Chelfham Station: Late summer 2013

Chelfham Station, late August 2013

Even more progress this summer at the L&BR's second station. Volunteers of 'The Friends of Chelfham Station' turn out most Wednesdays and Sundays to carry out several tasks associated with the restoration of the original station building and site.

1. The view of the station from the approach drive.

2. The line of original bricks mark the platform edge. The 1960s-built extension over the platform will eventually be removed.

3. Repairs to the station roof are now complete, with some of the tiles from the back porch being used to patch the hole where the chimney came through.

4. Frank Daff with mower by the footpath entrance which leads down to the road. The display boards welcome visitors each week and feature photos of the progress being made today as well as when the railway was operating.

5. Inside, John Edmonds has been busy rearranging the cable runs for the switches and sockets.

6. The Town family (L&B Trust members from Derby) came to help for a day. They assisted with the ongoing cleaning and painting of the stored signalling items.

7. Husband Nigel cleans signalling equipment with the angle grinder- wire brush attachment ...

8. ...whilst wife Sandra paints the cleaned items...

9. ... assisted by Thursday Group volunteers who were busy painting point cranks.

10. It's the August Bank Holiday weekend, and a major task is being undertaken...

11. ... something big is being erected between those concrete posts ...

12. Nigel, Dave and John are carefully supporting a heavy item.

13. Is it really the new CHELFHAM sign (running-in board), so much wanted by all Trust members and visitors?

14. Our thanks to John Mack-Smith for moulding, casting and installing the new concrete running-in board on the down platform. John is seen here filling holes and generally tidying-up. A job well done!

15.  View of the completed running-in board. Painting it SR green and white is to follow soon.

16. On the up platform, the area around the posts has also been cleared ready to receive its new running-in board.

17. Nigel Thompson by the original posts. Once they are repaired, John Mack-Smith will soon return to cast and install a new sign for these posts too.

18. Another recent project has been to restore the porch roof. Several sections of rotted wood were removed.

19. John O'Dell made a new gable-end for the porch and poses here with Dave Evans prior to its installation.

20. The new gable-end is secured in position.

21. The volunteers enjoy an afternoon tea break under the new CHELFHAM running-in board.

CHELFHAM station is open every Sunday to L&B Trust members and other visitors.

The station will be also open over the L&B Autumn Steam Gala on Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th September, 10am-6pm.

Visitors can view the station restoration's progress, as well as enjoy the trackbed and woodland walks.

Words and pictures by Nigel Thompson