Wednesday 14th - A bit more progress

 Nice to be back after a weeks' break, just a small number in today. Nevertheless Rex had the plan ready, around the south end and kitchen area we need to make the floor safe. To do this we need to finish doorway replacement and any corroded vertical sections, Then Derek can carry on with this all important phase.

Another piece of the jigsaw is done, so Rex gets some paint on it.

Rex's plan was to get these side pieces in, this creates a strong supporting arch because ......

..... we have now removed a large piece of the buffer plate, to be fair the crash pillars had already left this world. We will be fitting a new purpose made buffer plate and crash pillars, which will be 400mm long and root welded to the existing upper pillars which are in very good condition.

Although the gas axe makes short work, Rex is assisting here by cutting through the old welds. We have to be very careful with fire risk and always have ready to hand means of extinguishing any flames, for this reason we have a rule that no heat is applied after the 1 hour before going home time. A laser thermometer is very useful for finding hotspots.

You may remember from Dave's blog, about Ken's struggle removing the axle slides from 1675's north bogie. Well Ken is never beaten and here is the result, they will be cleaned and painted and welded back on after careful measurements and jigging is carried out.

Ken is now cleaning the mating faces on the bogie, there is not much room in there.

 It is great to have Ken back, corridor connectors he is so good at but he did admit they are a difficult beast to re-build.

Phil is about to sort some cabling, at least thats what he told me.

Here he is in a very tight position and uttering all sorts of English.

David is sorting the kick strips to go into 16221 which is ( dare I say ) nearing completion.

Colin is explaining the technicalities of a biscuit joint for the window surrounds ....

....The biscuit joint, you will not be able to see the join.

Trevor working on a door for 1675, doors being a job on their own.

Ainsley has just attached clamps to bond a window seal in place.

Finally a group shot, the weather had improved and our chances of dining outside will be getting fewer. We like to wave to our travellers, there is always the lunchtime cross over at Winchcombe and today we were treated to 'Dinmore Manor' and Foremark Hall' doing what they do best.