Work in Progress: 18th July

Another really hot day as this summers heatwave continues. Nevertheless life must go on and the L&BR must continue to provide the advertised steam train ride for the visitors and locals to the area.

1. With reference to the footplate crews of the west country's Heritage Railways, the local BBC media have been asking the question" Is this the hottest job in the South West?" Driver Pete Williams and Fireman Andy Foster - sweltering on AXE's footplate- would probably agree!

2. Slightly cooler in the marquee and taking a break from their catering and tea room duties are Irene Cross, Carol-Anne Page and June Manfield.

3. The Thursday gang carried out a variety of odd jobs today. Nigel Spencer and new member and volunteer, Alan Jefferies painted undercoats onto the cleaned and refurbished entrance gates.

4. The mobile carriage repair gang of Martin Williams, Dave Evans and Jim Price 'huddled' around various doors of the train at certain times.

5. When replacing panels on the carriage doors it is quite an involved task to align the window back into its runners.

6. Volunteer engineer John Uphill has been up at Woody Bay again this week and has completed the fitting of air brakes, a horn and the cab controls to Hunslet Diesel D6652. This locomotive can now be used on passenger train if required and is also able to work any current or future air braked wagons or carriages. 

Words and pictures by Nigel Thompson