Tuesday 30th - August review
After a month's break we are back and beginning with a review of our activities during August.
However before starting, a hearty thanks to Roger who kept the ball rolling with his Monday postings on the excellent work done by our Toddington-based cleaning team.
With respect to the "Taking a break" posting, we are somewhat staggered and very much humbled that it has become the 6th most viewed since we began the blog in September 2020.
We are also humbled by the lovely comments received - thank you for your very kind thoughts.
***********************
The photos are mainly in date order within each subject, with the bulk of them taken during the final two weeks to capture the latest activities.
Beginning with the main projects.
RBr 1675
Progress on this major refurbishment continues apace, with the structure rebuilding now moving on from the floor repairs.
Ben and Ainsley paint stripping one of the doors from 1675 (23rd Aug).
As was thought would be the case, the kitchen end had the worst of the underfloor corrosion, the passenger area fairing much better (24th Aug) .
Some serious corrosion was removed from the Malvern side above the first of the kitchen access doors (24th Aug)
[Photo - Nick] A new support welded in and coated in red oxide (24th Aug)
Quite a substantial repair, very neatly done (25th Aug).
[Photo - Nick] Derek was investigating the flooring requirements (24th Aug).
A general view inside the kitchen area, looking towards the south end of the coach (25th Aug)
Inside the passenger compartment with Phil and Rex clearing out more redundant wiring (25th Aug).
The south end corridor connection removed and placed at the north end of the Paintshop awaits repairs and cleaning up (27th Aug)
Ken in the process of removing the rotten wood connection supports (27th Aug)
Ben
reads out Ainsley's instructions for the work on the droplight to Chris
and Robert. It's going to be interesting trying to get the pull bar off
(27th Aug).
Removing the bar will be a tricky job without breaking the glass (27th Aug).
This is the door that was previously stripped by Ben and Ainsley. The front had been given an undercoat, but on seeing some of the old crusted paint along the edges, I gave it a thorough pad sand, applied filler where necessary, and then applied a base coat of undercoat Light Grey (27th Aug).
Derek is doing a great job creating and installing the supports for new plyboard flooring. When cut to size, each section of ply will be left loose to enable any underframe work to be done without hindrance (30th Aug).
CK 16221
Progress with the CK is very good with painting, interior refitting and varnishing well underway.
The first top coat on 16221 had been done by Alex on the north half of the Cotswold side. Stu was back from his work on the Toad to begin top coating the bottom panel on the south half (16th Aug).
Meanwhile Steve, Head of Woodwork, had requested tht we get the toilet compartments painted so that the remaining beading could go on. Priming, undercoating and subsequent topcoating was done fairly rapidly. Richard, at the first class end, top coats the ceiling (16th Aug).
Compartment door refurbishment continues with Dave stripping down another one prior to an overall sanding in readiness for several coats of varnish (20th Aug).
In the north vestibule Simon attaches another length of beading. All three vestibules and the corridor are in various stages of varnishing (20th Aug).
Dave preparing one of the second class compartment doors. In the background Alan is sanding one of the steps for the Santa Coach (23rd Aug)
After a light sanding, Bob begins the second coat of varnishing in one of the first class compartments (25th Aug).
We are having to spend a lot of time getting the door frames as we would like them, but the extra effort is very much worthwhile. Phil steadily rubs down the filler (25th Aug).
Jeff in his element. With the sole bar now twice coated in black gloss, he highlights the makers plate (25th Aug).
Alex applies the second top coat to the bottom panel on the south half of the Cotswold side (25th Aug).
With the top coating of the north half and the centre door completed, Alex removed the line tapes ready for lining out (27th Aug).
Compartment doors, two first class and one second class (note the laminate bottom panel) await varnishing (27th Aug).
Steve sorts out the thin panels that fit between the main bodyside panelling and ceiling. All these were varnished sometime ago and have been stored on the racks in the Paintshop - hence the dusty appearance with the top one. A further load of these was retrieved from storage and has been put in the Workshop ready for sanding (27th Aug).
Simon was fitting the pre-painted strips that cover the joins in the ceiling panels. A thin bead of white sealant along both edges of each strip completes the job (27th Aug).
Ian was back on the north end door on the Malvern side, cleaning up the door edges and finishing off the right hand side of the doorframe. He later moved on to the unfinished south end door on the Cotswold side (30th Aug).
Stu did a great job on the remaining three doors and doorways on the Malvern side, finishing off the filling on the frames and cleaning up the door edges. He then greyed up all four doors and doorways on this side. All the new aluminium capping strips received a coat of etch primer.There is still a little work required but we should soon be able to begin livery undercoating the Malvern side (30th Aug).
Dave had a less successful day. Initially he replaced a new support block that had been made for the centre sliding door pelmet with the original block that had been stored away along with other bits for 16221. However when it came to fitting the thin strips of panelling, a number were warped and as such had to be discarded (30th Aug).
Hopefully the strips that had been retrieved from storage will be ok. Keith was busy sanding these ready for varnishing (30th Aug).
Having started work on the Cotswold side south doorway, Richard transferred to the corridor ends and the doorframe at each for the slider. The vertical sections were initially taped up where required and the parts that will fall outside the door were undercoated in dark grey - the part of the left hand side of this frame that is inside the door when closed will be varnished (30th Aug).
The north half of the Cotswold side is now ready for lining out and so Alex taped up the bottom line ready for the outer yellow bands (30th Aug).
Job done, so carefull removal of the tape. Care is particularly needed to prevent the tape breaking and springing back onto the new maroon topcoat.
Job completed and now ready for the centre black section. Then there is the upper line to do, and also the doors.
Toad Brakevan 17392 "Cheltenham High Street"
Initially most of the main bodywork was completed and the van painted to allow it to run in the Cotswold Festival of Steam in early June. It was then brought back into the Works to complete the refurbishment which involves the upper parts of the cabin and the roof.
The wood sections for the curved metal ceiling ribs have been cut and primed ..... (16th Aug).
........ and are in the process of being fitted (16th Aug)
The cabin bench seats in dark grey undercoat (20th Aug).
Paul (and Richard) fitting the roof planking (27th Aug).
Inside the cabin with the roof planking now in place (30th Aug).
Above the veranda (30th Aug).
Paul begins to fit the edge planking (30th Aug).
BCK 21092
Upholstery have been very busy refurbishing the first class seating in 21092. Quite a few photos follow showing the various parts being rebuilt and the various stages in the re-covering in the new moquette "Horse Chestnut Leaf", which everyone loves!
Jenny and John re-covering one of the new side pads (20th Aug).
Laura stands by the completed side pad, comparing it with one of the first class ones for CK 16221 (20th Aug).
More side panels prior to adding the moquette, all the foam carving of course done with the electric bread knife (20th Aug).
The moquette and underlay, pre-cut ready for the various fittings and labelled, await in neat stacks (27th Aug).
Two new side headrests ready to be covered (27th Aug).
A cushion carefully pinned and awaiting sewing (27th Aug)
Two arm rests with the spring swivel clearly visible (27th Aug).
Having cut the relevant lengths of moquette, John checks the fitting of each on the arm rests (27th Aug).
The next step is to sew the ends so as to fit snugly onto the arm (27th Aug).
Now the final fitting (27th Aug).
Jenny sewing the cushion and making a very neat job (27th Aug)
A seat back prior to the fitting of the head and arm rests (27th Aug).
Some repair work is in the process of being done on the coach itself. On 30th Aug the steps on the Cotswold side were cleaned up and loose paint removed, and then undercoated in dark grey. The guards corridor and disabled area, and parts of the guards compartment, will be repainted.
BR Vanfit B774445
Part of the Permanent Way train, the doors of this van need replacing. The van will then be repainted (27th Aug).
Robert working on the second door. The frame of the first is leaning against the wall in the background (20th Aug)
Two doors completed and ready for fitting (27th Aug).
Macaw H Bogie Bolster 107328
Progress with the clean up and repaint has been very good, particularly while we have had so much dry weather. Clive and Maurice were once again continuing with this well worthwhile project (30th Aug).
Maurice cleaning up inside the south end (30th Aug).
Now looking good with the coating of green primer. The next stage will be painting in dark grey undercoat (30th Aug).
Class 122 Bubblecar 55003
On 27th August the Bubblecar was moved to the Malvern side of the yard ready for its return to Toddington.
What we did not expect on Tuesday 30th was the appearance of the 04 shunter complete with a lovely repainted Macaw B bogie bolster wagon and the Queen Mary brakevan, with Alex onboard the latter as guard.
The plan was to load the Macaw with redundant concrete sleepers (to be used at Toddington to create another coal bunker), attach two vans, and finally the Bubblecar.
Everything coupled up and ready. Alex checks the vacuum ....................
................... and we're on our way.
Having been offered a brake van ride during the Steam Gala but unable to take up the offer because we were busy looking after the Works for our visiting public, Richard and I grabbed the chance for a trip to Toddington. The ride on the Queen Mary is very smooth.
Approaching Toddington with our resident Deltic 55019 'Royal Highland Fusilier' prominently displayed.
A miscellany of activities
As to be expected during the month there were any number of activities going on, some of which follow in date order.
Former LMS brakevan M732463 was returned from the Welland Steam Festival (9th Aug).
Pam makes a start on adding " B R Fire" to Winchcombe Station's fire buckets. The green tape on the rim marks the vertical centre position (16th Aug).
With the extreme dry weather creating a fire hazard diesel running took over from the 10th to 21st August (16th Aug).
On the afternoon of Tuesday 16th the rain came, gently at first and then became a deluge. It eased off for a while, and then it was back and even heavier. It made for an "interesting" drive home!
We have sometimes have unusual things to make or in for repair. Perhaps these Easter bunny feet that Upholstery repaired (thank you Dave!) rank with the reindeer, moose and sleigh that the Woodwork team created a few years ago (18th Aug).
Friday 19th August was a very special day for the GWSR when we hosted the Deltic Preservation Society's 40th Anniversary event, with visitor numbers exceeding all expectations. 55019 'Royal Highland Fusilier', which will be resident until the end of the running season, was joined by 55009 'Alycidon', which stayed for the weekend. 55009 gently pulls its 7-coach "featherweight" load away from Winchcombe (20th Aug).
Alex completes his latest station board - this one for Cheltenham Racecourse (20th Aug).
Steam returned on 23rd August. Ivatt Mogul 46521 departs Winchcombe with on board Tom, one of our two main contacts during the Bubblecar repaint. Just three more days of running before 46521 returns to the GCR (23rd Aug)
The trestle painting and varnishing has been incredibly busy over the past month, to the point where we had to spread out to the other end of the Paintshop and into the Workshop for the Santa coach steps. The undercoated footboards are for 16221, as are the various compartment door items being varnished. Pam works on her fire buckets, while Keith has moved on to varnishing, having given a first top coat to the back board for the buckets. In the background two compartment doors for 16221 await varnishing (23rd Aug)
On the scaffold is one of the repainted Santa coach footsteps, with two more underneath, and two top coated replacement window sliders for TSO 4986 (23rd Aug)
P&O eases into Winchcombe ready for the token exchange, while 46521 waits with the Toddington train (23rd Aug)
[Photo - Nick] Following a slight adjustment to the vent pipe for the wood planer to allow it to open wider, Phil carefully removes a small amount of metal (24th Aug)
Four of the repainted steps ready to be returned to the Santa coach in Platform 1 Bay. Also on board and protected by old towels are the two window sliders which the Maintenance Team will use to replace the broken one on TSO 4986. On the table in the background one of the final two steps has been part repainted (25th Aug).
Later in the day John, our Head of Maintenance and a member of the Santa Team, collected the trolley. The steps were put on board the coach ready for refitting, but first a quick demo to see how they look when secured in place (25th Aug)
John S. has been busy again on the milling machine, this time producing some new door locators, with an original set in his right hand (27th Aug).
Dennis and Paul (our 3rd and 4th Rakes Maintenance Team) take a break with Chris (from our Door Team) joining them (27th Aug)
Dave and Kevin sorting out 2nd Class seats for CK 16221 (27th Aug)
Our Woodwork team made several of these cross-pit bridges for the Loco Dept quite a while ago. Three have now been returned for repair (27th Aug).
******************
Tony Baker (Indoor Gang)
On Saturday 20th we were very pleased to have a visit from Tony, a member of the Indoor Gang (photo taken a few years earlier). He has been unable to be with us for quite a while because of a serious health issue. However we were very sad when he announced that he would no longer be able to continue volunteering. He was a very skilled member of the Indoor Gang and he will be much missed. We hope he will still be able to visit us from time to time.
******************
Well, it's been quite a catch-up. Hopefully it will have been of interest. We will now be back to our regular postings.
The view from the footbridge at 0735 on 30th August