Working Weekend March 2019 - Day three photos

Sunday 31st Rowley

Sunday's report comes from James Bloomfield.

Today's task was clearing the tracked of vegetation from just below Rowley Moor Farm towards Blackmoor Gate.

1. - 4. Commencing just below Rowley Moor Farm; views of the trackbed being cleared towards Blackmoor Gate. Neglected drainage since closure has resulted in very boggy conditions in this section.

5. With Blackmoor Station almost in sight and the volunteer's cars parked in the public car park just visible on the left, this area leading to the infilled cutting is very wet.

6. We were well looked after by Tracy this weekend, with pots of tea and various tempting biscuits.

7. David Bloomfield's lunch is eyed-up by 'Blue' and 'Fred'.

8. Dave later surveys his recent attempts to locate the culvert in the nearby small embankment....

9. ..whilst others continue their break either side of the trackbed.

10. The last train near this point in September 1935.

11. Looking back towards Blackmoor Station - L&B fence posts on the right.

12. A view taken near this location in the 1920's.

13. By mid-afternoon good progress had been made and the end of the filled in section of the cutting was reached.

14. Taken from the road bridge in the 1930's - showing the cutting which has been infilled.

15. That's Rowley Moor Farm above the trackbed. The site of the future carriage and loco sheds is in the field by the fence.

16. looking towards Parracombe - with the track bed cleared and a bonfire already burned out.

A very successful weekend with much work completed towards enabling the railway's rebuilding.

Come and join in the fun next time!

Photos and text by James Bloomfield