Work in Progress: 27th September

posted by Nigel Thompson on Fri, 28/09/2012 - 21:47

All Gala preparations this week.

1. First job was some shunting with HEDDON HALL propelling the Bogie flat with YEO's frames and Van 23 towards the car park.

2. HEDDON HALL shunts Bogie Flat 28321 and Van 23 to the car park.

3. For the Galas, original railway restored Bogie Brake Van 23 is moved to the end of the transhipment siding in the car park by the coal store. Later, steps are made and lighting cable connected to enable Gala visitors to view the photographic displays inside.

4. AXE on today's train with visiting driver Murray Dodds in charge.

5. YEO's frames, on Bogie Flat 28321, will be visible just beyond the gates on the transhipment siding. Nigel Thompson fixes up some display information about the Trust's future project to build a replica of YEO, one of the original Manning Wardles used on the L&BR.

6. The coach party today was Martin Babb's Exmoor Delight tour bringing several railway enthusiasts for their ride and tour of the railway.

7. Dave Drayson stacks wood in the shed ready for the early morning footplate crews.

8. Quarry Hunslet BRITOMART visiting from the Ffestiniog Railway, waits inside the shed.

9. Second visiting locomotive, LILLA, also in the shed. Together with resident locos AXE & SID, and diesels D6652 and HEDDON HALL, history has been made this week, the first time the L&BR has ever had six locomotives on its railway. Remember, in 1935 there was only YEO, EXE, TAW, LYN, and LEW!

10. Not forgetting SID, also in the shed today. SID will be working "Driver for a Donation" over the Gala weekend.

11. The miniature railway will also be operating. PUFFIN is back and ready for use.

12. Julian & Lindsay Palmer (who organise the marquee exhibits, stalls and displays) assist in putting up the extra tents by the entrance to the Marquee by the Moorlands Hotel.

13. Dave Bloomfield, Martin Williams, and John Berry finish off another tent ready for the weekend.

Thanks to everyone who has assisted in these preparations for the 2012 Autumn Steam Gala.

With four locomotives in steam, the usual passenger train, with demonstration freight trains, miniature railway, marquee displays, barbeque, beer tent, plus many other attractions, it promises to be a great weekend.

See you there!

Words and pictures: Nigel Thompson