Saturday 9th - Nearly done

 Nearly done for Christmas, and a couple of projects nearly there too.

I put the finishing touches on the skylights with some flashing. the edge ones do serve some purpose, but the intermediate ones are just cosmetic to cover the sealant underneath and make it look a bit more like individual panes.

Chris screwed a few internal planks that were loose back to the frame, which also enabled the door to open again. We'll finish painting the interior once it's in place in the siding at Toddington.

With this done, plans were put in place to swap out the tool van for the DD3 tank wagon on Friday (to minimise workshop disruption on a normal working day) which should be a quick turnaround having been grit-blasted in the earlier year.

25488 is also nearly there. Pam and Dave were on snagging duty on the Cotswold side.

While Martin sorted some bits on the Malvern side. Still 2 coats of varnish to go on this yet though, but completion should nicely coincide with the beginning of the close season when we can get maroon RMB 1876 in for a winter repaint.

Ben kindly sorted out a new draught excluder on the of the doors on the SK. most of them were passable but this one really did need replacing.

the RBr still has a fair way to go, but it's definitely coming together. Ian and Robert assist Simon in fitting one of the curved ceiling panels in the saloon area.

Robert successfully signed off the middle door on the Cotswold side, we have witnesses that it worked today anyway!

Ainsley was still fettling at the South end, when Robert and Chris stopped for a chat.

Outside it was a relatively warm day and the rain eventually gave way to sunshine as Dennis and Paul stop to watch 2807 run round another sold out train full of happy children here to see Santa.

Out in the yard Dave continued his mission dismantling the interior of 4798 to enable a swap of seats in the close season.

In the workbench area, James and John were putting the vacuum cylinder piston sleeves upholstery made last week together, ready for fitting. James seems to have taken on a supervisory role here... With so much work being done and planned recently on brake systems, hopefully drivers will notice a difference next year.

Nick popped in for a discussion with Stuart and Ian on various matters.

Andy cleaned up another overhauled vacuum cylinder ready for painting. The new regime is overhauled cylinders get a full paintjob too, just so everyone can see that we're doing the work!

Meanwhile Phil was doing some more electrics for the RBr, but on the bench today.

Finally for today, one more bit to come off the FK in the barn, with the door pillar Z section having been condemned, the door had to come off. apart from that though, the rest of this end is coming on well.