Saturday 1st - Almost a full house

 A new month and a bright start with quite a good turnout, almost back to old times.

Beginning today with CK 16221's progress, there were three working inside from our Woodwork Team. Simon was busy inserting the corner beading in the south vestibule. Later he attached the ceiling strips which cover the joins in the panels, completing the job with some white paintable sealant.

Steve was also there fitting the top panels. Apologies to Dave E. who I missed - I think he was working in one of the second class compartments.

While I was off obtaining photos for the blog, Pam took on more of the extra filling required above the windows on the Malvern side, the unexpected job reported in Thursday's post.

There were still some minor bits noted on the lower panelling that needed a bit of filler, but unfortunately Pam misunderstood me and when I got back there were a lot more areas with filler than I had intended. So, dust or no dust, we resorted to pad sanding so as to get it all done, but as Pam's filling was very good, i.e. nice and smooth and not heavy, the job was soon done.

At the end of the day with all the extra bits ready for some patch painting in light grey undercoat. The top areas above the window frames are now much better and will also be repainted. I got going on the vacuuming with the new Henry and had done half of the side and part of the roof, when Robert appeared and said he had the kettle on for our end of day cuppa. Say no more -  the rest can wait til Tuesday.

During the afternoon Tony and Andy came to look at the Cotswold side vacuum cylinder and DA valve. Both in fact had already been serviced.

They did however replace the dynamo on the Malvern side. This is purely cosmetic as they are no longer needed now that we mainly use LED lights and thus can survive on mains battery charging when the rakes are stabled at Toddington and in our yard at Winchcombe. 

In the Upholstery workshop the first class seating for 16221 awaits fitting. However we need to finish varnishing and have the marmoleum laid before the compartments are furnished.

My reason for entering the Upholstery Shop was of course to capture the latest activities as the Saturday team were in. Jenny assists Laura as another cover, what looks to be an arm rest, is carefully sewn.

John meanwhile was repairing the bottom corner of the wood frame for a first class compartment seat back, destined for BCK 21092.

Over to the 4th Rake where Paul was cleaning the internal windows of SK 24804, one of the two coaches on loan from the NYMR. The other one, SK 25488, is scheduled to enter the Paintshop during our winter shutdown period for a repaint in its existing Crimson and Cream livery.

Nick was in today to give Ben from our Door Team some welding tuition. Ben poses for the camera.

John continues making more of the door locators on our milling machine, some new examples with an old one for comparison shown in the photo below.

On to RBr 1675 progress, with Phil sorting out some new electric connections.

Ken was in the Barn cleaning up the various parts from the south end corridor connection, which are now hanging on the Paintshop hooks for initially a coat of red oxide.

Later in the Workshop he was lining up an old J section of corridor connection with the new one repaired by Ken A. I meant to ask, but I think this was to mark where bolt holes needed to be drilled in the new welded inserts of U section. Afterwards the U section was placed on top of the main connection which is currently lying on the Paintshop floor.

 

The first of the two doors retrieved from storage last week had been stripped of their components by Ainsley and I had started clearing off the old paint. However this particular paint was quite resistent to my efforts with scraper and sander, so I used some of the Door Team's somewhat powerful paint stripper and ... well, say no more. That's some potent stuff! While I was busy on 16221, Kevin took on the job of clearing off the loose paint. Pad sanding should soon remove the remaining softened layers.

Ainsley is currently stripping the second of the two doors.

Andy was back on vacuum cylinder maintenance, cleaning up a release valve.

Prior to the paint stripping, Kevin was sorting out more of our supplies. Things are very much easier to find nowadays after all his continuing hard work, especially with his parts location guide displayed in our lobby.

[Photo : Bob B.]  Tony and Kevin are currently clearing out one of the storage vans that we had bought from a private owner.

What's Robert doing with this nice plank of walnut?

Ah, some scotches have been made and destined for the Paintshop for priming and painting in yellow. These are certainly not our usual shape, so who are they for? The answer is below.

PWay's new road-rail machine.

Bob B. coating the cleaned up base plates from two of the coil springs on the Commonwealth bogie below which is currently being serviced.

Top coating of the Macaw bogie bolster continues with Maurice working on the Malvern side of the two bogies.

The Cotswold side now top coated and awaiting the signwriting.

The Toad brake van roof refurbishment is nearing completion with the edge battens now fixed in place.

Now why haven't we thought of this before? A very nice addition to our changing room.

[Photo : Bob B.] Some of the gang take a break to watch 4270 come past. The warning whistle will blow at any moment to be greeted by raised arms in acknowledgement.

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In response to some kind comments in my last two postings, Ginger (his full name) came to me as a stray about 8 or so years ago. I already had two black cats (brothers) that I had taken in a few years earlier, and surprisingly Ginger was accepted by them. I can see from the previous photos of him why John M. thought he may have been a Maine Coon and looking at some photos of that breed on the Internet, his fur in particular makes him look very much like one, especially the ruff round his neck. However he is half the size of that breed. Ginge is a very loving cat and has a lovely nature. He's also quite bold and little frightens him.

Who can resist that adoring look?