Tuesday 2nd - A surprise visit

Another month begins and the lighter evenings are back. 

 

There were good numbers of passengers on the trains again, one of whom was coming in specially to visit us. It was none other than Paul (Scouse) who we were very pleased to see. Paul had had to pack up about a year ago because of a health issue, but having now fully recovered he is keen to get back to the Wagons team.

While on the subject of wagons, two of the weather worn panels removed from the Ply Van. The bolts will be reused as far as possible.

Another surprise face for a Tuesday was James, who normally does Saturdays but is away for the next two weeks. James worked on the section of main frame on FK 13326 where the metal needed building back up.

 Robert had made a new wood threshold, here positioned above James' finished efforts.

Almost all the remaining effort for the day was in connection with RBr 1675. Keith added more paint to the table legs for the seating area, and then primed the cover for gas box B. The cover for box A is having some repairs by the Metalwork team,

Earlier in the day he primed and then undercoated some bits for repairs to one of the two doors belonging to a Toddington shunter.

Richard undercoated the remaining window on the Cotswold side of 1675, ..................

.................... and then moved round to begin the windows on the opposite side, where he was joined by Alan who was cleaning up the sole bar.

Robert took care of the missing bits of panelling around the doorway leading to the south connection.

Also installed were three new bits of skirting. Meanwhile I added more filler to the seams and screw holes in the main panels. These have already been primed.

Robert carefully removes some protruding screw heads where the screws failed to go right in.

It was nice to see David in as he normally does Wednesdays, working on more internal window frames. All these parts of the coach will be painted in Executive Light Grey.

 Preparing another section of frame.

Roger sanded down the painted areas of the serving counter. The area already cleaned up and undercoated can be seen on the left. The opposite window side wall will be oak panelled and varnished.

It's only undercoat, but it's a change of colour from the uniform light grey. Something I have been wanting to do for a while, as much as anything as a boost for everyone's morale. With the gutters still to be sorted out and some door issues, the Painting team doesn't yet have complete freedom on the sides of 1675.