Saturday 14th - Mainly engineering

Saturday turned out to be a very busy day with over 20 staff in, and certainly with respect to our various engineering projects.

Returning to the servicing of the DA valve from BSK 34929's vacuum brake system, John is in the process of fitting a new gasket. In the background Andy is freeing up and oiling the nuts and bolts for the unit.

The new and old gaskets.

Parts of the mechanism going back into place. The top cover for the valve is lying on the bench behind the main unit.

 Phil was back working on the toilet tank from TSO 5042.

 The valve was taken back off again.

 The reason soon became clear when I captured him cutting out a new gasket.

Also busy making a number of new gaskets was John, our new recruit to the Dirty Gang  (our Meet The Teams section in the menu on the Blog's home page will be updated accordingly).

 A close up the template and the new gaskets ready to be cut out.

If I have got this correct, Andy and John are now exchanging the serviced DA valve from the Malvern side of 34929 with the one taken off the Cotswold side.

Alan attaches a new gaitor to this refurbished vacuum cylinder.

Ian and John are servicing the valve unit from another vacuum cylinder.

Later in the day a refurbished cylinder is put back under the Cotswold side of 34929.

John S. was back on the milling machine and demonstrated a little gauge which helps with the setting up process.

John was in the process of producing new latch plates for the door frames.

 

The morning tea break once again in the Barn. I guess we will get back to the Mess Room eventually, but we will miss the passing trains when we do.
 

It was time to return to work, but some of us waited for the Toddington train to come by. The train crew acknowledges us as Foremarke Hall steams by. The passenger numbers on all the trains today were almost back to pre-Covid levels, and have been all week.

 A change of scenery with Jenny and John busy making new seat side panels for TSO 5042.

 

The steady progress continues with the rebuild of the Mink A van. Paul top coats another plank with the lovely GW Grey paint. 

The initial wall on the Malvern side continues to climb and is almost at roof level.

 Richard is cutting some recesses on this particular plank .......

............. so that it fits over the bolt heads in the centre support. In the background Paul is drilling bolt holes to enable the plank to be secured. 

This rebuild really is a first class job and I imagine that the van's owner must be delighted with the progress and high level of quality workmanship.

Returning to BSK 34929 and the Cotswold side north door (door 10), which has taken a long time to do. Robert inspects the new capping strip and its fitting. It was then taken off ..........................................

.............. to make some checks of the door's clearance. Dave H. was passing when asked to lend a hand with the checking, while Robert slides a piece of paper between the door and the frame.

 In the end all was satisfactory. Ainsley now lends a hand to fit the internal door base.

 

Robert uses a tiny sander to improve the base clearance when the door is closed.

I heard my name called. A photo was required. The door and its fitting are finished! The next job will be to fit the left side capping strip.

Ainsley meanwhile was fitting the handle to the central passenger door (door 9) on the same side. 

Back over to the Malvern side and the Painting and Prep teams efforts to tidy up the door frames where the door fitting has been completed. Phil was working on the centre passenger door, while I concentrated on the new vestibule frame and doors.

Inside the corridor, Dave and Steve were reinstating the compartment doors. Three have now been fitted.

Phil took a break from his work to undercoat the new ceiling panel destined for the north vestibule in TSO 5042.

Popping over to TK 24006 to find Dave adding varnish to the vestibule and outside compartment walls at the south end of the coach.

Finally a postcsript to Thursday's rescue of the young hedgehog from our pit and another photo of the little fellow tucking into the cat food that was hastily bought from Winchcombe's Coop. Before I started work, I went over to the far side of the yard where we had placed him and the saucer of food on Thursday. I am very pleased to say that was no sign of him and the saucer had been cleared of food, so it is likely that he fully recovered.