Shamrock's Slipway Track

During the preparation for the start of Shamrock's restoration in 1974 the current 100 ft (30.5 m) slipway was dugout, wooden railway sleepers bedded 4 in (10 cm) deep at 4 ft (1.2 m) centres and then two 4 in x 4in (10 cm x 10 cm) timber guides were coach-screwed to each sleeper for the length of the slipway to act as rails for Shamrock's wooden restoration cradle. At sometime between the end of the restoration in 1979 and 1982 the wooden rails where replaced with steel railway rails and have remained in place ever since. These rails have gradually distorted over the years to the point where Shamrock's current metal cradle jams during the hauling out and lowering operations so the decision has been made to renew them. With the aid of some large 'Birmingham screwdrivers' (hammers), spanners and chisels this job has now started with the removal of the first couple of sections of track. All the crew can say is that its going to be a long hard job.
  

One down, lots to go!