Smallcleugh Horse Level Bridge · AditNow Community

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gNick
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie Topic Starter

12 years ago

A word of warning, the wooden supports on the rail bridge on the Horse Level have nearly given up the ghost from the dry-rot. I had an alarming collapsing rotten wood sound from the one one the left heading inbye yesterday.

I have reset them so they are just about alright and am planning to replace them but until then take care & try and use the rail on the right heading inbye (or the West for those who are versed in compass bearings) in preference.

Don't look so embarrassed, it's a family trait...

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christwigg
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

12 years ago

Those supports were new when I first started going around 2008, just shows how quickly the rot sets in.

To be honest I don't think the rails will fall even if the supports are totally removed, it will just be a bouncy ride.

And if worst comes to worst, you'll only fall about 3ft....

Good idea to fix it though the amount of time you're spending in there. :thumbup:

christwigg
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

12 years ago

For anyone unfamiliar with Smallcleugh who may be planning a trip in the future, this is the place in question

[photo]Smallcleugh-Lead-Mine-User-Album-Image-525[/photo]

Except it's much furrier now.

gNick
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie Topic Starter

12 years ago

"christwigg" wrote:
Those supports were new when I first started going around 2008, just shows how quickly the rot sets in.

Worryingly the mine seems to be riddled with dry rot...

"christwigg" wrote:
To be honest I don't think the rails will fall even if the supports are totally removed, it will just be a bouncy ride.

The rail did drop a fair bit and the inbye section of the east rail will probably pull off the floor if the chair disconnects - not unlikely when a sensibly built person such as my good self stands on it! The sound of collapsing rotten wood added to the experience as well.

"christwigg" wrote:
And if worst comes to worst, you'll only fall about 3ft....

Falling onto the top of a collapse of unknown provenance...

"christwigg" wrote:
Good idea to fix it though the amount of time you're spending in there.

Smallcleugh is my new shed. No kettle or armchair but a safe haven from the irritations of the everyday world. 😉 :thumbsup:

Don't look so embarrassed, it's a family trait...

John Lawson
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

12 years ago

I am glad you guys flagged this one up. It was decidedly dodgy when we were in there just before Christmas.

As Nick suggests using the right hand rail going inbye seems to be the safer one.
Before the wooden supports,the rails were suspended on their fish plates and did it bounce! Then the soles collapsed further and it gave even more up and down movement!
Then some public spirited person(s),put in the supports. This took place around the time the water was lowered before Old Fan Flat so maybe it was the same group.
I think the main problem would be getting out of the hole if the rails collapsed.

christwigg
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

12 years ago

"gNick" wrote:

Falling onto the top of a collapse of unknown provenance...

I've jumped down, walked across it and lived to tell the tale.

"John Lawson" wrote:

I think the main problem would be getting out of the hole if the rails collapsed.

And climbed out the other side very easily.

Absolutely needs fixing though.

Our group can easily come up with a couple of much larger posts if you want some help with materials.

RJV
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

12 years ago

Chop the rails and install a zipwire? :angel:

Edd
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

12 years ago

"RJV" wrote:
Chop the rails and install a zipwire? :angel:

Rig a couple of ropes for SRT should it be needed :tongue:

'I started reading it with full intention to read it all and then got bored and went and got beer instead!'

RichardLevett
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

12 years ago

"gNick" wrote:
Worryingly the mine seems to be riddled with dry rot...

Try not to drag it back to your house, that's when the real fun begins.

"christwigg" wrote:
And climbed out the other side very easily.

Likewise 😉 .

gNick
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie Topic Starter

12 years ago

#10

A zipwire in my shed, now that's an idea. :devil:
Really need somewhere with a bit more room though...

Don't look so embarrassed, it's a family trait...

mistericeman
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

12 years ago

#11

I blame the Mrs as she was the last one over ....must've been the Xmas scran we had up in Kirkoswald ...;)

gNick
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie Topic Starter

12 years ago

#12

I must disagree - she is on the good side!

Don't look so embarrassed, it's a family trait...

mistericeman
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

12 years ago

#13

The fact that she indulges my underground obsession AND actually enjoys herself ...(albeit preferring minerals rather than bits of rusty machinery )
I am eternally grateful for :thumbup:

(alleged wobbly rails due to Kwality comestibles from the moody bakers "may" have been down to me following
1 Chilli bean wrap-
1 Spicy lentil pasty-
1 Stotty pizza-
1 Ginger shortbread
1 christmas cake

:angel:

royfellows
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

12 years ago

#14

This hole is not very deep and not much to cross. Why dosn't someone simply drag a thick plank into there?

The level isn't very wide there either.

Zipwires, rip the rails out! Much ado about nothing methinks
The level there is in the shale anyway, if memory serves me correct.

My avatar is a poor likeness.

gNick
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie Topic Starter

12 years ago

#15

Plank would still need supporting in the middle unless very thick or made of fancy materials like carbon fibre (yes I could make one as I've got the stuff but some halfwit would probably steal it).

Also a timber bridge in an area suffering from dry rot is a much more dodgy option than a timber support for rails.

I've just got the timber so will be sticking a replacement in on Sunday

Don't look so embarrassed, it's a family trait...

RJV
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

12 years ago

#16

"royfellows" wrote:
Zipwires, rip the rails out! Much ado about nothing methinks

Sorry, didn't think anyone would read that as a serious suggestion.

Personally I don't think anything needs doing with them, not with any particular haste anyway - they support me readily enough and I'm just shy of 16 stone.

christwigg
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

12 years ago

#17

Carbon fibre planks ?

Seriously. I think we need to get a grip on this before someone constucts a suspension bridge in there, its just a small hole with a small drop.

Bang in some more sturdy pieces of timber and it can be fixed in 15 minutes. The old tat thats in there now has lasted many years.

gNick
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie Topic Starter

12 years ago

#18

As will be done this weekend. :thumbup:

Going silly again:- :devil:
A zip wire from Middlecleugh entrance back to the car park would be good fun...

Don't look so embarrassed, it's a family trait...

John Lawson
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

12 years ago

#19

Me thinks that there has been a lot of rot talked about the dry version,
Seriously if the original timber had been treated against this fungus then it would not grow! Usually these timber treatments involve a copper compound which stops the fungus.
Dry rot only 'grows' in specific conditions. A certain level of humidity and a lack of air movement.
If my memory serves me well -and I not sure it does! On very windy days you get air movement along Smallcleugh horse level, so in theory at least timber on the floor will probably be Ok, but down the hole it would be better to have it treated first.
I would put my underground suit for washing immediately when I returned home because the spores can travel- but must have the correct conditions mentioned earlier to infect new wood.
Good for you Nick,

gNick
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie Topic Starter

12 years ago

#20

The timber is pressure treated so it should be OK for a while.

I usually wash my gear, otherwise my car gets covered in dust the next time I put it on and I get dust in my eyes which is a bad thing when wearing contact lenses!

I think the air movement is more dependent on the wind direction than strength. When I was up on the 9th Dec. it was very still and felt oddly warm despite a reasonable Northerly (IIRC)

Don't look so embarrassed, it's a family trait...