Work in Progress: 6th March

 Another warm, bright and sunny day at Woody Bay today...

... Well, actually, it was overcast, damp and gray, but the forecast does promise sun for the weekend, when we are next open.  Meanwhile, it's time to finish off relaying the rails on the headshunt.

1. Everyone pauses from the job as Roger Bye (in blue coat and just back from a holiday in Canada) recalls a tale from his recent experiences abroad.

2. Also on site today was our permanent way expert from the 'big railway', Alistair Hall, able to help and offer advice on this tracklaying project. It's been a long time since we laid any track at Woody Bay, so some of us are rusty whilst the newer guys need the experience.

3. The longer 30' rails were carried into position by the gang using rail tongs.

4. Your reporter, Nigel (front left) was also photographed in action at times!

5. The closure rails were lifted into place to measure the surplus length to be cut off.

6. Alistair got the petrol disc cutter going to cut off the short over-lengths.

7. The next tool used was the rail drill, placing holes for the fishplate  bolts.

8. All finished. The gang pose after completing the headshunt re-railing project. The next job will be jacking, packing and tamping the siding, which is used as a running line during the Galas for the Driver-for-a-Fiver attraction.

9. In the shed, big Baguley diesel PILTON is being prepared for service. The missing side panels are being temporary replaced with some plywood sections cut to shape by Dave Evans and Jim Price.

10. This week's Dick Gunn picture shows him (left) with Don Newnham in the mess room enjoying a tea break whilst designing the signal-locking mechanism for the recently restored lever frame.

Words and pictures by Nigel Thompson