Work in Progress: 4th February

A very murky day on Exmoor!

This week's report is compiled by Roger Bye with additional pictures of work at Rowley Moor Farm from Nigel Thompson.

1. Low cloud and drizzle rather limited panoramic views from Woody Bay today...but this did not prevent admiration of the track relaid by the winter working party over last weekend.

2. Following on from last week, some of the gang, including new Thursday Gang volunteer Malcolm, tackled the installation of concrete point mechanism supports at the Barnstaple end of the station. This is a bit tricky when there are four pedestals each of which have to be level and square and aligned with each other. It took several attempts to get it right!

3. Close by Pete was working on modifying the point rodding to ensure the point linkages could move freely under the lowered track.

4. At the other end of the station more of the gang worked on lowering some of the point rodding pedestals - a job that involves much grovelling and digging...

5....and soon almost all of the Thursday Gang seemed to be grovelling and digging to align the point rodding!

6. Dave reconnected the signal lights...

7...and Jim Price worked on some of the poster boards. Many of the posters are double sided so we can make seasonal changes.

8. Jim Pounds, reflected in the beautifully finished carriage sides (or should that be "beautifully reflected."), was painting the running boards, an indication that his painting work is nearly completed...on this carriage anyway!

9..whilst Dave Evans was painting the interior of No.11's Guard's compartment...

10. Nigel in the warm of the marquee continued his sterling work renovating and painting the station seats.

11. Out of the mist and drizzle in the barn at Rowley Moor Farm, the signalling team continued work on the new up main and loop signal for Parracombe.

12. Dick Gunn (from Teignmouth) and Don Newnham (from Sidmouth) each braved a two hour drive to get here today, on a route plagued by roadworks and fog. Nevertheless they successfully fitted the electric signal indicators to the signal post.

13. Being far enough away from Woody Bay (and the eyes of the General Manager), after completing today's work, the gang (including Trevor Buck) enjoyed an extra afternoon tea break.

14. Back at Woody Bay the day finished as it started - damp and misty - but with a number of important jobs completed to enable us to run trains again in 10 days time.

Words and Woody Bay Photos; Roger Bye. Rowley Moor Photos; Nigel Thompson