Wednesday 20th - A mobile workforce

 Today started with Rex and Bryan paying a visit to Toddington, they went to look at a 4ft bender which may help us with the lower outer skin on 1675. Of course they went by train from Winchcombe, they were asked to fix a door in another Buffet car kitchen. 

They are checking they have everything they need for the repair, they re-joined the train. I understand they carried out the running repair successfully. By the time they got back to Winchcombe many of us had gone home.

Voila, the repaired door.

Earlier in the day Derek and Gerry were discussing side panels and timber flooring on 1675. Where we are at the moment is made somewhat easier by having the carriage at working height.

Gerry then joined forces with Phil and they set about removing all of the old flooring from the saloon. 

As expected it has revealed some more 'tin worm' activity, however this does make the repairs much easier to deal with. Generally we find it is far easier to replace the entire cross bearer than to insert odd pieces, and we can paint and preserve everything before the floor goes back down.

Thanks to Gerry for the photos of me, you can imagine how hot it was in there with hot metal and the temperatures we have been experiencing.

The air supplied welding mask does help.

Gerry uncovered a bit more work, it looks worse than it is. We will replace the whole upright with a pre-formed section, and use wooden formers to locate it correctly.

Still with 1675 Phil is removing ceiling panels in the kitchen area.

In the upholstery shop a great team effort in stripping this seat base, I am told they were rather noisy.

Jenny, Stephen and John.

Our new volunteer ' Pete' on his first day. He worked with Ainsley making a new overhead door panel for 16221.

Ah its lunchtime, and it rained so no alfresco for us. Geoff, Colin and Phil building up their strength for the afternoon session.

Happily the temperature had dropped a little, but it was good to get those overalls off.