Thursday 14th - And a bit of Wednesday too

Often the hardest thing about writing up a blog post is trying to think of a suitable title. Some titles just spring into mind after a particular photo is taken. On other days the post is all ready to publish; you scroll up and down the photos but nothing comes to mind, or if it does, it's all been said before. Then there are those titles that almost write themselves - today's post was like that.

Both Nick and Gerry are away at the moment so no Wednesday posting this week, but I did an initial walk around the Works to capture some of the work achieved. So, to begin, a quick catch-up with Upholstery and Metalwork.

A lovely pile of cushions ready for our shops. As far as I am aware the demand is still as great as ever.

And another pile of cushion covers ready to be stuffed.

The stack of completed seating for the FODR continues to grow. We can't be far off completing the first contract now.

Some good progress with the major repair work at the north end of FK 13326. The corroded ends of the corridor connection support pillars have been carefully cut off.

The new base plate (purchased from South Devon Railway Engineering) has been put on and the four new sections of pillar made ready for welding.

On now to today's efforts, beginning with the old Army RBr at the end of the headshunt. Regular readers will know that Dave H. has spent a lot of time tidying up both storage vehicles and those awaiting restoration, and of course S&T's mess/workshop coach where I also got involved. In each case the result is something with better protection and looking very much better, while still retaining the "before" restoration appearance. Other activities, including doing up S&T's coach, and the uncertain weather have meant that the improvements to the RBr have fallen behind.

Dave has now restarted this job and the vehicle is beginning to look much better in it's dark grey. However I think we are back to rain again on Saturday, so another delay. Let's hope the forecast changes.

Our 3rd and 4th Rake Maintenance Team do a great job looking after these coaches, even though they are only used during galas and other special occasions. Dennis is going through the 3rd Rake checking all the lights.

When I see Geoff walking to or returning from the 3rd Rake or one of the 4th Rake coaches, he is often showing a pronounced limp. Now I know why! As Geoff says, time to sort out and reduce the tool bag. Trouble is what to take out when you know that there will always be something where the tool you want is missing and it's a lengthy traipse down the yard to access the rake.

With the north end roof leak on SK 24949 resolved and the affected toilet compartment restored, Bob gets going with the redecorating and the undercoat cream goes on.

Earlier on when walking down to Rake 3 to review the job, I get Bob to pose by the waiting Class 37 on the southbound train (it's the Pink timetable today, so 1 steam, 1 diesel).

Continuing with the excellent work being done by our electricians, the 24 volt junction box for RBr 1675 being made by Richard II (initially reported in the post for Weds 6th / Thurs 7th) is gradually coming together. Richard checks the fitting of the push buttons. I left him cutting a small notch in each recess to hold the buttons firmly.

The result when returning later.

When you need a special spanner, it's often easiest to make one to fit!

I think it's working!

A final look at progress to find the front of the box now fitted in place.

Phil rewiring a coach electrical connection.

Phil and Jeff had earlier started filling work on the Model Railway TPO coach doors, but with drizzle appearing on and off they eventually abandoned that and instead began more undercoating on the Malvern side of FK 13326.

While the weather was fine Chris began drilling some of the holes required for the new planking in the MACAW. The magnetic drill was ideal for this job, though one of the drill bits wasn't and ended up broken in the scrap metal bin.

Some of the heavy planking in the MACAW needs raising and as such Steven cuts some lengths of plyboard to do the job.

The package delivered the day before contained the new perspex windows for Tool Van 4......

.................. which Alex proceeds to mount on the skylights.

Inside Tool Van 92 Steven clears out one of the recesses being made ready for a new ceiling beam, which is ...............

................. probably the one here in the Woodshop which appears to be ready to fit.

It was then back to removing the redundant metal sheets from the roof. We could never make the roof waterproof in the past with these, so it's heartening to see them removed. A new canvas will be going on instead.

The Railway has over the past week been hosting groups connected with the Cheltenham Heritage Open Days. Each group travelled from Cheltenham to Winchcombe on the train with free tickets, and were then given a general talk on the railway, followed by a tour of C&W. Richard H. kindly looked after the first group for the C&W tour on Sunday, and I did the same for the Tuesday group and again with today's group. This time I remembered to take a photo. The tours were very enjoyable to give, each group expressing a lot of interest in our work.

With Tool Van 4 just about finished, it will be shunted out on Saturday and a new vehicle will be brought in. Alex and I cleared the route in all three buildings, so that on Saturday, after a recheck to ensure all is safe, the shunt will take place.

So, what's coming in?  It will require a bit of shuffling about in the Paintshop and Workshop with Tool Van 92 and the RBr.

Alex's last job of the day was to update the board, and now you know what we will be tackling next.

And what is Alex doing on Saturday? 

Off to the Severn Valley's Autumn Gala with a group from the Loco Dept. 

Lots of photos please! 😀