Work in Progress: 29th October

HALF TERM WEEK and the last Thursday trains for a while...

As reported last week, the main task for the Thursday Track Gang is the spot re-sleepering project along the main line, particularly nearer Killington Lane.

1. ISAAC at Killington Lane – Guard Bob Ayres in classic pose.

2-5. ISAAC passes the track gang on the climb from Killington Lane.

Photos 1-5 by Roger Bye

Back at Woody Bay, Carriage No.16 was being prepared for painting.

6. An unusual roof view of No.16 as reporter Nigel Thompson spent time rubbing down, wiping and cleaning ready for the repaint (white).

7. & 8. Meanwhile, Jim Pounds concentrated on some of the side panels, and by the afternoon - appropriately using pages of an old railway magazine - had masked off several areas ready for painting.

9. & 10. The signalling team of Trevor Buck and Don Newnham began some early preparation work on a stored lever frame. The catchweights and handles were carefully removed from the levers. Once rebuilt this lever frame will be used on the railway's extension.

HALF-TERM TRAINS

Visitor numbers continue to be promising with over 200 carried on most days this week.

11. ISAAC with three carriages seen from the woods on the approach to Woody Bay.

12. Always lots of interest and opportunities to photograph ISAAC during the run-round.

13. Nigel Spencer continues with his railing repainting project as visitors admire ISAAC.

14. Andy Foster (just back from a Lake District (railway and enjoying the scenery) holiday is Fireman for the last operating Thursday of the season.

15. Guard Bob Ayres at work operating the signal and point levers. The regular Thursday Guard, Bob is looking forward to his time-off over the winter.

16. Today's shop manager, Tony Cross, awaits more customers. Tony and his wife Irene have been "on duty" at Woody Bay most Wednesdays and Thursdays throughout this busy 2015 season.

17. ISAAC in the remaining autumn sunshine ready to depart with the last Thursday train this season.

18. Andy and Bob enjoy a light-hearted moment for the camera prior to the last train.

19. Recently delivered pallets of rail plates and sleepers ready for preparation in advance of the next working weekend - November 28-29 - when the main task will be to relay both lines through the station using these sleepers.

20. ISAAC departs at 1600 with the last Thursday train of 2015 - the sleepers await the fixing of rail plates. Volunteers required...

We would like to extend our grateful thanks to all those hardworking volunteers and staff - the train crew, shop, catering, and others - all of whom have helped to make the railway so successful in 2015.

Words and photos 6-20 by Nigel Thompson.