Work in Progress: 23rd October

A damp day at Woody Bay!

As Nigel is away this week Roger Bye has kindly taken a few photos of the Work in Progress, and added suitable captions.

1. As can be seen from this picture of ISAAC departing for Killington Lane, the weather here today was — well — wet!

2. Martyn Budd and some other hardy Thursday gang members including Les, Tony, Jim and Graham worked in extremely wet conditions on the very overgrown (and very wet!) hedge bordering the road side of the overflow car park field. 

3. Improving this hedge by thinning and laying will open up a view of the railway from the road, which will hopefully encourage more visitors to call in and sample the delights of the L&B.

4. Jim and Dave installed additional steel posts to define the edge of the entrance drive.  This had been prompted by damage caused to the grass verge by a recent visiting heavy vehicle.

5. Dave and Graham continue working on the fencing near the proposed new crossing at the Lynton end of the platform. The railings have been cut back and a new post installed. This is necessary to provide a crossing point when four heritage carriages are in use.

6. Despite the weather, trains still ran and a number of people on holiday visited Woody Bay today. Here today's crew service ISAAC between trips.

7. The roofing panels of the marquee are being sent off in turn for cleaning, and where necessary, repair. The roped edge of the panels fit in grooves in the metal frame, and each panel has to be pulled out and the replacement one pulled into place over the marquee ridge. With three Dave's working on this there was some confusion when requesting "Dave" to pull on a given rope!

8. Meanwhile, in the dry, Dave Evans was fixing new roofing felt over the reconstructed roof of the fourth van.

9. John Uphill was working on devising a means of measuring the distances between the crank and coupling pin centres on Pilton to try to identify and rectify the cause of slightly rough running.

10. The three Daves also worked on improving the temporary electrics in the marquee, to ensure that there are adequate and convenient sockets and power for the various special events.

11. The last train of the day steams into a rather damp Woody Bay Station.

Photos and text Roger Bye