Work in Progress: 1st November

In the absence of our regular roving reporter Nigel Thompson, this week's report was sent in by another Thursday Gang stalwart, Graham Bendell who regularly undertakes the four hour round-trip from his home of Sherborne, Dorset to join the rest of the Thursday regulars in keeping the railway looking its best.

Yet another "glorious day" at Woody Bay Station - heavy rain, thunder and lightning, hail and a bitingly cold wind. However, we managed to accomplish the few tasks it was possible for us to do.

A group of us caught the first train to Killington Lane to restore the fencing after last week's work to extend the platform, whilst back at Woody Bay, in the shed, painting continued on the ex-MoD box van with undercoat being applied to the whole vehicle.

The weather precluded any further outside work in the morning but, after lunch, a break in the storms enabled a team to walk the line picking up lumps of coal dropped from the footplate of Axe. It was unfortunate that the break ended with a hail storm when we were about 300 yards from Killington Lane shelter!   Later, much ribbing of today's fireman, Jim Price, ensued as we presented him with the one and a half CWT of coal we had collected before another heavy thunder storm curtailed any further activity.  So after yet another tea break, we all made our way home.