Thursday 25th - Assessments

One of the important jobs planned by Ian, our HOD, for today was for a group of team leaders to have a walk both through and around our coaching stock in the 3rd Rake siding and at Toddington. Besides Ian, there was Clive (Deputy HOD), Steve (Woodwork), Nick (Metalwork), and myself (Painting).

Our records for all our coaches are continually being updated and improved, and Ian has now produced a sheet for each one to list current and longer term requirements. This in turn will help us to assess what needs more urgent attention when a space becomes available in the Works to bring in another coach.

The team began with a walk through the coaches (mainly opens from the First Rake) in the 3rd Rake siding, followed by a walk outside. Internal checking included the toilets, vestibules for water ingress and subsequent damage to veneer panelling, general decorative state of ceilings in particular, the upholstery, floor covering, windows, etc, etc. This was followed by a walk outside to assess the status as far as possible of crash pillars, underfloor cross-struts, general bodywork (especially the coach ends), and roof and bodyside paint condition.

The team then drove up to Toddington to do the same checking on the two rakes stabled within the station. 

We were blessed with a nice sunny day, though the bitterly cold north wind really made itself felt while we were in the shade between the two rakes, so it was a relief to finish and warm up again in the sun. Overall, it was an extremely useful exercise, and will greatly help us. We have already planned to bring in SO 4790 for minor repairs and a repaint when BSK 34929 is finished. From yesterday's observations I believe that TSO 4763 will need to be brought in to resolve a number of issues - there is currently a space in the Barn through road.

Although we were involved with the assessment work for several hours, I was still able to grab a few photos of progress today, though not always with those doing the actual jobs. However I did capture Alan doing some heater cover repairs in FO 3132 "Mary". The 3rd Rake Maintenance team will now be applying all their efforts to the coaches from the two main rakes that are currently with us while the Santa trains are running.

 I did miss Jeff completing the lining out on the Cotswold side south end of the BSK.

I did however catch him doing the white lettering on one of the two makers plates, a job many of us like doing.

I also missed Bob K. adding a second top coat to the north end door and corner, the between window panels, and top panel, all on the Cotswold side. 

Once again our very innovative engineering/metalwork team have come up trumps, this time with a means of securing the emergency ladder in the BSK in what could have been an awkward location. The new creation was made by Rex and, when bolted to the wall of the guards compartment, will secure the ladder using the movable arm. The hook comes between the adjacent rungs of the secured ladder and secures the guards door when it needs to be opened. Absolutely brilliant - well done Rex!

Having finished his work on the BSK, Bob K. moved over to TK 24006 and top coated the first of the north end compartment ceilings, and I managed to miss him here too. The previous day Phil S. had sorted out the electrics and as such there was now lighting and heating available.

Meanwhile in the Paintshop Bob M. was adding silver Hammerite to the back of the underseat grills from 24006. The fronts had been done on Tuesday. Some of the others had previously been glossed black - these will be overpainted in silver to match the rest.

The old scotches were undercoated in madder. These will be painted red of Saturday.

Taking a break from the office computer, Eve was busy filing more delivery notes, including one I have just brought up following a paint delivery.

Returning through Upholstery, nobody was in as it was a Thursday, but a quick photo of another Bubblecar seat with sewing instructions.

Finally, following on from Richard's excellent posting yesterday, a view showing the current status of the Toad brakevan now that a lot more of the old planking has been removed.