Work in Progress: 21st February

Its schools Half Term in the South West this week and at Woody Bay, the L&BR is one of the very few attractions actually open to the public in Exmoor and North Devon.

There are some visitors about as well a selection of locals finding things to do for their families. It was extremely cold today and everyone was well wrapped up against the winter wind.

1. Hunslet diesel HEDDON HALL with todays two carriage train arrives at Woody Bay.

2. Waiting for passengers - drivers Julian Sinclair and Graham Varney by the train at Woody Bay.

3. Once again Tony Cross looks after the booking office/shop at Woody Bay on Thursdays.

4. HEDDON HALL with the train approaching Woody Bay with the last train of the day.

5. Strange goings on in the mess room toilet as the frame work for a top storage shelf is fitted.

6. One gang returned to the Rowley Cross trackbed to keep warm with a bonfire to clear more of the earlier cut down scrub and branches.

7. The bonfire went well at this point at the end of the cutting, just below the A39 road in the section fenced in last autumn's working weekend.

8. Another bonfire was lit to burn the pile left in the cutting nearer the Rowley Cross picnic area.

9. Former regular volunteer, Richard Willey, visiting from his Cambridgeshire home, returned to help us for a couple of days this week. Richard enjoys helping to feed the raging bonfire.

Words and pictures by Nigel Thompson