Thursday 23rd - Preparations and introductions

It certainly was a busy day with shunting and other Gala preparations, a new member joining us, and all our usual general work.

As always that early cup of tea with which to relax and discuss the day's activities and all that has gone on since the previous week.

We were very pleased to welcome Roger, our new member who will be joining the Indoor Gang and so will also be involved with 3rd Rake Maintenance. Paul steadily works through what is now a very substantial induction, which provides our new staff with a very good grounding in the day-to-day life of the Works. Roger's "official" photo for inclusion in the Indoor Gang section of Meet The Teams (from the blog's home page) makes him look even more like David Dimbleby!

The Queen Mary van obviously drew much attention with time speeding on towards our big Gala in early November. Paul cleans up more of the north end platform prior to giving it a coat of red oxide.

In Tuesday's posting I mistakenly described these lengths of cut timber as more parts for the  Mink A van, whereas they are in fact replacements for the rotten bases of the veranda sills in the QM. Alex tests this piece - a perfect fit and the top slope at the correct angle.

Later in the morning, with the 3rd Rake shunting to prepare the relevant coaches for the Diesel Gala completed, the Queen Mary was moved into the Barn on the jack road. This not only brings the vehicle under cover and out of the bad weather forecasted for next week, but barring the jacks, this road has some good space on either side of the track.

With much of the metalwork cleaned up and primed, more focus is now on the wood planking. Jeff carefully sands one of the doors on the Cotswold side.

Later in the day Alex primes the original planks that have been carefully sanded. The original S R gradually disappears, but it will be back!

Capturing some of the other work going on during the day. Phil was preparing to refit the main valve to this toilet tank.

Underneath CK 16221 Richard is installing new cable.

Not long before the afternoon tea break as we stop to wave at the passengers and crew on the northbound train headed by 4270. P&O, looking glorious in the sunshine, has previously rounded Chicken Curve before running past with the southbound train. Passenger numbers are still very good.

Much later in the day with just a few of us left, Ian was loosing the bolts holding the small vacuum cylinder on the centre Dogfish wagon, which is due for servicing. During the day Richard H. top coated the undercoated handwheels on Dogfish wagon 993920.

Apologies for the small number of photos today, but most of my time was spent preparing the Works for the Gala opening with much appreciated help from Richard H. The end of the day and all the setting up is completed, leaving just the few on-the-day bits that can only be done immediately prior to opening up on Saturday and Sunday. The taped off visitor viewing area is very popular, especially with photograhers with that great sweep of track coming round from Chicken Curve.

In the lobby the various trestles stand waiting to be put out at the start of each day. Let's hope for a good fine weekend and plenty of visitors to the Railway with what will be our first gala since before the pandemic.