Work in Progress: 7th February

posted by Dave Bloomfield on Fri, 08/02/2013 - 23:35

As Nigel is away this week, we are very grateful that Thursday stalwart Dave Bloomfield has stepped in to provide us with this report from Woody Bay.

The weather at Woody Bay started out bright and sunny but with a cold wind and with nine people on site today (and not raining (yet) we were divided into three working parties.

I was tasked with a few electrical jobs in the engine shed out of the wind (I'm not silly) - whilst John O'Dell, Michael Corner and Jim Price were assigned to replace the ceiling (damaged by water a couple of weeks ago) in what was once the Ladies Waiting Room - now the Book Room. The old lath and plaster ceiling was removed and replaced with plaster board ready for a plaster skim. (Is there no end to our skills?) I joined in after lunch after the "dirty work" was completed!

The other team of General Manager Martyn Budd, Graham Varney, John Heys, Jim McFarlane and Martin Williams, plus of course Sam and Fred the dogs, went down (up) the line with a works train hauled by HEDDON HALL to clear away more of the old sleepers and fish-plates, and then on to Killington Lane to tidy things up generally there.

Sorry no pictures of this as I was in the shed working and keeping dry.

I did contemplate walking to Killington Lane to take some photos but quickly changed my mind as the weather as usual didn't disappoint with sleet, rain and a biting wind. However, the work had to continue - for If we stopped for rain, snow etc. during the short closed season we wouldn't get much work done. (We are a hardy bunch). With all the planned jobs completed - it was time to head home.