Work in Progress: 28th February

1. During the week on the Rowley Cross trackbed section, General Manager Martyn Budd in the excavator had installed a drainage trench from the cutting end across and down the field to the stream below.

2. The gang tidy up the ruts left in the topsoil after the excavator had dug the trench and tracked over the field.

3. Spread out down the hill, the Thursday gang smooth off the divots in the field. Now stockproof fenced off from the trackbed cutting section, this field is used by our friendly neighbouring farmer for sheep grazing.

4. On the trackbed the excavator was on hand to tidy several large branches for logs or burning.

5. Last weeks bonfire was restarted to clear away more of the felled branches alongside the trackbed.

6. Graham Bendell cuts up some branches for the bonfire.

7. Lots of activity by everyone helping to clear the trackbed of the felled trees and branches.

8. Mike Corner feeds more onto the bonfire burning well on this cold, dry day.

9. After lunch members of the bonfire gang await their transport to Rowley Cross.

10. Dragging more branches through the cutting towards the bonfire.

11. New local volunteer Peter pulls more branches to the fire.

12. A view of the cleared cutting as more branches from the top bank had been cut down today.

13. The trackbed view looking towards Rowley Cross.

14. The chocolate machine installed at Woody Bay now complete with the front descriptive plate.

15. Signalling engineer Dick Gunn, carried out some points maintenance outside before continuing to clean up more equipment in the shed, ready for the railway's extension future signalling schemes.

16. In Van 23 some new lighting helps to illuminate the display boards. Dave Bloomfield greases up the sliding door mechanism on this original railway bogie brake goods van.

17. Van 23 is usually stabled in the loading dock and when the railway is open, visitors can view the display boards.

Words and pictures by Nigel Thompson