Monday 14th - Forget The Plan!

 A lot happening today. There was a Fish'n'Chip special for Volunteers, departing at 12:20. Some weeks ago the maroon rake was specified for this, to be in platform 1, and rake 1 (choc & cream) in platform 2. So to be sure rake 2 was ready for the special it was an early start for everyone. On arrival at Toddington the maroon set had had a fast repaint...

This was a little later with some RCS staff coming down the platform. So, no maroon set and just this one in P1, due to go out at 12:20. First off was a quick inspection to see what was essential to do, after being used for Race Trains on Friday and Saturday last. 

Some mopping required....

Just 6 today so Paul and Tim washed the Malvern side and the rest of us worked rapidly through the inside. Kath on mopping then tables and toilets, Rich with one Ghostbuster, me with the other and Nigel general internal. With the inside done Nigel augmented the outside team. 

Tea break was taken at 11:00 so there was plenty of time for RCS and train staff to do their prepping. Oh, and some of the shop was going by train to the Race Course station to be set up for the Santa Specials. 

And of course our guest Deltic was going home.

Very busy for a Monday!

As we had completed the essential work by 11:00, after tea break we went down to the DMU. It hadn't been cleaned after use in October and although not scheduled to be used again until March it was a good opportunity to give it a good internal clean rather than leave it dirty all winter. It's the First Class carpet that always looks bad...

No "after" photo but I sorted it out with the GTech - ideal for the job. The rest of the team all had their jobs - 

Paul mopping

Rich with the Ghosbuster

Tim and Nigel on windows

And Kath also on windows (and checking the toilets)

We returned from the DMU just in time to wave to the other volunteers as they pulled away to Winchcombe to collect the chips.

After that it was lunch on the platform with the unusual view, for us, of looking out at the Cotswolds with no train in the way.