Saturday 6th - All change, all change

 The first Saturday of the close season, so that means a big shunt to move everything around and make a start on winter maintenance.

Of course while having all 26 odd operational carriages at Winchcombe has its benefits, it can get a bit crowded. Matt the signalman captured the shunting team pushing the choc n cream rake up towards the tunnel out of the way having pulling the CK out of the maroon rake as a first job.

The main workshop road was to be shunted soon, but that didn't deter Alan who cracked on with some more welding on the RBr first thing.

First thing up on the jacks was CK 16221.

John checked the riding height before disconnecting everything to take it up in the air.

Lots of to-ing and fro-ing outside but before everything went out, Chris made a start measuring up the timbers for the other end of the tank wagon.

Most people just milled about though, sorry, had important conversations about future work :-)

Here we go, Clive and Andy on ground shunter duties, in we come to connect everything up.

And out, initially just everything up to the tank wagon leaving the SK for a moment, and chance for a good shot of the new livery.

A step back to look at the RBr and FK behind too. we're getting there with the paint stripping!

Ok back in for a second bite, this time SK 25488.

And out! Looking very smart in its refreshed crimson & cream livery.

Another angle from Matt up in the signalbox.

As always, with the works empty, time for a big sweep up.

And vacuum too.

Undisturbed from the goings on downstairs, upholstery carried on as normal, efforts split between seats for our own TSO 4867, yet to enter the works by Jenny and John,

And DFR Mk2 bits with Laura.

Also undisturbed by external goings on was Robert and Simon taking a look at the woodwork for the FK's doors.

A bit of rejigging later, and the RBr is pushed back inside...

All the way into the paintshop.

Now then chaps, before you leave the FK in the workshop, there's this wagon....

It's got a little bit buried, can you fetch it out and bring it in please?... The long line of wagons that had inexplicably got in the way of the one we wanted captured by signalman Matt.

That's the one, thank you!

It was looking a bit faded and due a repaint, and we had reports of the floor rotting. No kidding! Not long before Maurice had most of it out with little effort required. 

Ok, now we can bring the FK into the workshop.

And, erm, haven't quite finished the tank wagon yet, can we squeeze that back in as well? Oh go on then.

With the workshop part of the shunt done, we could crack on with more paint removal on the RBr. Dave on the sander,

George with a scraper, and I with a grinder all made good progress.

Alan was soon back to the metal work too.

I took a couple of breaks from the grinding and sanding to sign-write the solebar on the Malvern side of the tank too.

Meanwhile the CK was up in the air for John to take a look at where the steam heat pipe had failed.

Right next to the 'sheeps head' (look sideways and use some imagination!) bit of a bugger that, but we have the technology.

Still plenty more moves outside, next up some bogies to shuffle.

It really was a full day of shunting for the team as darkness was falling as the last moves were completed. The two SOs having seats swapped were both extracted from their respective sidings and rakes and parked next to each other to allow easy swapping, then everything else had to be put back somewhere reasonably sensible, finally bringing the choc n cream rake back from the tunnel when done. So another thanks from me for taking the time to go and fetch that wagon earlier in the day, I know it's not top priority at the moment but it helps keep us all busy!