Thursday 7th - Another really great day

Another very satisfying day with some more leaps forward.

However I will begin with photos of some of what happened the day before.

Another excellent bit of signwriting by Alex to commemorate the very kind donation made by the family of Peter Bennett, our former Head of Carriage &Wagon, who passed away in late 2020. Part of the donation was used to purchase this extra paint cupboard, which was bought for our wagon restoration team.

[Photo : Alex]  The large paint delivery for RBr 1675, though it will be some time before this is needed.

The chairs for RBr 1675 are coming in thick and fast. Five in the lobby, three more on the hoist trolley, and two more being worked on. There are also several that have been varnished and awaiting re-covering in the Upholstery shop, and two more in the Paintshop awaiting varnish.

Now on to Thursday

We are still sanding down the Bubblecar - the prep stage is always seemingly endless! With most of the bodysides done, the door frames, door sides and backs are next to be finished. Jeff "attacks" yet another door.

With all the rusting at the bases and lower sides of the window voids now cleaned up, Martin applies Kurust.

Ah ha! The roof at last! Now who's feet are those?

The roof had already been cleaned up and primed by the owning group, so Bob adds the Light Grey undercoat. The centre section and the Cotswold side were completed, leaving just the Malvern side to do before we can start top coating.

Russ joined us later in the day and sanded down the north end. The south end was done the day before by David A.

On now to the Toad brake van refurbishment. Nick prepares a new side panel using the 3 mm gauge sheet metal.

Meanwhile Richard is cleaning off the old paint on the panel that is being retained on this side of the van.

The first new panel being assessed for fit.

Returning later to find two panels now welded in.

[Photo: Richard]   All three new panels now in place and looking a lot better. A really good job done.

Problems with one of the buffers on the Mink A van meant it has had to be removed and will be sent away for repair. Gerry cleans up the area underneath.

A coating of oxide completes the job.

In the kitchen part of RBr 1675 Phil is removing a redundant electrical conduit.

Rex is cleaning up a small section of top hat bar, as used in the new underfloor cross members.

More clearing out by Rex.

It was a horribly blustery day with the wind as cold as ever as shown by the steam around the front end of 4270.

Token exchange time as Dinmore approaches with the Cheltenham bound train.

A lengthy list of repairs for the 3rd Rake Maintenance team.

In TSO 4763 Roger repairs the fixings for this table.

In SK 24949 Dennis and Alan are going through the list identifying the various items for repair.

A loose side panel needs refixing.

A new broom, etc, etc. Phil puts together four new ones for the Works.

A busy office with Dennis contacting the Fire Monitoring Station with respect to the weekly fire alarm test and our secretary Eve busy with more record updating.

A repaired access cupboard door from CK 16221. Some stain and then several coats of varnish needed.

The afternoon tea break. The smiles say it all as Nick and Gerry, black faced after all their hard work, relax after a job well done.