Thursday 16th - Contrasting work to say the least

An interesting day with some good progress and a considerable contrast in the work being undertaken.

I'm very pleased to say that with the Gala over we are now making great strides with the Bubblecar. There was just a small bit of the second top coating left on one of the corners which Jeff soon sorted out, otherwise as Alex reported in the previous posting the top coating is essentially complete.

The first time we did one of the DMU cars we all groaned at the sheer number of doors, but in effect this makes for small areas to paint, especially with the line tapes in place. As such we can be fussy and if we think a panel could do with a third top coat, it takes relatively little time to do and so is well worth the extra bit of effort. Several bits of the Malvern side we felt just needed that extra coating, so Jeff got cracking on that too.

The next job was to check the door frames and door edges, and where necessary tidy those up too. Most of the vehicle was done, leaving just the areas that Jeff had painted during the morning.

Meanwhile, with top coating completed we could begin removing the line tape. This normally comes off relatively easily, but unfortuantely most of the removal was a lengthy process with it coming off in thin strips. It had been on for quite a time and the warm weather wouldn't have helped. Eventually it was all removed, and on such a warm day with paint drying very quickly, this included the areas Jeff had painted in the morning.

Oh dear, this should have been doubled taped. A little light sanding to remove the lower ridge when this is expanded to the correct width.

We intend leaving any lining out until the weekend at the earliest to allow the new paint more time to harden. However Alex carefully tries a small section to see how it will come out.

Success! The line looks good and, when the tape was removed, none of the second top coat was came off.

Alex also added the first of the whiskers at the north end. A little tidying up needed and probably a second coat, but otherwise it looks good.

In complete contrast, the major refurbishment of RBr 1675 continues unabated. Gerry carefully removes another section of the floor in the kitchen area.

In the Workshop Rex paints another prepared underfloor crossbearer in red oxide.

Later on, both Rex and Gerry were working on the Cotswold side of the coach. In the foreground Gerry is cutting out more panelling to reveal the corroded areas underneath.

Rex is carefully aligning a new piece of top hat bar.

This very useful heavy duty magnet holds the section in place ready for welding.

In effect the before and after when replacing the underfloor crossbearers.

What the removal of a section of panelling reveals. It's no wonder the Barn floor ends up like this, but not for long as we sweep up regularly.

On the Malvern side Phil is removing more redundant electric cables from underneath the frame.

Across the Barn on the through road Alex takes a break from the Bubblecar and gets back to sanding down the FOWS Toad brake van.

Later on the veranda plating undergoes some cleaning with the powered brush, hence all the dust!

Richard's instruction on one of the planked sections on the Cotswold side where further work is required - I think Alex said this is going to have more filler applied.

As previously reported, the "Cheltenham High St" Toad is back in after its Gala trips to have the roof completely replaced with both new planking and canvas, hence the reason why the ceiling was left unpainted.

Into the Workshop and more progress with CK 16221. Robert cleans up the raw metal edge at the base of the Malvern side north end doorway in preparation for fitting the capping strip.

On the Cotswold side we could in effect tape up the line positions and begin full undercoating from the south end door to north end doorway as almost all capping strips are now in place. However we must concentrate on the Bubblecar to get the exterior painting and varnishing completed, but it's good to know we have other available painting work should we need it.

Finally, not forgetting our excellent Indoor Gang who are doing more repair work in the 3rd Rake, with just Alan and Roger this week, this time fixing a loose table support. As to our 3rd Rake Maintenance, apologies to Dennis as I missed him though I did see him in the process of giving our fire alarm its weekly test. Paul was away today.