The Simon Stoker Archive

Restoration Work

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The Smith 14 excavator having just driven over the Iron Aqueduct (a very hairy bit of driving!). Simon Stoker is driving the machine. [This was the subject of intense scrutiny and calculation by ourselves, DCC and BR. We had to do it when no trains were running just in case of failure of the aqueduct. The bottom was lined with limestone and then two layers of sleepers to give adequate support. It was probably one of the more hairy moments of my life!]
The Smith 14 excavator having just driven over the Iron Aqueduct (a very hairy bit of driving!). Simon Stoker is driving the machine. [This was the subject of intense scrutiny and calculation by ourselves, DCC and BR. We had to do it when no trains were running just in case of failure of the aqueduct. The bottom was lined with limestone and then two layers of sleepers to give adequate support. It was probably one of the more hairy moments of my life!] 		Just west of Gregory Tunnel. The Smith 14 excavator is literally floating on a raft of brushwood with sleepers on top. The mud here was at least 8ft deep, and the task was like operating on a vast jelly.
Just west of Gregory Tunnel. The Smith 14 excavator is literally floating on a raft of brushwood with sleepers on top. The mud here was at least 8ft deep, and the task was like operating on a vast jelly. 		The long-reach Smalley excavator working just above Bridge 2
The long-reach Smalley excavator working just above Bridge 2
The Gregory Dam after restoration. This picture is taken looking east.
The Gregory Dam after restoration. This picture is taken looking east. 		The floating dredger clearing the Gregory Dam on it's way to Leashaw.
The floating dredger clearing the Gregory Dam on it's way to Leashaw. 		Looking west out of the Gregory Tunnel. No stop plank groves were ever installed here, and we thought it expedient to do so. Behind can be seen a wriggly tin dam, with the dredger floating on the water retained.
Looking west out of the Gregory Tunnel. No stop plank groves were ever installed here, and we thought it expedient to do so. Behind can be seen a wriggly tin dam, with the dredger floating on the water retained.
The restored section of the canal up to Leashaw Bridge.
The restored section of the canal up to Leashaw Bridge. 		The dredger working close to Leashaw Bridge
The dredger working close to Leashaw Bridge 		Working immediately east of the Iron Aqueduct over the railway. We are using the hydraulic take-off on the machine to power a jack hammer with piling head to drive piles along the side of the canal bed. This is the first of a great many 4ft steel piles we inserted.
Working immediately east of the Iron Aqueduct over the railway. We are using the hydraulic take-off on the machine to power a jack hammer with piling head to drive piles along the side of the canal bed. This is the first of a great many 4ft steel piles we inserted.
A view from the east of the Iron Aqueduct - This is a restored section which has unfortunately been breached several times since its original construction. Note the piles driven in down the left hand side of the bed. The picture taken with the water almost at the point of overtopping.
A view from the east of the Iron Aqueduct - This is a restored section which has unfortunately been breached several times since its original construction. Note the piles driven in down the left hand side of the bed. The picture taken with the water almost at the point of overtopping. 		The wriggly tin dam immediately west of Bridge 1. This retained water successfully in the Cromford Wharf and the first 250 yards of canal, while we went through Bridge 1 with the digger. After that the stop planks were inserted under the bridge. (ADS)
The wriggly tin dam immediately west of Bridge 1. This retained water successfully in the Cromford Wharf and the first 250 yards of canal, while we went through Bridge 1 with the digger. After that the stop planks were inserted under the bridge. (ADS) 		The dredger emerges from theGregory Tunnel into Gregory Dam. The considerable accumulation of rubbish in the mouth of the tunnel has made the machine ride up on its wheels.
The dredger emerges from theGregory Tunnel into Gregory Dam. The considerable accumulation of rubbish in the mouth of the tunnel has made the machine ride up on its wheels.

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