Work in Progress: 24th January

What a difference a week makes!

This weeks report is provided by Roger Bye.

Here are some photos of work going on today at Woody Bay. There are rather a lot but as well as the usual tasks, there were some interesting other things happening today.

1. Woody Bay shrouded in thick cloud and drizzle - in contrast to last week's glorious winter sunshine.

2. But through the murk Keith lamprey could be seen realigning the entrance gates while...

3. ...down (up!) the line, the Thursday Gang were in action replacing sleepers.

Here is a refresher guide on sleeper replacement...

4. & 5. First look for and find a condemned sleeper!

6. Remove clips and plates and remove the old sleeper.

7. Knock the new sleeper in place.

8. & 9. Fit the base plates and drill the holes for the bolts. 10. Screw in the greased bolts using the powered driver- until it fails - then resort to manpower!

Further down the track .....

11. .... jacking and packing was in progress.

12. & 13. Here, Dave, Dave and Steve were trying out new hired-in powered tamping equipment.  These petrol-engined tools proved very effective, but hard work, and several pairs of operators were needed to share the effort.

In the Paint Shop

14,15. & 16. All three "Paint Shop Boys" were in action today.

17. The doors to the modified workshop area, that Dave has been working on, were almost completed.

A carriage was over the inspection pit for a routine check and inspection. 

18. In this view the important but not often seen parts of the coach can be identified.  The round item on the left is the vacuum brake cylinder.  This is linked to the shaft across the centre of the picture which in turn is linked to the long rod disappearing towards the bogie and wheels in the background.  This rod then links to the brakes on the bogie wheels. 

All of these linkages have to be dismantled, checked, lubricated, reassembled and tested. So here is a brief guide to carriage inspection...

19. & 20. Position your carriage over the pit and jack the end up far enough to release the bogie from its pivot pin. Pull the bogie from under the carriage.

21. With the carriage underframe bogie-less, the pivot pin can be seen. This locates into a bearing in the top of the bogie frame and holds the bogie in position under the carriage with the weight of the carriage body carried on the greased pads (4 in total) on top of the bogie frame.

22. & 23. With the bogie suspended it is steam-cleaned to remove the accumulated dirt and grime before being transferred to a trolley for checking of the frame, suspension and brake mechanism.

24. And so another Thursday at Woody Bay comes to an end as the sleeper replacement gang change the last of today's 15 sleepers - with cloud still obscuring the view!

Words and pictures by Roger Bye.