Work in Progress - 14th January

Photo: Tony Nicholson
The highest station on the Southern Railway and now the highest working station in England and Wales south of Snowdon (and south of Settle in England) - Woody Bay photographed this morning (14 January).

Last week North Devon and Exmoor experienced a very heavy snowfall which deterred all but one of the usual Thursday regulars from driving up the hazardous roads to Woody Bay. It was Dave Blencowe (in his not a 4x4 blue van!) came all the way from Exeter, putting the local members from Barnstaple, Braunton & Ilfracombe to shame. Dave carried out electrical work in the shed during the day.

Despite further snow on Tuesday, the roads were clear enough to allow the regulars to make an effort and a good turnout this week was on hand to carry out some of the winter maintenance tasks at Woody Bay. Nigel Thompson photographed some of the wintry scenes and of the volunteers at work around the site.

1. The down platform running-in board in the snow.

2. Woody Bay Station building today.

3. The down platform with Fred the dog chasing sticks.

4. Diesel Heddon Hall shunts wagons at the station.

5. I know it's cold, but the train seems to have shrunk!

6. The up platform and signal cabin with the snowy platform.

7. The digger loads aggregate into SR Bogie open wagon No.28320. 

8. Heddon Hall stabled in the loading dock

9. Stored Motor-rail Simplex Diesel TITCH on the headshunt siding.  

10. In the shed CME Stuart Wells works on Coach No. 2 currently undergoing refurbishment and replacement of door panels. 

11. Jim Price marking out the plywood for the door panels.

12. Nigel Thompson at work on SR liveried Box Van No.64 - in the shed for a new roof felt and subsequent repaint.