Work in Progress - Thursday 2nd April

With improving weather today as the early mist gradually departed, the "Thursday Gang" constructed the wooden fence and path leading to the visitors' shed viewing area. In the morning, part of the gang carted several wheelbarrow loads of stone and dust to form the path, whilst others secured wooden rails onto the rail posts which had been installed last week.

Photos: Nigel Thompson

1. Jim and Brom at work installing the wooden fence rails

2. The new path and fence to the shed viewing area takes shape

3. Carting wheelbarrow loads to form the paths

4. Martyn leans on the completed fence at the shed viewing area
 

The S&T gang - Rob and Dick - continue work on the point rodding, linking the signal cabin with the new crossover points into the shed roads.
 

5. Rob and Dick working on the stretcher bar and point rodding
 

After another outside lunch, a works train was formed up with HEDDON HALL , a bogie open and bogie flat wagons to carry out a couple of tasks along the line, taking advantage of the final Thursday with full possession of the line until November. Ballast was dropped to fill some voids near the occupation crossing, and a load of old 15 foot (50lb.weight) rails were collected from the lineside near Bridge 67 and taken to Killington Lane for resale.

The L&B has been successful in finding a number of 'new' narrow gauge railway projects around the country willing to buy these shorter lengths. These rails had served the L&B well, having been used for the first 1/4 mile of tracklaying in 2002-3, until being replaced with longer 30' lengths last year. 
 

6. With the train stationary, ballast is shovelled off the wagon, filling voids between sleepers

7. The works train in the transhipment siding at Killington Lane

8. The gang prepare to unload the old rail from the bogie flat wagon