Work in Progress: 13th August

A Record Day!

There were perfect weather conditions today (cloudy, rain later) to keep visitors off the beach and into the inland tourist attractions. Naturally the L&BR was very busy as many families enjoyed their visit to Woody Bay. By 1630 over 550 people had been carried, with still one more train to go...

1. Regular Thursday fireman Andy Foster was today driving ISAAC with the four carriage heritage train. Andy was being tested by engineer John Uphill, with a view to him being passed out as an extra driver.

2. Some trackwork for the volunteers today, with a new sleeper installed by the loading dock siding turnout. Roger Bye drills the holes whilst Richard Whiteman waits to screw down the base plates.

3. Graham Varney and Trevor Buck work on adjusting the rail joint between the headshunt and transhipment siding.

4. ISAAC departs Woody Bay, seen from the new access platform on the down home signal post.

5. A real test for Andy driving ISAAC on the gradient approaching Woody Bay, with slippery rail conditions, four carriages, and 120 people on board. He succeeded in bringing the train in safely - and on time!

6. The rain kept everyone in the shed this afternoon. Jim Pounds carefully re-lettered "S R" onto the ex MoD brake van which had been repainted last week

7. The next wagon in for refurbishment and repainting is S R Bogie Open No. 28320. Trevor and visiting new volunteer Tony Shackell begin scraping off the flaking paintwork.

8. Jim Price (left) was determined to get in this week's report, so, he and Martin Williams carried out some gutter cleaning alongside the stable. Note the new replica VIROL heritage advertising sign installed last week.

Words and Pictures: Nigel Thompson.