Spring Working Weekend: 27-29 March UPDATED

Spring Working Weekend latest report from Pete Snashall (Monday 6th April)

A huge thank you to all those who joined us for what was one of the wettest and windiest working weekends we have endured for some years. Despite what can only be described as trying conditions everyone carried on regardless and once again we were able to achieve all that had been planned over the weekend. The photographs don't give a true picture of just how foul the conditions were at times, it being far too wet to risk using a camera!

See you all again soon.

Pete Snashall

1. Friday morning and the fishplate greasing gang set off down (up?) the line. Don't be fooled by the spring-like weather!

2. It didn't take long for the gang to get to grips with the task in hand. Despite appearances, everyone had a specific job and this allowed the efficient and steady progress to be made.



3. Moments after the fishplates are greased, the nuts are swiftly tightened.



4. The gang arrive at Killington Lane somewhat wetter and blacker than when they started the day!

5. Meanwhile other volunteers were busy fettling freshly dropped ballast...

6. ... Jacking...



7. ...and packing. Despite the difficult conditions the gang were able to fine-tune the track levels from the approach to Woody Bay and then on through the S&C (Switches & Crossings)

8. Over the course of the weekend AXE received the attention of the sign-writers brush and for its 100th anniversary is now resplendent in a recreation of the independent L&BR livery.
Much thanks to sign- writer Alan Coney for all his efforts on behalf of the L&BR not only at Woody Bay but also at Pilton East. 

See more photos of the weekend at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/petesnaz/

Short report from Julia Snashall from last week

Sunday's weather much the same as Saturday's, if not a little worse!

One gang went off to do some cutting and burning away from Woody Bay and another continued lifting and packing - sorry no pics as weather too foul.

However, three of us stayed dry in the workshop finishing the lining of AXE plus we managed to get a coat of varnish over the fresh paint. Some photos on Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/groups/lyntonandbarnstaple/

Julia Snashall

PS: More to follow