Monday 13th - We Need A Holiday Roster!

 Only 10 today. There were 8 cleaners missing - and all from the inside team! Mostly, but not entirely, due to holidays. Hence very quick photos I grabbed while I remembered.

So inside were Jane, John S (who Ghostbusted both rakes!), Kath, Val and yours truly. The ladies did sterling work on windows, tables and carpeted floors. Lucky me got the toilets and after that some spot mopping in both rakes. Chris, David, Paul, Peter and Tim were outside.

All I could manage for pictures was the decorations used in "Mary" for afternoon tea (yesterday)

And a general shot down the platform

Saturday 11th - Gangways, shunting, and more

 Some excellent progress made today despite some continuing holiday absences.

Starting off with the RMB, Ken gathered some help to get the South gangway connection on. As soon as I stopped for a brief moment to take a picture that help involved me!

So I steered clear in the afternoon when the North end connection went on too, great progress.

Just need to slide the mounting timber on in between, which was still sat waiting to be painted on the trestles. So I threw some wood primer on those before I left for the day.

The Cotswold side also saw a transformation - Graham had been in during the week and made a start greying up, Bob carried on.

After I finished sanding a few last bits of filler, Bob wiped down this half and prepped it ready for a first undercoat grey, which I duly obliged after shunting duties. Ainsley continued prep on the Malvern side, I don't think we're too far behind there. 

James was doing a test fitting and fettling of his new door bottom on the BSK, Stuart offers some advice.

At the North end Alan has added some new metal.

Walking past the weedkilling wagon, all now in primer thanks to Maurice during the week.

Jenny decided the messroom was due another clean so set to.

The bogies brought in last week were being put back together ready for removal again. 

I should have asked but didn't, whatever needed to happen during the week presumably had happened. All part of John's cunning plans!

While we waited for the bogies to be ready to move, Stuart and I fetched the Mink D over from the other side of the yard and brought it a bit closer to base to get started.

Maurice and Paul were soon all over it with the heat guns, scrapers and sanders.

We knew the doors needed replacing, but hmm, a few more holes than expected once the paint started coming off with rotten wood attached. Oh well, might need a few more planks! We'll try and be as conservative as possible whilst replacing what needs to be.

As we were shunting the 3rd and 4th rakes together ready for the Autumn Showcase in a couple of weeks, Foremarke steamed past.

Bogies were then ready to be duly shuffled around, and the GUV brought in as part of a grand bogie swapping plan. The wheels on these bogies are very good, so we'll be having those. Maybe keep the frames too if they turn out to be ok, I think to go under 4798?

Speaking of, there was a trial fit of one of the tables inside 4798. The original tables aren't quite suitable for its upgraded use, but we have a stack of Mk3 tables that can be cut down to the right size and shape (Tom did the honours here), and with some trim round the edge, comes up quite smart.

John and Andy with the pipe thread cutter, with the upright vacuum connection for 4798

And fitting, more good progress.

Overall, a very satisfying day. Normal blogging service shall be resumed this week as Dave is back from Exmoor.

Thursday 9th - An Exmoor Contrast

Two contrasting days in Exmoor, with a little extra bit at the end.

Saturday 4th

Stormy Lynmouth. While we didn't have the more extreme weather of the north, it was still pretty rough in the wind.

Lots of white water out there and the boats are dancing

50-60 mph winds create lots of airborne spray

Sunday 5th 

The weather has significantly improved and although still breezy, is ideal for a relaxing day on the L&BR.

Looking much better than when first viewed just over two years ago, the new engine is a fine replacement for when "Lyn" isn' t running.

"Sir George Newnes" runs into the station with the second train of the day.

A close up of the loco.

An oil round before another run to Killington Lane.

A number of the wagons have been freshly painted.

Just needs some black MIO to finish off the solebar and underframe. Alex and I had some short runs in the little brakevan during one of the Autumn Galas.

I love our view from Winchcombe Station, but this is something else.

It's 1/50 to Killington Lane, Woody Bay being the summit of the line at just under 1000 feet.

The view is always excellent .........

....... and even better from the comfort of First Class.

From Killington Lane, a good view of the sea and Wales in the far distance.

The run round.

Back on for the return to Woody Bay. The line at 1/50 curves into the distance.

In the excellent tea room, yet another new (to us) feature is the very large screen showing a brief history of the line and all the main aspects of the L&B today. Yet another recent addition is Henry, the collecting dog who is on the station every Saturday and Tuesday. He continues the 130 year old tradition of LSWR collecting dogs, the most famous being the generations of "London Jack black retrievers" (a book has now been published on these). The stationmaster at Barnstaple Town Station, the joint LSWR/L&BR station, also had a collecting dog.

A nice collection of L&BR memorabilia.

"Yeo" - live steaming.

The Woody Gate outdoor railway which runs during galas and certain weekends. It looks part dismantled after the Autumn Gala.

So that's why all the cream teas were being laid out. Today there is a visit from the MG Club.

Maybe one day Paracombe?  I hope I get to see it.

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I have often been asked why over 42 years I keep returning to Exmoor.