Work in Progress - 4 November | The Lynton & Barnstaple Railway

posted by Nigel Thompson on Fri, 05/11/2010 - 22:28

General Manager Martyn Budd was extremely pleased with the high turnout of volunteers today despite the misty damp weather on Exmoor and the very reduced visibility. More than a dozen people were on hand during the day with the mess room becoming very busy at the lunch and tea breaks. Although a couple of the regulars were away on other business, the 'Thursday Gang' was boosted by further 'new volunteers' - Mike Hamilton and Dave Drayson. With no passenger trains operating now, the usual Thursday footplate crew of Robin Edwards and Jim Price swapped their bib & braces overalls for some suitable wet weather clothing to also join us all down the line for some essential permanent way work.

Later this month the rails around the curve just north of Bridge 67 will be replaced. The current trackwork here comprises of second-hand rail purchased from the Talyllyn Railway and laid in 2003. As part of the general upgrade of the L&B track, this rail (which is quite worn, 'kinked', and 'hogged' in places) will be replaced with ex-MOD 50 lb. rail from Trecwn, Wales. The MOD rail is good quality 30-35 ft. lengths. The old ex-TR rail will therefore be cascaded down the line to replace the final short 15 ft. lengths within the station and loop line at Killington Lane.

The rails were prepared and loaded onto bogie flat No.28321 ready to be unloaded today using the mini-digger at a location down the line as part of the preparation for the rail renewal programme later this month.

1.Diesel HEDDON HALL with works train down the line at the unloading point.

2. With suitable protective safety equipment worn, the gang begin to unload the rails using the digger's arm with strops, hooks and chains.

3. In the mist the digger off loads rail from the wagon.

4. Two rails at a time were lifted, the train moved up out the way while the rails were transferred to a trolley to move them down the line to off load.

5. New volunteer Dave Drayson (yellow hard-hat) and Dave Bloomfield (white hard-hat) steady the rails during the lifting.

6. The gang escape the poor weather to enjoy a short rest in the Brake Van after lunch.

7. Everyone squeezing into the Brake Van.

8. Jim Price shows off his new clean boots prior to dirtying them during the afternoons work!

9. At Killington Lane the second batch of rail was loaded onto the wagon with a tele-handler.

10. The tele-handler makes light work of loading the rail.

11. Ready to depart from Killington Lane, the 'double headed' works train!

12. Back at the job site, the works train still with poor weather during the unloading process.

13. Posing by some lifted rail is Dave Bloomfield and the other new volunteer, Mike Hamilton.

14. Nigel Thompson drove HEDDON HALL on the works train.

15. The curve north of Bridge 67 after all the rails had been dropped off ready for the trackwork weekend rail replacing - Sat 27 & Sun 28 November, all welcome from 10am. Special winter refreshments for all working volunteers that weekend.

16. Privately owned Simplex Motorail 4wDM small former works train diesel TITCH, which had been in store at Killington Lane for the Autumn Gala, was included in the afternoon works train for transport to Woody Bay pending dispatch this coming weekend.