Wednesday 26th/Thursday 27th - A big pre-Gala post

Hopefully we will get some pics during the two days of the Gala, but in case we are overun with visitors to the Works and don't have the opportunity, this somewhat large post should make up for it.

Wednesday

All the photos for Wednesday were taken by Gerry, who kindly stepped in as Nick was only doing Thursday this week. They are presented in the order in which they were taken.

Ken takes a break after cleaning up an extracted pedestal liner from the adjacent bogie (behind the camera).

Tony works on the south bogie, at what looks to be the position of one of the brake hangers.

Rex is drilling a new section of top hat bar as part of the job to replace the crossbearers under the north half of RBr 1675.

What looks like new pieces of cantrail and a side section of z bar for this Malvern side window at the south end of 1675. This will be part of the work in preparation for fitting the second of the two large end panels.

Geoff trims up the new wood insert on the better of the two quarter doors from RBr 1675.

David cleans out one of our many paint kettles. I left him a number of jobs for the day, all of which were done as far as possible. He updated me by email: -.

1a. Sign boards all have had second brown undercoat, and now need brown topcoat on centre panel. A couple may need second cream topcoat on frame - depends what they look like when dry.
1b. Corridor connection back plates [for 1675 south end] need turning and another undercoat dark grey applying to other side . Electrical connector covers [also for 1675] done - Phil told me not to paint insides.
2. [Coating the items made by Ken R. and left on the hooks in red oxide] Done
3. [Undercoating the special banner frame made by John V.] Done.

Ken A. working on the north end of 1675 (possibly removing more panelling in preparation for the replacement of the lower portions of crash pillar and the heavy base plate).

Bryan using the large saw. In the foreground are sections of primed z bar, used for the sides of windows and door frames.

Chris, the new member of the metalwork team, working in the north end of 1675 and I was told really enjoying his day.

Derek, who is doing a great job sorting out the floor supports for the crossbearers.

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Thank you Gerry. A fine collection of photos. Hope I am more or less correct with some of the explanations of what I think is happening..

Thursday 

Beginning Thursday with CK 16221, Richard I begins the job of wiring up the Malvern side battery box.

At the north end Phil is busy cleaning the ceramics for both the toilet compartments.

The second top coating on the Malvern side continues with Phil and Jeff beginning with a light sand with 240 paper to provide a key.

The Metalwork gang working on RBr 1675 were out in force again. Nick was welding on the south end of the Malvern side, probably the new cantrail and window side photographed by Gerry yesterday and no doubt in further preparation for attaching the second of the two large end panels.

Nick said he would like to have started to put on the second end panel, but I guess there is always more preparation than expected.

 Gerry was also on the Malvern side working on an old top hat crossbearer.

 Rex was clearing out more redundant pipework underneath the seating area.

Another pile of discarded material for the skips.

 A zoomed shot of Rex anglegrinding.

The Metalwork gang enjoying a well earned lunch - Bryan, Nick, Gerry and Rex

 At the north end Ken is in the process of taking off this window.

 Later on I caught Gerry and Ken storing it on our window stand.

 

Ken returned to his work on the south end corridor connection, drilling more holes for the many bolts that are needed.
 

The intact quarter door from 1675 had been transferred to the Workshop and Rod began the cleaning up job.

The whistle up at the station has us rushing outside to catch the northbound train with Clive driving again.

 

In the Barn Andy is coating the cleaned up axle on this wheelset with green primer.

 The extracted pedestal liners are similarly treated.

 

The raised Commonwealth bogie for which all this work is being undertaken.
 

Andy begins the job of extracting the brake hanger on this side of the bogie.

Across the yard Clive is back under the Macaw bogie bolster. On wondering how he was able to do any painting after the rain, he said the parts he was coating were sheltered and thus dry.

 

Enjoying lunch once again on the Baguley-Drewery railcar trailer and in front the reason why I love sitting here. 

 With the train gone Ian and Clive could begin the planned shunt. 

First job - extract the next two vans to be refurbished and transfer them to the Barn.

Ex-GW Mogo 65742 will be rebuilt. 

 

Vanfit 774445 from the PWay train is in for a tidy up and repaint.

 The other job was to pull the 3rd rake out of its siding and into Platform 2 ready for the Gala.

 

While I was in the Woodwork shop reassembling a notice stand, Roger was creating a new back panel for a door.

I later captured Roger and Alan clamping the old and new panels together, presumably to check for the correct size for the latter I meant to ask which coach the repair work was for.

The first job of the day for Phil and Jeff was to add another coat of cream to the frames of the new lobby signboards. The day before David A. had added another coat of undercoat brown which has provided a nice smooth base for when the top coat brown and finally the signwriting go on.

[Photo : Rod]  We have two skylights in the old Workshop, but over the years they have become dirty and loose, and in the past year or so beginning to be a problem, with one section disappearing in a gale. Enough is enough and, with contractors appearing to erect the necessary scaffolding, the problem will soon be sorted out for good.

For years we have relied on the platform sandwich boards and occasionally other notices to advertise that we are open. In general they have worked well and we will continue to use them. However with the crowds on the platforms they must often become "buried" and not visible to those on the trains. Ian is very keen to increase our visibility and visitor footfall, so how about something a little larger?

A quick trial with the bogie pushed up to the crossing. The special stand made by John V. is ideal and fits on the end of the bogie safely and securely

Well - nobody is going to miss this! And if you think this is big, as the saying goes with its glorious double negative, "you ain't seen nothin' yet !"

[Photo : Rod]  Rod captured me reassembling the wood stands which we use for gala advisory notices

A final shot before departing for the day. The paintshop displays have been set up, the various notices placed around the lobby and other parts where needed, the stands and chains for the viewing area at the end of the Barn in place, and various other aspects taken care of. So just the stuff in the middle to get out first thing Saturday. 

Here's to a good Gala weekend!