Work in Progress - Thursday 15th January

Lots of activity was in evidence at Woody Bay on Thursday, in three key areas:.

Justine - Rail to Road

After providing a steam service for the L&B throughout the autumn, and   continuing to run steam trains through the very successful 2008 Santa Specials, Jung 0-4-0WT "Justine" left Woody Bay to return home.

1. Hunslet diesel "Heddon Hall" propels "Justine" up the transhipment siding to await despatch.

2, 3, 4. Justine is winched up onto the lorry trailer.

5.  Secured down and ready to go back home to the North Gloucestershire Narrow Gauge Railway at Toddington. 

First class facilities

Several indoor and outdoor tasks were undertaken by the volunteers of the Thursday Group this week. Work began on stripping out the fittings from the temporary toilets in the portakabins ready for disposal. Meanwhile in the new toilets, contractors finished off some guttering work and laid a new floor in the volunteers mess room. The lucky volunteers who kept warm and dry inside were tasked with some painting of the door frames.

On track

Outside in the damp and cold weather, the rest of the Thursday volunteer group worked in the car park, continuing to regauge ex-MoD turnouts for the track layout changes to be installed next month. With one turnout now almost completely converted into a LH curved point the other one was completely stripped down ready for its eventual adaptation into a Y point.

6. Stripped down and ready for regauging, this turnout will be installed at the Lynton end of the up platform when completed.(It looks a bit broad gauge to me! Ed)

7.   The newly regauged turnout now converted into a LH point. This turnout will be installed between the coal bunker and the end of the down platform. (Ah! Now it makes sense! That's better! - Ed.)

(Photos courtesy of Nigel Thompson and Dave Blencowe) 

What more could you ask for? Stunning scenery, healthy, active exercise, the chance to learn new skills and make great new friends, and a chance to join in this amazing project to rebuild the L&B.

If you would like to take part and assist the railway, please do get in touch.