Saturday 30th - Paperwork Day

With the 40th anniversary gala just a week away preparations for the goods train is hotting up. Vacuum bags were changed and lots of paperwork was being done, tying together various inspections that have been undertaken over the last few months on axleboxes, draw-gear etc. Andy and Clive were circling the Queen Mary with a tick box sheet:

There was a lot to do for the roughly 10 vehicles we're planning to run in the train, especially as it's the first time we've done such for almost 5 years. Massive thanks to everyone involved in that, it's much appreciated by the gala team!

On the refurb itself, we're down to finishing touches. Richard did a marvellous job of making up a new wooden surround for the stove which had previously rotted:

Meanwhile Paul and I fitted the last few bits of the verandas including the top rails and the non-slip matting, although I rather remissly forgot to take a photo.

Outside there was quite a bit of shunting going on, mostly designed to put the Fruit C back in the bay platform, followed by a pair of bogies currently in the barn. To do that the ballast train had to be dragged out, and as it turned out, split, to make room for everything:

Dennis was collecting a few bits for the metal scrap, that should get us a few quid back:

Inside the workshop George was back, this time on the north end of the CK:

While Robert had a list of awkward jobs to do inside on the woodwork, preparing for the panelling to go back on:

On the bench John was making up some brackets:

And Phil was servicing one of the carriage key operated light switches that control lights through the whole train:

Meanwhile in the paintshop, Pam was continuing with the new lamp cases, painting the insides in black:

And Phil carried on with the second top coating - won't be long before we're lining out on the Malvern side now:

As this is my last post before the gala, just one more plug especially for the brake van rides we're offering. It's been much too long since we last ran a goods train on the GWSR, in past years the rake has been quite impressive:

You could be on it too!

Not only is it a great way to experience the line, but it makes it a lot easier for those of us who enjoy restoring wagons to justify doing more if we can show it makes a little bit of money too. I'm afraid you'll have to put up with yours truly as I'm guarding both days, but hopefully that won't put you off too much. Let's hope for weather like this!

You get some pretty unique views:

No need to pre-book, turn up on the day, details here.

Thursday 28th - Getting back to other projects

With the metalwork team in yesterday and several away on holiday, it was a quieter day. The Queen Mary brake van is almost completed and it looks as though it will be shunted out on Saturday. In turn this meant we could get back to other projects,

Access on board the Queen Mary is now strictly limited and we are doing everything to keep the newly painted footboards as pristine as possible - hence the chequer tape barring the entrances. Bob S. tidies up the bases of the handrails.

 I had to tread carefully on protective sheets to get this photo of Jeff painting the brake setter. The brake handwheel was also painted, in black, not red as originally thought.

The last bits of wood, which will be attached to the tops of the veranda side walls, had been undercoated by Richard at the start of the day and with the paint dry by the late afternoon, I was able to topcoat them ready for mounting on Saturday. Two seats left to recover - wonder if Upholstery can get them re-covered in time?

We are all looking forward to seeing this outside and of course on the Gala goods train. If you fancy a brake van ride, all the details are here - Ed. 

C&W will be open for visitors during the two days of the 40th Anniversary Gala on 6th/7th November. Unlike the recent Diesel Gala where I struggled to get sufficient numbers, this time my request for monitors, to look after our visitors and generally keep an eye on things, had an amazing response. Nick voluntered within minutes of me sending out my email, and by the end of the day I had almost reached the preferred minimum of 4 per day. We are now into reserves for Saturday.

With little left to do on the Queen Mary, Richard had now moved on to the adjacent Fruit C van to sort out the roof repairs. 

The Malvern side of the roof seems to be the problem, hence the removal of the planking here.

In the 3rd Rake it was just Dennis today, with Paul away on holiday. With the various essential maintenance jobs required, floor cleaning gets done a number of times, an unfortunate result of being in a muddy yard. It's good to keep on top of this though in case one of the coaches is suddenly required, and of course in preparation for the Gala.

Also in the yard inspecting the braking on the beer wagon was John and Bob S. It is hoped to add this vehicle to the Gala goods train.

By late afternoon Bob and John had accumulated a number of hoses that needed replacing from the various goods vehicles.

Geoff and Alan were adding more battens on the insides of the side panelling in CK 16221. Some of the metalwork was creating problems, hence the very comprehensive drill attachment kit.

Up on the mezzanine Steve is drilling holes in one of the LED stick regulator heatsinks that he has fabricated.

 A close-up of the heatsink with LED unit.

With little work left on the Queen Mary, we moved back to BSK 34929. I was hoping to be able to get all the second top coating done on the Malvern side, but there are issues with the north end and guards doors. However we could attack the main panelling between the doors and as such Bob K. began lightly keying the first top coat. 

While this was going on Jeff went round the whole coach trimming the window drain pipes and then painting them in gloss black.

Keying completed, Bob adds the second top coat.

Bob managed to get over two thirds of the side painted. All the coach windows have long had two top coats.

Jeff adds a second coat of primer to the lights for the new building at Toddington.

It's always a treat to record a nice event. Many congratulations to John as he receives his 15 years service certificate and badge from Glyn. John has been a Godsend to C&W with all his experience from his career on the big railway and as such we often refer to him as our CME.

4270 restarts the last train of the day. In the background the roof of S&T's railcar looks so much better, all cleaned up and freshly repainted - well done Bob M., a brilliant job! Just a bit of work on the body sides left to do.

The days are definitely pulling in now, with the station lights on. I took this just in time. When having another look a few minutes later, the lights had gone out as the station staff began closing up the station for the day.

Tuesday/Wednesday 26th/27th - We're Almost There

Another Tuesday bash with the Queen Mary and a fresh list of jobs from Alex pinned up on the Barn wall. 

Stu cracks on with the remaining brown painting on the undercoated veranda planks.

Inside the cab Paul is finishing off the stove, flue and surround with the black heat resistant paint.

Almost all of the internal cab walls have been top coated, leaving just the centre black line to paint. Richard tapes up in readiness.

Another job on the list was to clean up and black the redundant air hose at both ends. Roger brushes off the flaking paint at the south end.

Bob completes the roof painting - there was just over half of the Cotswold side left to do.

With the centre black line completed round the cab, Richard paints the air pipes round the brake setter.

Meanwhile Paul had completed the heat resistant painting with a coat on the backing behind the stove and flue.

He then joined Stu with the top coating of the new veranda planking. With the new side sections of the two verandas, the top plank was left unpainted at the back as a further piece of wood will be bolted on.

At the north end Roger was progressing well with the air hose repainting. The rubber hoses are having a coat of matt black paint.

A toot from the station prompts a quick dive to the end of the Barn to catch 4270 puffing by.

Alan had a feast of different jobs available on the Paintshop trestles. Starting with another coupling to paint up, here having an initial coat of oxide. When dry this will be painted black with the middle link receiving a central band of yellow.

On Saturday we were all somewhat perplexed as to why the doors for CK 16221 had been cleared away and we were told put back into storage. Er, why?!!! 16221 will be the next coach into the Paintshop when BSK 34929 is eventually finished. No doubt we will soon discover what our hard working Door Team is planning.

Up the stairs to Upholstery to find Dave busy with another stripped down seat base from the Bubble Car. 

Now back to the Queen Mary where an excutive decision had been made.The top two steps do look better painted brown, blending in well the the main livery, with just the large bottom one painted black, matching the paintwork below the sole bar. Good decision chaps - an excellent result!

Bob top coats the horizontal hand rails. The vertical ones need a bit more cleaning up before painting.

Paul was now painting the south veranda floor, which had been coated with red oxide last week. That rough unpainted plank will be dealt with later this week.

The hoses at the south end receive a coat of matt black.

Richard paints the brake column in gloss black. The brake setter will be top coated in red.

Another job started by Alan is to wipe these lamp frames with thinners and begin painting in green primer. These will eventually be painted in gloss black ard then mounted on the new building at Toddington, in effect completing the external lighting there.

Although repainted in 2016, the roof of the Baguley Drewry railcar used by S&T had not fared well with rust appearing within a relatively short time. Somewhat disappointing to say the least, it is thought that the roof hadn't been primed before it had been undercoated. It was on the list of things to do, but during his signalbox turns Bob had got fed up with the sight of the rusty roof and got cracking with a general clean up and coating of primer. That back end needs some attention too with all that flaking paint. 

As always, a final photo at the end of the day with the Queen Mary well on the way to completion. Almost all of Alex's list of jobs had been ticked.

Wednesday

Thanks to Richard for the photos today, I have tried to interpret what's going on but as I wasn't there apologies if I get anything wrong!

The wood-workers were out in force today, Geoff and Colin are delivering the finished door frames for the GWR Mink, while Dave is testing out the latest toy, a new bobbin sander for sanding the insides of curves:

On the left it looks like Trevor doing some more adjustments to door 9 on 34929, while on the right Roger cracked on with more bits of timber in the CK for panels to be screwed into:

 

In the paintshop Dave carried on priming those lovely copper lamps:

In the workshop Phil was doing, uhhh... something! Ken and Ben look to be servicing some sliding window quarterlights:

 

Upholstery had a good turn out today for what looks like their new project, the seating for the bubblecar which is approaching the end of a lengthy restoration and rebuild. 

Naturally the Queen Mary saw some attention too, Bob blacked the north veranda floor:

While Bryan and Rex gave it an axlebox exam - after draining them all of a lot of water (that's what happens when stuff doesn't move for a long time) they were topped up with fresh oil and are now good to go:

Thanks again to Richard for these photos

 

Alex