Tuesday 19th - Getting a move on

There were 10 of us in today and no surprise most were working on the Queen Mary brake van with the level of brown paint in particular rapidly descending in the 5L tin. With just over two weeks left before the Gala speed is of the essence.

Alex once again provided the "To do" list, which was stuck up on the plank handily leaning against the nearby wall of the Barn.

Stu kicked off the day on the south veranda supports.

Maurice took on more of the internal undercoating, with the cream going on the upper parts of the cabin.

Back in the Paintshop Paul was busy both priming and undercoating more of the replacement planks and wood sections.

Roger took on the second top coating of the red ends.

In the north veranda Richard took on the brown top coating.

It's becoming difficult to remember the original state of the van before we started work on it.

Taking a break from activities in the Barn, a visit to Upholstery to see progress with the Bubblecar seating. Dave works on the bare base for one of the triple seats, removing old staples.

A double seat base now with canvas and foam padding attached.

The back for one of the double seats being worked on by John and Jenny on Saturday, with the templates for the side sections.

With the wet and windy weather, no sitting in the Barn entrance now for our morning break.

After the tea break Bob disappeared to do a paint repair inside TSO 5042 where some new beading had been installed. I missed taking a photo, but while out there took two of RBr 1675, the next major refurbishment after the CK. The coach had been extracted from within the general line of vehicles during Saturday's shunting. Quite a contrast to the gleaming brake van in the Barn! Our regular flooring contractor is visiting this Thursday to measure up inside and give an estimate for a new covering in marmoleum, as part of our general costing up.

With almost everything on our main painting trestles completed, I had cleared it all away when I first got in. Now on some very bare looking tables, Keith is sanding down some fresh beading from TK 24006, which he later varnished.

Meanwhile in 24006 itself, Dave is removing the heater control in this compartment as part of the general stripping down within the north end of the coach prior to sanding and revarnishing of the weathered sycamore veneer panelling. Robert, the co-owner of 24006, was in the signalbox today.

Returning to the Queen Mary, Richard has progressed to the lower panelling in the north veranda.

Progress on the Malvern side sole bar with both Paul and Bob now involved.

At the far end Roger cleans up after completing the south end red painting, before moving to the north end veranda. Maurice, inside the cabin, looks out of the ducket window.

In the south veranda Stu top coating the lower section of the cab wall.

One of the essential items on Alex's list was the second top coating of the central planking on both sides of the cabin. With this done Alex, who is now back at university and thus on limited time, will be able to reinstate the "S R".