Saturday 19th - Next Tuesday then? No, it's now today!

It's rather nice to have a plan for the day that is suddenly changed into something even better, especially as we are now blessed with what seems to be a lengthy spell of lovely weather.

Almost the first photo of the day after that quick dash outside to capture P&O looking superb in the sunshine and interestingly with the 3rd Rake in tow, not the Maroon. The Main (First) Rake had gone down a while before behind Dinmore on the starter train from Cheltenham - nice to see Tina driving too. Alongside the Paintshop is the Bubblecar 55003.

Beginning with Upholstery, Jenny is well on the way to completing another cushion for the Bubblecar.

Laura is adding the final touches to a three-seat cushion. Although our newest upholsterer she is doing a great job. In the background more Bubblecar seating awaits refurbishing, but there isn't much remaining now.

The first of the reupholstered chairs from RBr 1675, now completed, and what lovely work by John and Dave to get the awkward shaped back done so well. A real professional job - well done!

With the Bubblecar being brought down on Thursday, our Deputy Head Clive informed me that the Bubblecar would be moved into the Paintshop on Tuesday during the course of a big shunt to extract a coach that has been sold to the East Somerset Railway.

Suddenly - all change. Neil had brought the 04 back down from Toddington, so it's now today!

A lot of hasty unplugging, shifting, and other aspects to make for a safe shunt, and we are away.

The empty Works always looks impressive and as such it's always worth another photo. No hasty sweeping up today as it is all still relatively tidy after the recent moves and follow up vacuuming sessions.

CK 16122, the Mink A van and the Toad brake van are pulled out. A short train for once as there was nothing in the Paintshop.

The shunt pauses while we wait for Dinmore to pass with the first train from Cheltenham.

Paul and Dennis were cleaning in TSO 4986 across the yard, but who can blame them making the most of the sun.

At last, the Bubblecar in its new temporary home ready for the full external repaint. With a gap in the Paintshop while major work remains on the CK and obviously the RBr, this is an ideal opportunity to get this work done. There is still internal work remaining, so repainting in there will be done back at Toddington at a later date by the Railcar group.

Of course it didn't take long for the whiskers to be added to the north and south ends respectively!

With the Bubblecar now in, all the various bits along the Malvern side of the Paintshop needed clearing away to enable full access for steps and the scaffold tower over the next month or so. All the various trestles and items remaining for repairs, varnishing and painting were positioned at the north end. This included the two yard seats, one of which is being repaired by John following the storm damage. The new sheet metal braces made by John are now painted and awaiting fitting next week. Both seats will have a fresh coat of teak oil.

The roar of a safety valve, and back out again in the lovely spring sunshine to enjoy P&O with the valve now quiet.

Dinmore arrives and the token is exchanged. With the mid-day relaxation over, now back to work.

Great progress with CK 16221 as more and more panelling is added by our Woodwork team. Simon carefully tacks another section in place.

Steve displays the special section for the south vestibule with the large rectangle cut out for the fire extinguisher.

Although the formica in the second class compartments is being retained as far as possible, the second class corridor is now all veneer panelling as the formica could not be saved. At least 3-4 coats of varnish will make this look very good.

At the north end George continued his work on the corridor connection. He has been quietly working on both ends for sometime now and is doing a really great job. These will probably be the tidiest coach ends in the fleet, and after all, when a coach has been getting on for 30 years awaiting restoration, then why not?!

On to the doors where progress is also good. Robert carefully bores out a screw hole in the metal frame in the Cotswold side centre doorway.

Returning later on and the doorframe liner is now in and being trimmed to enable the door to fit comfortably.

Good to see Chris back after a spell away helping his daughter Nicky with her new house. Chris is very carefully removing the special hinge screws from the north end doorway on the Malvern side of the coach.

The mid-afternoon down train with Dinmore provides another excuse for dashing outside to enjoy more sunshine, the locomotive, and our newly repainted TSO 5042 when it passes by.

It was just Ken on RBr 1675 today, working on the removal of the somewhat stubborn chequer plate in the corridor connection. The whole connection will be removed for repairs and this in turn will allow Nick and the Metalwork Team access to the crash pillars and other necessary repairs at this end of the coach.

Paul and Richard were back with the Toad brake van cleaning out the troughs ready for coating in red oxide.

Returning later to find oxide now painted in three of the troughs. Concrete in wooden boxes will be place in the centre troughs for ballast.

The two cabin benches await cleaning up and repainting.

Inside TK 24006 owner Dave sands down the veneer in the final compartment requiring this, making it ready for Bob to add the first coat of varnish next Thursday.

The working day is nearing its end, many have now left, but still time to begin sanding down the Bubblecar. A few bumpy bits need some filler, hence the chalked areas.