Saturday 26th - Pipes and metal

 Another busy Saturday with lots achieved. Picking up from last week, the old pipe thread cutter was beyond saving, but we were quick off the blocks and a new one arrived yesterday.

By the time I got round to starting photos, John had already had a play and given it his seal of approval. He and Andy were sorting out a new section of pipe and associated connecting bits to repair a steam leak on 5042.

Into the barn then for a trial fit, looking good.

The final fit...

And all done. Hopefully that's a bit more steam that stays inside and keeps our passengers warm rather than obscuring their view outside. There's a couple more leaks to attend to around radiators I'm told before the coach is lowered down onto its bogies again.

Speaking of, I confess I've lost track somewhat of what's happening with bogies. Ian had the air powered grease gun out doing the brake rigging on one of the pair of bogies sat outside the barn.

And Stuart was taking apart from of the suspension on one of the commonwealths under 5042. They were later cleaned up and deposited on the painting trestles.

On the metal side we were very pleased to welcome Alan to the works today as a new volunteer, with some much needed welding skills given all the work available at the moment. He jumped straight in and welded up this end piece that had previously been tacked into place.

And in the afternoon cut our a badly bulging piece of original bodywork and tacked in a new bit of plate which is much better. Brilliant start, he can come again!

Work on the RBr for the woodwork team is getting a little restricted as there is still so much welding to be done (hence relief at Alan starting) so the team decided today was a good day for a sort out of their workshop. Ably assisted by our stores and spares export Kevin.

Later on the big work bench at the back was completely cleared for an upgrade of some kind.

Chris kept well out of the way drilling and bolting planks for the Macaw that were cut to fit on Thursday.

Robert made a start on corner repairs to tool van No.92.

We're getting there on the sanding on this one with another morning spent making a mess. Maurice worked on the North end.

While Pam did a bit more on the South end. I also managed to get the sliding door working after a bit of brute force and grease.

Elsewhere on the prep side of things, having made a start on undercoating the Cotswold side of FK 13326, we realised the Malvern side still had a bit of filling and sanding to do, So George got stuck in.

Along with Dave.

The North end is now completely stripped, hopefully with a bit more capacity on the welding side of things we can get going with this a bit more now.

A brief sojourn upstairs to see how the DFR contract was coming along found some large piles of side panel bits. The end is in sight with this coach, but the Mk2 beckons!

Outside dodging the showers Dave managed to finish green priming the S&T coach.

At various points the sky looked very threatening.

The shower was just waning as our two BR(W) 4-6-0s passed each other.

The afternoon then, and as is our routine now, sanding switched to painting in the paintshop. Pam top coated the sliding doors both sides.

And Maurice did the final large panel. All of this will have another top coat yet.

Speaking of, I did the second top coat in red on the South end which then allowed me to black the headstock and other bits and pieces - definitely looking the part now. All the hours of dirty prep work is definitely worth it!