Two weeks ago: 6 people on site.
One week ago: 5 people on site.
Today, heavy lamp post moving day: 4 people on site..... oh - oh !

Well, we thought we'd give it a crack anyway. We took JC's truck up to the ticket office, where we found 2 lamp posts ready for moving.

We heaved these on board his truck, being careful not to have anyone astride the post in the middle - lesson learned at Cradeley Heath! It is just possible to lift one of these posts with 4 people, they must weigh 200kg or more or so each. The truck then drove down to the level crossing, where we loaded each post on to the PWay trolley. It was then trundled down to the spot where it was to be planted.

At this point we had a thoughtful discussion on how to get the post up on the platform. A consensus was reached that we would stand it upright on the trolley, and tip it, upper end first, on to the platform on a bed of battens (to avoid damage to copers or post). It worked perfectly, much lighter than we thought, due to the counterweight effect.

Next, we got the mixer out again to make up some weak mix with which to pack and stabilise the post in its new hole. It was a windy day, so the guys are standing upwind from the man with the shovel full of cement powder.

Then back to the posts site, where a bed of mix was made and measured. A level was taken off the platform copers, and checked for height.

All is well, the post can now go in.

Then, heave - ho, the post was manhandled into its spot. This wasn't so difficult, thus releasing your blogger to take a photograph of the action.

In fact the post can be manoeuvered OK, as in the picture. Where maximum manpower is needed is when the entire post has to be lifted off the ground, as for example to get it into the truck.

We have some experience with that now, with these replicas at CRC, the two genuine ones from the auction, and one from a  garden in Chipping Campden.

Anyone know of any more out there? We are still several short at Broadway.

Here is the post now stabilised on its bed and at the correct height vis-a-vis the platform copers. At this point we fit a connecting pipe between the base of the post and the conduit. A small spanner on a cord is then dangled down from the top, retrieved at the bottom, and the cord pulled through to the inspection cover. This will permit us to replace it with electric cable at a later date.

Once the cabling is prepared we can back fill the hole with weak mix - it takes about 4 barrow loads, a nice interuption from lamp post lifting. The post is continually checked for level and orientation, a bit tricky as it is actually slightly conical in shape.

While we were doing this, the CAG were busy putting in some conduiting for a water pipe. We dug this trench for them last week, when we had the mini digger available. Miraculously, we found that the biscuit fairy had been afterwards, I wonder if there is a connection? Tea and biscuits outside the cabin at lunch time is very agreeable this time of year.

As we dug in the second post, we heard a faint tooting in the distance.

The S&T railcar found its modest progress impeded by a badly parked CRC2 truck on the level crossing. (Monday is a non - running day, readers!). The keys were in the ignition, so problem easily solved.

Lift that post? Nah, far too heavy, mate !

The S&T gang were off for a day somewhere, it seemed a very enjoyable experience, looking at the passengers.

JC had to leave at lunch time, so we spent the rest of the day finishing off the other 3 lamp post holes. Due to the heavy clay the mini digger was unable to complete the job last week, and we finished the job with a heavy duty Hilti with a spade attachment. Went through the stuff like butter, so those are now ready for planting too.

Next Monday there will not be a CRC2 working party, as the gang will be at Broadway (for a change).