Thursday 20th - Some early Gala preparation

Another very busy day with a good number attending with the usual wide variety of jobs underway.

With the Mixed Traction Gala just over a week away, no surprise that a number of aspects are already being undertaken. Beginning with Richard II enhancing his lighting display for our visitors to try out. This shows the difference between LED and old style lighting with respect to battery usage. He has added a bit extra to the way it all works.

These two photos are indirectly connected with the Gala in that it would have been great to have had them in place, but there is too little time available to complete them. They are however to help improve our visitor experience in that each will be mounted above the relevant doorways, so when the basic painting in chocolate and cream is completed, Alex and Pam can get them lettered up - Woodwork, Upholstery, Paintshop, etc.

The tops have been undercoated. Jeff adds a light coat of primer to the backs to seal the wood. In the lower photo, having maskled up the brown interior, he top coats the outer frame.

 

While Richard I looks on, Richard II concentrates on the meter reading as the batteries for this 3rd Rake coach are being checked. The whole rake was done in preparation for the Gala. 

Dennis will be watering up the 3rd Rake next week, but for now was trying to sort out the bloom from the polishing that had been done a few weeks ago on BCK 21092.

Next, a check to see how Pat had got on the day before with repainting the guards corridor inside 21092, which he had started on Tuesday. The result is a great improvement and follows on with what we did with the guards corridor and disabled compartment in BSO 9000 earlier in the year. The next one to tackle will be in BSK 35308 in the 4th Rake.

Returning to the Workshop and progress with RBr 1675, Gerry was undertaking more of the necessary preparation in readiness for fitting the second end panel on the south end.
 

Bryan was continuing the repairs to the Cotswold side kitchen doorway, preparing a small piece of z-bar to be welded at the top of the right hand side.

A quick check - it fits perfectly. Over to Nick or Rex to weld it in.

We thought that the north end of the coach would be fine with respect to the state of the crossbearers as this was the passenger section. However further checks proved this not to be the case, so let's complete the job and get these done as well. In preparation Derek begins the removal of the old wood floor supports.

And here is the first one. Rex, having welded the extra strengthening pieces to the top hat bar, coats it all in red oxide.

In the Door shop Rod works on one of the kitchen quarter doors, using the impact driver to remove some stubborn screws. The wood repair done by Colin (as reported by Nick in yesterday's posting) can be clearly seen. 

Inside the kitchen area the two Richards are busy measuring. I meant to ask them what this was about, obviously something electrical, but I got distracted by something else going on.

Robert, today with his "Evacuation Experience for Schools" hat on, popped in to repair the stirrup pump hose. As co-owner of the 1951 built TK 24006, I expect both he and fellow owner Dave H. must often wonder whether their coach will end up the same way as the RBR when it is eventually brought into the works.

Finally on to CK 16221 and Dave H., with Phil looking on, sorting out the knotting on this cleaned up luggage rack for one of the first class compartments.

Dave later carried on the cleaning of the track for the north end corridor slider, that had been started by Dave A. the day before. The little paddlewheel sander soon had the tarnish off. A good rub down with fine wire wool completed the job.

Dave then tackled another of 16221's luggage racks, this one from a second class compartment. This will of course need complete restringing, but for now he checks the supports to see if they still turn.

Phil S. reattaches the electrical connectors at both ends of the coach. The crushed cable on one of the south end ones was replaced.

Phil J. lightly sands the remaining section of the Malvern side still in undercoat before completing the first top coat for this side.

Bob K. was keen to continue the varnishing inside now that all the new flooring had been completed, but our contractors Bob and Pete asked that we remain outside for the rest of the day to allow the sealant to harden. So Bob added the yellow lining out to the south end door and corner on the Cotswold side.

Looking in from the second class inner door.

Looking in from the first class inner door with the compartment carpeted.