Tuesday 5th - Fetch the tickle stick!

A really gorgeous spring day and the trains back to mid week running again, what more can you ask for?

Alex was unable to capture Upholstery's activities on Saturday with all the shunting and other things going on, so a quick catch-up on their progress.

As previously reported, their current project involves refurbishing the seating for TSO 4867 which will be the next major restoration after RBr 1675. We continue to wax lyrical over the horsechestnut leaf moquette and, from previous photos of the first class seating recently installed in BCK 21092, it's not hard to see why. Above a lovely collection of headrests in the making.

Spare cuts of the moquette awaiting use. Those gorgeous yummy looking chocolates are still there - as before, I was very good and didn't take any. Actually, how come they are still not eaten?!  They wouldn't have lasted 5 minutes in the Mess Room.

A side panel in the making, and on the right probably moquette for a seat - the canvas strip has already been attached.

The stack of refurbished seating continues to grow.

The first train of the day on its way to Cheltenham to collect its first passengers (although someone got on at Toddington and is busy filming the token exchange), most of whom will be travelling to Broadway to spend time in the village.

Richard was the only one working on the Santa coach, now in the Paintshop after the changeover on Saturday. Most of his work was cleaning up the door edges and frames (there are just three doors on the Malvern side of the coach, with everything else blanked off). We will be trying to keep the interior as dust free as possible, so only the door being worked on will be open. 

I'm afraid I never took a photo of Alan who was working on the Cotswold side of FK 13326, now in the Barn.

The new vertical supports for the north corridor connection of RBr 1675, now in undercoat.

Derek adds more floorboarding inside 1675.

[Photo : Paul E.]  Over now to the Mogo with some minor roof repairs being made from the scaffold tower before the new canvas is put on.

[Photo : Paul E.]  The complex top sections of the side door frames that have been made by Robert, now ready to be rechecked and then fitted.

Paul and Robert test fitting the one for the Malvern side.

[Photo : Paul E.]  Maurice top coating the south end.

Right, the fit looks to be ok on the Cotswold side. Now, where's that tickle stick?!

With Paul and Robert supporting the frame, Maurice drills the necessary bolt holes.

75014 "Braveheart", looking superb in the bright sunshine and blue sky background, with the well filled train from Cheltenham. 7903 "Foremarke Hall" sets off with the second train for Cheltenham.

David D. with part of the new dividing wall in the Workshop which will separate the vacuum cylinder area from the new coach windows area.

What a great place to work on a lovely day. Dave H. has been doing a great job tidying up some of our storage vehicles and at the same time ensuring bodywork holes are covered to prevent further water ingress amd corrosion. The oxided holes will be covered with gaffer tape and then painted over as he progresses along the bodyside. This is also a great way to use up what would otherwise be unwanted paint.

After visiting Dave, I was in time to catch Train 2 on its way back to Toddington and Broadway.

On now to the recreation of "Capel Dewi Hall" for the commemoration of the famous high speed run with "Pendennis Castle" in 1964. With two cabside number plates made and ready for painting, Pam begins constructing one of the nameplates. The initial job is to glue the backing pieces to the main sections.

The completed plate now clamped while the glue dries.

Job done. On her next visit the precut letters will be added.

It's almost 6 p.m. and our traditional wind-down session before setting off home. Pam looks up with a big smile and then reminds me for the umpteenth time that my tea (in the foreground) must be cold and undrinkable by now.