Tuesday 15th - "Go for it" day

This was very definitely a "go for it" day with another big leap forward in the refurbishment of BSK 34929. Up to now, with still a lot of the constructional work remaining on the sides of the coach (doors and door frames are still being worked on and subsequently many of the door frame capping strips are missing), we felt it best to leave any further painting until more had been completed. Similarly with the seat cushions still to be installed, we had held off with any further internal varnishing. However the urge to get as much of the initial top coating and varnishing completed was too strong and the speed at which the coach was painted and internally varnished was quite amazing, and well done team for doing all this.

At this point let me hastily add that this is in no way a complaint about our Door and Upholstery teams, who are doing a really great job with their work. It never takes long to paint or varnish, whereas doors and seating are much more involved and are never quick jobs.

Good progress was also made with the other projects being done during the day.

Alex literally top coated the bottom panels along the whole of the Cotswold side in very little time, working with amazing speed.

Richard and Maurice took on the Malvern side, initially starting at the top and gradually working down.

There are still some small sections of bodywork around the coach remaining in the light grey undercoat, including most of the doors. This will definitely be left until the doors are fully working and capping strips in place.

Stu and Phil took on the internal varnishing, but a vacuum through and wipe over was definitely the first course of action.

Stu begins with the north end vestibule.

While Phil started the corridor wall on the compartment side.

Alan completed the black top coating for this new set of battery box doors for 34929.

Ainsley had previously cleaned up the skin for Door 9 from 34929, filling where necessary and then greying up. The latter always shows up where a little more work is needed, so I took this on before handing the job over to Alex, who had by now completed his Cotswold side top coating.

Another coat of Light Grey undercoat and the job is completed. The sides will remain in their cleaned up state until the door is fitted and fully functional.

The first train of the day was hauled by Foremarke Hall, having swapped places with P&O.

Prior to varnishing in 34929 Stu had already been busy applying the "Saxon Green" floor paint in the guards compartment in BG 81049 (P'Way's Mess Coach). All we need to do is put back the coat hooks to finish the job.

Kevin, who does a really brilliant job looking after our stores and spares, had been gradually getting all the spare doors into our Elephant Van. This was the last one and would be moved there, obviously with help. Seat cushions to sort out next?

In the Upholstery Shop for Dave it was yet more refurbishing of seat cushions for TSO 5042. It's very rewarding to see the inside of the coaches when all the new seating is in place.

In the Barn John was busy cleaning up the axle for the extracted wheelset.

 It was later coated with red oxide and finished the day in black.

Foremarke Hall on the return to Toddington and then on to Broadway. The trains were busy again, especially with the school parties getting out at Winchcombe for the Wartime Evacuation Days and other activities. These are always very popular with the schools and a great source of income for us.

More progress on board CK 16221 with Derek busy inserting more supports for when the new panelling goes into the First Class toilet at the north end. After his painting, Alan was also back in the corridor and wire brushing more of the inside wall of the coach where rust had formed.

Over to SK 24006 where Phil had joined Dave H. and was sanding down the outside walls of the compartments.

Dave was pad sanding the south vestibule walls.

With the current timetable the only meeting at Winchcombe for the trains is mid-afternoon (about 3). While Foremarke waits in Platform 2, P&O heads south with the last train of the day.

With so much done in the morning on 34929, it was an earlier finish for the Painting Team, the others also having a shorter day with the heat steadily rising. So a few views of the coach before going home for the day.

The Cotswold side.

The Malvern side.

There may be some second top coating done on the window frames and panels not adjacent to the missing capping strips, but by and large the bulk of the painting done today will remain as such for now.

The corridor looking south with the compartment side now gleaming. The other side was deliberately left so as not to rub accidentally against the wet varnish when trying to move about.

The north vestibule.

The outside of the disabled compartment.

Further internal varnishing will almost certainly wait until next Tuesday when we again have sole possession of the coach.