Wednesday 28th / Thursday 29th - Metal and doors

A very busy Thursday with the metal working team very much present, including Nick our usual Wednesday blogger who swapped days this week. As such I took a selection of photos of likely progress the day before.

Wednesday

The seating in our new disabled compartment in BSK 34929 looks to be finished, and what a great job overall.

 In the first compartment of 34929 one of the seat backs now secured in place.

In the second compartment another seat back awaits fitting. Always very cumbersome and difficult to move about, I have often thought that these would have been put in via the windows when the coaches were originally constructed.

An interesting construct to cover the locking mechanism on the backs of the right hand of the two sets of double doors to the vestibule leading into the disabled compartment.

 On Wednesday the Mink A van shell was gritblasted and primed by our regular contractor.

The roof end sections, door bolts and other parts that had previously been removed, cleaned up and coated in oxide.

Thursday

Keeping on the progress with the Mink A van, the end plates which support the end planking had seriously corroded and needed replacing. Nick set about removing these at both ends.

 (photo: Nick)

The removal job completed at the south end.

In the meantime Bob was fabricating the replacement sections in the Workshop and here is trying two of them (the base and riser) for fit.

(photo: Nick)

The completed south end with all the new sections now welded in place by Nick..

Bob completes the job with a coating of red oxide.

(photo: Nick)

Another job for Nick and the gang was straightening a tie bar from one of the two bogies brought into the Barn last week.

Yet another job for the gang was fabricating a new solid step for our main container. Gerry coats the metal in red oxide.

(photo: Nick)

The next job was attaching the pre-cut section of chequer plate.

Job done. That's better!

Another "that's better!" was certainly deserved for the Door Team, with the recent influx of new members bringing the team very much back up to strength. There's a lot of learning to do, but the new members are very keen and seem to be settling in well.

Under Trevor's guidance Des, having cleaned up the lazy tongs for this door from BSK 34929, now proceeds to fix them in place. 

Returning a little later to find Ainsley was also working on the door, attaching the inner parts of the window framing.
 

Introducing Steve B. the newest member of the team, who has a lot of experience of door locks so will be a very useful addition. He won't be able to attend very regularly but will be very welcome when he can come in.

Des is now on the other door under refurbishment and assisted by Rod. In the background is Craig, former Head of the team, who is very kindly coming in to help with the handover and general training.

 Another visit later in the afternoon with more progress on the second door.

Trevor and Ainsley have made great progress with the first door (Door 9 off 34929). I can see this door being fitted to the coach soon.

In both the toilet compartments in CK 16221 Derek was fitting lower edge pieces and a right fiddle these were with lots of measuring and careful cutting to obtain a good tight fit.

The sections of wood for the guards compartment in BG 41049, having been top coated, have been screwed in place by Alan. The new coathooks are now being added. 

I wish we had time to sort out that ceiling, but the BG has to go out next week to be replaced by one of the units from the DMU which requires some metalwork repairs.

Alan also sorted out the loose internal grab rail just inside the guards door.

(photo: Nick)

Finally my own efforts. Following a major vacuuming session of the Malvern side of the roof, where the accumulated dust was the worst, a relaxing hour or so overpainting the areas of window sealant previously applied to the Cotswold side. There is more to do on the  Malvern side, which will be done on Saturday.