We had 13 in today and a busy day it turned out to be. It was a really lovely pleasantly warm day and some even had their lunch outside.
We ought to nickname SO 4798 "lumpy and bumpy" with all the fun and games in trying to smooth the sides. The main areas needing attention are under the windows, along the rivet line, and at the south end where a lot of new sheet metal had to be welded in. As Alex stated in Saturday's post we are going to get through a lot of filler.
The above mid-morning photos were taken of the Cotswold side when a fair amount of broad skimming of filler had been done to try and ease out the uneven surface.
Half a hour later Richard was well into sanding his area at the south end.
By midday Phil had sanded most of his filling.
The sanding has been completed, ........
........ so now on to some secondary greying up to see whether we have done enough or yet more skimming will be needed.
I checked at the end of the day when the grey undercoat was dry. The verdict is that this is going to be a long job!
Meanwhile David was progressing the next two zones and by the end of his day he had more or less got the two areas ready for initial greying up.
A bit of catching up from Saturday showing Alan's metalwork repairs to another of the doors from BSK 35308. It could still be some time before 35308 heads up to Toddington. With so much priority work needing to be done, especially with our drastically shortened Shutdown period impacting us, unfortunately we can't give the coach all the attention it needs to get it ready sooner.
They can't last forever. This door skin was beyond repair and was replaced by one of our new spares.
If time permits RMB 1876 will be shunted out this coming Saturday. With this in mind, activity both inside and out was intense. Robert attaches the remaining part-painted skirting in the centre vestibule.
And whose boots are these?!
They belong to Roger who was very carefully masking up the coir matting prior to adding a final coat of Gloss Black to the new skirting.
Job done. Time to remove the tape and protective covers.
Definitely overtime going on with Roger in again, assisting Phil with the long complex job of reinstating the toilet compartments. Robert was also involved.
Phil reconstructing one of the toilet tanks.
It's never an easy job in the cramped spaces. With such a complete rebuild of both compartments with new veneer walls, everything that needs reattaching has to be checked for correct positions. I even took photos of one of the toilet compartments in TSO 4763 to act as a guide to show exactly where the handrail, waste bin and shelf are fitted. The job is on going and will no doubt have to be completed with the coach in the Barn and even when outside.
Richard did quite a bit of tidying up of bits of paintwork in doorways and other places. Also done was some top coating at the north end which included some repainting of the areas of panelling where Alex will be signwriting, the lamp brackets and the passcom mechanism [note to myself : must remember to repaint the passcomm flags!].
The calor gas box covers needed some more red paint on the instructions.
A busy morning break.
Rake 2 is complete, but sometime next week 1876 will replace RMB 1808. Rake 3 will be reassembled ready for Race Week and there is a programme of work about to kick off which will include a genuine "quick repaint" for one of our coaches.
Also included in a Works visit for mechanical checks and minor cosmetic work will be the privately owned GW Inspection Saloon 80975.
In the Barn Tony spent the day working on the two bogies destined for TSO 4763.
By the end of the day the Black MIO had been put to plenty of use.
The south end of the Mink D van looks very good with its new shiny planks. Maurice, assisted by Paul inside, secures the remaining top centre section.
Next for Maurice was painting the latest primed nuts and bolts.
More planking being primed by Paul.
Meanwhile Maurice begins undercoating the new primed steps.
[Photo : Paul E.] All four steps now undercoated.
