Tuesday 26th - Some good progress at the Works and a bit of L & B

Another busy day at the Works despite two of our regulars, Robert and Ian, being away this week.

 

Beginning today with a walk down the yard to see the culmination of Dave H's efforts to improve the look of the old Army RBr. What a difference! From algae covered windows and a mish-mash of old paint to something which now looks so much better for our passing travellers. Well done Dave!

 On the way back to the Works, completed Tool Van 4 looks terrific in the sun.

 

For comparison, Tool Van 92 when it was last refurbished in 2009 (date of photo 13 July 2009)

Back to the present. With all the linseed oil coating nicely dried, Maurice begins priming the north end of 92.

 Towards the end of the day he had made a start on the south end.

 For most of us it was back to SK 25488, and sand, sand, sand. Stu cleared up the final parts of the Cotswold side lower panel.

As previously mentioned, the four opening doors and their frames (the centre doors are sealed shut) need a lot of work, initially sanding and removing the cracked paint, and then filling where needed. Richard made a start on the Cotswold side south door.

Pam and Alan worked on the Malvern side, and when not doing logistics and grabbing photos, I joined them at the south end.

Oh the joys as the first paint goes on. Stu applies our base undercoat of light grey to the Cotswold side.

So, good progress with 25488. Still a long way to go, but we are cracking on with the job. Alex had listed the Model Railway TPO as priority, but having had a deluge first thing this morning and the threat of more rain, which did appear in the afternoon and was just as heavy, we gave up on further work there.

Keith gave another coat of black to the large washers for the bogie traction rods. Unfortunately they have not surprisingly ended up with a coating of pink dust.

The first angle irons from the Monster Van woodwork which Derek is currently repairing. Derek had cleaned then up with an angle grinder, enabling Keith to add a coat of red oxide.

While walking through Upholstery, I couldn't resist taking a couple of photos of the seating parts ready to be returned to the FODR. Everything neatly stacked with the small parts packed and labelled.

The final job of the day. Out with the soft brooms for a big sweep up.

 *********************************

LYNTON & BARNSTAPLE RAILWAY GALA - 23/24 SEPTEMBER

Another Lynton & Barnstaple Railway Gala arrives, so it's back again for another Saturday visit.

There are loads of photos on the L&B's Facebook which are well worth a look. My photos below are just a sample from the ones I took.

The visiting engines are Hunslets ' Lilla' and ' Hugh Napier' from the Ffestiniog. The L&B was due to have restored WHR "Russell", but following problems with the loco, the two Hunslets were sent instead and proved to be a hit with the visitors.

On both locos, sliding panels at the back allowed the fire to be raked through and cleaned, and it made firing somewhat easier. The two locos only separated for the run-around at Woody Bay and Killington Lane.

The pride of the fleet is obviously "Lyn", which spent much of the day working with the Hunslets, topping and tailing the three-coach rake.

 World War I veteran "Axe" was on the two coach train.

The 7¼" gauge miniature railway had a lovely Thompson 01 no. 63874. Unfortunately when Pam and I went up for a ride, the loco had shed two pins and had to be retired. After that the stand-in loco could only take a single trailer and, having already waited a long time while they were trying to sort things out, we decided to return to the main trains. Hopefully it was fixed in time for Sunday's visitors.

There were three traction engines, all in steam, with one of the two small ones giving lifts up and down the steep road from the station.

 

I know we have great views from our Cotswold line, but from Woody Bay and down the line, they are superb. The Welsh coast could be clearly seen.

 

And on to the future. The newly acquired loco Bagnall 2819, formerly known as "Charles Wytock", will be fully restored.

This wonderful 5" gauge model of the original "Yeo" was built by John Fysh, a model engineer for over 50 years, who has sadly passed away. It has been gifted to the 762 Club, who were responsible for the building of "Lyn" and are currently recreating two of the original Manning Wardles "Yeo" and "Exe".

www.lynton-rail.co.uk/news/view/762-cub-progress-report-september-2023 

Overall it was an excellent day, with a lot of visitors and a very happy atmosphere. Who wouldn't be happy visiting this wonderful little railway. Pam's smile says it all.