Work in Progress: 13th December

posted by Nigel Thompson on Thu, 13/12/2012 - 16:07

Still cold, but a bright dry day. In order to keep warm and to shift and burn the cut down trees on the trackbed at Rowley Cross cutting, Parracombe, some of the gang were tasked with enjoying bonfires there.

1. Martyn B., Nigel, John V., John H., Richard W. and Martin W. pose for the camera on the trackbed at Rowley Cutting before work commences.

2. Graham Bendell was also in the Thursday Gang today.

3. A very festive Richard Willey cuts up small branches to begin one bonfire...

4. ...while another was lit at the other end of the cutting, to clear the cut-down branches remaining after the November working weekend.

5. The first bonfire takes off well clearing the large piles of branches left here.

6. There was time for a walk to view the recently acquired trackbed north of Rowley, just below the A39.

7. This part is still used by the farmer for grazing sheep.

8. Looking north across the next trackbed field towards Parracombe Bank.

9. The orange-coated volunteers walk along the trackbed discussing some of the work to be done, such as fencing and drainage...

10. Meanwhile the first bonfire had burnt down, and the cutting was clear once again

11. At Woody Bay a 'new look' steam locomotive has just appeared...

12. This locomotive was stabled by the coaling stage this morning...

13. Actually the locomotive is the L&BR's very own AXE. The side tanks have been temporarily removed for winter maintenance and repainting.

14. Other work today saw Jim Price complete the repainting of the window frame under the station canopy.

15. John O'Dell, Dave Drayson, Jim McFarlane and Dave Bloomfield pose by the bogie wagon, with new wooden covers almost completed.

By next week the roof felt will be fixed on to complete this project. This wagon will provide extra covered equipment storage.

16. Visiting Ffestiniog locomotive LILLA was in light steam today, undergoing maintenance prior to the loco working the Santa Specials over the next few days up to Christmas, and the Mince Pie Specials over the New Year.

Words and pictures by Nigel Thompson