Work in Progress: 30th October

Halloween is almost upon us!

1. Guard Bob Ayres alongside a seasonally decorated pumpkin head.

It has been a very busy and successful half-term week for the railway, with many families - both local and holiday visitors - helping to swell the numbers. Their children have enjoyed the Heritage Railway experience on the Lynton & Barnstaple Railway with many younger ones seeing a steam engine for the first time. Nigel was able to spend some time walking the lineside to reach the best photographic locations and observe ISAAC with the train in the Autumn colours and sunshine.

2. ISAAC in the autumn sunshine near Killington Lane.

3. A more distant view of ISAAC and the Heritage Carriages on a down train nearer to Woody Bay.

4. The sheep continue to graze as ISAAC runs past with an afternoon working  to Woody Bay.

5. The up starter signal post platform always makes a good photographic vantage point, as ISAAC and the train are seen ready to depart.

6. Visitors enjoying ISAAC - seen from the approach drive.

7. A splendid view of ISAAC approaching Woody Bay.

8. Guard Bob Ayres patrols the foot crossing as driver Graham Varney runs round with ISAAC.

9. Fireman Andy Foster couples ISAAC to the carriages.

10. The miniature railway has been operating this week, providing another attraction particularly for the children. The locomotive used is ‘LITTLE OLLY’. seen here paused at the watering point for servicing. Olly Budd is the only passenger on this trip!

11. For the volunteers of the Thursday Gang, one task was to continue assisting hedge-laying contractor Nick with the cutting and clearing of trees along the boundary with the A39, above the car park.

12. The gang move several branches away for disposal. This work has revealed a good view of the railway from passing traffic on the A39, hopefully encouraging a few more visitors to pull in and sample a steam train ride on the L&BR.

After lunch much of the gang relocated to Rowley Moor Farm and Rowley Cross to carry out more tree and bush clearance work.

13. More work on Bagnall 4-4-0T CHARLES WYTOCK as owner John Heys touches up the underframe paintwork after recent work on the main springs.

14. Jim Pounds is busy sanding down the side panels (‘Welsh side’) of Hunslet Diesel HEDDON HALL during its repaint/overhaul programme.

15. Also on site today, here relaxing during a break from their various tasks, were Dave Blencowe (Left), Jim Price and Dave Evans.

16. At the L&BR Trust's second station at Chelfham, John Mack Smith has been able to lay the platform edging bricks along the down platform. John built up the foundations to the correct height, created a lime-mortar mix and has laid the stored blue-engineering bricks northwards along the length.

17. John progressed very well during the week along the down platform. The station area restoration plan continues and this bricklaying project further enhances the site.

During this winter, more overhanging trees are due to be removed, and with more clearance work at Chelfham, the project to restore the station to its 1920s appearance continues to gather momentum, and support from L&BR Trust members and visitors to Chelfham each Sunday.

Words and pictures by Nigel Thompson