Work in Progress: 21st November

Caffyns trackbed fencing work.

In advance of this weekend's working parties, the usual Thursday Gang volunteers - supplemented by a couple of Trust members down in Devon for the weekend - began the initial work on the re-fencing project adjacent to the L&B trackbed at Caffyns.

1. This is an old concrete gate post complete with cemented rock base which had just been removed by the L&B 's excavator at Caffyns.

2. Dave Bloomfield checks the alignment of the newly positioned concrete gate post at this future occupation crossing.

3. Midlands based visiting Trust member Andy Leckenby helps out removing the old wire from this fence line by the trackbed.

4. Lancashire member Rob Ford also helps with the wire removal.

5. Andy Foster went ahead to cut the wire into manageable lengths for disposal.

6. L&B trackbed at Caffyns as the re-fencing project gets underway.

7. The trackbed is used as a farm lane to reach the fields, but today provides access for the vehicles bringing materials onto the site.

8. Martyn Budd in the excavator did most of the heavy work including digging some of the bank between the fence posts.

9. Later a straining post was installed against the new concrete gate post.

10. Martin Williams back-fills with concrete mix to firmly install this straining post ready to accept the fence wire this weekend.

Your reporter also took this opportunity to explore the preserved trackbed near Caffyns...

11. L&B trackbed looking up the grade south west towards Woody Bay.

12. Here the trackbed is in a shallow cutting. Close your eyes - can you picture the train steaming around the corner climbing up the grade from Lynton? One day we will re-create this!

Words and pictures by Nigel Thompson