Work in Progress: 26th May

Is that sunshine?

Some words and photos from Roger Bye about this Thursday's activities.

1. A beautiful day at Woody bay - Guard Bob Ayres and Driver Pete Williams chat before starting the day's train journeys with ISAAC.

2. An early Shearings Coach of visitors was welcomed by our friendly Town Crier...

3. ...before starting out from Woody Bay...

4. ...down to Killington Lane where there were glorious views across to the Welsh Coast.

5. Another view of lovely North Devon...but what is this in the foreground...another tablet machine...the result of another deal done by our General Manager with a generous enthusiast...

6...who, donated the tablet machine in exchange for some specially cast lever frame components.

7 & 8. Within minutes, techno-vultures,Trevor and Don were taking it apart ready for refurbishing and renovation.

9 & 10. Pilton's Progress continues. The handbrake mechanism is now complete with a new horizontal shaft now engaging with the vertical shaft pictured last week. A brake handle has been fitted inside the cab. So much for stopping the engine...

11...but work is also underway to make it go! The new drive shaft is complete and test fitting of a splined test piece has been successful. The Gardner diesel engine was originally from a bus, and the power steering pump (visible under John's lighting fast hand) and alternator (removed but visible behind John's back) were driven from the same shaft. With the power-steering pump no longer needed, John Uphill and Nick Slade discuss how to modify the alternator drive.

12, Dave Evans was fitting new barge and fascia boards to the Mess Room Roof.

13. At ground level, Nigel Spencer continued with fence painting - complete with multi-lingual warning in view of the increasing number of overseas visitors!

14. Whilst others were applying preservative to the wooden fencing.

15. Down at Rowley Moor Farm General Manager Martyn, Nigel Thompson and yours truly sorted about 750 base-plates into four different sizes (so much for standardisation!). Hopefully these will be the subject of yet another one of Martyn’s deals!

16. Out on the track today, a small gang began preparing for a major sleeper replacement programme. In the foreground can be seen the excavated ballast around one of the sleepers in poor condition, as can the new sleepers alongside the track. Here the gang stand clear of the train as it climbs from Killington Lane...

17...before passing the gang and continuing on the Woody bay.

Peter Cannon Award

18. At lunch time Chris Ward presented the Pete Cannon Award to a completely unsuspecting Dave Carter, today's fireman...

About the award: Peter Cannon a volunteer from Bracknell, sadly passed away on the eve of the Autumn Gala 2008, The purpose of this award is not only to continue to remember Peter, but to recognize those volunteers who best exemplify his cheerfulness, sense of humour and enjoyment of the L&B by just getting on with everyone and everything.

19. Dave Carter - rendered speechless - with the 2016 Peter Cannon vase (Photo Tony Nicholson)

20...pictured here in his familiar role. Congratulations Dave.

Words and photos by Roger Bye