Work in Progress: 28th July

Traditional summer weather!

Graham Bendell took a few photos this morning

1. CHARLES WYTOCK is serviced after working the first train of the day.

2. CHARLES WYTOCK about to leave with the second train of the day.

3. Tourist coaches waiting for their passengers to return from their train trip.

4. The track gang replace a sleeper outside the Mess Room - the foul weather preventing any work down the line.

Regular reporter Nigel Thompson is now back as is the Exmoor mist and rain. Unsuitable beach weather means even more visitors enjoying a quality tourist attraction such as a steam railway!

1. In the morning rain, Thursday track gang members at least had some shelter nearby as they replaced a crossing timber underneath the loading dock turnout.

2. More sensible volunteers such as Graham Bendell, Dave Evans and Jim Price kept dry in the shed. Graham and Dave prepared the new tablet machine base box for painting, whilst carpenter Jim carries out repairs to the original box Jim has now been asked to produce 4 more boxes for the signalling requirements of the railways extension!.

3. Also in the shed were Jim Pounds and Graham Varney. Bagnall 0-4-2T ISAAC is out of traffic and is currently undergoing a few repairs this week…...

4. …….so fireman Andy Foster is now working with Bagnall 4-4-0T  CHARLES WYTOCK – a more challenging task today with the differing characteristics of this locomotive.

5. Still raining as Guard Bob Ayres observes CHARLES WYTOCK during the run round manoeuvre

6. It was quite a busy day for the railway, with coach parties and a busy car park. CHARLES WYTOCK departs with the 4 carriage train.

7. Some signalling work as more rail built posts are bolted together. Trevor Buck, Don Newnham are assisted by Tom Jeffrey today as they bar rails together for the bolts and spacers to be fitted.

8. CHARLES WYTOCK with the train approaching Woody Bay passing the small memorial built in memory of your reporter Nigel’s father; Trust member and volunteer, John Thompson who helped to lay the track here back in Sept 2002.

Nigel comments:

I’m just back from a cycling/camping/railway holiday in North Wales which included visits to the Llanberis Lake Railway, then at Portmadog, The Welsh Highland Heritage Railway, The Ffestiniog Railway and travelling home using the Welsh Highland Railway for the first stage of the journey back to Devon. I would recommend these quality railways to all.

Words and photos Nigel Thompson