Work in Progress: 14th May

Back to normal ... and back to rain all day!

After another very successful Gala weekend, the railway has returned to its usual steam train operations for the spring visitors to North Devon. During the week there was also much activity as the marquees were dismantled and packed away, signs taken down' and fences, tables and chairs moved into storage, ready for the next Gala in September.

1. In the morning the Thursday Gang collected the signs and surplus chairs into a road trailer to take to Rowley Moor Farm for storage.

2. AXE was today's locomotive, departing Woody Bay with the 10:45 service to Killington Lane.

3. AXE arrives back at Woody Bay in the pouring rain.

4. The EAST Group are about this week working on Coach No.16. Charles Summers, David Gandell and David Ely have been busy changing the wooden floor slats to more authentic hardwood slats.

5. Heritage Carriage Project Leader Charles Summers wearing his new L&BR Carriage & Wagon Works badge.

Many years ago Charles decided to restore/create at least one original L&B carriage - No.7. With the support of EAST (formerly the L&B Essex Support Group) - in particular master craftsman Tony Ely - as well as several of the other L&B support groups, that dream has now been accomplished. Not only by the completion of No.7, but also Nos. 17, 16, and newly arrived No.11.

It is an amazing feat that we have moved from the four ex-Thorpe Park carriages to four heritage carriages in just two years. Must be a railway restoration record.

After an early lunch some of today's gang moved more railway equipment to Chelfham Station (not raining down there!), whilst others continued with odd jobs at Woody Bay even as the rain persisted.

Words and pictures by Nigel Thompson