Work in Progress: 23rd July + Happy Birthday Chris!

posted by keith vingoe on Fri, 24/07/2015 - 02:48

Now well into the season...

1. What's Jim Pounds making now? All will be revealed later...

2. An essential task - usually unrecorded - is the replenishment of the coaling stage. The works train first positions the SR bogie open wagon on the pit-side road, then the excavator on the well wagon by the coaling stage.

3. Using the clamp shell bucket, Martyn Budd in the excavator is able to reach across into the coal wagon.

4. The coal is lifted across and onto the coaling stage.

5. Trees and brambles have grown out of control on the Moorlands side of the shed. The gang begin cutting down the growth to provide access to the side of the shed.

6. Some trees had become well established here and were removed.

7. The surviving stumps of the original railway up home rail-built signal in the ground at the side of the shed.

8. ISAAC arrives at Woody Bay with a four-carriage train.

9. ISAAC at Woody Bay Station this morning.

10. It was busy as a trainload of passengers from two Shearings coaches alight to observe the locomotive run around.

11. Nigel (Spencer) continues repainting the railings by the loading dock.

12. The wood from redundant pallets is used to light the fires of our steam engines. A delivery today required Dave Bloomfield to use the trolley to transport them down to the shed.

13. Dave ready to move the trolley to the shed. Trolley No. 31354 is on loan from the Exeter & Teign Valley Railway at Christow. Our thanks to Colin Burges of the E&TVR for providing these trolleys for our use.

14. The miniature railway was very busy today. Here, John Uphill drives past Martyn Budd, who was spreading ash alongside the trackbed.

15. Graham Bendell scrapes up the ash from the stockpiles outside the shed.

16. Gardeners Don and Mary were here today, tending to flower beds beside the picnic tables.

17. Another project underway is the refurbishment of Brake Van No.56042. After several years of harsh Exmoor winters, the Southern Railway brown paint was flaking and fading. Jim Pounds (with Nigel T) began scraping off the paintwork in preparation for repainting later this summer.

18. After the last scheduled train today, a special surprise was organised for regular volunteer Chris Ward on the occasion of his 80th birthday.

19. Chris was almost speechless when he noticed the specially made headboard for his birthday special train.

20. Chris Ward with some of today's volunteers.

21. Chris stands alongside ISAAC at Killington Lane - alongside "his" headboard.

22. Back in the marquee at Woody Bay, cream teas were enjoyed by everyone.

23. Naturally the birthday cake featured a train on some track.

24. Chris thanked everyone for coming and also praised all the staff and volunteers for their efforts. As well as acting as a Guard, Chris has worked in the booking office/shop, helped organise the Rowley Moor Farm project, and also been involved with the planning application to extend the railway.