Axe Project News

The L&B January working weekend continued at a similar pace to the previous two days.   

The first job on Saturday was to remove the rails that had been lifted the day before, stacking them securely ready for future use.  Some will be kept at Woody Bay for use as fence posts.

This Thursday was the first day of another major working track weekend on the L&B, with many of the regular local volunteers joined by groups from the Isle of Wight Railway and the Talyllyn Railway. The weekends main task will be to re-rail both up and down platform roads at Woody Bay with 30 foot long rails to replace the 15 foot rails laid in 2003.

The 2009 North Devon and Exmoor Walking Festival takes place from Thursday 30 April to Friday 8 May, and embraces a full programme of guided and speciality graded walks ensuring all levels of ability can discover the region’s beautiful and diverse scenery on foot. A number of special outings are also planned, including - on 4th May - one to the L&B. 

For more details, see this article on easier.com

No sooner had Axe arrived back at Woody Bay from Gartells, then the work of preparing the L&Bs first owned steam locomotive for the 2009 season began in ernest.  Today saw the first movement out of Woody Bay - light engine to Killington Lane for the first of many running-in trips along the restored length of L&B track.

(Words and pictures courtesy of Tony Nicholson)