Work in Progress: 26th March

Lots of jobs!

Here is today’s report of activities at Woody Bay from newly returned scribe Nigel Thompson.

1. An early job today in the barn at Rowley Moor Farm was painting the stored picnic tables before their return to Woody Bay. Roger Bye, Rob Ford and Jim McFarlane get stuck in with this task.



2. Later Roger Bye and Jim McFarlane transport some firewood off cuts past the station to the shed.



3. Nigel Spencer was busy cleaning up and painting the pipe tubes on the down platform fence.



4. Meanwhile, up on the scaffolding, Dave Evans was painting the woodwork around the upstairs windows.

5. Dave and Jim Isherwood continue to paint and restore the woodwork of the station.

6. A superb view from the scaffolding as ISAAC arrives back at Woody Bay.

7. Despite it being early in the season, quite a few passengers alighted from this train. An encouraging start to the 2015 season.

8. ISAAC moves off towards the shed during the run round movement.

9. Back at ground level another pair of concrete point crank bases were cast. Some of these will be exchanged with another railway for equipment we require.

10. ISAAC approaches the train, well photographed as always by many visitors.

11. Today's footplate crew of Andy Foster and Pete Williams relaxing and posing.

12. Guard Bob Ayres and Driver Pete Williams enjoy some banter on the platform.

13. AXE was also steamed today prior to a return to traffic after its winter maintenance programme.

14. Inside AXE's cab on the right is the new steam brake recently fitted by the engineers .

Words and pictures by Nigel Thompson