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Tacolneston - removal of old mast
This evening I can only see one set of mast lights at Tacolneston, which leads me to believe that the old mast has been removed, or at least the process is underway. I'm pretty certain both masts were still lit over the weekend but honestly can't remember when I last looked - a few nights ago at the most.
Does anyone have any more information about this?
Does anyone have any more information about this?
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MB21 would be grateful for any photos of the dismantling work!
Does anyone know how they will do it? I assume it is a process which will take a few days as they take it down bit by bit. Do they have to use a helicopter to lift off the higher parts of the mast? Presumably bad weather would cause a delay - the forecast for the next couple of days isn't too favourable for that sort of work.
They use a Derrick/Jib/crane see the article below the Derrick is attached near to the top of the mast just below the section to be lowered and when they have released the section it is lowered to the ground.
This article is building masts so dismantling is the reverse.
http://tx.mb21.co.uk/features/construction/index.shtml
The temporary mast at Sutton Coldfield is being dismantled as well and you can clearly see the Derrick/Jib/crane on the pictures.
Andy
Yes, against expectations the old mast is still there. I am keeping watch for signs of dismantling and it seemed logical that this would happen pretty quickly after the aircraft warning lights were deactivated.
If anyone has any further news, please post it here.
http://www.thebigtower.com/live/Tacolneston/Index.htm
i hope this helps you
I don't get why the land lights were taken off that early! Unless it was due to be taken down and something has caused a delay.
Could be trying to be green and save electricity. Joking apart they could have considered that the new mast lights would suffice due to the fact that they are relatively close together and aircraft would give this area quite a wide berth.
The second, smaller mast at Sudbury has never had lights even though it is tall enough to require having them if the larger mast wasn't there.
C55, the BBC MUX had been very weak here near Thetford, but about 3 days ago, both strength & quality shot up to 100% on C55, so wondering if the top of the old mast has finally been removed? - all other Tacolneston MUX's good & strong.
I'm going to Banham car boot this morning, so a divert to Tac, is not far off route - I'll let you know if things are under way:)
I wonder if it will just be knocked over, having removed anything that is recyclable?
It probably explains why some people have been losing Tacolneston signals, the high-reach access they must have used to remove the aerial panels, may have been blocking the signal from the new mast in some directions - please keep this thread updated if you hear there is going to be a "Timber" with the mast falling down situation:D - worth a day of work to see that:)
I did take some pics, as the sun was shining bright on the sad old mast spot.
How would they do that, when it's in such close proximity to the new mast, and the buildings !?
You'd have to remove the guys wires on one side, which are under permanent tension, and that's over simplifying that task !
Just remove the guy wires on the east (& new mast side) it should fall down through the open gateway to the west - the local gypsy's would have it cut up & down the scrap merchants in a day:D
Sounds like a plan :cool:
Any time now though. If anyone has any further info, please share it here. Although I can see the mast it probably won't be possible to see any activity on it from such a distance.
Yes, I answered my own question as I had a drive up to Norwich today, you can see the masts from a short section of the A11.
I had a look at Balfour Beaty's website today & they say each Aerial panel on the new mast, weighs about 5 tonns;-)
They must be full of lead!
http://www.bbusl.com/case-study/tacolneston/
Close enough for Jazz though. :cool: