Tuesday 25th - Variety and memories

With the Gala Weekend rapidly approaching it was time to start the more major preparations.

Stu and Maurice took on the clearing up of the through road of the Barn. It actually wasn't too bad and is now looking quite presentable, though somewhat empty. There are two vans due to come in, but it is uncertain whether this will happen before the event.

Alan later took on the Workshop. Work on RBr 1675 during Wednesday/Thursday will no doubt deposit more dirt and dust, but at least we will have got the major job done and it shouldn't take long to whiz over the floor again. I similarly tackled the Paintshop and had a general clear up, including moving CK 16221 a couple of yards to create more space at the north end. Bob and Stu meanwhile put together the yellow stands for the chain barrier around the viewing area. The busiest preparation day will be Thursday.

While all this was going on Dave cleaned up the bolts for the luggage racks for 16221.

With the previously cleaned and clingfilmed racks returned from storage, Dave and Alan began unwrapping them ready for putting back into the compartments on 16221.

Stu got cracking on 16221, beginning with the black sections of the remaining bit of lining out. This was on the Cotswold side south end door and corner.

He then moved to the Malvern side, adding second top coat to all the window frames and then the bottom third working from the south end. As always with Stu, all beautifully painted.

Pam finished her day adding second top coat to the Malvern side north corner and door. It was her first go at coach topcoating and it came out very well.

The quarter doors for RBr 1675 are proving to be a trial. The worst one will now be rebuilt after all. With the two new vertical parts of the frame now formed, Robert matches the main of the two old ones to mark up the relevant parts to be cut out.

Meanwhile Ainsley works on the better of the two doors.

Inside the passenger area of 1675 Derek continues with the removal of the old wood floor supports from the crossbearers. The new crossbearer recently made by Rex can be seen in the foreground. In front of that are the pre-cut parts of new crash pillar that will be used to replace the corroded ones at the north end of the coach.

All the new internal signs have been made and are in various stages of painting. Maurice adds a second brown undercoat to the central panels for these two signs. After initial undercoating these were a little rough, but a light sand with 240 paper, the second undercoat, and finally brown top coat will provide an excellent surface for the lettering.

Maurice adds the extra smooth filler to the corners of the final two signs.

It was good to see Pam back after a few weeks away and straight into a special job which she was very much looking forward to doing. Some initial planning and measuring .....................

................ to end up with the format and spacing required.

With the pattern transferred the painting could begin.

An excellent job - well done Pam. The scotches can now be taken over to Permanent Way's road-rail vehicle, which has been named "Stevie" in memory to Steve Warren, for many years their digger driver who sadly passed away earlier this year.

Someone commented that all we usually see of Pam is that bell of hair. Well here she is relaxing during our end of day cuppa and cake(s) before the long drive home.

Stu gives the thumbs up, and with a cheery "See you next Tuesday", sets off for home in his MG.

It was another lovely sunny Autumn day as amply shown as P&O shuffles by on the first train of the day.

**********************

Phil Hooton

I was very sorry to hear Richard and Roger's sad news about the death of Phil Hooton, who had been with the Cleaning Team for many years. I dug into my archive of blog photos and found a collection of when Phil attended the Works and helped on mainly wagon restoration in late 2015 and the first half of 2016.

BR Vanfit 755964 rebuild