Chelfham Station summer progress 2019

Meanwhile at Chelfham.

1. Open to visitors and volunteers every Wednesday and Sunday, many enjoy a friendly cuppa on the down platform with the view towards the station restoration.

2. Chelfham regular volunteer, Graham Lee has been building up the platform edge foundations and laying the blue engineering bricks along the edge in front of the signal cabin.

3. & 4. Graham makes steady progress with the bricklaying.

5. . The signal cabin itself is now being restored with new full length Douglas Fir wood panels for the sides and new front and rear doors. Peter Holland begins to cut to length several panels ready for preservative treatment prior to painting.

6. & 7. Woody Bay Paint Shop Boy Jim Pounds has been sign writing L&BR lettering the bogie open wagon stored at Chelfham on display on the down siding.

8. In the woods, Lynda and David Swallow continue to upgrade and widen parts of the upper path which together with steps to the trackbed makes for a easier walk for our visitors.

9. Chris Lane organised some hard-core to level off the platform to the side of the signal cabin.

10. With the end of the platform edge bricklaying project, this section of the up platform is now looking almost complete.

11. Another restoration project completed recently has been the installation of cast-iron guttering and down pipe along the rear of the station building.

All visitors are welcome at Chelfham on Sundays and Wednesdays from 10am. EX31 4RP

Words and photos by Nigel Thompson