Work in Progress: 4th March

Trackwork and other things!

With Nigel Thompson away on holiday, this week’s report was compiled by Graham Bendell.

After the very strong winds which swept the West Country on Wednesday, Thursday was a much more tranquil, if cold, day. The main tasks today were to change two sleepers in the cross over at the station throat, the continuing overhaul of Carriage No.7, seat painting and the fabrication of the new rear bonnet for PILTON

1. The Gang contemplate the task ahead – with some trepidation.

2. Work gets underway. The base plates are unbolted from the sleepers and the ballast cleared back.

3. Clearing the last of the ballast so that the old sleeper can be slid out. Fred the GM's dog, waits patiently for a stone. He does do sticks, but prefers suitably sized ballast!

4. The new sleeper has been slid into position. This is a long Jarrah sleeper and it took eight of us to move it over the tracks and point rodding to the position where it could be slid in. (Photo:Roger Bye)

5. Final job; refixing the base plates. Dave Bloomfield winds a bolt in and Don Wood drills the next hole.

6. Proof that Nigel Spencer doesn’t just do green as he applies brown preservative stain to a seat. Nigel’s efforts contribute hugely to the overall smart appearance of Woody Bay Station.

7, Meanwhile in the shed, Jim Pounds (up the ladder), and Martin Williams continue the work on Carriage No.7....

8. .....and John Uphill fabricates a new rear bonnet for PILTON.

9. A welcome today to new shop volunteer, Rob Baker (left) - training was provided by L&BR shop stalwart Tony Cross (right).

10. Today’s train crew were well wrapped up against the cold. Fireman Andy Foster, Driver Graham Varney, Trainee Fireman Otis Small and Guard Bob Eyres.

11. AXE tries to hide itself as it runs-round. (Photo:Roger Bye)

12. A little later: AXE brings its train past the headshunt - two carriages proving adequate for the level of traffic today. (Photo:Roger Bye)

Words and all uncredited photos by Graham Bendell