Tuesday 21st - Gala prep, here we go again

With the Diesel Gala rapidly approaching it's time to begin preparing the Works for what we hope will be a successful weekend. At least the weather on the Saturday and Sunday is predicted to be a little cooler.

Although we have finished the refurbishment of SO 4798, there are always the last few small touches needed. Richard went round cleaning the doorway striker plates, did a few other small bits of snagging, and top coated in gloss black a small length of skirting in the south vestibule.

With the rebuild of the kitchen in the GW Inspection Saloon almost finished, Stu added the first coat of thinned varnished to the hardwood surfaces.

 

The improvement is quite striking. Before going any further I need to check with Simon about the light wood parts and new wall panelling.

With the dry weather seemingly endless and to avoid fire risk, it looks like we have gone to full diesel running with D6948 heading for Toddington with Rake 1.

In the Barn David is working on the Cotswold side of SK 25451, sanding and painting any bare metal with red oxide where necessary.

With BSK 35308 back in the running for a C&W refurb, Ian and Roger G. are removing the old transfers.

Taking a break from his initial preparatory work on the Malvern side of TSO 4406, Dave has a good look at the very corroded south end corner. We've got a lot to do there.

On now to Gala preparation with Roger and Ian giving the Paintshop floor a very thorough vacuuming. The track troughs where accessible were also cleaned out.

Roger E. from the Indoor Gang appeared today and did a brilliant clean up of the Barn through route. Prior to this the two of us had a good general tidy up in here.

 

Roger then cleaned (as much as you can with these) a number of the chairs, which we place around the viewing area.

Richard helped me errect the chain barrier. Some of the advisory signage was also placed in position. A quantity of expired brake blocks provide good anchorage with some of the stands.

The final train of the day comes by. Class 24 24081.

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Following a request from Andy Protherough, the first photo of SO 4798 after it had first been brought into the Works.

Photo taken by Alex on 2nd March 2024

A post showing some of the highlights of 4798's lengthy refurbishment is being collated.

Monday 20th - 6 Weeks Again

 Yes, six weeks since we were able to have rake 1 in P2 and rake 2 in P1. Here are Peter, David, Chris and Tim starting the long slog. They were also degreasing as they went so by their standards they are much further north by now if the extra work not required. 

"Mary" needed a good vac. Before

After (and yes, the carpet is wearing thin)

After this I took the spot mop on an outing through both rakes. Before

After

While I was doing that Roger C, Val, Kath, Lynn and Greg were cleaning the outside of the windows on rake 1. The problem here is that any water is instantly dried as it touches the glass, so although the washing team had been through there were still streaks. I'm told that even this follow up team had to wipe off any spray instantly or it was dried on as well.

The rest of the team today were Jane, John M, John S, Nick, and Nigel.

Next week is a photo charter using rake 1, so only half a job to do! 

Due to fire risk diesel haulage only this week, followed by the diesel gala Friday to Sunday.

Saturday 18th - Watching and waving

Yet another very warm day, but we still had a good number attending.

Quite a group taking a break to watch the first train of the day hauled by "Betton Grange" on its way back up the line. 

In Upholstery Peter and Jane add the finishing pieces of moquette to this refurbished seat cushion from SK 25451.

Laura makes another of the wonderful door stops. This is a really inspired idea, along with the key rings and bookmarks, to use up small offcuts of moquette.

When I first saw this particular moquette laid out on one of the tables my reaction was somewhat mixed. Having seen it as a cushion and now as a doorstop, I think it looks great!

Stripped seat frames (backs and cushions) from TSO 4867, which is now back in the queue for a full restoration.

[Photo : Gerry] Two photos that Gerry sent me that I missed adding to Wednesday's post. Nick repairs one of the seat bases from 4867.

[Photo : Gerry]

[Photo : Bryony]  An on-train job for Robert and Chris this morning was to secure a loose ceiling panel in TSO 4772.

Now back to sorting out the new door liner for BSK 35308.

More trial fitting of this complex item.

And more change to original plans. BSK 35308 is now going to replace BSO 9000, which has been our brake coach in Rake 1 since 2009. It is now 9000 that will be going to the Diesel Shed for repainting in blue & grey. The Diesel Dept are aware of the change. The little bar that we built in 9000 when it was initially restored will be an asset for future running in the mini set of blue & grey coaches.

Out in the Barn George continues the general sand down on the Malvern side of SK 25451.

Bob joins him, but on the Cotswold side to do some hand sanding.

Later in the day Graham also got going on the same side, his work on SO 4798 completed.

At the south end James does some further welding on his repaired roof corner.

Alan meanwhile is making repairs to the end of the roof. 

A different job for Andy is repairing a number of heras fence panels that have been stacked up in the yard - not sure by who, perhaps Construction & Maintenance or Lineside?

After the welding repairs, a clean up with an angle grinder.

And then a break to wave at our passengers, who were eagerly waving back. It was quite noticeable today how many responded to our waving. Perhaps like us, thankful that the worst of the heatwave is over.

Jenny once again doing a great job cleaning our Mess Room.

John produces many items for us on the lathe and milling machine, this time making some new door catches.

Simon and Tom have made a new shelf for the kitchen in the GW Inspection Saloon. With the shelf and supports fitted, they are now securing the front section with wood dowels.

With the dowells gently hammered in as far as they will go, they are very carefully trimmed.

The end result is perfection. An excellent job.

Following on from Gerry's photo on Wednesday, the replacement wall panel fitted by Mike in the saloon's corridor.

Another of the Behind The Scenes tours was held today. This is the All Railway one which takes in the Toddington sheds, a signalbox and Carriage & Wagon. Dave led the Carriage & Wagon section for the six members, the maximum number for this type of tour. The next tour on August 8th is the Carriage & Wagon version and is a sell out.

Andy and Bob wave as the Bubblecar gathers speed on its way back to Toddington. This is an excellent vehicle for a shuttle service and very pleasant to travel in.

Dave, later joined by Bob, doing some intial prep on the Malvern side of TSO 4406, one of our recent acquisitions.

Two altered station sandwich boards being prepared by Alex, who will be doing the signwriting. 

On to the next job. Adding the large G W to the Cotswold side of the Mink D van. We have a number of large hardboard templates for various letters. I used to enjoy doing these in my early days with C & W.

Gleaming 3850 is admired as it passes with Rake 2 on another southbound run.

Now on to SO 4798 and the final stages of its refurb in the Paintshop. Ian touches up a few minor bits on the Cotswold side of the bogies.

Meanwhile the cleaning of the Malvern sides is being finished off prior to painting by Andy, and below Graham and Martin.

Jenny gave the two refurbished toilet compartments a final clean. The new varnished veneer panelling looks really nice and certainly fits in well with the upgraded status of this coach.

[Photo : Roger]

Returning later to see the painting of the north end bogie being completed by Andy and Ian. 

Well, that's it. Finished. It has been a long haul but well worth the effort and a fine display for our Gala visitors next weekend.

After the Gala, SK 25451 comes into the Paintshop and we start all over again.

Finally we were very sorry to hear about Paul of St Blazey's little dog. A number of us have lost our pets in the past year, including myself, so we know what it's like. Paul is always very complimentary about our work, which is very much appreciated by us all in C & W.