Saturday 5th - Is the shunting really over?

Another busy day outside with both shunters in action, though for one it was more a case of repair. So, are we really there now with the reformation of the three rakes?  One thing was not in any doubt, there was certainly a lot of old iron, but more on that later. 

However, to start things off, the ballasting in Dixton cutting continued with the short ballast train on its way from Toddington. Now, I'm sure we've seen that young guard before!

And so on to the shunting to get that Chocolate & Cream (i.e. the Main) rake finally sorted out.

It's nice to see our repainted TSO 5042 positioned within the rake.

 The 03 has some repairs made by owner Chris.

I caught Andy removing the pipe from this vacuum cylinder, which he said had been removed from FO 3132 "Mary".

So, on outside to see 3132 positioned over the crossing and as such a good firm base which helped the Dirty Gang to do the exchange.

The DA valve has been dismantled (by Clive's boot). Adjustments are being made to the refurbished cylinder while Andy Th, Andy Tu and Ken look on.

The DA valve is back in one piece and the pipe is being reconnected to the cylinder.

More maintenance as Dennis refills the tanks in the 3rd Rake ready for its move to Broadway during Race Week. This rake is just used on Gold Cup Day, the other two rakes running on all four days from Toddington.

Up the stairs and into Upholstery (and lots of lovely warmth - that wind outside was somewhat cold!). John and Jenny were busy rebuilding another of the chairs from RBr 1675. The bit of Bournemouth Blue moquette is simply to provide a firm padded surround.

I was delighted to know that we have been able to obtain more of the lovely red Chainlink moquette. Jenny carefully marks where the next cut will be.

It certainly looks cozy. "Try it out Dave!", so I did, and yes, it was very comfortable and I'm certain the refurbished seats will be well appreciated by our future travellers in the refurbished 1675. So, the chairs are coming on, but it will be quite sometime before they can be neatly positioned around the tables in 1675.

Moving back down and into the Woodwork/Doors shop to find Robert working on some new hardwood door bases. All have been beautifully made and are now undergoing the final trimming up.

Another item recently made, this time one of the new pillars for the north end corridor entrance on CK 16221 ..................

...................... which Steve is now offering up to the doorway.

In one of 16221's compartments Dave is carefully cutting out squares and rectangles of insulation for the inner coach walls.

Another compartment (above) and the north end of the corridor (below) now fully insulated.

Back outside to the Toad brake van to see further progress in clearing out the scrap metal from under the floorboards. And by heck, what a pile! Richard estimated about 2 tons worth are here, plus what has already been removed from the van.

Paul looks down at another cleared and swept out section.

As Richard pointed out, removing all the scrap has not only meant that the van can be properly balanced, it also means that repairs can be made where corrosion has occurred as can be seen above. If left, eventually bits of metal would be falling onto the track, and even the possibility of a partial collapse of the floor with the weight of all the scrap.

More metal, but definitely not of the rusty kind. These are the new stands that will be used for roping off the visitor viewing area at the north end of the Works during galas. The Metalwork gang have done a great job to produce something that will be far better than trying to bang iron stakes into rockhard ground. The holes are for the chequer tape, though what we may do in preference is obtain some black and yellow plastic chain. This will look a lot neater and won't be stretched and twisted around by the wind.

John carefully rounds off the sharp corners on the base plates.

Finally a coat of oxide. We are going to miss all this space when the next vehicle comes in.

Bob had been busy signalling for the shunting crew, but now was free to help out elsewhere, so opted to start repainting the new container. The "Roto Orange" polyurethane paint will match the other containers and blend in much better with the Works buildings.

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Barging into Dave's post again, I know. A few pics from my end.

A different view of Toddington. With the P'way in P2 and the ballast train in P1 it was a contrast to the usual two rakes. I do like the ship's wheel in the shark too!

The 4 dogfish were already partially loaded when we set off so first we deposited what was there in Dixton Cutting:

Then it was a short trundle to Gotherington Skew Bridge ballast depot to take more, Dave was very skilful on the digger:

This too was carefully distributed along Dixton Cutting, this time I tried a video, which may or may not work:

Then it was back for another loading, this time viewed from the warmth of the Cl.47's cab, there's no stove in the Shark, a terrible oversight!

Dave did a fine job of loading up, he squeezed virtually the whole ballast pile into the 4 dogfish barely spilling a stone:

That done we headed back to Toddington, this will be dropped on Tuesday. On the way back we got a view of the repair works between the tunnel and road bridge:

And Michael snapped us from his vantage point up in the 'box:

So that was another brake van I can say I've guard in. Hopefully I will make a fourth in the Toad if it's ready in time for the gala in June, speaking of which...

An announcement!

The Cotswold Festival of Steam is back after 2 years on the 3rd-5th June 2022. We've just announced our theme; "Somerset & Dorset Remembered" and first visiting engine, Rebuilt Bulleid Light Pacific 34028 Eddystone!

Keep an eye on the web page for the gala for more announcements as they come, but it's shaping up to be a great event not to be missed.