Thursday 2nd - Progress, plans and a lovely day

 Another very good day. Not so many in, but still some excellent progress.

Despite all the various weather warnings, what wasn't mentioned was the lovely, almost spring-like day! The ladders against the coaches indicate the internal maintenance underway with these currently out-of-use opens from the Main and 3rd rakes.

Cleaning the Mess Room floor may not sound a very thrilling job, but is very necessary. Thank you Paul !

A very welcome surprise was a visit from Derek, who has not been able to attend for a while. Don't worry Derek, 16221 is still with us and awaiting your attention when you are able to return.

 

Work on the Mink A van rebuild continues with the top planking at the south end now being fitted.

Richard later gave the planks a coat of wood primer. Being tanalized wood, painting will only be done on the face, ends and sides of the planks.

Up on the mezzanine Steve is creating more strips of LED lighting for our coaches. The low power usage with these ensures our batteries last a long longer.

Dave looking after interior panelling from one of TK 24006's doors.

In the Barn Ian and John were working on the south end bogie of the two destined for TSO 4763. The axleboxes have been serviced for the north end wheelset and are now going back on.

The wheelset with axleboxes back on and secured can now be refitted to the bogie frame. Phil carefuly lowers the frame as Ian and John steady the axleboxes.

Meanwhile repairs to the body sides of 4763 continue. The large area worked on by Roger on Tuesday has been sanded, topped up with a little more filler, resanded and is now ready for repainting. Two new areas. visible under the window and at the bottom of the main panel, are in progress. On the Malvern side, the 4-5 areas dealt with are now almost finished, with just a little lining out to do. There is still an amount of this work left, but it will be done a bit at a time in case the coach has to be unexpectedly moved out.

More good progress with BSK 34929. Both Richard and Jeff carried on with the lining out on the Cotswold side.  Richard did the yellow section of the line above the four compartments, leaving off before getting to the central door where work is still underway. The main lower panel still needs its second top coat and so the central line remains with its initial tape still in place.

Jeff initially added the black sections to both upper and lower lines on the central area and right hand vestibule door. He then added the yellow sections to the lines on the left hand vestibule door. Happily the south half of this side is nearing completion.

Over to the redundant open coaches in the 3rd Rake siding and RBr 1675, where Richard II has just completed a repair to the fridge.

Richards II and I in discussion concerning some impending work to install electric water heaters in the kitchen area.

Further along the rake in FO 3132 "Mary", repair work is underway. Paul fixes a loose table support.

And then reinstates the table, tightening the screws underneath even further with the top back in place.

Dennis has been through the rake applying the necessary notices with respect to winter preparations.

As always, still loads to get done, but a satisfying day all round.