Work in Progress: 11th July

posted by Graham Bendell on Fri, 12/07/2013 - 00:46

Given the absence of our usual Thursday scribe Nigel Thompson, today's report and photos are provided by Thursday regular Dorset-based Graham Bendell.

A glorious day at Woody Bay saw a busy railway with a steady stream of visitors, including two visiting tourist coaches. Judy and the other Tea Room staff were kept busy, as was "Tuesday regular" John Hedderly who surprisingly was in the shop today where quite a few ice creams were sold.

There was a smaller turnout of volunteers, which is not untypical for this time of year. General Manager Martyn Budd, who was also away left a list of jobs for us in the Mess Room.

The photos below show today's activities and, hopefully give some idea of what the weather was like.

1. Nigel Spencer moved hedge cuttings into the overflow car park ready for a bonfire when conditions permit (hopefully not for a few weeks!).

2. Driver Graham Varney brings AXE in on the 11.00 from Killington Lane.

3. Todays Guard Bob Ayres about to take the tail lamp to the other end of the train.

4. One small visitor lost his/her way and ended up in not the most desirable place (the old Gents!).

5. Once in the safe hands of Dave Took, the toad was released in the woods.

6. In the shed, Dave Bloomfield and John Villers cleaned up the platform entrance gates which later received a coat of primer.

7. Still in the shed, Jim Pounds scrapes a platform barrow wheel to prepare it for priming.

8. Today's fireman, Andy Foster, cools off with an ice pop. Apparently it was "quite warm" on the footplate.

9. David Evans scrapes off old paint on the gable end at the rear of the station building.

10. The station lamps and painted surfaces, where soot and dust had accumulated, were washed down. Nick Slade steadies the steps for Graham Bendell.