Tuesday 1st - Production line

After Saturday's very large attendance the Works seemed almost deserted at times with just 11 of us in. Today it was RBr 1675 and the Open C wagon receiving attention, with Derek working on the Monster van.

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Briefly referring back to the comments in Saturday's post, many thanks to Dan Zutgewski for the very comprehensive explanation as to why loose chairs were used in Mk1 restaurant buffet cars. Reference the mention of our problems being your problems with a 70 year old fleet, I can well imagine it. 

John Dickerson mentioned the frequently raised question about when we will have cover for our rolling stock. Over the years successive infrastructure problems have swallowed up enormous sums of money, and continue to do so with the ongoing repairs to the viaduct. And now we work under tight budgets following the pandemic and cost of living crisis. The Paintshop was for many years a dream, and then look what happened. It just proves that you never know what is round the corner.

Thank you both for your kind compliments.

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Moving on to today's activities, with grateful thanks to Paul for the extra photos.

It's back to plank cutting for Chris and Robert, with another length of cedar going through the Wadkin saw ...........

........ but this time with a difference. This one has one side cut at an angle.

The reason? One of the Open C doors is now under construction.

Is the angle correct to cater for the bend in the door? Yes, perfect!

Keith joins the team with what is now a very large paint job. Both he and Maurice are going to be putting on a good deal of Dark Grey undercoat on all those primed planks.

The white centre gap allows the plank to be picked up and placed against the wall. Once positioned the gap is painted over.

The diagonal cross members have now been bolted tight. Paul coats the bolts and nuts with red oxide.

The door planks are now in full production as Paul sands yet another using a handy space at the front of the Barn.

Now on to 1675 where line snagging is well underway with David first off with this job.

Lining out of the remaining sections of the top black band on both sides was done by Richard.

Roger arrives and immediately gets stuck into the snagging. No matter how carefully the masking tape is applied, there will always be tiny gaps through which the yellow and black paint will seep. The worst places are inside the door frames where years of sanding and repainting make the sides uneven and the tape becomes difficult to press tightly into the angles.

Following the removal of the formica on the counter, the underlying wood surface needed some areas filled and the remainder sanded. To keep the dust to a minimum Ian just hand sands, initially with 80 paper, then 120 and finally 240. A good vac round afterwards soon cleared the dust.  Some of the surface still has a very slight groove feel, so we are checking with Phil S. as to how far we need to go. At the moment I'm not sure what is going back on.

With the festoon of used yellow tape rapidly growing Richard has almost completed the Cotswold side lining out. Then over to the Malvern side to complete that.

David has progressed to the top line to tidy up any stray bits of black or yellow.

Lunch time was enjoyed on the picnic tables in the station garden, which being just beyond the shelter of the Discovery Coach, kept us out of quite a strong breeze.

This also meant we could see the arrival and departure of P&O with Rake 1 (eventually we will be back to calling it the "Chocolate & Cream Rake" - it may take a while but we will get there. And we are really looking forward to the "Crimson & Cream" rake).

Chris and Robert braved the breeze and stayed on the platform.

[Photo : Paul]  The production line really in full swing. Keith places his latest plank against the Workshop wall - the white handling section will now be infilled with undercoat. Maurice has painted two lines to remind himself to leave the space - it's too easy to paint away happily and forget it.

It back to more Creosolve priming as Paul caters for another base section that will fit inside the metal frame.

[Photo : Paul] A veritable wall of undercoated planks. The wagon will begin to look really good once these start to go on.

The end of the day and that wall is even bigger.

[Photo : Paul]  More basic priming, this time on the set of door planks. Robert has now joined in.

David was the last to do the snagging on 1675. Still a few little bits left but essentially the job is done.

Time to catch the last crossover of the day with P&O heading the final train to Cheltenham.

With tokens exchanged the Bubblecar passes, next stop Toddington on its final run to Broadway.

[Photo : Paul]   After the usual day of running around, some painting at last. Paul captured me painting a group of door stops and handles. It's always very satisfying doing these because it means you are on the home straight.

The Cotswold side almost completed. The demarcation lines at both ends to finish in gloss black, the letters and numbers to black line, the sole bar information to write, and the BR roundel to apply. Then two coats of varnish, clean the windows and we're done. The Malvern side the same, and then the coach data at each end. 

[Photo : Paul]  Paul catches me resetting the control panel after the weekly fire alarm test. Finally write up the test record in the log book and then ring the Monitoring Station to have the system reset from Test to Live mode. Job done.

Monday 31st - Two Rakes!

 For the first time this year we had 2 rakes to clean. Rake 1 was in platform 1 and rake 2 in platform 2. Here are Paul, Peter, Tim and David washing rake 2. I know they are in the distance as what I wanted was a picture of the Crimson and Cream carriages at this north end! Very smart they are. (S21272 if you want to try it)

Inside in rake 1 we had Lynn and Greg

And Steve and Jane.

We even do minor repairs, Roger C and Steve reattaching a radiator cover.

A vehicle new to us was brought to the railway last year and has now appeared in rake 2. First class brake, it's a bit posh inside!

It is the same carriage - different seat layouts in the compartments.

I used the GTech in both sets and the spot mop in the buffet car in rake 2.

It was unusual to have rake 2 in, as it is not in use until this weekend. The reason was to let the catering team stock it up and Paul G to get the EPOS system communicating - so we can take money!

John S, Nigel, Rich and Val made up the rest of the team.

We must be out of practice. After cleaning 2 rakes inside and out for the first time this year we were too .... (you know, can't print that!) to go down the the bubblecar, so apologies. Grapevine says it is quite well used.

The blog team have agreed a minor change to the scheduling, so cleaning will still be Mondays but the blog will appear on Tuesdays so that you have time to read all that happens on Saturdays in C & W.

Saturday 29th - Quite a turn out

A very busy day with 30 attending, a very large number for a Saturday considering several regulars are currently away on holiday.

To answer two recent queries after the Weds/Thurs post.

Stu H. who attends on Tuesdays, had a bad accident while out on his motorbike (not his fault) and as such is now recovering at home. He hopes to be back in the autumn. He is much missed by the Tuesday gang, especially as he is a really great chap and one of our best painters. We are keeping in regular touch with him.

Paul of St Blazey asked why the seating in Restaurant Buffet cars comprises loose chairs. I will make some enquiries and see if I can find an answer. Paul - thank you for the many kind compliments that you give, especially recently - they are very much appreciated.

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Beginning today with metalworking progress at the south end of SO 4798.

Andy is having some tuition from James on using the plasma cutter.

With the measured piece of sheet metal successfully cut, the next port of call is the press to shape it ready for fitting.

Andy offers it up to 4798 to assess its suitability - it looks good.

John is busy rebuilding the central section of the Cotswold side toilet compartment window.

James continues his rebuild on the south corner, initially grinding smooth the edge of this section before spot welding the sheet metal infill.

Ainsley and Ben sorting through the stockpile of door locks.

It was good to see Chris in. Formerly a member of the Door team, he is now with the Friday Maintenance gang who look after our two main running rakes, his knowledge of Mk1 coach doors making him a great asset to the team. He is busy building up his supply of spare parts.

Ben is making a set of aluminium plates for our Class 122 Bubblecar 55003. These will be used to cover the internal door thumb catches. As with Mk 1 coaches, the doors will be opened instead from the inside by lowering the windows.

Also providing assistance elsewhere on the Railway is Simon, who will be creating a new stand for the sales of the railway chair boot scrapers.

Robert, assisted by Chris, is cutting more cedar planks for the Open C wagon. The saw has been set at a 45 degree tilt to cut the ends of the planks that abut a corner.

 

We don't like to waste anything, so we are very pleased to find a use for the offcuts from the cutting of the planks for the Open C wagon. These will be used to cover the long metal frame recovered from the old Building Services hut which is due to be demolished. The frame will be cleaned up and painted and become a new workbench.

Up the stairs to Upholstery to capture today's activities. Jane prepares another of the excellent bags - these are selling very well. I must get an update on our sales figures for the bags, cushions and spectacle cases, and hopefully soon a start will be made on the production of the smaller bags.

I just missed Laura marking out the moquette for SO 4798 with one of the seat templates. She was showing new member Sally, who then proceeded to cut round the template chalk mark.

New member Peter was servicing one of our sewing machines. Having someone with his skill in the team is a real bonus.

Now into the Paintshop where I spent most of my day. I apologise for the excess of photos taken of 1675, but being there and involved with the lining out I was able to capture much of what was going on.

Alex's priority for the day was to add a second top coat to all his signwriting.

The main sign on the Cotswold side is looking very good with a second coat. Alex will be black lining the main sign letters and coach numbers.

We began the day will a lot of lining out to do on both sides. This was mainly the black band. Phil was soon well into his section on the upper line on the Cotswold side.

Inside 1675 Phil began the removal of the counter metal frame, with the associated metal strips and later the frame itself all temporarily placed in the saloon.

Jeff arrives and signs in, both in the paper register and on the tablet. The former is an H & S aspect for use in any evacuation emergencies, while the latter records our attendances for each day we are in and the number of hours worked. It is also possible to see who else is on the Railway for that day.

Steven, one of our woodworkers, is also able to signwrite and assists Alex by second coating the main sign on the Malvern side.

The busy scene on the Malvern side with Martin tackling the remaining bit of yellow band. Behind him is Steven, and in the distance Jeff has begun his day at the south end of the coach on the lower line black band.

At the north end Pat, now on his second day at lining out, is taping up the top line ready for painting the black band.

Part of the Cotswold side with the signwriting looking very good with the second coat of paint.

The sound of banging soon had me investigating its source. Phil needs to remove the worn formica from the counter, which certainly put up a fight.

On the Malvern side Pat is now adding the upper tape to his section of line - the tape marks the division between the yellow and black bands. In the distance Martin and Jeff, with Martin now joining Jeff on the lower line.

Bob taping up the Cotswold side lower line now that Alex has completed his work on this section.

Pam has now arrived and begins a number of small painting jobs that had recently been identified.

The saloon with the chairs so far brought in now covered for protection.

Phil meanwhile has moved to the opposite end of the counter. The hot air gun is needed to soften the glue under the formica.

The tricky bit! Getting the wet paint coated tape off without making a mess. Jeff proceeds with great care.

Back to the Cotswold side Phil has taped up more of the lower line for black band painting, with Bob following with the black paint. Good teamwork!

Jeff has now moved to the upper line on his side.

The corridor side of the archway needed the paintwork tidying up. Pam completes the coating of the lovely Executive Light Grey paint. 

Phil has almost completed his job. The underlying wood surface will have some filler where needed and a light sand.

The tidied up archway. A bit of revarnishing will finish the job. The passengers probably won't even glance at it, but we will know it's right.

Pam's final job was to repaint the table legs, some of which have become chipped; one wasn't even painted.

A wander through the Barn and out into the beautiful day. Being somewhat busy inside I missed the partial eclipse and didn't even notice the slight dulling of the light.

The Cotswold side of FO 3127 has had holes patched with gaffer tape and has been completely painted with Dark Grey undercoat. Not only does this help with protection, but the whole look of the coach has been improved. This is especially applicable when the side that is viewed from the trains is done.

As a comparison the Cotswold side of TSO 4867 has simply been given bits of green primer where needed and looks a mess. The other side had been painted with Red Oxide.

RMB 1876 has been brought onto the Barn through road, in turn pushing the Open C wagon across the dividing line between the Barn and the Workshop.

This is to allow NYMR SK 24804 to be put on the jack road for work on the bogies.

John dismantles the dynamo belt, thus freeing the bogie from the dynamo.

Enjoying the open air, Paul E. and Maurice are sanding down the tiny grooves that had been put on the cedar planks for when they had been used for building cladding.

[Photo : Paul E.]  Cleaned up wall planks for the Open C. now coated in white primer.

Something completely different for Alex working on the south drawbar hook off the Open C wagon.

Steven and Alex are waiting for the 03 to pass with the van shell that we will turn into a weed killing vehicle.

Ken and Chris take a break and watch the bubble car rumble by.

 

Some shunting with the van soon gets it into the required place in front of the Barn.

The Malvern side of the 03, still looking good unlike the Cotswold faded side.

It's now after lunch and Jenny gives the Mess Room a clean. I missed her during the morning where she had been cleaning the floors throughout Rake 3.

I seemed to miss almost all the trains today, so it was nice to catch P & O with Rake 1 heading by with an afternoon Cheltenham train. Andy Th. from our Dirty Gang was on TTI duty. The weather had gone somewhat dull with cloud cover.

Overall it was an amazing day and certainly a very big attendance for a Saturday, hence the lengthy posting. Even then I wasn't able to capture everyone.

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The following day I was working in the Cotswold Canals Trust shop at Saul Junction on the Gloucester-Sharpness Canal. A beautiful day which brought over 200 visitors to the shop and a huge number of ice creams sold. During the quieter spells I was able to load all the Saturday photos to the blog and begin writing up the text.