Work in Progress: 18th August

Greasing, sleepers and South African wagons too.

A bumper crop of photos this week from Graham Bendell.

"An overcast, humid day didn’t dampen spirits one bit today. Loadings were good with over 400 passenger journeys recorded, with still two more trains after I left. Tasks Included the continued re-sleepering of the running line, greasing of points and cranks, preparation of the new hopper wagon for painting in L&B grey, green painting, fence treatment and tea drinking."

1. Trevor Buck greases the cranks by the board crossing.

2. ISAAC, today’s locomotive, getting ready to take out the 11.30 train.

3. Don Newnam greases the points at the “Barnstaple end”

4. The re-sleepering gang deal with their first of the day – viewed from the down platform.

5. The “new” ex South African DZ open wagon on the transfer siding at Woody Bay waiting its turn for painting.

6. PILTON, CHARLES WYTOCK and AXE all "on shed" today

7. The ex South African Y hopper wagon in the workshop awaiting painting in L&BR grey by Jim Pounds.

Meanwhile, up the line…….

8. ISAAC emerges from the gloom as the re-sleepering gang stand clear.

9. The misty conditions meant that views from the line were very limited. The gang get stuck in as they continue spot re-sleepering just above Bridge 67.

10. ISAAC passes again and “pleasantries” are exchanged with Driver, Graham Varney.

Back at Woody Bay….

11. Beats shoveling any day! Martyn Budd uses the excavator to transfer coal from the South African DZ wagon that arrived last year, to the coaling stage.

12. The fence down the woodland path after treatment by your scribe (but I don’t do “selfies”!).

13. The track gang viewed from the brake coach just after the train had passed.

14. Guard, Bob Ayres, sees the passengers safely aboard at Killington Lane.

15. Fireman, Graham Bridge, keeps a look-out ahead as ISAAC powers up the bank from Killington Lane.

16. If the Devil had cast his net what a haul he would have had today! Thursday afternoon tea-break in progress.

17. Fireman Graham Bridge looks on as Bob Ayres checks tickets prior to the 15.45 departure.

Mention must be made of Dave Bloomfield's good deed for the day - removing a carriage door's interior panel to retrieve a mobile phone dropped down a window aperture by its young owner. The young lad was very relieved, as was his grateful Dad.

Yet another very satisfying day, with several positive comments by enthusiastic visitors.

Words and photos: Graham Bendell apart from Photos 8,9 and 10 - these are by Roger Bye.