workshop building were drilled and the concrete poured.

The shed bits are expected on Tuesday, with the main erection likely to be well under way by Thursday.

Today was spent in the shelter of the loco shed continuing with works on the pit timbers.

Hopefully it’s now quite obvious why we built the temporary track over the other pit, as using the digger to lift the timbers in and out for cutting is far easier than anything else!

A little blurry in the low light conditions, but it certainly gives the idea of how little is left to complete this pit now. Today saw all the western side timbers cut, drilled and loosely installed, ready for grouting next week. We expect to install the end timbers next week also, then onto track!

In possibly even bigger news, this week saw the start of the flashing light install at Bendigo Rd. So far only a pole and conduit for the power box is in, but we’re expecting significant works over the next few weeks!

At this stage, we’re planning on being at Castlemaine next week, definitely on Tuesday and provided we’re not clashing with the shed erection we’ll be there later in the week too. Tuesday, meeting Maldon 7.30am or Castlemaine from 8am.