Work in Progress: 13th September

posted by Nigel Thompson on Fri, 14/09/2012 - 12:24

1. AXE (left) was today's rostered locomotive but failed prior to the first train so standby locomotive SID had to be hastily steamed up alongside.

2. Nevertheless the first few passenger trains of the day were diesel hauled. Hunslet diesel HEDDON HALL awaits to leave Woody Bay.

3. In the shed, these are the side sections of a knee frame for signalling levers. This has been donated by George Wheeler of the Isle of Wight Steam Railway, who is also an enthusiastic L&B supporter, as his grand parents used the line during their honeymoon in 1910, and his mother travelled on the L&B the 1930s.

4. Close up of the knee frame sides. The inscription reads "LSW 1898" so another important part of local South West Railway Heritage will be used on the L&BR for the extension to Blackmoor Gate.

5. Brom Bromidge cleans up a railway signalling desk. These desks were used in most signal boxes for the important register recording of bell codes, times and signals to all trains as they passed through the sections. This desk will be earmarked for L&B use at Woody Bay within the ex-SR concrete cabin as part of future mult-train operation on the extended railway.

6. John O'Dell's roof repairs to ex-MoD Box SR No.47064 continues in the shed. This is the view from the mezzanine floor storage area.

7. Another rolling stock project today was the re-assembly of the weed killing wagon tanks onto MoD Flat No.51. This year's final weed spraying is expected soon.

The other Thursday Group volunteers on site today helped on a variety of projects such as signalling maintenance, removal of some overhanging branches obscuring visibility at the road entrance, tidying up tools stored in the Box Vans, and moving ash piles to form a cinder path between the sidings near the car park.

8. Fireman Jim Price started the day warming up AXE, before later having to turn his attention to SID (right). Jim poses between the locos whilst SID is almost up to steam.

9. HEDDON HALL arrives at Woody Bay with the lunchtime train.

10. After lunch SID took over the passenger train duties. Maffei 0-4-0WT SID (currently for sale!) departs Woody Bay with the 15:00 service including two coach parties to Killington Lane.