Saturday 14th - End on End off

 A day with good progress on FK13326 in particular, with both ends receiving attention.

John and Tony on the scaffold tower early in the day undoing all the various bits necessary to take off the corridor connection.

While at the other end the framework looks substantially complete. James considers the next step. Can't be far off putting the new skin on now?

The corridor connection hoops were in need of repair, Alan took care of that with some new sections.

Back at the other end towards the end of the day, and it's off! Well done chaps. We can strip the skin off now and see what horrors lie beneath.

During the week TSO 4772 had been put up in the air to repair a steam leak. This was successfully fixed so can now go back in the running rake.

In the RBr Robert was doing some more work in the control area.

Another box thing. All rather mysterious, no doubt it'll become obvious soon.

I looked in on upholstery at a particularly tense moment as John and Helen were busy trying to thread some very thin thread through the machine.

Looking around to see what was on the workbench A Mk2 bit was in progress. Not so good at recognising the components on these unfamiliar seats, I think it's a base cushion?

Some headrests along with more base cushions in progress? 

The production line of cushions continues apace too.

It was a sunny but cold day outside, watching the DMU go past.

P&O was out on the main set looking impressive as usual.

Heading back towards the warmth of the paintshop, Chris was working on the roof of the tool van, putting in some patches where necessary. Quite handy having the skylights out for this as it makes access a lot easier.

I got the tin of undercoat grey out on the Cotswold side, so apart from a few bits around the window frames we're almost ready for topcoat here.

Just George on the SK today doing a bit more filling and sanding, we're getting there, then it will all happen very quickly!

Kevin keeping on top of us all making sure our stores are all in order, we'd be lost without him!

Wednesday evening

Just Mark and I this time, focusing on the painting of the starfish to get it done for the gala.

We got everything in undercoat and some bits in first topcoat, a good effort.

Mark then did a bit on the underframe.

While I nipped onto my other Toddington project, roundels for 2807's tender.

Yes, it is meant to be that small!

Last thing Saturday I popped back into Toddington to put some more topcoat on, this should allow me to start the signwriting next week and have it all finished by the gala. Hopefully see you there!

Speaking of galas, Sunday was a trip to the Dean Forest for their Autumn gala, so a few pictures from a very enjoyable event:

Bagnall 401 was a guest and takes the main set with 2 extra box vans out of Norchard High level.

Resident Pannier 9681still fairly fresh from overhaul on the rear.

Resident prairie 5541 in the final few months of its boiler ticket passes through with a ballast train.

We followed it and picked it up later at Lydney.

A ride in the brake van was definitely called for given it was a Wednesday evening wagon contingent, the pannier took us to Parkend.

Where we saw guest 1340 Trojan from Didcot parked on the lawn (yes there are some rails under there!) with the DFR's very nice observation saloon doing shuttle runs round Parkend station.

We watched the Prairie come in double heading with 401.

Before the pannier took the ballast train away again.

Another brake van ride? Oh ok then!

A final view from Parkend from the brake van.

Anyway, if an gala with a brake van ride to view the Autumn colours seems like a good idea, fear not, we can help! Our own Autumn Showcase is now less than 2 weeks away, 28th-29th October. Intensive timetable, goods trains, of course with brake van rides, and C&W and loco sheds open for behind the scenes visits. Don't miss it, book your ticket now  at www.gwsr.com/galas/autumn-showcase