Thursday 5th - Cleaning up

Another lovely sunny day and as such a treat if your task was outside.

This was very much the case for Paul as he cleaned both the Discovery and Model Railway coaches in Platform 2 Bay.

After the initial hose down, on goes the washing solution. Both coaches certainly were improved, but ideally both need a repaint. With our busy schedule, currently they do not feature in our plans.

The Indoor Gang were busy in the  3rd Rake again, with Alan and Geoff replacing a rotten under-window panel in FK 13329.

While on board I noticed all the lights on, and then remembered that Richards I and II were conducting a 3 hour load test.

All battery box covers were off along the entire rake, and also on two of the maroon coaches currently not being used. The test was very successful with only a single battery not quite up to standard. Doing this prior to galas and other special events, where these coaches will be back in use, means that there are no unwelcome surprises on the day.

Back in the Workshop the Richards are producing a control box in readiness for fitting a glass-fronted fridge in RMB 1808 in the 3rd Rake. 

In CK 16221 Bob gently sands down more veneer panelling ready for a coat of varnish. It will take some time to get all three vestibules and the entire corridor with at least three coats.

His last job of the day was to give this door its first coat

The painted skirting, that was done by Jeff the day before, awaits fitting in 16221. In the background is the pile of underseat heating grills also ready to install.

Gerry cuts out a new section of floorboard for RBr 1675.

In complete contrast Rex is steadily ripping up some more of the old boarding.

 

Piles of old floor and other bits from 1675 ready for the skip.

The south end of the Cotswold side with the bottom section of panel removed to reveal more corrosion. In the background the new crossbearing top hat bars can be seen.

Gerry tidies up a new short section of top hat bar that will be used in 1675.

Bryan is similarly tidying up, but this is the cover for one of the Toad brake van's toolboxes.

In the part rebuilt Toad cabin is the white board containing instructions for the team for when Richard S. is away.

More planking was prepared by Richard. On the left is the newly rebuilt veranda door, now primed.

It was just me working on the Bubblecar today. Another bout of filling and sanding was completed, followed by a vacuum of the bodyside, all round the doors, and along the floor underneath to remove the accumulated dust. The "prep completed" line on this side is approaching fast. 

The trains were a bit quieter today, but it was lovely to watch them go by in the late spring sunshine.