Trackbash 26-28 November - New Photos! | The Lynton & Barnstaple Railway

posted by keith vingoe on Fri, 26/11/2010 - 18:59

THE WEEKEND IS OVER!

Dave Tooke submitted this report on Sunday, with photos by Dave, Nigel and Tony

A big turn-out of volunteers on Saturday led to a very successful day, despite the cold weather. All of the new rails were laid in place, clipped down and bolted together.

1. The works train, propelled by HEDDON HALL, takes the team down the line to start work for the day.

Clear skies on Sunday gave a cold start, but the sunshine kept the workers warm, thanks to a very light breeze. The finishing jobs for the day involved cutting and drilling the last two rails, just below Bridge 67, followed by drilling and plating a few new sleepers which had already been put in place beneath the new rails.

2. The works train unloading at Bridge 67.

This work was all completed in good time, in fact some of the gang were diverted onto completion of the fence between the A39 and the front lawn, a job started a couple of weeks ago.

3. You would have to go a long way to find better scenery than this.

Meanwhile, a team of “Santa’s Helpers” had been busy all weekend with Kate and Jim Pounds decorating the station parlour and the IOW ladies Julia Snashall, Sandy Hector and Sonia Oakey, the Grotto, ready for the Santa Specials which start on 11th December.

4. The finished Santa's Grotto ready for its visitors and children next month. (Ph. Nigel Thompson)

5. 'Santa' will see the children in this room as part of the Grotto. (Ph. Nigel Thompson)

Bookings for these trains are looking very healthy, so you are advised to make contact as soon as possible if you have not yet purchased your tickets. Follow the link on this web site for more details.

6. Time for lunch... AXE's dome has been removed to give access to the regulator. (Ph. Tony Nicholson)

An engineering team were also on site, carrying out some alterations to the regulator on AXE, and starting the engine on the newly arrived Hunslet diesel loco, although this is currently without wheels. See report of 13th November for more details.

7/8. AXE with the passenger train (4 coaches) was coupled to the works train (Ph. Nigel Thompson).

9. Evening glint on the works/passenger test train going down the line. (Ph. Nigel Thompson).

10/11. At Killington Lane ready for the AXE's big test all uphill to Woody Bay. (Ph. Nigel Thompson).

Our thanks to all who helped over this long weekend, especially those who travelled long distances.

If you would like to join us for the next big weekend event, the dates for the diary are 28th to 30th January 2011. Alternatively, there are smaller volunteer parties working regularly at Woody Bay, and new help is always welcome.

Dave Tooke

12. Connecting the new rails, the track is now complete back to Killington Lane.

Dave Tooke has sent in this report of the activities for Friday:

Friday work started in bright sunshine, cool but very pleasant. First job of the day was to lift out the old rails, down as far as Bridge 67. This job went very quickly, thanks to prior removal of clips and fishplates by the Thursday Gang.

Work could then start at the other end of the section, laying in the new rails, cutting ends to fit where necessary, and drilling a few new bolt holes as required.

13. The trackbash is underway

14.The track-lifting party, including several of our friends from the Isle of Wight Steam Railway, arrive at Bridge 67.

15. Back to the upper end of the work site, to start laying the new rails in place.

16. Drilling the new rail for the fishplate bolt, power being supplied from a generator on board the works train, which was in close attendance.

A very welcome bowl of hot soup was provided for lunch, kindly supplied by Teresa and Anthony Flewellen, with a nice pudding to follow.

Strength regained, it was back out onto the track for the afternoon....

After lunch, suddenly there was a change of scene. Demonstrating how quickly the weather can change up on the moors, a brief fall of snow turned everything white.

Although the shower of snow was brief, a cold breeze also sprang up, making the afternoon work much chillier than the morning.