Work in Progress: 5th July

We were joined for the week by three members of the Surrey Group who worked on the second wagon, which was started by us last week. They continued derusting the metalwork and filling holes, and by Thursday had given it a coat of red oxide and an undercoat, ready to give it its top coat of SR Brown on Friday. They also carried out other tasks around Woody Bay Station.

Many thanks to them for all their hard work - it's been a great help. Come back soon! They stayed at Distant Point, Chelfham Station, care of Barry Marshal.

Other tasks carried out by the Thursday gang included re-treating Frank Daff's mower shed and giving it a new felt roof.

Also the loco crew hut beside the coal stage was cleared away at the rear so it can be moved back about 18 inches so that when the new heritage coaches arrive, they can enter the engine shed without demolishing it.

The Summer timetable is now running with eight trains a day, seven days a week.
Three visiting coaches came today; one from Shearings, one from Blue Motors of Exmoor, and a group from Hereford 2000 Electric Club on a Golden Pioneer Travel coach. An extra train was run to accommodate them.

Train crew today: Driver John Uphill, Fireman John Hayes, and Guard Jim Price. Engine: Axe.
Shop: Tony Cross Office duties: Dave Tooke.
Catering: Judy Williams, Irene Cross and Natalie Jones (Surrey Group)
Others on site: Martyn Budd, Graham Varney, John O'dell, Tim Gibbs, Dave Drayson, Jim McFarlane, Richard Burgess, Frank Daff, Dave Bloomfield and Surrey group members: Peter Jones, Richard Bullock and Phil Rawstron.

1. John O'dell on the left and Surrey Group members L-R Peter Jones, Richard Bullock and Phil Rawstron and the under coated wagon.



2. John Odell and Phil Rawstron and the permanent way wagon.



3. Graham Varney working on the phone box. Just outside the shed to the right can be seen the loco crew hut that is due to move back slightly.



4. Martyn Budd GM, Jim McFarlane and Tim Woods working on the mower shed.



5. A rare sight: all four locos on show. L-R Heddon Hall, D6652, Sid warming up for Fridays duties, and Axe at the coal stage in use.



6. Fireman John Hayes coupling up Axe for its next run.
 

Words and pictures: Dave Bloomfield