Work in Progress: 30th June

No change here!

Roving Reporter Nigel Thompson is back, and has sent us this week's report.

Weatherwise, it has been changeable with showers and after a week of tumultuous news elsewhere, the L&BR still continues its steady growth as a major tourist attraction, as we are noticing increasing visits by tourists from the UK and further afield and passenger numbers are up week by week. With the very positive news regarding the two NDC Planning Applications filtering through to the volunteers, there is a great wave of optimism as we edge ever closer towards the day that more reconstruction of this wonderful railway will begin. In the meantime, there is still plenty for everyone to do, either down the line or around Woody Bay.

1. & 2. Another day of progress on the rail-built signal posts project. AXE passes Dick Gunn and Don Newnham drilling holes into these standard gauge bullhead rails.

3. Carpenter Jim Price has been busy at home constructing these wooden bases for the tablet machines. Jim used some good quality hardwood from an old wardrobe supplied by Pete Williams.

4. Fireman Andy Foster in AXE’s cab.

5. Two of our resident locos - ISAAC and AXE - outside the shed at Woody Bay.

6. Inside the shed, PILTON’s bodywork is prepared for painting by Jim Pounds and Martin Steel.

7. AXE operated the morning trains, then ...

8. ... ISAAC (after some morning maintenance) took over for the afternoon trains.

The main gang spent the day down the line replacing many sleepers, although unfortunately, no photographs are available as everyone was just too busy to stop to record this essential maintenance activity.

Chelfham Station June 2016

More progress to report this week at the L&BR's second station, Chelfham.

1. John Mack-Smith excavated the foundations of the up platform edge at the viaduct end of the station.

2. The missing section of bricks is to be laid joining the surviving bricks that run under the 1960s extension.

3. And here it is after John had laid a line of blue engineering bricks to complete the up platform edge.

4. Chelfham Station as seen from the approach drive.

5. Volunteers and long-standing L&BR Trust Members Rick and Barbara Sayers - down for a couple of weeks from Hampshire - dropped in to check out progress. Here they are studying the photos of Chelfham on the display boards.

Visitors are welcome to drop in at Chelfham every Sunday to view the progress both inside and outside.

Words and photos by Nigel Thompson