After several days of inactivity, other than removal of excavators,
etc   we have some work going on today.
Two excavators are removing the layer of incinerator bottom ash (grey
stuff) from the top of the central tunnel segments and are taking it
down to the level of the limestone scalpings underneath.
The last picture on
http://freespace.virgin.net/guy.gorton/clearance.html
shows the layer fairly clearly, beyond where most of the fill has been
removed from the tunnel top  This material is being taken off-site in
8-wheelers..
Another layer of fill is being removed in the area of the supermarket
superstructure that is over the tunnel itself,  The structure was
erected on bases set into a level area of IBA and later another layer
of different material was added and compacted on top of the IBA, with
some concrete edging beams.  This top layer is being scraped off to
the level of the IBA.   It is not going off-site but is being
stockpiled against the southern boundary of the site, within the area
of the steel work.
Now its conjecture time!  Perhaps there is an intention to inspect the
top of the tunnel segments.
Almost OT, but the Down track through GX has had lengths of cwr lying
in readiness for some weeks.  In the area to the west of the tunnal
and the station, sleepers have been delivered and it looks as if
relaying is about to start.  Makes sense with 24hour possessions
available!  Some tree surgery has also been going on lineside.
Pictures have been taken but nothing sufficiently interesting to post
yet. 

Guy Gorton

"Guy Gorton"  wrote


> After several days of inactivity, other than removal of excavators,
> etc   we have some work going on today.


For those who asked earlier, I've now heard that Chiltern are expecting to 
resume working through GX in about five weeks.

John.

John Turner wrote:


> For those who asked earlier, I've now heard that Chiltern are expecting to
> resume working through GX in about five weeks.
>
> John.


Five weeks from now, or from the date of the collapse?  Do we know yet
whether the whole of the structure will have to be removed?

On 21 Jul 2005 12:55:12 -0700, "Stephen Furley"
 wrote:


>
>
>John Turner wrote:
>
>> For those who asked earlier, I've now heard that Chiltern are expecting to
>> resume working through GX in about five weeks.
>>
>> John.
>
>Five weeks from now, or from the date of the collapse?  Do we know yet
>whether the whole of the structure will have to be removed?


There is a lot of activity on the site this morning, much of it giving
credence to the idea that the project will continue.
The area within the store steel framework has been cleared of the top
layer of fill and a line of markers inserted which I think are on the
line of the tunnel crown.
The area  over the exposed tunnel segments is still being cleared of
incinerator bottom ash but the 8 wheelers taking it away are going to
the other end of the station car park where a stockpile is being
created, rather than carting it to a landfill site.
There is a bore drilling machine on site making a hole or holes to the
side of the tunnel segments through the fill material - perhaps
checking on where the layers are located?
There is a solitary man with a shovel clearing fill away from the
tunnel segment bases on the south side of the collapse site.
A delivery of steel girders was being unloaded, but I know not what
they are for.
There are lights in the western end of the tunnel, but access is still
very difficult so I can only see what is going on from half a mile
away.  Time I had a 500mm lens and a huge tripod!
To me, all tbis points to continuing investigation to confirm that the
structure is OK, with an expectation that the result will be positive,
when all will be in readiness to begin work again.
Question for railway infrastructure experts - how long will it take to
repair the formation and replace the track at the collapse site?

Guy Gorton