Work in Progress: 18th June

A beautiful spring day at Woody Bay....

Roger Bye has kindly compiled this Thursday Gang Report:

1.Today's operations commenced with the now usual Shearings' double-coach party for the early train.

2. Guard Bob and General Manager Martyn discuss the day's operations before the train departs.

Encouraged by the fine weather, members of the Thursday Gang tackled a wide range of tasks;

3 & 4. Malcolm was busy with the essential work of keeping coaches and the station clean and tidy.



5.In the shed, John Uphill attended to the replacement of the boiler inspection access cover on ISAAC...

6. ...and Nick prepared CHARLES WYTOCK for steaming...

7....whilst Don and Trevor were working on yet another tablet instrument.

8. Martyn, Roger, John, Les and Dave distributed additional ballast to ensure lateral stability of the track...

9. ...standing well clear when trains passed!

10. A train waits at Woody Bay as Nigel (just visible at the end of the down platform), continues to paint the railings!

11 & 12. In the mess room, Richard and Dave made good progress with tiling the new shower cubicle...

13. ...whilst outside Dick Gunn (at the foot of the signal post) finalised his work on the new shunting signal installation.

14. AXE arrives at Killington Lane in brilliant sunshine.



15. Roger, Dave and John replaced "the few" failed fence posts that Martyn had noted ...

16. ...but it did provide an opportunity to view the train (and today's crew of Andy and Pete) from a different angle.

17. Back at Woody Bay, more concrete point rodding supports were cast by Graham - apparently supervised by Jim!

18. A highlight of the day was a visit by the Victorian Society of Ilfracombe, resplendent in period costume.



19. After taking some refreshments...



20. ... they enjoyed a train trip, riding - fittingly - in period carriages!

Photos and Text Roger Bye