Work in Progress: 31st August

Last month was the L&B's busiest August ever, with passenger numbers setting a new L&B record of 10,748, (10,576 August 2016 - which was also a record). This is our third consecutive year in which the August figures have topped 10K.  Now Gala preparations begin...

This week's report comes from Nigel Thompson:

With less than a month to go before the Autumn Steam Gala (30th September to 1st October) and the debut of new-build Baldwin locomotive LYN, General Manager Martyn Budd (Back from his Isle of Wight driving holiday) begun the necessary tasks around Woody Bay in preparation for that important weekend.

A phone camera fault today resulted in a lack of the usual round of pictures available for this report. However, we were able to record a few operating views including an unusual but historically appropriate Lynton and Barnstaple Railway train.

1-5. Shunting at Killington Lane. ISAAC is collecting a DZ open wagon...

6. ...to form up a mixed train. Most original L&B trains were formed of wagons and carriages. ISAAC approaches Woody Bay with this mixed train.

7. ISAAC then delivered the DZ open wagon to the transhipment siding.

8. ISAAC brings the wagons down the transhipment siding to stable in the headshunt.

9. More shunting with both DZ wagons.

10. and 11. Martyn Budd loads coal into the second DZ wagon ready to replenish the coal stage.

The other work underway today included:

• Some fencing by the Moorlands Hotel access to hopefully dissuade "visitors" attempting to avoid the entrance payment tent at the Gala.
• Widening the access path from the station across towards the Gala Marquee site at Moorlands.
• Wiring up the new lamp post along the path to the toilet block.
• Painting the ballast hopper wagon.
• Grass mowing on the bank behind the shed, the entrance sign and the photographers' viewing area by the overflow car park.

It was another busy day for visitors, both for the "mainline" at Woody Bay and also for the Miniature Railway.

Apologies again for the lack of pictures this week, but sometimes modern technology isn't as reliable as good old steam power!

Words and photos by Nigel Thompson, except 1-5 & 9 by Malcolm Kitchen;