Work in Progress: 16th July

July is upon us!

Our thanks to Roger Bye for providing us with this week's report:

Another fine summer day, when even more odd jobs were completed at Woody Bay and Killington Lane.

1. This Thursday started with three visiting coach tours. AXE steams out of Woody Bay with an early train in the care of today's train crew Pete, Len, Bob, and John.

2. Don, Jim, and Graham strimmed and cleared the paths in the wooded area, removing the need for visitors to carry machetes to make progress!

3. Claire prepared the miniature railway for the day's operations. This now regular facility has been very popular with the younger visitors (and their parents!)

4. Dave and Richard continued grouting the new shower cubicle and laying floor tiles. Visiting volunteers will soon be able to go home clean!



5. There was evidence of horticultural activity in the newly constructed vegetable patch.

6. ISAAC (in steam) and "Charlie" were lined up outside the shed for their statutory annual boiler inspections. A great deal of preparatory work is carried out before these inspections.

7. John and the Inspector discuss what is to be done, before...

8. ...the inspector gets to work!

9. Don and Trevor carried out some essential high-level signal maintenance while in the background Graham prepared for casting more concrete point rodding saddles. Meanwhile, Jim was clearing gutters, Jim (another one!) was working miracles on the storage areas in the shed, and Dave was collecting information about our electricity consumption.

10. With a good number of visitors to Woody Bay today, the tea room and garden was busy - doesn't the menu tempt you?

11. JIm, Don, and Roger took the train to KIllington Lane to complete the ballast dressing in the headshunt, then unloaded some ex-Network Rail sleepers from the well wagon.

12. Don, Jim (and Roger once he had taken the photo) take a well-earned break, enjoying the wonderful view across the hills to the sea.

Words and pictures by Roger Bye.