Work in Progress: 21st February

February half-term week with summer weather!

This weeks report is once again provided by Nigel Thompson.

The railway is once again open for visitors to enjoy a visit to Woody Bay Station this week. The unseasonal good, calm, dry, sunny at times, mild weather has certainly brought many families down to Devon, and they are out and about and able to find us as one of the few attractions open this month.

1. LYN with the passenger train approaching Woody Bay whilst the track gang pose.

2. & 3. The track gang jacking and packing, and tamping - just below the headshunt siding.

4. Kevin Williams was busy tidying the cess ballast just below the retaining wall.

5. Chris Shields has a break from his turn on the Kango Hammer.

6. Train crew today were Graham Bridge, Graham Varney and Guard Bob Ayres.

7. As usual, LYN was well photographed by the visitors during the run-round.

8. & 9. A quantity of old sleepers were brought back from Killington Lane in the guards van and loaded onto the platform trolley.

10. A new use has been found for these life-expired sleepers - as a retaining wall at the bottom of the bank on the pit-road. By creating a wider pathway, access to the shed is less restricted when rolling stock is stabled here.

11. There's always more pallets to be cut up by Dave Pratt and Graham Rust. The wood is used for lighting the fires in our steam locos.

12. CIC Director Brom Bromidge has progressed well on the display cabinet for the visitor operated model railway project.

13. Relaxing on the platform bench are member of the shop staff Tony Cross and man of many talents, 'Dave Evans.

14. Paint Shop Boys Jim, Barrie and Geoff enjoying the 3pm tea and cake break provided for all the volunteers.

15. Some of the track gang resumed work after the tea break by replacing an old sleeper near the turnout between the headshunt and transhipment siding.

Words and photos by Nigel Thompson.