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.