Work in Progress: 31st July

It's odd-job day at Woody Bay...

Every week there are always lots of odd jobs, projects and tasks for Thursday Group volunteers. Attendance is good, with more new faces almost every week. No obvious skills are required - just enthusiasm for helping the L&BR achieve its aims.

1. The latest item of rolling stock to arrive is this permanent way trolley, on loan from The Exeter & Teign Valley Railway (Christow). Owner Colin Burges has generously designed, regauged and rebuilt a standard gauge trolley complete with running brake and handbrake for the L&BR to use at Woody Bay. Seen here with ISAAC stabled behind.

2.  The trolley can be used for moving heavy items such as couplings around the site

3.  The trolley is hand painted and lettered, numbered 31457, and even has a works plate. Colin delivered the trolley recently, taking back the previous trolley which we have made full use of over the last few years - even taking it along the line during track maintenance programmes.

4. AXE was on duty today, seen here from the woodland, passing the headshunt. It was another busy day with many visitors enjoying their ride and the day at Woody Bay.

5. Hunslet diesel HEDDON HALL is back in traffic, but the old lined black livery is looking shabby now. Jim Pounds has taken on the repainting project. His first job is to remove the lining, which he himself had applied back in 2007.

6. The hole-digging gang of Jim McFarlane, Roger Bye and Mike Corner were tasked with installing a pair of posts to support some railings located by the gated access to Moorlands.

7. Dave Robinson and Dave Evans cleared stored equipment from behind the mess room and toilet rear windows ...

8. ...ready for Jim Price (right) with Dave to paint the window frames

9. Les Squance was de-weeding the miniature railway - by hand ...

10. ...assisted by Martin Williams and Andy Foster.

11. In the shed, photographer Nigel Thompson worked on the re-gauged ex-MoD box van. After lunch, Andy Foster also came to help with the bodywork paint removal for this rolling stock project.

12. The stored original concrete WOODY BAY running-in board has now been installed for display alongside various other items of trackside furniture on the bank beside the path to the toilets. Jim, Roger and Mike adjust the sign into place on the bank.

13. Graham Varney mowing the grass above the shed viewing area.

14. Trevor Buck polishes the brass door- and grab-handles on the heritage carriages.

15. Locomotives PILTON (D2393), ISAAC and AXE at Woody Bay.

16. Having undergone some routine maintenance, ISAAC was steamed in the afternoon. ISAAC double-headed with AXE for an afternoon departure, seen here from the up-starter signal post.

Words and pictures by Nigel Thompson