Work in Progress - Thursday 25th June

The Thursday gang today completed the clearing out of the remaining tools and materials from the former workshops in the unit at Grange Hill, Bratton Fleming. The lease can now be finally given up at the end of June.
 
Dave Blencowe provided a Luton van with which we were able to transport the various items with two full loads between Bratton Fleming and Woody Bay. Unloading onto flat wagon No.52 we shunted the loads through the station and into the shed for eventual storage and reuse within the new shed extension workshop area.

1. The workshop area in the shed extension begins to take shape.

2. Unloading from the Luton van onto a works train in the loading dock.

3. Diesel HEDDON HALL propels the flat wagon with stores from the Bratton workshop through Woody Bay station towards the shed.

4. The tools and equipment being unloaded off the works train in the shed.
 

Another piece of history was made today as the unrestored roof of original 4 ton L&BR goods van No. 3 was also transported by rail to the shed. This was undoubtedly the first time since 1935 that part of an original 4-wheeled wagon has travelled on the L&B. The Trust continues to support projects such as rebuilding original goods vehicles such as Van 3 which one day may see service along the restored railway.

 
5. The roof of Van 3 travels along the L&BR for the first time since 1935.
 

The signalling team of L & B volunteers from the Talyllyn Railway were also on site today to begin a weekend of further signalling enhancements. The main job at present is to connect the turnout by the coaling stage to the lever frame in the signal cabin. Their job on the Thursday was to cut and install a steel plate upon which the cranks and facing point lock will be fixed.

6. lifting the plate into position

7. Rob, Geoff and Tim pause for a moment after moving the heavy plate.

8. Rob Prosser begins to work out the positions on the plate for the facing point lock and cranks.