Work in Progress: 6th February

 More hydrogenic than photogenic today at Woody Bay ...

... but despite the weather conditions, a rather depleted Thursday Gang tackled various tasks with customary vigour.

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1. Blocks and footings for retaining wall

Following the great work yesterday by staff and contractors in appalling conditions on the footings for the new retaining wall, the first batch of hollow concrete blocks are here stacked awaiting laying when the footings have cured sufficiently.  The first row of blocks will be laid and then holes will be drilled down through the blocks into the footing for vertical reinforcing bars which will be bonded into the holes in the footings.  The hollow centres of the blocks will then be filled with concerete as the wall is built up.  Finally the stone previously removed (stacked on the left of the running line) will be used to face the concrete blocks and additional drainage pipes will be installed behind the wall to allow rainwater to drain away.  Work today was limited to clearing the inevitable mud from the siding rail, sleepers and ballast.

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2. improving drainage behind platform.

Some years ago a land drain was installed behind the platform fence to assist in preventing water flooding over the platform.  The gravel above this had become choked with silt and mud so Nigel and Jim (and the author) cleared away the dirty gravel and replaced it with clean material thoughtfully provided by the General Manager!

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3. New doors on Pilton.

Jim and Dave continued (in the dry!) with installing the new doors to Pilton complete with precision fitted weather bars.

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4. Preparing moulds for cast point mechanism supports.

Graham prepared some custom moulds for casting concrete point mechanism supports.  A group mixed concrete, filled and vibrated the moulds.  This is a bit of an experiment and success will only be evident when the concrete has cured and the components released.

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5. Work continued on the lever frame.

Jim and Dave appear to be discussing the continuing work on the new lever frame.  Mind you I couldn't hear their discussion so it might have been about the next tea break!

Words and Photos: Roger Bye