Work has continued on site, the last remaining buildings have been cleared (photo right) and a general removal of all unwanted debris has taken place.
On a "green credential" note - all the old large stones on site are being reused as gabions, the original large wooden building has been dismantled and will be part-reused on a new location elsewhere and the bats enjoy their new residence!
Since the last update, work includes:
- Dismantling and temporary re-positioning of the former Isfield (old model railway) building pending refurbishment as the new Bulleid Society shop (photos below)
- Disconnection of remaining services (i.e. gas lighting)
- General tidying up of the platform area
- Clearance of all remaining unwanted materials from site
- Preparation to re-site the ticket printing presses to their new location
Still to do;
However, the big news is the appointment of the contractor and we are pleased to announce that we have now had written confirmation from the Heritage Lottery Fund that they have approved the Railway's recommendation of Morgan Ashurst as the main works contractor for the Operation Undercover project, including the new washout pit.
- Clearance of remaining rolling stock and track
- Commence construction of new location for ticket printing
- Continue to update and engage key stakeholders
Morgan Ashurst has worked on some important heritage projects such as the restoration and setting of the SS Great Britain. Railway experience includes the current repair and restoration of the fourth roof span at Paddington Station.
It is planned to mobilise the contractor on site by early December and apart from setting-up works, the real work will commence in the New Year. A full report will follow.
As a reminder, no work will be undertaken on the up platform until after the Santa season has concluded.
Please note, that the site but is now designated a building site and therefore becomes a "hard hat" area - do not put yourself at risk.
Roy Watts
Chairman BRPS
Derek Hayward's photo at the top of the page shows that the site for the new museum and stock storage shed has now been cleared of the old buildings, and his photos here illustrate the site now vacated by the ex-Isfield waiting room (which has housed the model railway in recent years), and that building's current temporary location further south on Platform 2 at Sheffield Park, where it will be refurbished and re-clad by the Bulleid Society to form their replacement shop.More of Derek's photos are available in a separate album, documenting the project.
Page created 21 November 2009 by Richard Salmon