Work in Progress: 11th October

posted by Nigel Thompson on Sat, 13/10/2012 - 15:38

It rained all day today at Woody Bay severely testing last winters land drainage from the run off the A39 across the car park and under the track. One outcome of the recent torrents was a small land-slip that occurred behind the shed. It was decided to construct a retaining wall to prevent further slippages.

So despite the rain, the Thursday gang task for today was to create this retaining wall by first concreting-in posts made from retired rail sections, then fixing wooden slats in between the posts.

1.Behind the shed the excavator was used with the augur attachment to bore the holes. John O'Dell and Graham Varney check the posts for uprightness during the concreting. The rain hindered progress all day but the job continued.

2. At least mixing the cement could be carried out under-cover, just inside the shed.

3. Guard Bob Ayres stands by the signal cabin during a run-round movement.

4. AXE approaches the passenger train.

5. Fireman Jim Price attaches the air brake hoses whilst coupling AXE to the train.

6. Behind AXE are Van 23, YEO's frames and Box Vans 47061/2.

7. The Ffestiniog Railway's LILLA "On Shed" awaiting her next turn of duty.

8.One of our long-standing and still very active local volunteers is Len Howse. Being a very pro-GWR enthusiast, he is taking great delight in the removal of the SR livery from Box Van No.64 - and today was helping to remove the SR paintwork during the van's refurbishment in the shed.*

How long will it be before I will be able to produce a similar picture of "GWR Len" re-painting the van in SR livery?

-----------------------------------------------------
Words and pictures by Nigel Thompson.

*Editors Note: This photo was especially posed for this news bulletin - hence Len's sartorial elegance and lack of PPE !