Saturday 25th - Final Preparations

 1 week to go before trains run again, so it was time to put everything back together. The shunting team were hard at work in cold, but mostly dry, weather:

The sun did come out for a bit, as one of the NYMR SKs are moved out of the way and the first rake takes shape on the mainline:

By the end of the day the first rake was fully formed up, with the second well on the way:

The CK should be making its debut in the second rake, but there's still a few little jobs to do on it. Stu attaches the tie-bars:

Phil sorts out some electrical connections:

Upholstery had a different day today, with a visiting upholsterer from the Aln Valley railway coming to learn the secrets of coach seats:

Many photos, drawings and notes later, our team imparted all their worldly wisdom. It's great to be able to co-operate and share knowledge like this.

On the RBr, Dave continued his work on the main bodysides, scraping paint away to find out where else the tinworm had got in:

It was good to see some more bits going back on, Steve, Ainsley and Chris here trial fitting both the main and quarter door on the Cotswold side:

Woodwork in the South vestibule continued apace too with Alan and Simon:

There was heavy lifting today as the old seats from the BCK in the third rake, recently replaced with that lovely blue and gold chestnut leaf design, were put into storage by Dave and Andy: 

With the rakes on the move, Paul retreated inside and gave the lobby a good vacuum:

Paul from the cleaning gang popped in to pick up the Hooton trolley plaque sign-written by Pam:

Just Ben and (not pictured) Kevin on the FK, continuing to work their way through the door locks:

Onto why I didn't manage too many pictures today, the Mogo. First a before and after of Nick's repair from Thursday:

John picked this up today using the template Nick had made to cut more new pieces of metal for the other quadrants that need repairing:

With the doors we trial fitted last week all painted up, we fitted them properly today with coach bolts. Maurice does the honours screwing the nuts on from the outside:

One pair on:

And another, with appreciative audience:

After this we moved straight on to a trial fit of the side doors on the other side that Robert had just finished, and after a bit of adjustment they too were put into primer by Maurice, while on the left Paul made a start cleaning up the solebar: