Work in Progress: 31st March

Easter Holidays! Visitors, trains, and volunteers everywhere...

After the outstanding success of the Easter Funday last weekend, it was back to the nitty-gritty of running daily trains for the growing number of visitors already this year. Bright sunny weather brought out many people to Woody Bay to enjoy their train ride, viewing the glorious Exmoor Scenery visible today.

1. A fine view of AXE approaching Woody Bay in the morning sunshine.

2. Driver Pete Williams enjoys some banter with today's Guard, Jim Price.

3. Fireman Andy Foster with AXE at the coaling stage. Hunslet Diesel HEDDON HALL has towed out CHARLES WYTOCK for owner John Heys to carry out some painting on the back cab spectacle plate.

4. Graham Bendell ‘escaped’ from the fishplate oiling track gang to work in the shed painting the end of heritage carriage No. 7.

5. Jim Pounds, reflected in his quality varnishing of the side panels of No. 7.

6. Also painting is Nigel Spencer, with a chance to continue the railings painting programme, adjourned over the winter.

7. Most of today's volunteers were down the line, completing the fishplate greasing towards Killington Lane. The gang stand back as AXE passes.

Words and photos by Nigel Thompson (1-6) and Roger Bye (7)