Tuesday 15th - A lovely spring day and great to be outside

Half way through March already and the first day of Cheltenham Races, so some trains to enjoy throughout the day.

Thankfully a good dry day, so a chance to begin another project. We hope to be able to use the Gunpowder Van in this year's Steam Gala, so it's time to get cracking. The platform side was repainted last year and we need to get the opposite side and the two ends into the same excellent condition. Richard and our new member Ian start on the lower areas. Ian is already a regular volunteer with the Broadway Station group and he is now also joining our Painting and Prep team on Tuesdays.

Phil made a start on the roof as we had only repainted the Cotswold half last year. 

Another good reason why we were pleased with the weather. Roger was able to carry on with painting the container. The doors are the tricky area with all those handles and bars, but the old stickers and loose paint need removing first.

In the Barn, Maurice and Paul were working on the Toad, clearing up more of the scrap metal used as ballast, and all the dirt and bits of residue.

 

Back in the Paintshop Keith was adding a second coat of varnish to the tops from the corridor heaters in CK 16221 (not compartment door bases as I incorrectly called them last week - where's Capt Mainwaring with his famous phrase?)

Richard S. has removed the door lintels from the Mink A van so that the rebates could be cut and the locking bar receptacles added. These have been made in house by our Metalwork Team. 

 The first race train is leaving Toddington at 1050 so time to grab a drink from the Mess Room and  hurry back outside to see it go by. Richard and Dave relax in the sun.

Dinmore comes by with the Main Rake and lots of happy waving racegoers.

Twenty minutes later Foremarke follows with the Maroon set, with the NYMR coach at the front.

 

Back to work with Keith now adding silver Hammerite to more of the corridor heater covers from 16221.

In Upholstery Dave strips another of the chairs from RBr 1675. So more varnishing to be done soon.

One of the two toilet compartment doors from TK 24006. The front side has been well sanded, leaving just the sides and back to do by Alan. The latter had been painted. Sanding it revealed old white formica underneath, so a fresh coat of cream paint will be put on later. The other door has yellow formica in relatively good condition so that will be left.

Back to the Toad to find Maurice now vacuuming all the bits and dust out of the base and off the cross sections.

It's now 1238 and the Maroon rake is returning to Toddington so that Foremarke can be serviced. The other train will follow twenty minutes later. Both will return in the late afternoon to pick up the racegoers, hopefully still happy after a good day out.

Over to TK 24006 to find Dave sanding the Weathered Sycamore veneer in another compartment. This will have its first coat of varnish put on by Bob K. on Thursday.

A walk round at the end of the day. Tony had joined Alan and completed the sanding down of the second toilet compartment door. Both are now ready for varnishing.

Richard S. had removed the locking bar receptacles from both of the Mink A van door lintels so that the freshly cut rebates could be primed and then painted.

Roger had completed all the preparation on the container doors and started the painting. 

Finally the Gunpowder van with a lot of the flaking paint removed and red oxide covering the rusted areas. Some more sanding down will be requiired, especially the removal of the transfers as Alex wants to start afresh with the signwriting.

The wet weather predicted for Wednesday has happened. Here's hoping that the good dry spell forcasted for Thursday onwards actually happens.