GWR Route: Alcester to Hatton Junction

Claverdon Station: gwrc918

View of the widening works with a contractors narrow gauge tramway being loaded by a crawler crane and bucket. Taken from the same position and on the same day as photograph 'gwrc917', but looking in the opposite direction towards Hatton. The contractor's built a narrow gauge tramway in parallel with the branch line to assist in the construction and doubling work. According to the August 1939 edition of the Great Western Magazine 'some 30,000 cubic yards of excavation were removed in widening the cuttings and most of the excavated material was used in giving additional width to embankments.' A contractors train of five tipper wagons can be seen being loaded before being propelled along the tramway by a petrol locomotive. The tracked mechanical excavator appears to be employing a dragline system to remove the embankment and load the tipper wagons. A second contractor's train is visible in the distance, which probably explains the need for the passing loop.

Robert Ferris

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