Work in Progress: 8th October

Orange October

1. Ready for action. Part of today's Thursday Gang pose - Dave, Mike (honorary Dave?), Dave, Dave and Dave!

2. Armed with trackwork tools, the gang watch as ISAAC departs with today's train.

Later the gang relocated to Rowley Moor Farm to dismantle a stored track panel, then tidy away some unwanted materials from another section of the farm.

Meanwhile another 'orange' gang were at work elsewhere

Through our close relationship with Lynton & Lynmouth Town Council, the L&B offered to sponsor the production and installation of six signs which not only display street maps, but also advertise the railway at Woody Bay Station.

Today, our resident sign-maker Jim Pounds, assisted by Trevor Buck, Don Wood, and Roger Bye, erected these six signs - one in each of Lynton & Lynmouth's car parks.

Commencing at Lower Lyndale, where the sign is located on the wall of the Lyndale Tea Rooms...

... they then relocated to Upper Lyndale Car Park...

... before moving on to the Esplanade Car Park, ...

... Bottom Meadow Car Park, Lynton ...

Trevor, Jim and Don admire their handiwork.

... then to Upper Cross Street Car Park, Lynton ...

... and finally to Lower Cross Street...

... where after checking it was the right way up...

... the final sign was erected!

A big thank you to Jim Pounds, Don Wood, Trevor Buck and Roger Bye for their efforts on our behalf and also to Lynton & Lynmouth Town Council for allowing us the opportunity of providing an essential service for the casual visitor.

There were of course many other unrecorded tasks taking place today

• Removal of the extra marquee tent, and putting away for storage until next year.
• Sorting all the outside picnic tables into their places behind the station building.
• More painting of the platform fencing railings.
• Painting of the new bogie ballast hopper wagon.
• Repairs to some movable wooden steps which are used to help clean the carriages or side access onto the locomotives.

..........not forgetting most importantly - operating the train, booking office/shop and the Tea Rooms for another useful amount of visitors today.

It is all too easy to get excited about the latest acquisition or new arrival and just as easy to forget that running trains almost every day of the year is our real business and requires the constant support of our volunteers and staff.

Words by Nigel Thompson and photos 1 & 2. All other photo's by Roger Bye.