Saturday 13th - A fine day

 It was a warm and sunny day, which made a nice change from all the recent wet weather.

Two GWR 4-6-0s out, sun glinting off the copper caps, perfect!

The appearance of some sunshine and I needed no more encouragement to get some topcoat on the last main panel on the model railway coach, Dave captured me after giving the undercoat a light rub down to get rid of all the insects and bits had had stuck to it, trials of painting outside...

Just the lining out to do and then the doors.

Alan got stuck straight in on the RBr cutting out around the holes and rust along the gutter line.

Inside plenty was going on, Ben was advising Dave on the next steps.

The main thing preventing more panelling being fitted is the fitting of the radiators, these were manhandled inside today having been serviced, ready for fitting.

The FK is coming along well, Tony finished the undercoating on the Malvern side as far as we can go.

Later on in the day I declared it time for some top coating and did the top chocolate band.

James was sorting out some metal work in one of the door ways, hopefully the door will fit now.

Simon was cracking on with the internal framing on the South end

Meanwhile Dave was on the North end with a bit of paint where the corridor connection woods go - hopefully won't be too long before this end all gets assembled.

I missed him doing that as Dave was well away with another paid tour - these have been very popular and are nearly all sold out.

In other bits and pieces, Phil was working on a new light for the toilet in the spare TSO in the yard.

Chris continued progress with the shunter door frame, some nice oak going into this.

Upholstery had only just got started when I popped in, on some arm rests from the SO.

Speaking of, later in the day Alan was back on the North end of the SO, welding in a couple of patches cut last week.

Andy, Andy and John were investigating a steam leak on 24949 on the jack road,

While the bogie was out it was given a good clean up and grease and oil, and the brake blocks changed.

George was on the underframe of the plywood van today, giving it a clean up before applying some fresh paint.

Finally it was great to welcome Paul back properly after his previous visit, this time complete with doctor's note telling him he could crack on with important wagon work. He sanded down this half of the Malvern side panels before painting the nut in green primer ready for everything to be undercoated.