Work in Progress: 23rd January

 A cold, dry, but windy day at Woody Bay

A cold, dry but windy day and the unlucky ones were tasked with an outside job by the headshunt, the sensible ones stayed warmer by the station and shed carrying out their projects...

1. During the winter storms, part of the original bank and stone retaining wall had collapsed at the end of the headshunt, near the buffer stop. Investigation showed that other sections of this wall could slip in future. A decision was made to temporarily remove the stone wall to allow new foundations to be laid before reinstating the wall. The Thursday Gang begin dismantling the wall, storing the stones along the opposite side of the track.

2. John Heys scrapes away the soil to dig out  and recover the stones.

3. Dave Bloomfield stacking the stones away from the running line.

4. As progress continued, work had to stop briefly to allow the works train to pass.

5. The canvas cover helped to prevent soil contaminating the ballast whilst the stones were recovered.

6. Looking down from the now undermined and temporarily closed headshunt.

7. Work on PILTON progresses this week as Jim Price and Dave Evans begin to fit the wooden cab doors.

8. Nick Slade with the new control panel being installed inside PILTON's cab.

9. This is the original L&BR platform gate from Caffyns Halt, now fitted between the signal cabin and station building.

10. When closed, the gate will prevent access to the kitchen door during special events, when visitors are instead channelled through the marquee.

11. And finally, if you were wondering why Hunslet diesel HEDDON HALL has not featured in these reports recently, it is because the loco was awaiting fitting of a set of new brake blocks. These have now been delivered and will be fitted next week enabling HEDDON HALL to return to service for shunting and works train duties.

12. Fred the dog takes an interest in this brake block.

Words and pictures by Nigel Thompson