Monday 17th - A Birthday for One

 As expected the scene to greet us today was 

Just rake 1 in platform 2. You'll see why later.

So here are Paul, Lawrie and David washing the Cotswold side of rake 1 (I was on that team as well, not just taking photos!). This was the first time we have been able to do this side this year - and it was obvious! We had 10 volunteers for just one rake, so as part of the "birthday" Paul scrubbed down every window deflector on the top windows. Coach G on the south end was very dirty. It's those steam trains and diesels that do it!

So here we have John and Rich in the buffet car (and someone, sorry, name unknown) from C & W had been in measuring up for reference for the buffet car undergoing the rebuild in C & W.  

As I passed through the train I couldn't help taking a pic of a very smart "Mary" after it had been cleaned. Looked so much better after the dead chips etc had been removed!

Further along I found Nigel (in the distance) and Kath still busy.

Then back down the train Jane and Greg had just finished. As another "birthday" treat Jane (taller than most of us) had wiped the top of the lamp covers in 4790. The cloth is now in need of a very good clean!

That reminds me that just after this David was reminded that it is a good idea to turn the water off before disconnecting the hose..........

As a final part of the "birthday" the train was mopped throughout.

Something else happening in the buffet car was Graham counting the stock so that Rosemary could keep the tally.

Back over on platform 1 I stopped to admire the yellow tulip display.

And so why just one rake?  Here's why

It's the weed killing "train". Having been up to Broadway it was on it's way back.

A Pre-Easter Treat.

At the beginning of the season Ian, HoD of C & W, offered the cleaning team a conducted tour of the works, so on April 5th we eagerly took up the offer. Some of us did this when Peter Bennett was HoD but several of the new members had the chance to get this in-depth look for the first time. Eight of the team came and everyone was very impressed with the work undertaken and the friendly greetings from the C & W volunteers and especially Ian's helpful commentary. Those who had not been before were suitably amazed at both how complex carriages are and the skill of our volunteer restorers. At the end of the tour we repaired to the mess room where Ian made the tea - and washed up afterwards. Real leadership skills!

Here is Ian explaining the total rebuild of the buffet car.