Work in Progress: 27th June

1. Most of the Thursday gang were tasked with jobs in the car park areas. Here the gang watch the passenger train approaching Woody Bay today hauled by Hunslet Diesel HEDDON HALL.

2. Some sheep had 'escaped' into the overflow car park. The local farmer was advised and turned up with his helper and dogs to coax the sheep into the trailer to be taken back 'home'.

3. The re-fencing programme has reached the bank above the car park alongside the coal heap. Today's Thursday gang pose by a length of old standard-gauge bullhead rail which is being drilled, then cut to form the end straining posts along this fence length here.

4. Martyn Budd in the excavator was on hand to do the heavy work. He also managed to scrape level the bank which is often used by visitors as a path and viewpoint to photograph the train as it approaches Woody Bay.

5. Jim Pounds and Andy Foster install the first cut rail straining post in place. The older unprototypical wooden stock fence and posts will be removed soon.

6. Dave Bloomfield cuts the rail section to length. Also alongside is the augur attachment on the excavator which made light work of the hole drilling this afternoon.

Some other useful jobs underway today by Jim Price and others including restoring the wooden gates between the entrance area and tea rooms, and further painting of the railing/fence by the stable.

Words and pictures by Nigel Thompson