Winter Working Weekend UPDATE

A quick summary of how the weekend went from Pete and Julia Snashall:

Following on from November's working weekend, the task for this weekend was to relay the Down Loop at Woody Bay.  The primary reason for relaying the two platform roads at Woody Bay was to replace the large number of nearly life expired sleepers. This also seemed like the ideal opportunity to lower the track levels to something more appropriate to our current needs now we have the heritage rolling stock in service.

Most of the prep work had been completed prior to the weekend by the regular L&B staff and volunteers.  The work for this weekend would therefore include laying out the new sleepers on the previously prepared ballast bed, replacing the rails, refitting the fishplates and clipping it back into position. This was largely completed by Friday evening.

You might think that was job done but no!

Saturday saw the work take an even more physical turn as once the final rails were dropped into place and connected, the next task was to ballast the freshly laid track. As pleasant as it is to watch a steam hauled ballast train it does mean a great deal of shovelling will soon be following. Firstly the ballast is equally spread to fill up the beds and "box" up the sleepers. With this done it's time to "jack and pack", lifting the rails and shovel packing the ballast under the sleepers to maintain the correct level. With this done, at the end of the day our work was rewarded by the sight of a test train negotiating the new loop. More than enough to keep everyone amused for the day!

No doubt with a few stiff muscles and aching bones the gang reconvened on Sunday morning. Arming themselves with iron bars and shovels ready to slew the track, ensuring the correct line and spacing from the platform edge. All in all, an excellent weekend's work resulting in some very smart track work that should give years of useful life.

A huge thank you to all forty of you who turned out at some point over the weekend in possibly what was even worse weather than that experienced in November. We must also thank our friends from the Welsh Highland Railway "Rest of the world gang". Joining us for what will hopefully be the first of many visits.

I'm sure I can speak on everyone's behalf in thanking L&B Catering Manager Judy Williams for keeping us fed and watered once again.

The next winter working weekend will be over the Easter weekend 25-28th March. Hope to see you there.

Cheerio for now
Pete & Jules

Check out Pete & Jules gallery of photos of the weekend HERE

Some photos from Dave Tooke

Operations at Woody Bay Saturday. One or two flashes of sunshine, but cold winds and odd snow flurries....

Dave Tooke

Further Working Weekends dates for your diary
25th – 28th March