Work in Progress: 30th July

Great day to be outside - for most of us...

The railway has been extremely busy this week, with record takings in the Tea Rooms. All helping to make 2015 another successful year for the railway.

Many visitors are interested in the extension plans and will no doubt return to see the progress made each year.

1. Inside the shed, Jim Pounds had some help today with the restoration of the brake van. Everyone else was outside!

2. Meanwhile, down (up) at Killington Lane, a crossing sleeper had been identified as needing replacement. The gang dig out the surrounding ballast ready to replace the sleeper

3. A recent delivery of standard-gauge crossing sleepers have been earmarked to replace ten worn sleepers along the line. Naturally these sleepers need to be sawn in half for our purposes.

4. Visiting volunteer Martin Steel was helping out with the track gang today. Martin watches as ISAAC arrives at Killington Lane in the morning sunshine.

5. ISAAC on the headshunt at Killington Lane during the run round.



6. An afternoon departure from Killington Lane as ISAAC passes the farm occupation crossing.

The track gang walked the length of line today shovelling ballast away from the sleepers identified as needing replacement.

7. The track gang stand back as ISAAC passes with an up train.

8. It's not often that photographs of ships appear on the L&BR website, but from the lineside this afternoon, this Grimaldi Lines vehicle carrier was glimpsed in the distance, heading for Bristol (Portbury).

9. The miniature railway was operating again today. Driver Claire Jeans has several excited passengers on board.

10. The harsh winter weather on Exmoor has taken its toll on this board showing the railway's extension plans. Extensive rot in the base of the frame and board means a complete new board will be needed.

11. It seems that Martin Williams (right) has had to drop to his knees to work with carpenter Jim Price as the new board takes shape this afternoon, using a platform trolley as a work-bench.

Other work at Woody Bay today included more restoration and fine tuning of some Tyer's Tablet instruments, work on the mess room shower, and of course Nigel Spencer's project to clean and repaint the station's fences and railings.

Photos 1, 9,10, & 11 by Roger Bye. All other photos and text by Nigel Thompson